TV box/Android TV recommendation

[derp90]

I'm looking for an inexpensive TV box for apps like Netflix, Showmax, etc. to replace an ancient slow Roku.

It's going to plug in to a 1080p TV, and apart from streaming through apps, it would be nice to use it for playing video from a laptop without having to plug in via HDMI (i.e., casting).

Is the Chromecast with Google TV the best and easiest to use option or are there potentially cheaper options that are also great?

 

[ryan10]

These are the most common devices:
https://www.takealot.com/nova-4k-ul...with-av1-support-wi-fi-5-and-16g/PLID90906310 - Newer device, supports AV1 codec
https://www.takealot.com/ematic-4k-ultrahd-android-tv-box/PLID54965987 - replaced by the Nova

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

https://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-tv-stick-4k-media-player/PLID73834046 - Newer than than the Mi Box S, supports AV1 codec

As far as I know , they all support casting.
I have used the Mi Box S, Ematic and Maverick, all work well for streaming.

 

[Kiemo]

These are the most common devices:
https://www.takealot.com/nova-4k-ul...with-av1-support-wi-fi-5-and-16g/PLID90906310 - Newer device, supports AV1 codec
https://www.takealot.com/ematic-4k-ultrahd-android-tv-box/PLID54965987 - replaced by the Nova

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

https://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-tv-stick-4k-media-player/PLID73834046 - Newer than than the Mi Box S, supports AV1 codec

As far as I know , they all support casting.
I have used the Mi Box S, Ematic and Maverick, all work well for streaming.

All of the above streaming boxes are good …

It’s depends if you want to use them with Wi-Fi or a Ethernet cable

If you can get either one of them for a good price then I’d say go for any of the above

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

These are the most common devices:
https://www.takealot.com/nova-4k-ul...with-av1-support-wi-fi-5-and-16g/PLID90906310 - Newer device, supports AV1 codec
https://www.takealot.com/ematic-4k-ultrahd-android-tv-box/PLID54965987 - replaced by the Nova

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

Takealot.com: Online Shopping | SA's leading online store

South Africa's leading online store. Fast, reliable delivery to your door. Many ways to pay. Shop anything you can imagine: TVs, laptops, cellphones, kitchen appliances, toys, books, beauty & more. Shop the mobile app anytime, anywhere.

www.takealot.com

https://www.takealot.com/xiaomi-tv-stick-4k-media-player/PLID73834046 - Newer than than the Mi Box S, supports AV1 codec

As far as I know , they all support casting.
I have used the Mi Box S, Ematic and Maverick, all work well for streaming.

Mi-Box S, does not support AV1 codec, the newer, as yet unreleased Mi-Box probably will have AV1 support.

 

[epah]

You could get an Apple tv HD for R1000. It will be miles better than any android especially if you Like good quality products.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

I'm looking for an inexpensive TV box for apps like Netflix, Showmax, etc. to replace an ancient slow Roku.

It's going to plug in to a 1080p TV, and apart from streaming through apps, it would be nice to use it for playing video from a laptop without having to plug in via HDMI (i.e., casting).

Is the Chromecast with Google TV the best and easiest to use option or are there potentially cheaper options that are also great?

I am partial to Streaming sticks, so if you do not require Google Certification for DSTV, I say, Fire TV 4K MAX stick.

If you need DSTV support, I have a Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Streaming stick.

But I have good Wi-Fi at home.

In Boxes, the Netogy Nova, Maverick, Emantic, or Mi-Box are good choices.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

You could get an Apple tv HD for R1000. It will be miles better than any android especially if you Like good quality products.

Well, if you have other Apple gear, well maybe.

My Fire TV 4K MAX, Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Streaming stick, as well as my Shield TV Pro 2019, are all good quality products.

Apple does not have a monopoly on quality products despite your insistance.
Apple makes good gear, with a rather restrictive user space.

 

[Dolby]

Apple does not have a monopoly on quality products despite your insistance

It’s not technically his fault.

I was reading a bit about Apple psychology - and Apple marketing is strong enough to bend the mind. He’s just the victim!

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

It’s not technically his fault.

I was reading a bit about Apple psychology - and Apple marketing is strong enough to bend the mind. He’s just the victim!

Fair enough ...

 

[newby_investor]

A perspective:

Not sure how much it applies to the products linked.

I have a Chromecast personally. About R1.3-1.4k on Takealot and works just fine.

 

[backstreetboy]

Well, if you have other Apple gear, well maybe.

My Fire TV 4K MAX, Xiaomi Mi 4K TV Streaming stick, as well as my Shield TV Pro 2019, are all good quality products.

Apple does not have a monopoly on quality products despite your insistance.
Apple makes good gear, with a rather restrictive user space.

Non of those will get updates for 10 years though. Perhaps the Shield might.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

A perspective:

Not sure how much it applies to the products linked.

I have a Chromecast personally. About R1.3-1.4k on Takealot and works just fine.

Probably none

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Non of those will get updates for 10 years though. Perhaps the Shield might.

Shield 2015 has gotten updates to Android 11, so probably for awhile yet to come.

 

[Dolby]

Non of those will get updates for 10 years though. Perhaps the Shield might.

Wasn’t it released when you were back in high school? It’s been 7 years already.

And even it gets another 3 years, that’s pretty much what the Android TVs do, albeit with high resolution

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Wasn’t it released when you were back in high school? It’s been 7 years already.

And even it gets another 3 years, that’s pretty much what the Android TVs do, albeit with high resolution

A few Android TV's maybe ... , beside you will have to multiply 7 almost by itself, to get to when I left high school

 

[backstreetboy]

Wasn’t it released when you were back in high school? It’s been 7 years already.

And even it gets another 3 years, that’s pretty much what the Android TVs do, albeit with high resolution

Not in South Africa IIRC.

 

[newby_investor]

Probably none

I wouldn't be so certain about that. Unless it's from a reputable manufacturer.

I personally went with Google because they've got all my info anyway.

 

[elf_lord_ZC5]

Not in South Africa IIRC.

When I left High School, the IBM PC/XT was not yet a thing ... , by a number of years ...

 

[Sir Peel-a-Lot]

You could get an Apple tv HD for R1000. It will be miles better than any android especially if you Like good quality products.

@epah Where do you see an Apple TV HD for R1000?

 

[Heisenborg]

Ematic is rock solid