Flash set-top box smart TV. Smart TV set-top box or how to make a TV smart. What problems may arise

When asked how to make a “Smart TV” from regular TV, there is an answer that is quite accessible and understandable to most users. The bottom line is that buyers of fancy devices that transmit television broadcasts and are connected to the Internet often have no idea that such a system can be made much cheaper. This will require some devices (game console or tablet), a little skill and suitable adapters. As a result, you will be able to enjoy your favorite movies or games online without delays.

How to make a “Smart TV” from a regular TV?

Many people have a TV at home that is not the most modern, but still works. A dilemma often arises: to replace the TV with a new model or to upgrade an existing device. The latter option has many preferences using mobile or gaming gadgets.

You can do this simply through the HMDI port of the TV, but in the end you will get a kind of monitor, the image quality on which leaves much to be desired, and managing the functionality is not very convenient (especially with a mouse). This procedure is much more effective if there is an interface adapted for the TV screen. Don't forget that a standard computer is quite noisy and is not always appropriate next to a TV.

As an alternative - various mini-devices and gaming consoles. With their help, it is possible to reorganize a regular TV into the “Smart” format. One of the best options is considered to be “Android Whistle,” the production of which is well established in China. There are several series of them, but the principle of operation of each is approximately the same.

Options

Modern television repeaters are real multimedia centers with Internet access and support for a variety of services. However, with maximum functions, such a thing will be very expensive. It is much easier and cheaper to build a “Smart” with your own hands from improvised devices and wires.

You can do this in one of the following ways:

Using a compact and inexpensive media player.
Via a smartphone or tablet computer.
Using a universal Blue-Ray player system.
Using the game

What can a network media player do?

Owners of a network media player can read the device's characteristics in the operating instructions and make sure that it has a lot in common with the Smart function. If previously such devices were a player with a USB port, now they are an effective and multifunctional class of equipment. In fact, using a media player greatly expands the capabilities of the TV both in functional terms and in terms of sound reproduction quality.

The player has the ability to play movies from a PC in HD format. This opens up access to music, entertainment and other files, not to mention online stores. The main media is an old TV displaying full-fledged websites and additional files.

Pros and cons of media players

To figure out how to make a “Smart TV” from a regular TV with your own hands using a network media player, you need to take into account all the advantages and disadvantages this method. With the right approach, the set-top box used will make it possible to make a real competitor to modern “sophisticated” devices at minimal cost. The advantages of using a media player include:

compact overall dimensions;
acceptable price;
interaction with all common modules and formats;
built-in WLAN option;
accessibility for connecting external devices, including a hard drive.

In addition, the modification in question has convenient operation and works with most interactive services, including online stores and social networks. The disadvantages of this method include the fact that some media players do not interact with Blue-Ray disc images.

Criteria for selecting a media player for the Smart option

Most of the latest media players are equipped with connectors for connecting a keyboard or mouse via the USB ports of the TV. In the variety of models, you can choose an option with a Russified interface and access to proprietary applications.

You should also be aware of supported connections. In any case, it must be there. A digital audio input S/PDIF and a built-in card reader would also be useful. Modern media players are increasingly being released without built-in hard drive, but with the ability to connect external media or a memory card.

If your TV is so old that it does not support an HDMI connection, then you will need to select analog composite connectors with corresponding inputs and outputs. Those who are not used to storing information on interactive services will need to make sure that the player is functionally able to play files in the desired format. Fortunately, the choice in this area is very wide.

"Android set-top box": smartphones and tablets

Modern tablet computers and smartphones are equipped with all sorts of interactive services and applications that allow you to perform a lot of operations, including watching movies in high quality and listen to music files. Most of these gadgets can be easily connected to your TV. To do this, you will need to select the appropriate adapters, which are not included with the device.

The disadvantages of this conversion include limited memory mobile devices, which does not allow you to store the entire media set, but gives a regular TV the functions of a computer. To get maximum benefit, it is recommended to use a special software. An “Android set-top box” in the form of a tablet or smartphone has a significant advantage: it is compact and has the ability to download the necessary content. Negative aspects include limited memory capacity, the need to use various adapters and the difficulty of watching video in high definition.

How to display an image using mobile devices on a TV screen?

Smartphones or tablets are often equipped with a mini-HDMI or MHL connector. This makes it possible to connect the device to TVs of various modifications. Otherwise, you will need to use adapters, which are selected individually, since they are not unified with each other.

For example, to connect Apple, you will need a special adapter. To avoid fast discharge It is advisable to additionally connect the power cable to the device. On the Android platform, you can select several types of resolutions (from 480 to 1080 pixels). Unfortunately, iPad gadgets and iPhone do not have similar functions. Due to this, the image in interactive games may be slightly distorted and have black stripes on the sides. In this case, videos from YouTube will be formatted across the entire width of the screen.

Gaming consoles

One of the options for making “Smart TV” from a regular TV is to use a video console. Compared to full-fledged media players, game consoles are less functional, and some applications are paid. To get the maximum performance, users of the Microsoft Xbox 360 console must register with Xbox Live and pay for a “gold” account.

The Microsoft Xbox 360 service does not allow you to copy movies to your HDD, but plays them from DVDs, CDs and flash cards. In addition, connection of an external drive is available. All popular video and audio formats are also supported. To receive the full option, you must constantly be in touch with the updated Windows media center (DLNA format).

Sony PS-3

Next, we’ll look at how to make a “Smart TV” from a regular TV using In this case, the user is provided with two free resources focused on video playback, as well as the ability to store media information on an internal HDD format drive.

The console does not allow you to play files that weigh more than four gigabytes due to the limited capabilities of the device. "Play Station - 3" launches video from Blue-Ray, as well as from memory cards and external media of various formats within the allowed volume. Using the PS-3 console, you can listen to music, watch videos with a resolution of up to 1080 pixels, view photos and use several free online services.

Blue-Ray players

One of the options for making a “Smart TV” from a regular TV with USB is to use a Blue-Ray player. Similar devices They have a fairly high price, but also have great functionality. When using them, the consumer receives the following opportunities:

support for almost all video formats and codecs, as well as audio;
built-in WLAN module;
connecting external drives and DLNA options;
full set of Smart and Wi-Fi functions;
additional applications and access to all kinds of interactive resources.

You can watch movies in good quality without any problems, not to mention videos from YouTube. Some models are equipped with additional functionality that makes it possible to download branded programs from online stores.

How to connect Blue-Ray?

All Blue-Ray players have an HDMI interface. If the player did not come with a suitable cable, you can easily buy it at any electronics store. You can also use adapters for SCART or RCA (“tulip”) connectors.

Often such connectors are provided in a standard set. It is worth considering that when connecting the player via the SCART or RCA interface, the image will not be as high quality as via HDMI. But if we make “Smart TV” from a regular TV, this point is not critical. To connect a Blue-Ray player to a device, you may need an RCA-SCART or HDMI-SCART adapter. When interacting with RCA, you will have to independently switch the television receiver to AV mode, since this connection does not provide autonomous transition on decoder, as opposed to SCART mode. You should also choose an adapter carefully: too cheap copies may cause interference when playing files.

What should you pay attention to?

Before you buy a Blue-Ray player, you should make sure that your TV has the appropriate connectors. If additional acoustic system, you need to check that it is compatible with the device you are purchasing.

To make the most of network capabilities, you need to make sure that there are ports and connectors, without which the modes will not function (LAN, HD, HDMI and others). If using the TV involves frequent communication on social networks or interactive surfing, it is advisable to choose a media player with a convenient remote control. As a last resort you can use Tablet PC or smartphone.

In any hardware store, you will find that digital TVs with Smart TV functions are much more expensive than regular TVs. The functionality of conventional digital TVs consists, as a rule, in the ability to watch analogue or digital TV, connecting such a TV as a second monitor to any computer device, as well as playing multimedia files from USB drives with a built-in media player. The latter, by the way, in budget TV models can cover a very limited set of file formats.

The functionality of Smart TV seriously increases the cost of the TV for good reason. Essentially, such a TV is a computer - it contains firmware, it contains not only an advanced media player, but also the ability to view media files from the Internet in the implementation of both individual applications and through a special browser.

Does it make sense to buy an expensive Smart TV?

But there is no need to pay for an expensive branded TV with Smart TV function. You can turn the cheapest digital TV, an old CRT TV, or even a monitor into a Smart TV, albeit one of the modern models with an HDMI output. The Smart TV feature is available on select Android TV devices. They will be discussed below.

What is Android TV?

Android TV (or Google TV) is a mini-computer based, as the name suggests, on the Android platform. It can be called both a TV set-top box and a media player - in both the first and second cases this will correspond to reality, since the specifics of the device make it possible to erase some specific edges. Android TV is actually the same tablet, only without a screen. The device has almost the same technical characteristics as Android smartphones or tablets - processor, RAM and permanent memory, video card. There is only no display, but instead there is the ability to display images on a TV or monitor.

Why Android platform? This is a free operating system, and differs from its, so to speak, ancestor - Linux OS - in a more colorful and intuitive interface, integration with Google services and a huge store of applications and games, most of which are free or distributed at a nominal price.

By connecting Android TV to your TV, you essentially get the same Smart TV, but not based on the TV manufacturer’s factory firmware with limited functionality, but on the most popular operating system with all its advantages. Internet television, FullHD video, 3D video, YouTube, various online video portals and torrent trackers, Internet provider network resources, games and applications - Android TV opens up enormous opportunities for interesting leisure activities. In the presence of mobile Internet Android TV, connected to a car display, turns it, in addition to a media player, also into a reference and navigation system through one of the many presented in Google Play Market of navigator applications for Android.

Just a couple of decades ago, a Soviet citizen would never have dreamed that in the future his children would be able to make video calls around the world using a TV. Black and white “Birches”, “Orions” or “Electrons” would certainly not be capable of this, no matter how skillfully you screwed a rotary telephone set to them. With Android TV you can make calls on TV, because the latter, let us remind you, just plays the role of a screen.

What is Android TV as a technical device?

There are two main types of Android TV devices on the market today. This is a MiniPC - a miniature flash drive type device - and a TV Box - a functional TV set-top box.

Android TV MiniPC

MiniPC is perhaps the smallest device included in the package. Being slightly larger than a regular flash drive, this device is much smaller than its control panel. Android TV MiniPC connects to the TV via an HDMI port (directly or using an extension adapter) and is powered by USB.

MiniPC does not have a network port (RJ45); you can only connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi. There is Bluetooth, with its help you can connect to Android TV wireless devices. Data media can be connected to the MiniPC either via USB or via a card reader. Some models may include a built-in microphone for network communication.

The small size of the MiniPC is designed to provide a budget digital TV with Smart TV functionality as discreetly as possible - so that the user does not feel discomfort compared to his rich relatives or neighbors who change their plasma Smart TV to a newer model every year. And usually MiniPCs have only one USB port, so to connect several USB devices to it, you will have to additionally purchase a USB hub.

The MiniPC is equipped with only an HDMI output; it does not have S-Video, DVI, VGA, composite (AV) output, or audio output. Therefore, this version of Android TV is unlikely to be suitable in cases with a CRT TV. To turn the latter into Smart TV, you need a TV set-top box - Android TV Box.

Android TV Box

TV set-top box Android based - multifunction device. Outwardly, it resembles a router; almost all models have an external antenna. By the way, Android TV Box can additionally act as a router - receive the Internet via wire thanks to the built-in network port (RJ45) and distribute the Internet via Wi-Fi.

Android TV Box usually has more than two USB ports. And just like the MiniPC, the TV set-top box is equipped with a card reader.

In addition to the HDMI output for connecting to a digital TV, the Android TV Box is equipped with a composite output (AV, “tulip”) for outputting images to a CRT TV, as well as an audio output for outputting sound to its speakers.

Just like MiniPC, Android TV Box models can be equipped with a built-in microphone for communicating over the Internet.

Android TV device management

The Android MiniPC and TV Box comes with a remote control that, like a pointer, can be used to manipulate the cursor on the screen. This is possible thanks to the G-sensor built into the remote control. Some device models include a remote control with a QWERTY keyboard, which can be used to enter letters.

Any external devices data input - mice, keyboards, gamepads - as already mentioned, can be connected via USB ports and via wireless connection via Bluetooth.

Specifications Android devices TV

Both MiniPC and TV Box are, as already mentioned, computer devices assembled from various hardware components. Depending on the models and manufacturers, devices can be equipped with processors with two or four cores, with different clock frequencies - from 1 to 2 GHz, RAM from 512 MB to 2 GB, as well as internal flash memory for 2, 4, 8 or more GB

Android TV devices are not represented on the market by branded models from famous manufacturers, as can be seen in the case of Android smartphones or tablets. Android TVs are, as a rule, manufactured by little-known Chinese manufacturers, and the assembly of devices involves far from the most advanced hardware. As a rule, these are Rockchip or Allwinner processors and a Mali-400 video card.

Price issue

Since MiniPCs are aimed only at digital TVs, they are cheaper than TV Boxes. You can buy Android TV in MiniPC format from $70. There are also cheaper models, but these will be extremely weak hardware capabilities. This may not affect video playback, but if you want to play some Android game, the money saved will be remembered as wasted nerves.

Android TV Box will cost $20-25 more than MiniPC with approximately the same hardware characteristics.

Watching videos and listening to music in good quality on a smartphone is, of course, good, but doing this with a connected widescreen TV, duplicating the picture or outputting multimedia files, is even better!

Did you know that most Android smartphones can be connected to modern TVs? Ask why? For example, to watch video from the phone’s memory or its SD card. A person does not always have a USB drive with him on which films are stored, but he can watch them from his phone by connecting it to the plasma. If the quality of the video itself is decent, then on the TV screen it will not “spread” into pixels. The same situation applies to music. For example, you can make a multimedia player from your phone that connects to a TV with a full track list.

Currently, connection is possible in the following ways:

Via USB cable;
Wirelessly Wi-Fi networks;
Via RCA cable (tulip);
Via HDMI cable;
Via MHL and SlimPort adapters;
Using Miracast technology.

Now let's look at each method separately.

In this case, the connection is made through a standard USB cable, which you use to charge your Android.

As a rule, most devices today are supplied with a cable and a block into which this same cable is inserted. So, your task is to find a USB input on the TV (usually on the back or side), and insert the cable with the connected phone there. It can be either MicroUSB or MiniUSB.

A notification with a new device will appear on your screen. The system will offer to connect your smartphone as a storage device. Agree with this notification and you will be taken to file system your phone. Here you will see all the files, both on SD and in internal memory apparatus. Launch any movie or music file to play it on your TV. Please note that all rar, zip and other third-party file types available on a computer will not open on the TV! Multimedia files only.

This method will be relevant only for those users whose TV has built-in support for wireless technology. Thanks to this option, connecting your phone is much more convenient, and you can manage files from a distance. For example, you can sit quietly on the couch and choose movies to watch or music to listen to.

To connect, it is necessary that the built-in Wi-Fi module be present both on the TV and on your mobile phone. If your TV has Smart TV technology, then it definitely has Wi-Fi Direct! As a rule, Smart TV is found in all latest generation TVs from Samsung, LG, Sony, and other manufacturers.

Go to the “Settings” of your Android smartphone and select Wi-Fi there.
Next, click on the tab "Additionally" and find Wi-Fi Direct.
On your TV, also go to “Settings” and find the same wireless technology, and then activate it.
You turn on Wi-Fi on your smartphone, and the system automatically searches for available connection points on your TV. Once your phone's hotspot is found, the devices will be paired and connected to the shared network.

If your TV does not have a Wi-Fi module, you can purchase it separately. It will be inserted via an HDMI port, so you should think carefully about whether it’s worth it? After all, this is an additional cost, and the HDMI port will be busy.

Via RCA (tulip)

This method is suitable for those users who have old TVs. They usually have RCA support (a cable with three branches of different colors). Each plug performs a separate task - transmits sound and video. But even an old TV can be connected to your Android smartphone. To do this, you need an HDMI to RCA adapter, as well as HDMI support in your smartphone.

The adapter will cost about 700 rubles. On one side you insert RCA, on the other you connect HDMI. There is also an input on the side for connecting power, but the cable for it is provided along with the adapter. As a rule, the connection to your smartphone can be done either via HDMI Micro or HDMI Mini.

The adapter will have two modes: NTSC and PAL. The first is used if you have an American TV, and the second is more suitable for European ones, since they have a higher resolution. You can simply switch modes and see for yourself which one will look better. But please note that this method does not guarantee a clear image, given that RCA technology cannot boast of this, and all sorts of adapters are used.

Via HDMI

Actually, in the paragraph above we already mentioned HDMI technology, which can connect Android to plasma. But, if you have a new generation device, then no RCA is needed! Just insert HDMI cable into the socket and connect the cable directly or via an HDMI Mini adapter to your smartphone. Please note that by default the cable is not provided with the smartphone, so you will have to buy it separately!

To connect, take a cable with HDMI on one end and HDMI Mini on the other. You insert the first into the socket on the TV, and the second into your tablet or smartphone on Android. Many phones of the latest generations even have a separate item in “Settings” for changing HDMI parameters. For example, you can choose resolution, zoom and other equally important settings.

In most cases, the system automatically detects the device and duplicates the smartphone screen on the screen. But some models require confirmation.

Via MHL or SlimPort

If Android does not have an HDMI input, you can use other adapters that will allow you to connect your phone to plasma.

One of the most common connection methods is MHL technology. The connection is made through the familiar and popular microUSB input. It is available on almost all phones. At the second end of the cable there will be an HDMI input. You simply insert one end into the TV and the other into the socket on your phone where you usually connect Charger. Just keep in mind that for correct display you need to insert HDMI into exactly the socket next to which the MHL logo will appear. In this case, the picture will be displayed correctly and duplicated on the TV screen, which, in turn, will also be charged. Don't forget to disable screen rotation, otherwise it will also rotate on the TV.

Important! Before purchasing a cable, be sure to check with the sellers whether it will fit your phone model, since some models have their own distinctive features.

Another alternative is SlimPort. As a rule, it has recently been actively found in devices such as Asus, ZTE, and some LG models. Its main difference from MHL is that it supports almost all video output standards: VGA, HDMI. Using such an adapter, you can connect the device not only to a TV, but also to a monitor.

Its configuration and varieties may be different:

Firstly, it can be a simple HDMI adapter, where on one side it connects to the TV, and on the other to the charging socket of the smartphone.
Secondly, there is SlimPort with several outputs at once, for example, the same VGA. In addition to the input and output, there is a separate charging socket on the side, since the phone will not be charged from the TV through this adapter! Although it consumes much less energy than MHL.

With such adapters, you can easily connect your smartphone to a TV, projectors and screens, and you can charge the device. At the same time, FullHD image output is supported with a resolution of up to 1080p, depending on the type of adapter.

Miracast is an image duplication technology that allows you to duplicate the entire process on your TV from your device. No cables are required, everything is done via wireless network. It is only necessary that the TV and smartphone have this technology. As a rule, most modern smartphones have it. It was introduced with version Android 4.2.

Let's look at the connection using the example of an LG TV.

We go to the “Menu” on the TV, then we find there "Connection Manager" and in the general list select “Smartphone” or “Tablet”. Now you need to select a tab « General access to the screen". As soon as you click, you will see the inscription Miracast. Click on the "Start" tab. That's it, the setup on the TV is complete.
Let's move on to activating the technology on your smartphone. We go to “Settings” and there we look for the “More” item. There will be a WiDi point here. Click on it. You will already see your TV in the list. Click on it and wait for the device to connect. As soon as the pairing is established, you will see a duplication of the smartphone on the screen and will be able to launch games, applications, access the Internet, etc.

You can also connect a gamepad, for example, or a keyboard here, and turn your Android smartphone into a full-fledged computer.

Smart TV has long been the center of home entertainment. Various applications, the Internet, games, 3D movie collections, education and communication have taken TV panels to a new level. Such models have defined a trend in modern society and have turned buyers away from televisions that do not have such functions. And in vain, people who want to have in the house smart tv do not pay attention to less functional models.

The functional advantages of their elite counterparts can hardly be counted among the disadvantages of models that do not have such capabilities, but cope well with basic tasks. Typically, such TV lines have an acceptable audio system, good resolution and excellent image quality in general, and also cost an order of magnitude cheaper. If you want to before purchasing, then be sure to look at the comparison table and read the post about.

Let's assume that you have already decided on the model and bought a regular modern TV, but you really want to make it smart. No problem. You can expand the functionality of your TV using a Smart TV set-top box without significant costs. Plus, they have much more features than smart TVs. Essentially, this is a small, full-fledged computer with the Android or Windows operating system optimized for a TV screen.

For example, such set-top boxes based on Android OS have in their arsenal a browser (Chome, Firefox, Opera) for accessing the Internet, free telephony, social networks (WhatsAPP, Viber, Twitter, Skype, Vkontakte, Facebook, Odnoklassniki...) and chat, support the work with text documents and spreadsheets using applications such as Open Office, OfficeSuite.

You can watch TV series, movies and listen to the radio using MeGoGo, Zoomby, TuneIn Radio and others, watch television online (SPB TV, Torrent Stream Controller, SopCast...), play exciting games Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja and many other well-known games to the world. There are more than one million applications available in the Google Play catalog and many of them are free, but if you decide to get a paid solution, you can connect a payment card.

In addition, you can start learning foreign languages using free applications on Google Play and courses from the BBC and Btitish Council (tasks, words, texts, communication, etc.), build routes and find out transport schedules on your TV screen in Google Maps or Yandex .Maps, use mail and monitor the weather. The capabilities of the console are truly enormous and it is not possible to list everything in one article.

Interfaces and connection types of Smart TV set-top boxes.

You can connect your TV and Smart TV set-top box via the HDMI interface using a cable of the same name (). But if your TV does not have such an input, then an HDMI-AV cable is usually included with the set-top box. Since TVs without Smart TV functions usually do not have access to the Internet, thanks to the capabilities of the set-top box itself, they gain access to the network.

The set-top box itself can be connected to the Internet via a Wi-Fi wireless network or via a twisted pair cable to the Ethernet port (). Moreover, using Wi-Fi router, you can create a home local network and watch photos and movies stored on your computer on your TV screen. The set-top box also has a built-in card reader, which makes it possible to use it to read SDMMC () memory cards and a USB input.

It should be said that you can connect a Smart TV set-top box to a monitor and turn it into a full-fledged smart TV. If in HDMI monitor There is no input, then these two devices can be connected via a specialized HDMI-VGA converter with an Audio jack 3.5 connector (an active device for converting a digital HDMI signal with a resolution of up to 1920x1080i/p). Some models allow you to control the console not only using wired or wireless manipulators (keyboard, mouse, joystick), but also from a specialized Fly Mouse remote control (control the cursor on the screen with movement).

I would like to note that set-top boxes are distinguished by the form factor Android HDMI mini PC and Android TV box. The first ones have one HDMI connector, a memory card slot, USB and miniUSB port. They do not have an audio output and only a few have external Wi-Fi antenna (it is present in the image). The latter have several USB inputs, audio output and microphone input, Ethernet port and external Wi-Fi antenna and many other different “goodies” that depend on the model and manufacturer. Such models belong to stationary multimedia TV set-top boxes.

Technical points on choosing a console.

I have already mentioned that there are Smart TV set-top boxes with Android and Windows OS, but which one should you choose? Of course, everyone will decide for themselves what is best for them, but from my point of view, a set-top box with Android OS has a number of advantages. Firstly, there are many more programs for this operating system, quite a lot of good and high-quality games, there is a set of packages for working with Word documents, Excel, PDF and many other cool solutions for watching movies and more.

Secondly, a similar set-top box in terms of technical characteristics will cost you several times less than one with Windows OS. The only thing is that it will not be able to run a program designed for Windows and you will be forced to look for an alternative in the Google Play application store. By the way, do not forget to check with the seller whether the model you choose can work with common MKV formats, WMA, MP4, WMV, DivX.

The performance and speed of digital devices largely depend on the processor, so it makes sense to turn your attention to multi-core solutions. There are set-top boxes with dual-core (Dual-core) and quad-core (Quad Core) processors, but their number is gradually growing. It is known that processor performance largely depends on the clock frequency.

Therefore, than more quantity cores and the higher the processor frequency, the faster the set-top box as a whole will work. For example, to play a movie without lags in Full HD (1080p) format, a quad-core processor with a frequency of 1.5 GHz is quite enough for the set-top box. It should be noted that Smart TV set-top boxes also have a graphics processor, which is responsible for drawing the image. Therefore, to process and play dynamic scenes and view media content in high quality, you also need a fast processor.

Today, I recommend that you look, for example, at the Mali-450 GPU (Octo-Core), which has an eight-core video stream accelerator and supports 1920x1080 (Full-HD) and 4Kx2K H265 resolution. If you plan to play 3D games or work in graphics applications, then pay attention to the Minix Neo X8 or Beelink R89 16gb model (in the image above). An important factor for the device is the amount of random access memory (RAM). If possible, try to purchase a console with a capacity of 1-2 GB (DDR3).

I hope you can navigate the world of such digital devices and understand what Smart set-top box you need for your TV. That's all. I wish you to make the right choice. Bye!

Today we decided to make a small rating of the best TV set-top boxes on Android, which look the most interesting in the spring of 2017. A modern TV ceases to be a means of watching TV shows, turning into a full-fledged entertainment center with a lot of possibilities. It is TV Boxes that allow you to get entertainment for every taste, from watching any movies to playing games. We tried to select the most diverse popular models, because there are many consoles on the market that repeat each other. Read in the rating which Android TV set-top box is suitable for your home and which one is worth buying in the near future.

NEXBOX A 95X - the most popular Android TV set-top box

Android TV TV-Box NEXBOX A95X

The A95X joined the shelves of online stores relatively recently, when Amlogic introduced its cheap and powerful chip. The success of Android TV from a little-known Chinese company came instantly.

To date, the TV set-top box has been ordered by almost 15,000 people on AliExpress alone, making it the best-selling product in this category. High popularity was ensured by the ideal price/quality ratio, in which for 1800-3000 rubles (depending on the amount of memory) we get a high-quality build, a set of ports for all occasions, current version operating system, as well as 4K support.

Regarding memory volumes, the manufacturer invites the user to choose how much he needs:

1+8 GB,
2+8 GB,
1+16 GB.

So, if you don’t play modern games, then you can safely order an Android TV set-top box with a minimum amount of RAM and permanent memory - the system will work smoothly. Its whole appearance speaks of its origin: cheap materials, typical shapes. However, it’s difficult to find fault with the assembly; what’s more, the matte plastic on the top is pleasing, eliminating the task of constantly scrubbing off your own fingerprints. The processor, as already mentioned, here the S905X from Amlogic is the golden mean. It is very productive and inexpensive, which directly affects the price of Android consoles.

NEXBOX A95X falls into the category of set-top boxes that have been updated to the latest version. In addition, you can count on further updates to the device, given its popularity. The set-top box supports a lot of video and audio formats, works with 4K content, and copes with this task honestly, without trying to use software enhancement.

NEXBOX A95X is an ideal solution for those who don’t want to bother with searching, reading reviews and reviews. Do you want to try out all the delights of Android TV for an inexpensive price? Your choice is A95X.

Xiaomi MI BOX – stylish, high quality, modern

Photo: Android TV set-top box Xiaomi BOX 3

MI BOX is one of the best-selling products of the Chinese company, not counting smartphones and fitness bracelets. When creating its Android TV set-top boxes, Xiaomi was clearly inspired by similar devices from , so we have a laconic and stylish design for little money. The set-top box turned out to be very compact and ideally complements the TV without disturbing the interior of the room. MI BOX is assembled with very high quality: matte plastic is pleasant to the touch, perfectly fitted parts and not a single squeak.

Like most modern set-top boxes on Android, it is equipped with fairly powerful hardware, which, coupled with good optimization, ensures fast operation and launch of any content. The processor is from Amlogic, but exact model not reported by the company, it runs on four computing cores with a clock frequency of 2 GHz. The chip is complemented by 2 GB of RAM, which is more than enough. Well, for files – 8 GB. Only the most demanding users will be dissatisfied with the “filling”.

Operating system – Android 6.0. On top of it, the manufacturer rolled a proprietary shell, which will make using the “green robot” on a TV set-top box a more comfortable and exciting process. The most necessary applications are already pre-installed, and the manufacturer regularly provides fresh updates, taking care of its users. In addition, the set-top box is compatible with other Xiaomi devices, which allows, for example, to quickly display photos from a smartphone on a large TV.

As befits a high-quality set-top box from a well-known company, MI BOX allows you to watch movies in , and supports all popular formats. The branded remote control deserves special attention (its twin brother is similar to the remote control of Apple set-top boxes, but Android TV manufacturers have not yet presented a similar one). The remote control is really very good, and not only in design and ergonomics. It allows you to conveniently control the MI BOX interface and enjoy playing games.

MI BOX is an Android TV set-top box for users who care about quality and design, for which they are willing to overpay and give up the most powerful hardware. Today, the average cost of a set-top box in Russia is 7,000-8,000 rubles. The most popular seller on (more than 9,000 orders and about 2,000 5-point ratings) offers a model for about 4,500 rubles.

X 92 – best performance at low cost

Relatively recently, Amlogic introduced a new powerful processor S912, which is aimed at the multimedia player segment. Naturally, it also interested manufacturers of cheap Android set-top boxes, who were able to make the most of it thanks to the chip. One of the first consoles that I received was a model with a simple name.

Android TV box X 92 does not stand out with any sophisticated design; we can only note the glowing company logo on the top of the device. It is presented in a typical form for TV Boxes. But it was well assembled, received an antenna to strengthen the Wi-Fi signal and a small display that displays useful information.

The console is strewn with various ports, which are a huge number peripheral devices. The X92 is well built using quality plastic.

However, the most interesting thing lies inside it. As already noted, this is a new S 912 chip, which received 8 Cortex-A53 cores operating at a clock frequency of 2 GHz. So that you understand, these are really excellent characteristics that will be relevant in the next two to three years. In addition, the chip is supplemented with an updated graphics core Mali-T820MP3, which is “tough” to run any modern game. But the manufacturer did not stop at a powerful processor, equipping the console with a decent amount of memory.

Options available to choose from:

2+16 GB;
3+16 GB,
2+32 GB;
3+32 GB.

As you can imagine, there is plenty to choose from. All characteristics are seasoned with modern wireless interfaces, for example, there is Wi-Fi so you don’t miss a new episode of your favorite series.

It is clear that the Android TV set-top box X 92 with such and such a processor can easily play video with any resolution up to . The set-top box is omnivorous in terms of formats, supports a lot of applications and runs Android 6.0, which receives regular updates. It is difficult to identify any serious disadvantages of the X 92 - today it is one of the best on the market.

X 92 is the choice of users who demand speed, high performance and the ability to connect a lot of additional devices. The cost of the set-top box ranges from 3,000 to 5,000 rubles, depending on the amount of memory and the scope of delivery (for an additional fee you can get a miniature wireless keyboard).

T95Z Plus – powerful can be beautiful

Photo: Android TV set-top box Sunvell T95Z plus

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Updated: 07/25/2019. Prices are provided by online stores for information purposes. Differences in price may be due to different configurations. Sometimes higher cost means more RAM and ROM. Carefully look at the product characteristics on the online store page!
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