Video Suggest an Android TV Box

hotshot05

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Sep 11, 2008
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I need to use Youtube, Hotstar, amazon prime video and Terrarium TV.

I found these on gearbest -
X96 Mini TV Box - 32$
2GB RAM + 16GB ROM
Amlogic S905W + Android 7.1.2 + Quad-core Cortex-A53 + 4K VP9 H.265
https://m.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_715050.html?lkid=12119822


MX9 PRO TV Box - 46$
RK3328 Quad-core Android 7.1 Bluetooth 4.0
https://m.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_628423.html?wid=21


Is there any better option than these?
Would a Chromecast or Amazon Fire stick fulfill my need?

Is the Amkette Evo better than these cheap boxes?
It is quite costly at 7k
https://www.flipkart.com/amkette-evo-tv-3-4k-advanced-media-streaming-device/p/itmeyrybgw7tm89k
 

vyral_143

Jarvis
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Nov 28, 2011
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Not sure about Terrarium TV but other apps should be okay for X96.

Chromecast will work for YouTube and HotStar for sure. For Prime Video, it won't. No idea about Terrarium TV.

That Amkette box is not worth.

I am using X96 with S905X/2GB RAM/16GB ROM/ Android 6 and no BT.
 

hotshot05

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Sep 11, 2008
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Not sure about Terrarium TV but other apps should be okay for X96.

Chromecast will work for YouTube and HotStar for sure. For Prime Video, it won't. No idea about Terrarium TV.

That Amkette box is not worth.

I am using X96 with S905X/2GB RAM/16GB ROM/ Android 6 and no BT.
From where did you buy the box?
I see the X96 available on Amazon but costs around 3.5k
On gearbest it is around 2k (if no customs is charged)

Any issue that you have faced till now with this?
This will be used by my father.
 

vyral_143

Jarvis
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I have got it from same AliExpress link for USD 31. But I have received it in Hong Kong hence no customs.

Till now no issues as such, I even updated firmware of same manually.

Please note that I did not like default remote came with it. I prefer to have Air Mouse for operating.

Box which you have linked from GearBest is bit different than the one which I have.
 

TheGreatOne

Disciple
Oct 9, 2015
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I have got it from same AliExpress link for USD 31. But I have received it in Hong Kong hence no customs.

Till now no issues as such, I even updated firmware of same manually.

Please note that I did not like default remote came with it. I prefer to have Air Mouse for operating.

Box which you have linked from GearBest is bit different than the one which I have.
Can you use illegitimate apps like showbox?
 

raksrules

Elite
Aug 30, 2007
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I would recommend fire stick since I use that primarily. I use Netflix, hotstar (sometimes), terrarium tv, other android apps for live tv (since I am in USA currently).

I believe these android boxes don't stream Netflix in Full HD (or even 720p) since they have DRM issue or whatever it is called.

I am not sure but please check on this. I find fire stick best but yes I don't have any offline content. Everything is streamed from Internet. Also I have sideclick remote to go with fire stick remote so that helps in terms of convenience.
 
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meetdilip

Adept
Oct 9, 2011
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Firestick does not have a fully functional YouTube app at the moment ( fixed ?). They recommend using Silk browser or Firefox for watching YouTube.
 

hotshot05

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I would recommend fire stick since I use that primarily. I use Netflix, hotstar (sometimes), terrarium tv, other android apps for live tv (since I am in USA currently).

I believe these android boxes don't stream Netflix in Full HD (or even 720p) since they have DRM issue or whatever it is called.

I am not sure but please check on this. I find fire stick best but yes I don't have any offline content. Everything is streamed from Internet. Also I have sideclick remote to go with fire stick remote so that helps in terms of convenience.
I thought Hotstar was region locked to India.
Right now have no use for Netflix as it is so costly. But even I read about the DRM issue. Cheap chinese boxes don't have proper DRM license files. Mi Box has all the required files if seems. But currently it is too costly in India. If X96 does not work properly, will get the Mi Box sometime in the future!
 

raksrules

Elite
Aug 30, 2007
11,173
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Mumbai
Firestick does not have a fully functional YouTube app at the moment ( fixed ?). They recommend using Silk browser or Firefox for watching YouTube.
You are correct. I use Firefox and it works absolutely perfect. You never feel different than how it was before.
 

raksrules

Elite
Aug 30, 2007
11,173
3,428
453
Mumbai
I thought Hotstar was region locked to India.
Right now have no use for Netflix as it is so costly. But even I read about the DRM issue. Cheap chinese boxes don't have proper DRM license files. Mi Box has all the required files if seems. But currently it is too costly in India. If X96 does not work properly, will get the Mi Box sometime in the future!
Hotstar is region locked yes but I use a vpn with Indian IP on fire stick to access hotstar. Btw hotstar is available in USA too now officially but it's $10 a month.
 

vyral_143

Jarvis
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Nov 28, 2011
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I guess this is the first time someone wants to use an Indian IP address on a VPN!!!! :p

Even I have to use VPN for Indian content on X96 box. Otherwise Chromecast works most times when I am in India.

I use a vpn with Indian IP on fire stick to access hotstar.

Do you use any app like Turbo VPN or just modify some network settings.
 

raksrules

Elite
Aug 30, 2007
11,173
3,428
453
Mumbai
Even I have to use VPN for Indian content on X96 box. Otherwise Chromecast works most times when I am in India.



Do you use any app like Turbo VPN or just modify some network settings.

I bought vpn unlimited for $18 lifetime and loaded it's android app on firestick. Works perfectly.
 

prime

Skilled
Nov 22, 2008
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What is the best option to buy Mi box right? I don't mind buying from aliexpress, gearbest, banggood, geekbuying, etc.

What other Android TV Box has Google cast (not miracast, etc.)?
 
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