TV Box Recommendation

doubledippps on 09/11/2021 - 22:30
Last edited 09/11/2021 - 22:31

Can anyone recommend a good cheap android TV Box that suit NZ use? What should I look for when buying a TV Box? I'm currently using H96 Pro from AliExpress I bought in 2017 and thinking to update..

I can source it either from AliExpress / Taobao / Pin Duo Duo, just donno which one should I go for…didn't use Netflix etc, mostly only use YouTube or watch movie using browser

I can see Taobao/PDD selling TvBox preload with channels, don't know whether they are compatible or can be use in NZ? AliExpress are selling stock Tvbox which is similar to the one I'm using. Also not sure will any of these box get software update from the manufacturer?

Any suggestions welcome TIA!!!

General Discussion

Comments

  • gonka on 10/11/2021 - 05:03
    +1

    Chromecast with Google TV is better than most of those generic Android TV boxes and will get updates for years to come. It is about $50 more but worth it. The downside is they have recently junked up the main screen launcher with lots of ads for subscription services, but you can work around that if it annoys you.

    Boxes preloaded with channels will just have some sort of IPTV app installed, which you can also use on Chromecast. Many of the channels will be geoblocked so you will need a VPN app and subscription as well.

    • Arsonist on 10/11/2021 - 09:01

      Is there an app to view NZ Freeview channels on the Google TV? I know you can watch a couple of Live channels e.g on the TVNZ app and the TV3 app, but is there one app to view all channels?

      • gonka on 10/11/2021 - 09:13
        +1

        I think it's only officially possible with the Freeview Smartvu box but you could try https://www.matthuisman.nz/2018/12/how-to-live-nz-iptv-chann…

        • Arsonist on 10/11/2021 - 09:18

          Thanks that looks promising, I will have a go tonight and report back.

        • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 09:59

          I used Matt's guides for NZ & AU Freeview on Kodi back in days. I recommend it used to work correctly.

          • Alan6984 on 10/11/2021 - 10:01

            @ace310: This?

            https://www.matthuisman.nz/2017/07/new-updated-nz-iptv-files…

            Not sure how much has changed since then, but might still work.

            • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 10:03

              @Alan6984: Yes. That's it I think. I had it bookmarked on my other pc. But not using kodi anymore.

              • Alan6984 on 10/11/2021 - 10:14

                @ace310: I might have another look at Kodi - haven't actually used it since it was XBMP then XBMC, and I haven't had an XBox for more than ten years, maybe more like 2009 - hard to remember now.

                I currently have movies hosted on an external drive that is connected to my router (had that setup for far too long!), but I want to replace that router, so maybe I'll move them all to a Kodi box. My TV won't install a Kodi app, but it would be able to see 'locally hosted' files on Kodi and just treat it like any file share on the network.

                Might be an Xmas project!

                Alan.

                • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 10:31
                  +1

                  @Alan6984: I am using Plex full time now for all my movies/tvshows/music collection. I have linux VM running Sonarr/Radarr/Torrents which fully automates downloads and gets picked up by Plex.

                  Kodi has progressed a lot after I stopped using it, but it does work way better now.

                  Plex is better if you are only after indexing your collection. If you need more like adding Live Tv & stuff along with your collection go with Kodi. In any way, Kodi also has Plex addon and I think you get more control with Plex for your connection.

                  • Alan6984 on 10/11/2021 - 11:11

                    @ace310: Cool - I might have a look at both, but Kodi sounds more fun :-)

                    • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 11:21

                      @Alan6984: With Plex you have apps on all platform, so basically you have access to your collection from anywhere, anytime. This all should be fine with free version. Very easy to setup plex than kodi.

                      I will suggest try plex first, it's just an install and few path settings to your library. Read up what you can & can't do with both as per your requirement.

                      • Alan6984 on 10/11/2021 - 11:57

                        @ace310: Easy is not so much fun though!

                        I figure I'll probably try both - not sure if they will play nicely together on one Ubuntu 20.04LTS Server, but if not, I can have two separate VMs.

            • Wakrak on 10/11/2021 - 10:12

              @Alan6984: Matt still updates the add-ons. I use his SkyGO and Aussie IPTV add-ons. He has a reddit page too if you ever need to ask him a question.

              https://www.reddit.com/r/MattHuisman/

  • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 09:51

    Had H96 Pro box bought around 2016/17 similar time as you. Used to run kodi on it. Later stopped watching live tv and that's it. That black box is sitting in a pile of junk in garage. Totally forgot about it, it did had issues though to me. Running quite hot.

    Recently, upgarded my google chromecast ultra 4k to google tv. Can say that it was totally worth it. That remote and apps makes so much difference.

  • kiwijunglist on 10/11/2021 - 11:08

    You don't really need a TV box based on what you wrote. You just wrote you need a target steaming cast device and something to play YouTube directly.

    Would recommend a chromecast for you.

  • Bagman on 10/11/2021 - 14:24
    +1

    Chromecast with Google TV with Matt Huismans Kodi set up with Aus tv, NZ tv, Skysport Now and Samsung tv channels.
    I have Plex on it (to stream downloaded content) plus the Aussie tv channel apps and also using dns4me.

    • quebec on 10/11/2021 - 14:26

      I’m assuming you use VPN for Aussie channels. Does 7plus work for you?

      • Bagman on 10/11/2021 - 14:32

        I have a subscription with dns4me and have set their dns into my router. Only aussie channels I do not get is 1 or 2 channels on the 10 Network which is not a great loss.

      • Bagman on 10/11/2021 - 17:42

        Just tested , the main live channel 7 ones work (no buffering) but cannot get some of those live obscure minor ones to work, I get an error message.
        This is using 7 plus in Kodi and the official 7 plus app on the chrome tv part.

    • ace310 on 10/11/2021 - 21:19

      After reading your comment, I now have to install Kodi and Setup Aus TV other things. Thought I was done with the Kodi… lol.

    • kiwijunglist on 11/11/2021 - 10:33

      I use Matt's streams to add FreeviewNZ to my Plex as well, however I run tellytv in docker and use that as the virtual turner.

      Haven't tried to add other channels.

      I also have a hdhomerun but the TV reception is really bad where I can put it.

  • Cobra on 10/11/2021 - 14:52

    yes my channel 7 buffers now , worked good up to a couple of weeks ago , other channels work good with matt Huismans iptv . tried all i know hopefully will get better soon

  • geardropper on 10/11/2021 - 23:19

    Amazon firestick 4k then jailbreak (what ever that is 😜😉)

    • Bagman on 11/11/2021 - 10:39

      I have stopped using my Fire TV 4k and just use the Chromecast with Google TV now.
      Amazon did an update and the startup screen is crap now.

      • geardropper on 11/11/2021 - 15:26

        Is that after being modifyed my mate just said 😉

  • Bagman on 11/11/2021 - 16:16

    Amazon did an update a few months back and the entire layout changed. It now took longer to get to the app you needed.
    I just stopped using it after that.

  • doubledippps on 11/11/2021 - 19:50

    Thanks for the advices guys, I have use Chromecast before and did not have good experiences with it so haven't think of getting the new one with Google tv, but seem like it's a good option look at all the comment. Did anyone know YouTube Vanced can be install on Chromecast Google TV too?

    • ace310 on 11/11/2021 - 20:11

      Do you get anything extra in YT vanced compared to premium if watching on TV?

      Edit: don't see anything useful when used with TV and have youtube premium.

      By the way, I am loving chromecast with google tv. That remote and the apps is all what was required. I sold my Chromecast ultra 4k and I feel it was well worth it. Got good return on ultra 4k as well.

      • doubledippps on 12/11/2021 - 18:07

        No, I just use it as Ads block, so I don't have to pay to get rid of the ads on YouTube videos 😂. Yes I'm considering a Chromecast with google tv now, if anyone found any deal please post hopefully some good price on the coming black Friday sales!

        • ace310 on 12/11/2021 - 20:15

          Bought it from TheMarket for $107 shipped after coupons.

  • CheapThingsAreNice on 12/11/2021 - 20:05
    +1

    Chromecast with google TV is excellent.

    Vodafone TV's are complete shit. Don't even bother

    • Arsonist on 15/11/2021 - 05:40

      Yup agreed. We have a Vodafone TV. But now we only use our Chromecast with Google TV.

  • Matzshorts on 14/11/2021 - 20:19

    Anyone have thoughts on Xiamoi Mi Box S?

    • geardropper on 14/11/2021 - 20:21

      Is that the cheap ones off Ali express
      And the market

      • Matzshorts on 14/11/2021 - 20:24

        You can get them there, but Pbtech sell them and Dick Smith etc.

        PB Tech have them cheap at the moment https://www.pbtech.co.nz/product/DVAMIX18554/Xiaomi-TV-Box-M…

        Sounds like they are good for their price, just run Android 8.1

        Just wanted to see if anyone here had experience

        • geardropper on 14/11/2021 - 20:39

          I personally havnt but they all se.the same to me 😋what's it like on YouTube any reviews

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