Android TV Options for a Ad-Allergic Firestick User

by danielmark_n_3d

I'm currently on a Firestick 4k streaming device and I'm looking to make the jump to a more vanilla Android TV experience. What are some good recommendations? I know that there is Chromecast and Roku and Nvidia Shield but are there other options people would recommend? I'm overwhelmed by the sheer number of smaller Android TV Box options so any guidance would be great!

Ideally, I'm looking for a device that provides me a lot of the same functionality as my current Firestick 4k (sans Amazon Prime as I know that isn't possible) BUT:

- No ads. I want to buy a device, not a billboard

- Need to be able to easily integrate Jellyfin and/or Kodi as well as support most major streaming services (except Amazon Prime since I know it's not an option)

- Able to sideload apps easily

- If possible, be able to even sideload different launchers (RIP Wolflauncher after my Firestick updated) and maybe even different OS!

- Respects my privacy

- As close to vanilla Android TV as I can get with as little Google stuff as possible.

I appreciate any insight!

PNWoutdoors

I believe you can just get any device you want and install a new launcher. I might suggest doing that and picking whatever one has the remote you like best.

MinutesFromTheMall

No ads. I want to buy a device, not a billboard.

Apple TV is your only option if you don’t want ads.

vs40at

Actual version of Android/Google TV looks pretty much like Fire OS with huge ad on main screen.

https://www.reddit.com/r/ShieldAndroidTV/comments/sjv7ry/how_do_you_get_rid_of_these_ads_fine_if_it_showed/

You can block those ads via router, but you will still see Google Play and Youtube ads on that place. Is it less annoying, but still sucks.

If you want completely get rid of ads, you need to replace stock launcher or instal custom version of Android TV or buy older device with no more support/updates or buy device without certification and Google Play.

TeutonJon78

Roku is not Android TV, so it's a completely different interface and UX.

The home screen is half an ad, but it's always static and easy to ignore. It doesn't have any recommendation engine or anything like that.

Amazon Prime will run fine on any Prime certified device. Where are you getting your info from?

DanTheNexusMan

Since Google and Amazon got over their little spat a couple of years ago you can now get Amazon Prime on Android/Google TV.

nemotiger

I bought a walmart onn, it's been working flawlessly for 5 months, and while it does have, "ads" it's vanilla google tv ads and nowhere near as bad as fire tv's "features".

Darkstar1878

The Walmart Onn, The new Mecool KM2 Plus to name a few

Apple2T4ch

I’d recommend the $20 Onn 4K box. You can even flash lineageOS onto it, keep in mind DRM is currently broken but is being worked on with LineageOS.

Marsing_ID

" No ads. I want to buy a device, not a billboard"
Smart!

danielmark_n_3d

I ended up going with Onn 4k. Had some little weirdness with the controller and the device randomly turning off on the first day, hoping it was just early hiccups. When it does run though, it's great!!!

Anyone with one, is the HDR pretty accurate implementation? I don't think my Firestick 4k had this option so first time for me!

mruk69

Formuler GTV is also an option.