Recommendations for an Android TV Box

by gtd_rad

I have a TV integrated with Roku, but I don't really like it because it's a little slow, can't stream my windows laptop to it (It supports casting, but it just doesn't work on my laptop and a lot of people can't get it to work).

That said, do you guys have any recommendations for an Android TV Box that can do the following:

- Cast my Windows 10 desktop + PC Audio to my TV Reliably and Fast?

- Has optical out so I can play high fidelity audio to my KEF LS50w speakers?

internetfamemoss

There is only one box that gets a solid recommendation around here. That's the Nvidia shield. No optical out but this thread should be insightful:

https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/geforce/forums/discover/220619/no-optical-audio-out-on-shield-how-to-solve-it-/

Ground-Rat

The MiBox 3 and the S both have optical out.

And should be able to meet your needs, but you won't know until you actually try.

For me it looks like issues with the various forms of "casting" ends up falling into several catagories.

  • The casting source and receiver don't support the same "type" of "casting".

  • The casting source and receiver are not on the exact same WiFi connection, some forms of "casting" seem to be unable to even get across the 2.4 to 5 GHz "barrier" in a router, much less successfully "cast" across the local network using disassemble media (Ethernet vs/and WiFi).

  • The devices are having trouble establishing a direct WiFi connection, some "casting" systems require a direct "private/dedicated" connection between the source and receiver. They may be able to initially "handshake" across the "network" but will fail to actually connect.

  • Finally issues with the WiFi or specifically the WiFi "speed", being stuck on or with 2.4 GHz, being in a WiFi "congested" area, having lots/too much traffic on your WiFi are all things that can cause issues or prevent successful "casting".

  • Like HDMI CEC/ARC, the "casting" world is still a bit "wild-wild west" and until a "standard" or "interoperability standards" are developed and agreed to. It will be a lot like things were back in the days of early wireless networking was. WiFi is essentially a standard, and all the companies that want to use the Wi Fi certified mark, need to meet certain interoperability standards, and if they do, their WiFi device will work with all the others with the same certification.

Whoops, I've strayed off subject.

I'm pretty happy with my MiBox 3, though I don't cast to it. It's not the fastest but gets the job done. Especially, if you limit the video to 1080p. I don't use it to play games or pretty much anything else other than play/stream videos. I suspect that the MiBox S will have similar performance, the only real difference in the two is that the "S" doesn't have a IR receiver built in anymore.

If you want a heavy duty Android TV box then the Shield is the way to go, but the shield doesn't come with optical built in, so a work around will be needed. But I think it's a bit overkill and expensive to be simply used as a casting receiver and a media player.

I'm not sure where you live, if you are in the US then the MiBox S is available at Walmart, sometimes in stock and if not you can order one either ship to store or home. And the great thing is that if it doesn't meet your needs, it's usually really easy to return (just pay attention to the return time window).

Walmart also carries the Ematic Jetstream 4K Ultra HD Android TV Box which also has optical out, it's performance should be same/similar to the MiBox 3/S and also is available in some stores and online.

Both the MiBox and the Jetstream should be in stores, but they seem to be sold out more often than they are in stock. But thinking about it, lately I haven't seen any MiBoxes, so they might be only carrying the Jetstream now. Not sure, you will have to check.

To recap, think that a MiBox 3/S or the Jetstream would meet your requirements. As far as "speed" goes, you will have to try and see it if actually works for and meets your needs.

If you are in the US, I'd shop thought Walmart, if elsewhere I'd likely use Amazon both for ease of returns should it not meet your needs.

I'd love to have a Shield, but I just don't play games nor need the extra horsepower, so I'm unable to justify the higher cost, and in your case the lack of optical would mean that you would need some kind of workaround, which I would guess would add even more to the total cost.

I hope that you found this info to be useful/helpful.

Best of luck in finding a device that meets/exceeds your needs!