Android TV Boxing – What Is It, and Why You Need It

Android TV Box is a new line of set-top boxes for LCD and CRT TVs. This is not an ordinary multimedia player but a full-fledged Smart TV software. In simple words, with its help, you can make a version of Smart out of a typical modern TV.

Equipment capabilities

An Android TV set-top box is not just a media player but a multifunctional device. It is often used to expand the capabilities of a conventional TV. When you want to try Smart technology, there is no desire to buy a new TV. In this situation, the set-top box will be cheaper.

The main features of Android TV include:

• A media player with which you can watch videos in any format via the Internet or from a memory card. It is also allowed to view photos, videos, audio content. You can connect IP TV through a particular application from Google.
• Wide range of games. The set-top box runs on the Android OS, so through it, you can download and open various games, playing them on the big screen. Do not think that you will not find something more interesting among the games from Android than balls. There are many games designed specifically for Smart TVs with complex graphics and storylines.
• Support for video communication. You can use a media player to communicate with friends and family through a webcam. To do this, you need to fix it on a TV or in a convenient place and install Skype, Viber, IQS on TV.
• Internet connection stability. Through a smart set-top box, it is easy to access the global network, check the mail status, find the desired video, play flash games, and sit on social networks.

In terms of functionality, the Android TV box works as an actual Smart TV. Through it, you can go online, use social networks, watch videos and play various games.

Technical parameters of Android set-top boxes

Despite the whole line of Android TV boxes, they are all similar in technical parameters. They are powered by Rockchip dual or quad-core Cortex A9 series processors. Graphic accelerator for fast playback of pictures – Mail 400. The difference between the models is mainly only in the clock frequency of the processor.

Other prominent characteristics of an Android TV box include:

• The amount of RAM from 2 to 4 GB DDR3 series.
• Built-in flash memory for 8-16 GB.
• There is a slot for expanding memory using a flashcard.
• Built-in interfaces for wireless connection via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
• The presence of a remote control-pointer (optional), with which it is easier to control the TV.
• High performance, affecting the speed and quality of content viewing.
• The speed of playing Full HD videos from the Internet.

To check the purchased set-top box’s quality and functionality, you can download several heavy video files to a USB flash drive and play them through a media player.

How to connect and configure equipment

Connecting the Android set-top box to the TV goes through HDMI or AV input (tulips). To get better video and movies, you should choose the first option – HDMI version 2.0 and higher.

Important! The set-top box has a USB connector, but it is not intended for connection. Through it, you can only play various files, connect peripherals and flashcards.

When the set-top box is connected via the AV input, the picture will be the same as regular CRT TV. This connection option does not support modern resolutions and formats.

The same scheme of connecting and configuring the Android TV set-top box is as follows:

1. Plugin equipment. Connect a computer mouse to the USB connector.
2. Connect an Internet cable via a LAN port or Wi-Fi to the set-top box.
3. Connect the HDMI cable to the corresponding connector on the TV.
4. Press the Power button both on the set-top box and on the TV.
5. Take the TV remote control. Go to the menu. Select as HDMI or AV signal source, depending on the connected connector.
6. A familiar Android splash screen with basic applications will appear on the screen.

All subsequent control is carried out through the attachment. The TV remote control is only helpful for turning on and off equipment. Less commonly to adjust the volume.

Set-top box setup via Wi-Fi

Since the Android TV Box set-top box is, in fact, a replacement for Smart TV, it can be configured via a Wi-Fi router without connecting a cable. This requires:

1. Connect the set-top box via HDMI or AV cable to the TV.
2. Wait for the Android menu to appear.
3. Find settings, select a network type and turn on Wi-Fi.
4. Enter the parameter and password for the internal network. Wait for the connection.

After setting up this way, the TV “turns” into a sizeable widescreen tablet with all its capabilities, including Internet access and communication via social networks.

Prefix selection criteria

Choose Android TV Box for technical specifications. And for the same as when choosing a tablet or smartphone with this operating system. The main criteria include:

• The more cores in the processor, and the higher its frequency, the faster the data processing occurs.
• The power of the graphics accelerator affects the speed and quality of content playback.
• RAM must be more than 1 GB. The smaller option is not suitable for TVs.
• The presence of ports and connectors for connecting peripheral devices, keyboard, mouse, flash drive. And also the presence of an input for a network cable and preferably an HDMI port.
• Built-in Wi-Fi and B modules
• Remote control support. It is more convenient to configure and switch files with it.

Important! Smart TV requires an operating system higher than version 4.2. Otherwise, nothing good will come of connecting the set-top box.

It is convenient to buy a set-top box for owners of smartphones with the Android operating system. Synchronization between such devices will be fast. And it will be possible to use a smartphone as a remote control.

Consumers’ Best Android Box

One of the best in 2021 is the Nvidia Shield Android TV Box. It is considered specialized for games, but at the same time, the functionality is sufficient to reproduce all the necessary files quickly. And also, it has suitable hardware and constantly updated and correctly working firmware.

The cost of such equipment is from 19 to 21 thousand rubles. The advantages include:

• The best hardware of all the Android consoles.
• Stable Wi-Fi connection.
• Fully functional Android TV.
• Good firmware without failures with reliable support from the manufacturer.
• Connected via LA

Disadvantages include the only cost.

The second and third places can be consoles, Xiaomi Mi Box S, Ugoos X2 Cube. The first option does not have such a large set of options, it is challenging to support games, but the cost is several times cheaper than a set-top box from Nvidia.