Media TV box- help deciding

[JemJem]

Hi Mybroadband family,

I'm looking at these two for making our stupid tv a smart tv.

Initially I was looking at the xiaomi mi box, but it's a tad pricey, so I came across these two offers. Please let me know what you think.

https://www.takealot.com/nevenoe-smart-android-tv-box-media-player-16gb/PLID54536605

I've been trying to find the Telkom Lit tv box, but cannot get it anywhere. But I've noticed that the box above has the same components as the TV lit box, but it's not Google certified. Will we have problems with hooking up Netflix?

The next offer is this one, which they say is on par with the xiaomi mi box 4S. Plus it is this year's release.

Takealot

Please let me which of the two would be better to choose.

Thanks!

 

[LCBXX]

Make sure it's Google Certified, unless you're okay with tinkering to get unavailable apps side-loaded.

 

[HunterNW]

You want a google certified box.
Mi box is the most popular.
Any other cheap box is money in the water.

 

[WAslayer]

Check classified sections, someone was/is selling a Telkom litbox..

Mi box S and ematic are the known, good TV boxes and are certified, so won't have issues..

If ain't certified, it ain't worth the money or the time..

 

[Speedster]

The new mi TV stick should be good for HD (it doesn't do 4K). Is brand new, so you unfortunately won't be able to get an informed user review.

 

[Jughead12]

The mibox is honestly the best. I upgraded to the mibox s recently. It's worth your money and won't give you trouble. Just pay a bit more and avoid the hassle in my opinion.

 

[JemJem]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly guys!

UPDATE: Someone replied to my post on Facebook and said I can buy a new Telkom Lit Tv box from Telkom Direct, so I think I should pursue that avenue.

 

[JemJem]

The mibox is honestly the best. I upgraded to the mibox s recently. It's worth your money and won't give you trouble. Just pay a bit more and avoid the hassle in my opinion.

Okay thanks. Objectively though, in way is the Telkom Lit tv box better than this. Don't get me wrong, I love xiaomi products. Have a Xiaomi phone, but if I can save bucks where I can, then I will.

 

[marhsava]

this is also great, its local plus a rep is on this forum.

https://ematic.co.za/

 

[WaxLyrical]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly guys!

UPDATE: Someone replied to my post on Facebook and said I can buy a new Telkom Lit Tv box from Telkom Direct, so I think I should pursue that avenue.

If you don't have a DSTV Now or Netflix sub then a budget box will work including a browser which has limitations on Android TV.

Netflix from the Aptoid app works on a budget box but you need a mouse/keyboard.

 

[JemJem]

Wife wants to get Netflix, so Ja...

 

[JemJem]

this is also great, its local plus a rep is on this forum.

https://ematic.co.za/

Wow! You guys are awesome. This does look promising hey! I was just wondering if the latest xiaomi tv stick with 1 gb ram, will it be slow? But I might just check into this ematic product as I see it comes with two USB ports and an ethernet port which is good as extra options.

 

[TheLuckmeister]

I have both Mibox and Ematic and i can honestly say i prefer the Ematic.
Just because of the fact that it has a network port, 2 USB ports & SD card port.
If you are steaming HD/4K I find that it is better to connect via network cable.
I had to buy a USB to Network adapter for the MiBox (so add about R300 to the price), which is fine but if you want to sideload anything via usb you have to disconnect USB.
Also you can use USB stick for extra storage but not if you are using network adapter.
So i cant record IPTV on my Mibox because of the limited storage.

This is just my personal experience - your needs might be different.
Both boxes are great, i just find the Ematic better suited for my needs.

 

[Drifter]

Get a Roku 4.

 

[SeRpEnT]

Thanks so much for replying so quickly guys!

UPDATE: Someone replied to my post on Facebook and said I can buy a new Telkom Lit Tv box from Telkom Direct, so I think I should pursue that avenue.

I have three Litboxes. Love 'em. You wont be sorry.
You might be driving around to find a branch with stock as they don't always have stock.

Bonus if you are cash strapped is that you can open account at Telkom to pay off over a period of your choice between 6 months and 24 months. Interest free nogals which I thought was strange. All 3 my boxes are split over 12 months which makes it much more affordable. Your only risk is with the Telkom contract - they might continue with their debit orders even once the period is up... doing what Telkom usually do with their ADSL and Fiber contracts.... so be warned.

 

[Dimpie (COMPUTEK)]

Get a Roku 4.

Isn't that a discontinued streaming platform ?

 

[WesleyDB]

I have both Mibox and Ematic and i can honestly say i prefer the Ematic.
Just because of the fact that it has a network port, 2 USB ports & SD card port.
If you are steaming HD/4K I find that it is better to connect via network cable.
I had to buy a USB to Network adapter for the MiBox (so add about R300 to the price), which is fine but if you want to sideload anything via usb you have to disconnect USB.
Also you can use USB stick for extra storage but not if you are using network adapter.
So i cant record IPTV on my Mibox because sof the limited storage.

This is just my personal experience - your needs might be different.
Both boxes are great, i just find the Ematic better suited for my needs.

I also second that, the Ematic is better than the mi box because of the built in ethernet port.

 

[JemJem]

I have both Mibox and Ematic and i can honestly say i prefer the Ematic.
Just because of the fact that it has a network port, 2 USB ports & SD card port.
If you are steaming HD/4K I find that it is better to connect via network cable.
I had to buy a USB to Network adapter for the MiBox (so add about R300 to the price), which is fine but if you want to sideload anything via usb you have to disconnect USB.
Also you can use USB stick for extra storage but not if you are using network adapter.
So i cant record IPTV on my Mibox because of the limited storage.

This is just my personal experience - your needs might be different.
Both boxes are great, i just find the Ematic better suited for my needs.

Thanks! This sealed it for me. On my way to Makro now to get one. Its going for R1400. Thanks so much everyone! Will consider this post closed unless I have other questions regarding the ematic 4k tv box, but then I'll open up a new thread.

 

[JemJem]

this is also great, its local plus a rep is on this forum.

https://ematic.co.za/

Thanks, I've checked it out and it looks good! Going to pick one up now at Makro

 

[JemJem]

Picked it up at Makro now. Thanks guys!