Cut The Cable Today

Fully Loaded Firestick

2018-04-22T07:43:00.000-07:00

Brand New Amazon Fire TV Stick Fully Loaded/Jailbroken with Kodi 17.6, Mobdro, Pluto TV, Terrarium TV, and UKTV

$147.77 $85.00 Sale

The Most Powerful and Complete Fire Stick on the Market

Our Jailbroken Fire Stick comes loaded and jam-packed with more content and more applications then any other seller on the market. It gives you access to unlimited amounts of content ranging from movies, tv shows, live tv, sports, radio. Most sellers just install Kodi with a generic build that doesn’t include much content and breaks down often. Our Fire Sticks are very stable and are loaded with many other applications besides Kodi to help you find just about any content you wish to watch.

Jam Packed with Dozens of Benefits:

Brand New Fire Stick

30-day No Risk Money-Back Guarantee

Alexa Voice Remote Included

Kodi 17.6 with an Amazing Build seamless and easy to use interface

2nd Generation Quad-Core Processor that’s 50% faster then the 1st Generation

LIFETIME Email Tech Support

30 Day Money-Back Guarantee

Over 7000+ Amazon Apps

Over 1000+ Kodi Add-ons

Mobdro for Live TV as well

Our Fire Sticks come with the standard usability available on all fire tv boxes, such as, but not limited to; 10,000 apps, games, and Alexa skills including Netflix, Hulu, HBO NOW, YouTube, Amazon Video, NBC, WatchESPN, Disney, and more. Subscription fees may apply.

The Fully Loaded/Jailbroken installation allows the user to access thousands of entertainment options not traditionally available on Fire Sticks.

Preview:

Fully Loaded Jail Broken Firestick

2018-02-15T16:13:00.000-08:00

Brand New Amazon Fire TV Stick Fully Loaded/Jailbroken with Kodi 17.6, Mobdro, Pluto TV, Terrarium TV, and UKTV

$147.77 $85.00 Sale

The Most Powerful and Complete Fire Stick on the Market

Jam Packed with Dozens of Benefits:

Brand New Fire Stick

30-day No Risk Money-Back Guarantee

Alexa Voice Remote Included

Kodi 17.6 with an Amazing Build seamless and easy to use interface

2nd Generation Quad-Core Processor that’s 50% faster then the 1st Generation

LIFETIME Email Tech Support

30 Day Money-Back Guarantee

Over 7000+ Amazon Apps

Over 1000+ Kodi Add-ons

Mobdro for Live TV as well

The Fully Loaded/Jailbroken installation allows the user to access thousands of entertainment options not traditionally available on Fire Sticks.

Preview:

Fully Loaded V88 Smart Android 6.0 TV Box KODI 17.6

2018-02-03T07:32:00.001-08:00

If you want to change your traditional TV & LCD monitor into a intelligent platform which just like a Tablet PC. V88 Smart Android TV Box is your great choice and can meet your demand because it can change your traditional TV & LCD monitor into a multimedia center by connecting the Internet (Via WiFi or RJ45). With this product, you can greatly enjoy videos, music, photos, etc and install or uninstall software, games and application programs. This smart Android TV Box will bring you much fun & convenience.

Features:

[Advanced OS & High-performance Configuration]
Comes with Android 6.0 OS, powered by the High-performance RK3229 Quad Core 32bit CPU, includes a Mail-400 GPU that can reach speeds of up to 1.5GHz.

[High-performance & Large Storage Space]
1GB DDR3 RAM with 8GB eMMC ROM provides plentiful room to quickly start and operate the apps and games with expandable storage up to 32GB, it also greatly improves the reliability of your TV box and prevents crashes due to lack of memory. Allows users to play plenty of videos, movies and music, etc from local storage media or online(Youtube, Flixster, Facebook, etc).

[H.265 High Efficiency Video Coding]
Bandwidth saving Lifting speed: H.265 hardware decoding can save 50% bandwidth resources, let you watch the 4K movie smoothly. 4K 1080i/P resolution is 4 times of full HD, so every detail of the screen is lucidity.

[UHD 4K Resolution]
Supports 4K Ultimate HD video hardware decoding. With preinstalled Google Play Store and other apps, you can enjoy smooth multi-tasking, game playing and movie viewing.

[Fully Compatibility & Multi-language Support]
Supports IEEE 802.11b / g / n 2.4GHz wireless Wi-Fi, and equipped with LAN port which supports 10 / 100M Ethernet. Also supports OSD type of languages: English / French / German / Spanish / Italian / Japanese, Korea, etc.24 languages Supported.

Bullet Points:

OS: Android 6.0. Offering thousands of Android applications, bring you much fun & convenience.
3D: Hardward 3D graphics acceleration
Supports WiFi Display (Note: Only suitable for Android OS).
WiFi: WiFi: 802.11 b/g /n, 2.4G WiFi
LAN Ethernet:10/100M BaseT, standard RJ-45.
LAN: Through the LAN, can check other devices to share information.
Google TV Remote: Through Wi-Fi Network to realize control the product.
Support Wi-Fi Hotspot, could be as a wireless router.
Mouse/ Keyboard: Support mouse and keyboard via USB; Also support 2.4GHz wireless mouse and keyboard via 2.4GHz USB dongle.
Media Format Supported:
Video Decoder: Support 4K 30fps H.264 and 4K60FPS H.265 Video Decoding, Multi-format. 1080p video decoding. 1080P video decoding including H.264 and VP9.
Support Video Formats: WMV / VC-1 SP / MP / AP, MPG, MPEG, dat, avi, mov, iso, mp4, rm, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, H.265, AVS, VC-1, VP9, MVC, realVideo 8/9/10, VP8/9, up to 2160P.
Support Music Formats: MP3, AAC, WMA, RM, FLAC, OGG.
Support Photo Format: JPG, JPEG, MJPEG, PNG.
Applications:
Online: Browse all video websites, support, Netflix, Hulu, Flixster, youtube, etc.
Apps: Apps download freely form android market, amazon appstore, etc
Medium: Local Media playback, support HDD, U disk, SD card.
Talk online: Support SKYPE,MSN, Facebook, twitter,etc.

This Box Is Fully Loaded With Programs Included:

Note:

1. In setting, three launchers can't be switched by remote control in the main screen, only can be controlled by mouse. This is a factory default launcher. If customer want to control, please use a mouse.

2. Do not support the playback of MKV format 4K video.

Tips:

The remote controller of the product belongs to attached and functional accessory. If part of product functions can't be controlled by the controller, please purchase external mouse or air mouse. You will have a better using experience.

Specifications:

Model: V88
I/O Interface:
1* HD 2.0 port (Up to 4Kx2K) 4 * USB port, 1 * SPDIF Coaxial, 1 * SD CARD
1 * RJ45, 1 * AV port 1 * Power Input port (5V/2A).
IR: Infra Remote control
Power Supply: DC Input 5V/2A
Color: Black
Main Item Size: Approx. 12.0 * 12.0 * 2.5cm / 4.72 * 4.72 * 0.98in
Main Item Weight: Approx. 145g / 5.1oz
Package Size: Approx. 16.5 * 12.5 * 8.0cm / 6.49 * 4.92 * 3.14in
Package Weight: Approx. 430g / 19.2oz

Package List:

1 * V88 Smart Android TV box
1 * Remote Control
1 * HD Cable
1 * Power Adapter

1 * English User Manual

PRICE: $55

We Only Have 2 Left So Hurry!

Tired of paying a premium for cable?

2018-01-21T08:01:00.000-08:00

$85.00

Amazon Fire TV Stick

FREE SHIPPING

BRAND NEW Jailbroken 2018 Amazon Fire Stick with Alexa Voice Remote with Kodi 17.6, Mobdro,Terrarium TV, Onebox, and Firefox. ***SECURE CHECKOUT THROUGH PAYPAL - NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT REQUIRED FOR CHECKOUT*** All major credit cards accepted. 1-3 Day USPS Shipping.

$130.00

Amazon Fire TV

FREE SHIPPING

BRAND NEW Jailbroken Amazon Fire TV with Alexa Voice Remote with Kodi 17.6, Mobdro, Terrarium TV, Onebox, and Firefox. 4K Resolution capability | Quadcore High Performance. ***SECURE CHECKOUT THROUGH PAYPAL - NO PAYPAL ACCOUNT REQUIRED FOR CHECKOUT*** All major credit cards accepted.1-3 Day USPS Shipping.

What is a Jailbroken Amazon Fire Stick | Fire TV?

A Jailbroken Fire Stick | Fire TV grants you access to unlimited amounts of movies, TV shows, channels, kids, fitness, sports, and much more. Our products are FULLY Loaded with Automatic Updates to ensure long-lasting use.

With your Jailbroken Amazon Fire TV Stick | Fire TV , you can look forward to simple, plug-and-play installation, endless options for streaming content to your television and an easy to use design that will have you binge watching in minutes! Cut cable and satellite completely with KODI , MOBDRO, TERRARIUM TV, ONEBOX, FIREFOX, or use your Jailbroken Firestick | Fire TV to stream your current cable and satellite provider. The Jailbroken Fire Stick | Fire TV operates on an open and free android platform which makes it very easy to download streaming video apps from the Google play store.

Watch every movie, TV show, live sports, TV series, cartoons, adult with the click of a button instantly! Watch:

Unlimited Movies
Unlimited Movies in Theater
Unlimited Movies by Decades
Unlimited TV Shows
Unlimited Shows by Any Network
Unlimited Shows from HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz
Unlimited Kids Movies/TV Shows
Unlimited Pay Per View
Unlimited Sports

Unlimited Adult Content (loaded if otherwise not notified)
Unlimited Music/Music Videos
Unlimited Fitness Videos
Unlimited Radio
LIVE TV like BRAVO, AMC, FX, Discovery, Spike, TBS
LIVE HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz
LIVE Sport Networks like ESPN, Fox Sports, beIN Sports, NBCSN, NBA TV, and NFL Network
Plus So Much Much More...

Common names for this device are: Amazon Fire Stick Jailbroken, Jailbroken Fire Stick, Jailbroken Firestick, Jailbroken Fire Stick, Jailbroken Fire TV Stick

What's loaded on it? Much more than our competitors.

Kodi is a media player that allows for addons to be loaded on it. We have loaded some great addons for you. We made the interface very simple, easy to use. Automatic updates are enabled to ensure long lasting use! ***

Mobdro is great for live TV. This is where you can stream LIVE HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, Starz, ESPN, Fox Sports, and so much more! ***

Terrarium TV is a media player that has 4K/1080P Movies and shows! This is the developers' choice to watch all of your movies and shows! None of our competitors load this addon since it takes extra time to program. ***

Onebox is another app like Kodi and Terrarium TV. The majority of the movies/TV Shows on it are in 1080p or HD. None of our competitors load this addon. We want you to have options, which is why we loaded it on for you. ***

Firefox is a web browser. Now you can turn your device into a computer and check your Twitter/Facebook feed.***

*** Check your local laws regarding the use or misuse of software on this device as we express that we do not condone illegal activity. We are not affiliated with any streaming addon. We ONLY load Kodi approved/legal addons. Any third party streaming by the buyer is out of control of www.cutthecabletoday.blogspot.com and its developers. By purchasing this product, you, the buyer, agree to this disclaimer.

Which one should you get?

$130.00

The Fire TV is more expensive, but for a good reason. If you desire 4K stunning video and faster performance, then this is the one for you! Buy Now!

$85.00

If you don't desire the 4K resolution, then this one is a great and cheaper option for you! Both options have all the same content.

Why Choose Us?

Quality. We load the best builds and the best apps. Our products have the most ADD-ons on the market. We don't cut corners when making these. We want you to enjoy this product and use it for a long time. We send intuitive instructions with your package on how to make the most of your new streaming device. Our cutomers also receive their package within 1 week of purchasing and in most cases, sooner. We make sure you get your Firestick | Fire TV fast.

Price. We give you the cheapest price on the market. Our competitors unnecessarily markup their products. They also charge extra to "fully load" their products, we don't - it's included.

Experience. We've done this for a long time. We have had over a thousand happy customers. Our experience allows us to program the latest and greatest ADD-ons for you.

2018-01-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

Brand New Amazon Fire TV Stick Fully Loaded/Jailbroken with Kodi 17.6, Mobdro, Pluto TV, Terrarium TV, and UKTV

$147.77 $85.00 Sale

The Most Powerful and Complete Fire Stick on the Market

Jam Packed with Dozens of Benefits:

Brand New Fire Stick

30-day No Risk Money-Back Guarantee

Alexa Voice Remote Included

Kodi 17.6 with an Amazing Build seamless and easy to use interface

2nd Generation Quad-Core Processor that’s 50% faster then the 1st Generation

LIFETIME Email Tech Support

30 Day Money-Back Guarantee

Over 7000+ Amazon Apps

Over 1000+ Kodi Add-ons

Mobdro for Live TV as well

The Fully Loaded/Jailbroken installation allows the user to access thousands of entertainment options not traditionally available on Fire Sticks.

Preview:

JAILBROKEN AMAZON FIRE TV STICK SECOND GENERATION WITH ALEXA VOICE REMOTE AND KODI

2017-12-21T13:06:00.003-08:00

This is the latest version of Amazon fire tv stick currently being sold by Amazon. For sale here is a 2nd generation Jailbroken Amazon Fire tv stick with Alexa Voice Remote. Of all the Android and Amazon tv units we sell, Our Jailbroken fire tv stick is our most affordable option. The Firestick is compact and easily portable for travel. Of course we also sell android tv boxes, but by far, the jailbroken firestick is our best seller.

All our amazon firesticks and Android tv boxes are programmed with Kodi. Our Kodi programming is identical on all of our units. Our kodi setup includes the latest and best working addons organized in a way that is user friendly and intuitive. This is the Second Generation Amazon fire tv Stick with Alexa Voice remote. The Second generation is the latest version of firestick offered by Amazon currently.

Amazon Fire TV Stick Specs and Highlights

Most affordable Jailbroken unit
MediaTek Quad-core ARM 1.3 GHz
1 gb Ram
8 gb internal storage
Dual-band, dual-antenna Wi-Fi supports 2x2 MIMO 802.11a/b/g/n/ac
Support for Dolby Audio, 5.1 surround sound, 2ch stereo and HDMI audio pass through up to 7.1
Bluetooth 4.1
1 Type A HDMI 1.4b output, w/HDCP 1.4, 1 Micro USB for power only
720p and 1080p up to 60fps
90 Day Manufacturer Warranty through Amazon
Included in the package

Amazon Fire TV Stick
Amazon Fire TV Remote w/ alexa
5' USB cable and power adapter
HDMI extender cable
2 AAA batteries

Here's what you get when you purchase our Jailbroken Firestick:

Kodi wants to entertain you

Kodi spawned from the love of media. It is an entertainment hub that brings all your digital media together into a beautiful and user friendly package. It is 100% free and open source, very customisable and runs on a wide variety of devices. It is supported by a dedicated team of volunteers and a huge community.

Hello Mobdro

Find free video streams online and enjoy them on your Amazon Firestick: Mobdro constantly searches the web for the best free video streams and brings them to your device.

Pluto TV

A perfect complement to Netflix! Pluto TV has movies, TV shows, and things like a DIY channel and live news. David C. Was so afraid to leave cable, but then I discovered Pluto TV. There are a lot of channels here! Lisa K. My husband can watch the news, my kids can watch cartoons, and I can save money on cable. Oh, and of course it's free!

Terrarium TV

Terrarium TV is an app that has a lot of Movies and TV shows to watch. Terrarium TV is a safe application as it doesn't show any illegal pirated content. It only acquires online Movie or TV Show links from various HD sources and provides a clean interface.

RedBox TV

RedBox TV is a FREE live streaming App where you can watch your favorite TV channels anytime. It has 1000+ live channels from 15 different countries.

UK Now TV

Get over 1,000 movies on demand. A new premiere added every day. Join Now TV! New NOW TV Smart Box. Over 1000 Movies. Kids TV. 10 Sky Sports Channels. Over 250 Box Sets. 11 Pay TV Channels. Now TV Broadband Combo. Services: New In Movies, Must-see TV Shows, Live Sky Sports, New Broadband Combo, Kids TV Channels, Smart Box, Great Value Bundles, No Contract.

Summary

We're not sure what you're paying for cable tv. It wouldn't surprise us if you're paying $200 or more a month. What are you getting? Crappy programming and repetitious content? How many times can you watch Dirty Dancing or Ferris Bueller's Day Off? Even if you did want to watch either, our firesticks can help, except for the fact that you won't be paying $200 a month.

Purchase our Jailbroken Firestick today for the price of only $85.

What Is Android TV, and Which Android TV Box Should I Buy?

2017-11-30T18:18:00.003-08:00

If you’re in the market for a streaming set-top box and are also an Android user, you’ve undoubtedly considered Android TV. The thing is, this is a really confusing landscape: there are a lot of “fake” Android TV boxes floating around out there, and only a handful of official boxes actually worth considering.

If you came here for the short answer, I’ll give it to you straight up: buy an NVIDIA SHIELD and be done with it. It’s the best Android TV box on the market, bar none. That part is simple.

But if you’ve been on the hunt for a while and see the other options—Razer Forge, Nexus Player, Xiaomi Mi Box, etc.—including those weird “Android TV” boxes on Amazon, we’re here to help you filter through the fluff by explaining what not to buy.

What Is Android TV?

Android TV is more than just Android on a box that you connect to your TV. A lot more. Android TV has been specifically designed for the bigger screen—it has a dedicated interface, better controller and remote support, a specifically curated Play Store, and all the other goodness you’d expect from a streaming set-top box.

In other words: it’s not like plugging your phone up to the TV and hoping for the best. Just like Apple TV has a very iOS-like look and feel, Android TV retains the familiarity of Android in a much more TV-friendly package.

But much like Android phones, Android TV is available on many different devices from different manufacturers. Google isn’t the only one making Android TV boxes—Razer makes one, NVIDIA makes one, and some TVs even come with Android TV built-in. Android TV is a platform, like Android—not just one specific device, like the Apple TV.

So What’s With All These “Android TV” Boxes I See on Amazon and eBay?

If you go to Amazon and search for “Android TV” right now, you’ll get a lot of results. The thing is, most of these aren’t really Android TV boxes. They’re boxes that run Android and hook up to your TV.

See, these sorts of “shady” manufacturers are just playing on words here. The majority of these boxes aren’t actually running the dedicated Android TV interface because they don’t have access to it. Only the core parts of Android TV are part of the Android Open Source Project, and even those parts are not permitted for re-distribution, since it requires modification of the Nexus Player source code.

Instead, what these guys are doing is taking the original Android source code—the one that’s meant for phones or tablets—and turning it into a sort of hackjob piece of software that will run on a box that plugs into your TV. So instead of getting that slick Android TV interface, you get a phone interface on a big, non-touch screen. Yuck.

To make matters worse, many of these boxes don’t even have access to the Play Store, since that requires certification from Google. Those are the shadiest of all the boxes out there, as they’re often loaded with software of questionable integrity.

So why would anyone buy these boxes? Well, they might be tricked by the naming scheme—many of these boxes make themselves sound like Android TV boxes by calling themselves something like “Android 6.0 TV Box”—which is not the same as “Android TV”.

Other people may actually want these janky boxes, since they offer fewer restrictions. Remember earlier when I said Android TV has a specifically curated Play Store? That’s to ensure compatibility with the big screen. Some people may want access to everything—even if it’ll look and work poorly on a large, non-touch device like a TV. Different strokes, I suppose.

How Do I Know Which Boxes Actually Run Android TV?

Your best bet is to stick with boxes that are well-known. As I mentioned earlier, NVIDIA SHIELD (available on Amazon for $200) is hands-down the best Android TV box on the market—it’s fast, updated often, and well supported. If you want Android TV, you want SHIELD. It’s that simple.

But there are other boxes out there, like the now-outdated Nexus Player. This was actually the flagship box for the launch of Android TV, but is still very much relevant today and you can often find it at a fraction of the cost of SHIELD if you look around places like eBay. So if you’re looking to stay on the lower end of the pricing, there’s no shame in going with the Nexus Player—it’s still a very solid box. Just keep in mind that it is a little long in the tooth here.

There’s also the Xiaomi Mi Box, a 4K Android TV box with modest specs and a nice price tag: $70. Like the Nexus Player, it’s a little light on storage, but if you’re just looking to catch some TV—be it HBO Go, Netflix, Hulu, or whatever else—it should fit the bill just fine. If you’re looking to play some Android games, however, I’d probably shy away from this one.

The Razer Forge is another box that sort of sits in that well-known Android TV unit market, but for all the wrong reasons. It’s the only box that doesn’t run Netflix out of the box (seriously), and just isn’t very well supported by Razer. I think the intentions were good initially, but ultimately this box was a flop and I’d recommend staying away from it. If you’re looking for premium, go SHIELD. If you’re looking for affordable, go Nexus Player. There’s no reason to waste money on a Forge.

Smart TVs Are Stupid: Why You Don’t Really Want a Smart TV

You could also get Android TV built-in to your next TV. There are a handful of modern smart TVs out there that have Android TV baked right into the set itself, which is convenient—but it like most smart TVs, it comes with downsides. Manufacturers like this generally skimp on the hardware so it’s nowhere near as powerful as a standalone unit. These baked-in options generally are also very rigid in terms of upgrades: no expandable storage or other potential upgrades that can be done on standalone boxes.

Android TV hasn’t had quite the takeoff that many of us had hoped it would, but that doesn’t make it any less of a great set-top box setup. NVIDIA has almost single-handedly changed the course of what Android TV would’ve been with SHIELD, as the company has really picked up Google’s slack in this segment.

What is a Android Tv Box?

2017-11-18T07:09:00.001-08:00

People ask me questions all the time: what is an Android TV box?

What can they do?

It turns out, this part of the question is actually very simple. An Android TV box is simply a TV box running the Android operating system. This is the same operating system as the one running on your smartphone, tablet and millions of other devices throughout the world. Usually it’s a slightly older version like KitKat (Android 4.4) or Lollipop (Android 5). But, if you know how to use your tablet or smartphone, you can usually run most (if not all) of those apps on an Android TV box.

What’s the difference between an Android box and a Roku or Apple TV?

You’ve probably heard a lot of different terminology being thrown around different sites, forums and Facebook groups: Streaming media device, TV box, IPTV box, set top boxes, media streamer, HTPC, Kodi box, and my personal favorite the Android TV box. They’re all basically the same type of device – something that gets content from your home network or the Internet to your television.

If you’re new to streaming devices and TV boxes, then this is the place to start.

The terminology may seem confusing, but don’t worry: I’m here to guide you through some of the basics. My goal is to make this a good starting point for anyone who wants to learn more.

To start things off, I’m going to tell you a story about MP3 players.

What do they have to do with MP3 players?

Remember MP3 players?

A long time ago, it seems, I worked in a “big-box” electronics store. No, not the blue one. I worked at the red one that closed it’s doors back in 2009. Back then, we had thousands of people coming in the store looking for iPods. But, like Apple will do, they didn’t make enough to go around, so we had to sell what we had. And what we had was a lot of generic MP3 players. People would come in asking for an iPod and the first question we would ask is “do you want an Apple iPod, or are you looking for an MP3 player?”

That usually resulted in a confused look. Most people thought they were the same thing.

We had to take the time to educate people to all of the other options they had. A lot of times, an iPod really was what they wanted, and that was cool. But, a lot of other people just wanted the best device and in their case, the best device didn’t come with an Apple sticker in the box.

That’s what I’m doing now. A TV box is similar to a Roku or an Apple TV, just like an MP3 player is similar to an iPod. I’ll let you know how you can decide what’s right for you, but let’s get some terminology out of the way first.

Why so many different names?

When you look at this picture, what do you call it? Hint…it probably depends on where you’re from.

Where I am in North America, these devices are normally called Streaming devices or Streaming Media players. Sometimes, they’re mistakenly called Roku boxes, even though they may be made by Amazon, Apple or one of the many other manufacturers I cover on this site. Let me give you an example of something similar. Depending on what part of the country you’re in, you call that sugary, carbonated beverage Pop, Soda or even Coke (even when it’s not Coke). So, unless it’s actually a Roku that you’re talking about, please don’t call it a Roku box. It can create confusion for you and the person who you’re talking to.

In Europe, they’re generally called Kodi boxes due to the popularity of installing Kodi and some of the streaming addons that are available. They can also be called IPTV boxesbecause it’s much easier to find an Internet Protocol TV (IPTV) service on that side of the Atlantic than here in the US. To put it simply, IPTV is a way to get live TV over the Internet.

If you’re in Asia, then chances are you’ve heard them called TV boxes. Personally, I prefer calling them TV boxes. It is a more generic term, sure, but the device can do so many things that it just makes more sense.

One last thing. You can also see the term mini-PC. TV boxes can certainly be considered a mini-PC, but I think that lumps them into a category that they don’t quite belong in. A mini-PC can also include any small-format computer like an Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing). They can usually do everything that your desktop PC or laptop can do. Some TV boxes can replace your desktop, but they’re the exception, rather than the rule.

What makes it an Android TV box?

OK, so the generic term is the one we’re going to be using, not just in this article, but throughout this site as a whole. So what makes it an Android box?

Different companies can create different skins or launchers to give it a customized look and feel. Generally they’re trying to make it easier to use from your living room couch, or have it look more like Netflix, which makes sense. Netflix is one of the world’s most best streaming services, so imitating their interface makes it easier for new users to familiarize themselves with their new TV box.

Zoomtak launcher

Matricom launcher

MINIX launcher

Since Android is an incredibly customizable operating system, if you don’t like the launcher that came with your device, in most cases, you can simply add a new one and start using that launcher instead.

There’s one important thing to remember here, though:

There is a big difference between Android TV and an Android TV box.

Wait…what?

Follow along, because here’s where it could get a little confusing.

Android TV vs TV box

At the I/O conference in 2014, Google launched Android TV. It’s a system that organizes your content into one platform for easy organization and searching – including Google’s own voice search functionality. You can find out all about the official Android TV here.

If that sounds familiar, it should.

Android TV is Google’s attempt to run your media hub. We’ve seen similar efforts over the years from Microsoft (Xbox), Sony (Playstation and connected Blu-ray players), Roku, Amazon, Apple, and the list goes on and on. Android TV is the second attempt from Google in this space from Google – the third if you count the Chromecast. Google TV, which was their first attempt at ruling your living room, but never really caught on.

The difference between Android TV and an Android TV box, lies in the operating system itself. Android TV is a special version of the core Android OS. Android TV can’t run every app, at least not without rooting your device. But, the apps that it can run are specifically designed to be run on your television rather than a touchscreen.

Why is that important? Well, lets use Netflix as an example. If you’ve used Netflix on your smartphone or tablet, then you’ll remember swiping up and down to scroll through the list of genres. Once you found what kind of movie you’re looking for, you can swipe left or right to see what’s in that genre.

How exactly do you swipe on your TV set?

So, the Netflix Android TV app was built from the ground up to use the remote control rather than a touchscreen. It’s the same for every other Android TV app.

What’s the catch? You can only get Android TV on a higher-end, newer Smart TV, say 2015 and later. It’s also available on a handful of high-end TV boxes like the NVIDIA Shield.

Not everyone can afford a new high-end TV or need something as powerful as the Shield. Android TV boxes offer similar performance, minus a few features, for a fraction of the cost.

Who should buy an Android TV box instead of a Roku, Apple TV or Fire TV?

There’s usually only one question left by this point: What should I buy?

Well, that depends on you.

Streaming devices like the Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV are great. I have nothing against them…well, maybe against the Apple TV, but that’s understandable, right? Anyway, they’re extremely easy to use. I gave my eighty-year-old mother a Roku 3 and she was able to learn how to use it in a few minutes. Does it do everything that my NVIDIA Shield does? Absolutely not. Can it run every app like my MINIX TV box can? Nope.

Android TV boxes give you flexibility

With a streaming device like Roku, you have to live in their world, their ecosystem and run their apps. You don’t have much of a choice if the app you want isn’t available. Thankfully, Plex is available on most systems. But, if you want to run Kodi on your Roku, tough luck. Same goes for your Apple TV. If you want to install it on your Fire TV, you’re going to have to jump through some hoops and sideload the app manually.

If I want to install Kodi on my Android TV box, all I have to do is go to the Google Play Store and click install.

That goes for hundreds of other apps as well.

Android TV boxes may have their drawbacks. They can be time-consuming to set up correctly, and they may need to be tweaked on a regular basis as new firmware comes out.

But if you’re the type of person that loves having the option to install whatever you want and tweak your system to really make it yours, then you’re just the person who should get an Android TV box.

Original XIAOMI III Mi Box 4K Android 5.0 AC WiFi Media Player
Price: $57.69

MINIX NEO U1 4K*2K UHD TV BOX Android 5.1 Lollipop 2x2 MIMO ac Wifi
Price: $99.00

MXQ 4K RK3229 TV Box Android 4.4 1G8G H.265 10Bit WIFI LAN KODI HDMI
Price: $28.69

MXQ R9 RK3229 KODI Preinstalled Android 4.4.4 Smart TV Box
Price: $34.99

Q-BOX 4K KODI Preinstalled Amlogic S905 TV Box Android 5.1 2G16G
Price: $55.99

M8S PLUS Amlogic S905 Gigabit 2G16G Android5.1 4K TV Box KODI
Price: $62.99

Unuiga U1 Remix 2.0 OS MINI PC Amlogic S905 2G32G
Price: $74.99

Nexbox A95X Amlogic S905X 4K KODI Android 6.0 2G8G TV BOX
Price: $46.99

Coowell V2 TV BOX Tronsmart TSM01 English Version Air Mouse
Price: $69.99

Coowell V2 TV BOX Rii i8 2 Wireless Hebrew Keyboard White
Price: $76.99

Coowell V2 TV BOX T2 2.4G Wireless Air Mouse
Price: $67.99

Q Amlogic S812 2G16G KODI TV BOX Tronsmart TSM-01-EN Air Mouse
Price: $69.99

Q Amlogic S812 2G16G KODI TV BOXRii i8 Israel Hebrew Keyboard White
Price: $79.99

Intbox pro M7S Android 5.1 TV BOX Tronsmart TSM01 Air Mouse
Price: $76.99

MECOOL BB2 Android 6.0 Amlogic S912 KODI 17.0 TV BOX
Price: $56.99

Rii RT503 2.4GHz Wireless BT 3.0 Backlit Touchpad Keyboard - Black
Price: $70.19

MECOOL HM8 Amlogic S905X KODI 4K TV BOX
Price: $34.99

Eachlink IX88 Android 5.1.1 RK3229 TV BOX
Price: $39.99

Eachlink IX88 Android 5.1.1 RK3229 TV BOX Tronsmart TSM01
Price: $49.99

Eachlink IX88 Android 5.1.1 RK3229 TV BOX Rii i8 White
Price: $57.99

X98 PRO Amlogic S912 3GB/32GB Android TV Box Review

2017-11-07T18:20:00.002-08:00

X98 PRO Amlogic S912 3GB/32GB Android TV Box KODI 802.11AC WIFI Bluetooth 1000M LAN DLNA Niracast

What is a Android TV Box and How Does it Work?

2017-10-08T10:51:00.000-07:00

Android TV boxes are popular items these days and allow a user a wide range of uses from surfing the web, to streaming video straight to your TV.

These small boxes can turn most any TV into a smart TV with a wide range of options. Most people use them to stream movies or TV shows from their favorite streaming sites, such as Netflix or Hulu.

How Does It Work?
A box is connected to a TV and setup to the internet via wired Ethernet or WiFi connection.

After a box is connected to a TV, and the internet, apps can be installed. For example a YouTube app can be installed to stream YouTube videos.

Android is a Operating System, like Windows or iOS, that was created by Google mainly for mobile phones. It runs on ARM based processors which makes it portable to any device that runs the same hardware.

Since the Android Operating System is open source and free, it is much cheaper to manufacture hardware based on it and sold.

While it is mainly used on smartphones it can also be installed on small boxes that run the same hardware but give better input and output options.

For example Android TV boxes can output HDMI to a TV giving it HD viewing ability. They also can use a remote control, keyboard, or mouse for input.

What can a Android TV Box Do?

They are mainly used to stream video content to users allowing them to watch their favorite TV shows and movies on demand.

While that is their main use they can also do most anything a standard computer can do. As with android based smartphones Apps can be installed from Google Play Store that can do most anything that can be thought of.

A very large variety of apps can be installed that can do everything from creating a document, to checking the weather.

What Type Of Boxes are Available?
Units come in all shapes, sizes, and pricing formats.

Like all things computer related better hardware is introduced constantly from many manufactures.

Low cost budget boxes are available along with high-end units packed with the latest fastest hardware.

Each box will come with its own setup as manufactures modify the android code to fit their machines.

Popular options include the Nvidia Shield or Matricom G-Box. Which box is right for your setup very much depends on what fits your need and price range.

The best way to see what is best for your setup is to read reviews on units within your budget.

Summary
Android TV boxes are here to stay and are a nice fit into any home entertainment center.

Android smartphone users will have no problem quickly moving about the interface and finding what they want. As with any computer those that are new may have a slight learning curve as to how things work.

Most all units are different and will have different features and hardware. Most dont come with much internal hard drive space and use micro-SD cards or flash drives to give more storage space.

Some high-end units give large internal hard drives which of course will cost more.

Low-end units are popular since they are cheap and a nice place for many to feel comfortable starting with. While many cheap units work well keep in mind they often require some skill to setup and operate.

If you have some knowledge of android based systems than using a low-end box will likley be fine. If you have never used one before than having some technical support may be best which low-end boxes dont usually offer.

Reading reviews and watching YouTube videos on the different units available is best to see which one would fit your skill and home setup.

Also keep in mind the wireless the box offers. Streaming video over WiFi can be challenging at times even with good equipment. Running a wired Ethernet cable is always best but sometimes not feasible. If you do need to use WiFi be sure to read how well it streams video content over a wireless setup.