Anybody have any experience/ recommendations about these? Our TV is an old plasma, which looks great but forget about any smart TV features. I’ve been using Chromecast Ultra for 4 or 5 years, but it doesn’t support Apple TV+. Been looking at Nvidia Shield TV, at 149 € it looks pretty damn good. You can get all the apps from the store to it, plus it functions as a normal Chromecast, so you can just use your phone. And it supports Apple TV+. 😃

  • GerS replied to this.

    Started using an android box about 6 weeks ago. I’m using a Mecool km6 deluxe which runs on Android 10. So far it’s been really good. I run it direct from my WiFi hub but then split the signal so I can watch on the TV down stairs. I get full hd but can get 4k if had a 4k TV. The nevida shield is supposed to be one of the best but I couldn’t justify spending double the money for something which is almost as good.

      Dubman will check that one out. An ethernet-port is a must. That’s the main reason I won’t be getting the new Chromecast. Chromecast Ultra has the ethernet, and with it the picture has not buffered once.

          Homegrove
          I think the only small drawback on the Mecool is that it doesn’t play Netflix in HD. Which isn’t a problem for me as I can watch it on my virgin TiVo box.

            Have 3 × 4k Amazon Firesticks in my TVs - work excellently. Not sure if they’re compatible with Apple TV, but fuck Apple.

            Only 1 is wired into the ethenet but the others work really well on wifi

              One upstairs maybe 12m the other downstairs about 15m.

              That’s good news. Was thinking about getting one for the TV downstairs but was worried the signal maybe to weak.

              Firestick is a receiver mate so depends on the quality of your wifi

              We do have good WiFi. I think I’ll get a firestick for downstairs.

                The TV seemed blocked wifi from our old Chromecast, as we have it on the wall, so the dongle was between the TV and the wall. Getting a better one with ethernet solved the problem. The cable’s not an issue either since we have the router on top of the Blu Ray-player under the TV. 1 metre long was all we needed.

                Dubman New Google Chromecast meant to be good too, but I’m using the Firesticks and have been for a few years now so keeping faith.

                Work well when taking abroad too

                  The picture in my old plasma is perfect for movies man, not giving it up untill it dies.

                    Homegrove Been using those boxes for years, I can help you out.

                    There’s two types of Android boxes, ones that use the phone / tablet version of Android OS and the boxes that only use Android TV OS.
                    I find the TV OS is more restricted than the regular phone version of Android, it’s a bit finicky for installing the pirate apps on.

                    These boxes that run Android TV OS are the only ones that will typically run Netflix in HD quality, because of some Netflix security / licensing policy or something to that effect.

                    All Android devices capable of streaming Netflix in HD or 4K quality must be explicitly approved by Netflix, this requires a period of testing of the device by the company and reach certain agreements at the enterprise level, without this permission is impossible see content in high quality even if you have DRM Google Widevine Level 1 certificate or not.

                    This point restrict the use of Netflix HD or 4K to brands with a certain level of contacts. With this point it is clear that we will not see unknown TV-Box models with high quality streaming ever.

                    You’ll be able to use Netflix on every box, but unless it’s something like a Nvidea Shield or similar, running TV OS, you’ll be limited to watching stuff at standard definition.
                    On the plus side, get an Android box that runs regular Android, install the pirate streaming apps and get a Real-Debrid account for dirt cheap for the year to link to the pirate apps and it scrapes all the latest movies and shows in all quality, up to 4k. You can ditch all your subscriptions and save a few quid. All your baby yoda’s, doctor stranges, she hulks and all those other superhero shows you all watch are all up ready to steam as soon as they appear on the regular streaming sites.

                    I use the fairly high powered boxes, like Minix and Ugoos brands. They’re typically around 160-ish quid. I only use those for the extra power because I install all the old game console emulators on them and play everything from the Commodore 64, Amiga, NES, SNES, Gameboy, all the way up to N64, PSP and Dreamcast.
                    If you’re not into that you can get a cheaper box with less power of course.

                    I use an Ugoos AM6 Plus at the moment, it’s a few years old now. It’s a solid box and never had any issues with it, always gets regular firmware updates every so often. It has Ethernet and I get my full home internet speed through it, no speed issues.
                    They’ve released a few newer models since then, I think this is their current upgrade to mine.
                    You can look at the review here, and might give you an idea what they’re about. Loads of other boxes reviewed on that channel too.

                        a month later

                        Anyone have the new Chromecast for TV? It finally landed in Finland, and is much cheaper then the Nvidia I was eyeing at.

                          If you mean the 4k one yes unless there’s something really recently? I only use it to beam YouTube and redbull tv to the telly though so probably not utilitising it. And yes I’m aware I can do that on the TV itself but I’m far too lazy.