TV on Android or smart. We turn a regular TV into a Smart TV. Review of Smart TV set-top box Defender Smart Android HD2. Choosing a TV set-top box for yourself

Recently I was choosing a TV for myself, which, to be honest, is not an easy task. Of course, the main condition was the presence of Smart TV (well, what would we do without it :)). So, I noticed that I didn’t choose a TV, but rather a Smart TV. I searched, read on forums, tried to understand which manufacturer had this function better. And only then, I thought about the diagonal, and some characteristics of the TV specifically.

What I mean is that Smart TV on TV is all. I am sure that many people, when buying a TV, choose the Smart TV system on which it works. There is plenty to choose from: Philips and Sony with Android TV, LG with WebOS, and Samsung with Tizen OS (these are the main ones I chose from). In this article we will talk about the well-known Android operating system, which relatively recently reached televisions.

Older models of Philips TVs from 2015 already all work on Android TV (Lollipop 5.0). Well, Philips 2016 models will, of course, run on Android OS. As you probably already understood, I bought myself a Philips TV with Android TV. For a very long time I was choosing between Philips and LG with their WebOS 2.0 system. Philips TV model 43PUS7150/12. But it is not important. I will give a general, short review of the Android TV system itself, and I will definitely leave my review: what works, what doesn’t work, what are the pros and cons. I have been using this TV for more than a month now, and have managed to study and understand it. By the way, I exclusively use Smart TV itself, in our case Android, since I don’t have an antenna connected to the TV and there are no TV channels at all.

Review of Android TV on Philips TVs

Let me start with the fact that many, having heard about the Android system on a TV, immediately think that this is the same Android as on their phone or tablet. No, that's not true. In appearance, the system is certainly different. There is a new, well-thought-out interface created specifically for large screens. Well, how do you imagine regular Android on a TV? This is wow :) And so, everything is very beautiful, simple and thought out.

When you turn it on for the first time, you will need to set up the TV itself: select a language, connect to a Wi-Fi network, etc. Perhaps later I will write an article on turning on and setting up the Philips Android TV for the first time.

After turning on the TV, just press the button Home on the remote control remote control, and we get to Android TV itself.

The entire interface consists of sections and tiles. Let's start from the beginning: at the very top, the voice and text search, as well as watches. If your TV is connected to the Internet, recommendations will be displayed immediately below the search and clock. These are some applications, movies, videos from YouTube that Android thinks might interest you.

Next section – Applications. Everyone is here standard programs. Also, this section includes all programs that you install from Google Play.

Below we have a separate section Games. All installed games from Google Play will be displayed there.

Last section - Settings. Internet connection settings, Software update, Application management, Help, sound settings, picture settings, etc.

That's actually all Android TV. I can say without a doubt that everything looks very cool and simple. The system is very convenient to use. Opening the right application and forward.

Games and applications on Android TV

Immediately after purchase, many different applications are installed on the TV. Of course, you are unlikely to use them all, but some are very useful: YouTube(looks cool, works well), Megogo(you can watch many films for free, or register paid subscription to watch TV channels. The newest films, also paid), Media(watching movies and photos from USB drives, hard drives, or via the DLNA network), and Google Play(for installing games and applications). That's pretty much all I use.

There is also a browser, it’s simply called Internet. It works, opens websites, but it is very difficult to control the remote control. I tried to connect a wireless mouse but it didn’t work. I hope they fix it. It seems like Google prohibits the use of mice.

As for games, we install everything from Google Play. There are already a lot of games that we are familiar with on phones that are available on TV. The same Asphalt 8 works well. To control games, you can use a regular remote control, or connect a gamepad, as I did. I think I’ll prepare a separate article on games on Philips TVs with Android TV.

To store all games and applications, the TV has a built-in memory of 8 or 16 GB. Depends on the model. Memory can be expanded using a flash drive.

Review from the owner of a Philips TV on Android TV

My TV is Philips 43PUS7150/12. There have already been two system updates, now I have Android version 5.1. I hope there will be more updates.

I read a lot of reviews that when setting it up for the first time, the TV simply freezes and does not respond to anything. Everything went well for me. I set it up, connected it to the Wi-Fi network, and immediately logged into my Googel account.

Everything works, and works quite well. YouTube works without problems, movies play on Megogo without any problems. All games that I installed from Google Play also work without glitches or crashes. Movies from flash drive and external hard drive reproduced without problems. Including 4K (UHD) and 3D.

As with any device, it has its downsides.

Several times the TV froze and rebooted. Very rarely, applications crashed. I think this will be fixed in the next software updates.
It is very inconvenient to view websites in a browser. It is inconvenient to control the arrows on the remote control when following links. But I can't connect a wireless mouse.
The keyboard, which is on the back of the remote control, is not needed at all. It would be useful if there were Russian letters. But they are not there. I don't think anyone uses this keyboard (this is a minus of the TV itself, not Smart TV).
IN YouTube app, there is no option to select 4k video. Although, the same video on a computer is available in 4k. I think they will fix it in the next updates.
I've already read several times that Android TV has multitasking. I didn't find her there. If I watch a video on YouTube, return home, launch another application, and return to YouTube, it will already open main screen. Yes, you can press the Home button while watching a movie (probably to check the time), and go back to watching. But, this is not multitasking. Maybe I'm doing something wrong, but I haven't seen multitasking yet.

These are the disadvantages, it seems like I forgot to write anything.

Do I regret buying an Android TV? No. Everything I need, everything works. It may not be as perfect as we would like, but it works. Moreover, Philips does not sit still, and is constantly improving something (software updates are coming). Yes, and I think there will be an update to Android 6.0.

Without a doubt, Android will continue to evolve on TVs. And most likely in the near future Android time TV will be the most popular among other Smart TVs. Or maybe other TV manufacturers will switch to Google’s operating system. It's Android, it's everywhere :)

Many buyers believe that Android TVs are the best. They can be understood, since this operating system pleases with a pleasant interface and ease of operation. The user can quickly understand both setting up channels on the TV and adjusting viewing and sound modes. However, stores are full of models with different functions. In fact, it is recommended to evaluate the main characteristics. Also, do not forget about the diagonal of the device, which is adjusted to the size of the room. The model must match the design. We invite you to consider our rating best android TV sets for 2017, which included worthy representatives of this operating system.

BBK 42LEX-5026/FT2C

5th place

The honor of opening our TOP falls to the model BBK 42LEX-5026/FT2C. This one is inexpensive, but good TV for games with a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels. Smart TV support is present. It has a smart processor, and knowledgeable experts point to a good frequency of 50 Hz. Naturally, a digital tuner is used here, designed for cable TV(supports not only DVB-T, but also DVB-T2). This one has only the most necessary functions without unnecessary bells and whistles. In the settings, the user can find 4 GB memory, a timer and a button locker. The sound quality of this 42-inch panel is expressed by two 8-watt speakers. Additional HDMI and USB connectors are another advantage of the device.

Sony KD-43XE8096

4th place

In terms of performance, the Sony KD-43XE8096 performed well, taking 4th place in the list. The model, compared to the previous device, supports 4K resolution, and uses a high-quality IPS matrix. The TV specification indicates high frequency(60 Hz). You can hope for a clear picture (HDR included), and, as practice shows, the TV is great for watching action films and science fiction, where there are a lot of video effects. Availability the latest system Smart is another advantage. By logging into your browser, you can view a lot of information from the Internet. interesting videos. Through a digital tuner that supports the DVB-S2 standard, it is easy to tune in to your favorite channels, where the user can quickly find new films and TV series. This TV is one of the first in terms of price-quality ratio. Do not forget about the presence of luxurious 10 W speakers with amazing sound. When watching clips, you can hear all the richness of the sound. Music can be played from the tablet if necessary. For this, a panel with connectors containing RJ, HDMI (4 pcs.), USB (3 pcs.) is useful. In addition to an independent tuner, the presented reliable premium TV has options such as DLNA, True Cinema.

Philips 40PFT5501

3rd place

In the ranking of the best Android TV TVs for 2017, a high-quality model from Philips - 40PFT5501 with DVB-T2 support - took 3rd place. The device performed well when working with various multimedia formats. The resolution is 1920 by 1080 pixels and additionally high-quality color reproduction is noted, thanks to the built-in IPS series matrix. This is the best TV for football among Philips models, which is famous for its chic interface, and the speakers give you the opportunity to enjoy surround sound when watching matches. The TV decoder is DTS class, and the audio system power is 16 W. As in the previous device, there are all the necessary ports: HDMI x4, USB x3 and the DLNA function, thanks to which the user can use a tablet. Regarding the functional part, the model really surprises everyone: there are TimeShift and 24 True Cinema options. Additionally, this beautiful TOP level TV has an independent tuner with a sleep timer.

BBK 55LEX-5039/FT2C

2nd place

Among the best models with the Smart system on Android, one cannot fail to mention the good BBK 55LEX-5039/FT2C, which took 2nd place in the TOP. This model with its excellent contrast and viewing angle will be of interest to many connoisseurs of quality cinema. The device resolution is 1920 by 1080 pixels and supports MPEG4 and MKV multimedia formats. This Full HD TV is not inferior in image quality the best models. As for television channels, the digital and analogue tuner works great and the company has tried to support the DVB-T2 standard. The clear sound of TV speakers is another advantage. has a standard conversion decoder, but unlike the model early version the manufacturer used acoustics with a surround sound effect (power 16 W). The rear panel has all the connectors that are useful for connecting and playing data from a smartphone or tablet (AV, component, VGA, HDMI x2, USB x3, Ethernet (RJ-45), Wi-Fi 802.11n, Miracast). It is also easy to synchronize with a PC or laptop. Multifunctionality of TV – strong point models. Switching to the settings, you can find video recording options, 4 GB of private memory, child protection and an independent tuner.

Sony KD-55XE9005

1 place

For the living room, the Sony KD-55XE9005, which took 1st place in the TOP, became the best due to its high-quality hardware and support for HDR technology. The huge resolution of 3840 by 2160 pixels with amazing brightness will definitely not leave anyone indifferent. On the screen, the picture looks very detailed and you can admire the colors and quality of the shadows for a long time. All this became possible thanks to the installed processor, whose refresh rate reaches 1000 Hz. Unlike the previous model, this medium price category supports DVB-T2 and also DVB-S2 standards. The presence of the Smart system and progressive scan is an additional plus. Regarding the connectors, the manufacturer installed an optical output and the usual HDMI (4 pcs.), USB (3 pcs.) ports. Strong acoustic system can surprise even music lovers. First of all, it is noted that the speakers are used at 20 W. Knowledgeable experts also point out the excellent quality of the decoder, which always clearly transmits the signal. The built-in memory of 16 GB is enough for the owner to save recordings of his favorite TV shows. Interestingly, the LCD TV is excellently controlled by voice, has a light sensor, TimeShift technology, 24p True Cinema, and also uses a sleep timer.

Conclusion

The rating of the best Android TV TVs for 2017 has been compiled, and now we can draw certain conclusions. All the models included in it differ in parameters and even more in functionality. Modern TVs can replace a computer and this is good news. If we talk about, which took first place, then it turned out to be good in terms of basic characteristics. Demanding buyers will definitely appreciate the high quality of the picture.

I am watching articles on the site that are somehow related to Smart TVs TV, and I understand that the topic is more popular than ever. Convenient: turn on the TV - and here is a browser for visiting sites, online videos, games, social networks. It’s unlikely that anyone will argue that Smart TVs have a future. They, of course, will not replace a computer, but they are excellent as an entertainment device.

The ability to watch online videos, play games and visit websites is available in modern Smart TVs. But, if you have already used Smart TV, no matter which manufacturer: LG, Samsung, Sony, or others, then you will agree that the technology is still crude. Something freezes all the time, disconnects from the Internet, online videos do not play, etc. You can use it, but not everything is as smooth as it seems at first glance, and as they might tell you in the store.

Another thing is the functionality of the Android mobile operating system. It would be nice if the Smart TV functionality was made on this system. Is it true? For example, the number of Android programs and games that can be installed from Google Play will never compare with the store that LG Smart TV has. Well, anyone who has an Android phone or tablet understands what I mean.

It didn't make sense to think that all the features of Android couldn't be used on TVs. The companies that develop digital technology probably thought the same thing and created Smart TV set-top boxes. In this article, we will look at one of these consoles from Defender. It's called Defender Smart Android HD2. The article should be of interest primarily to those who have TVs without Smart TV. Or, who is not satisfied with the capabilities and functionality of Smart TV. But you really want to watch a movie on the Internet or from a flash drive, go to social networks, play games - and all this on the TV screen.

What is a Smart TV set-top box on Android?

As a rule, this is a small device that connects to the HDMI connector of the TV and runs on the Android operating system. The set-top box is powered either from an adapter that can be plugged into a power outlet, or from the USB connector of the TV. The set-top box itself, like, for example, a tablet, has a processor, RAM, built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc. It’s quite a tablet, only without a screen. The screen is a TV.

The set-top box can be controlled using regular keyboard and mice. Can be connected wireless devices, which is much more convenient, or via Bluetooth. For example, I connected a wireless headset. I can say that to control such an Android console, even one mouse is enough. There are also special Air-Mouse remote controls.

There are even models with built-in cameras and microphones for communicating via Skype. For example, Defender Smart Call HD2. By the way, Smart Call HD2 can connect to older TVs that do not have HDMI. And it connects via the so-called “tulip” (composite AV output). The Air-Mouse remote control is included.

What will you need to connect a Smart TV set-top box to your TV?

The console itself. You can’t go anywhere without her :)
TV with HDMI connector
Regular PC mouse, and/or keyboard for Android control prefix (if the kit does not include a remote control).

Review of Defender Smart Android HD2

Let's take a closer look at everything using the Defender Smart Android HD2 as an example.

You can buy the set-top box in the official Defender online store at the link http://www.defender.ru/products/multimedia/smarttvaccessory/smart-android-hd2/. Defender Smart Android HD2 is sold in such a small and beautiful box:

On the box you can see the main features, and on the back - specifications. Here are the main ones:

Dual Core Rockchip RK3066 processor, which operates at a frequency of 1.6 Ghz
Mali 400MP graphics accelerator
Android 4.2
1 GB random access memory
4 GB internal memory
It is possible to connect microSD up to 32 GB
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth
2 full USB connectors for connecting flash drives and other peripherals.

Other characteristics can be found on the official website. The console works very quickly, movies and games run without problems. Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to test any powerful game, like Asphalt 8, but I'll definitely try it.

Equipment

In the kit you will find the Defender Smart Android HD2 set-top box itself, a power adapter, an HDMI extension cable, small instructions, a warranty and a power cable with an additional USB connector.

As I already wrote, the set-top box is connected to the HDMI connector of the TV. It can be connected either directly or through an extension cord. Also connected to the set-top box is a power cable (microUSB connector), which has another full-fledged USB connector. There is a slot for connecting microSD cards and another full USB (in total, two USB connectors for connecting flash drives, keyboards, mice, external HDDs etc.). An indicator that lights up while the device is operating is also present.

Everything is assembled well, the cables are of normal length.

Connecting the Defender Smart Android HD2 set-top box

I first connected this TV box to a small 24-inch LG TV. Power was connected to the USB connector of the TV. Let me remind you that if your TV does not have USB, then the set-top box can be plugged into an outlet using the power adapter that is included.

I connected the adapter to one of the USB connectors wireless mouse, so that you can control the Android set-top box. And in the second I connected a flash drive to check how the movies were playing.

I sat for a while and realized that a 32-inch TV would be more comfortable. I moved to the LG 32LN575U TV.

We connect everything, turn on the power of the console (if the power is from USB, it will turn on along with the TV). On the TV you need to select HDMI to which you connected the set-top box. Otherwise the image will not appear. On LG TVs this is done by pressing a button INPUT. Next you just need to select active HDMI (if there are several of them on TV).

If the console has already loaded, you will see the main screen. No, this is not an ordinary worker Android desk 4.2. There is a special shell, which, by the way, is very convenient to use. She looks like this:

Let's look at the functionality and capabilities.

Functionality of Android TV set-top box from Defender

There are 6 tabs on the main screen. I advise you to first go to Setting(settings) to connect to Wi-Fi (if you have Wi-Fi network) , set the time, etc. The settings are no different from those on a tablet or smartphone.

TO wireless network I connected without problems (you can connect according to the instructions). The set-top box maintains the network well and stable.

I noticed only one problem, however, this problem is more likely Android. If the time and date are set incorrectly, the gray Wi-Fi icon will light up (as in my photo above, in the lower right corner), and the Internet will not work on Google Play. This is a popular problem for everyone Android devices, which I recently wrote about in a separate article: .

Therefore, set the date and time correctly. Set your time zone. And since these parameters, as far as I understand, are reset after completely disconnecting the power from the set-top box, it is better to set automatic setup from the network.

In the settings, on the tab Screen, you can select the screen resolution and refresh rate. The rest of the settings are almost the same as on other Android devices.

Let's look at the other 5 sections that you can select from the main screen.

Media

In this section you will find programs with which you can watch movies from the device’s memory, memory card or flash drive, watch photos or listen to music from the Internet.

You can watch the video using installed player MX Player. I believe this best player for Android. I used it on my phone all the time. As soon as you connect a flash drive or memory card that has video on it, it will immediately appear in MX Player. No need to search for it in folders.

The films are going great.

If you open the TV folder on the main screen, you will already see installed programs to watch online videos, YouTube and Zoomby, where you will find many movies and TV series.

YouTube looks like this:

Go ahead.

Browsers

Here there are programs with which you can access the Internet, surf social networks, download files, etc.

Of course we go to the site :)

If you don't like the standard browser, then in the section Apps There is Google Chrome‎. For social networks you can install official applications from Play Store. VKontakte, Twitter, Facebook, it’s all there.

Game

There you will find two installed games: Angry Birds and Cut the Rop.

Played a little Angry Birds.

Apps

Well, in the last section you will find many installed useful programs, among which there is ES Explorer and Explorer for managing files, as well as programs for working with mail, maps, calendar, Play Store, etc.

Of course, don't forget about the hundreds of thousands of apps and games you can install from the Play Store.

You also need to pay attention to the notification center in the lower right corner. It displays the clock, Wi-Fi connection status and other notifications. For example, about connecting a USB flash drive.

And in the left corner you can see a panel on which there are buttons “back”, “home”, “view” running applications", "volume control", "turn off the set-top box" (go to standby mode), and a button that allows you to collapse this panel.

As far as I understand, it is impossible to completely turn off Defender Smart Android HD2. Press the power button and put the set-top box into standby mode. It will “wake up” as soon as you move your mouse.

If the set-top box is powered by USB TV, then it will turn off and on also with the TV. If it's plugged in, I think it's ok to leave it plugged in.

For example, you are using Defender Smart Android HD2 and want to watch TV: just switch to TV mode by selecting the desired video input on the TV. When you want to switch to the set-top box again, select the desired HDMI.

Afterword

I really liked the Defender Smart Android HD2 console itself. In general, the very opportunity to get all the functionality of Android on a TV is very cool. I can say with confidence that no Smart TV, from any manufacturer, can compare with the capabilities of the Defender Smart Android HD2.

If you are interested in my opinion: it is better to buy a good TV without Smart TV and not overpay for the technology itself, built-in Wi-Fi and other functions, and in addition buy an Android set-top box. Believe me, this way you will get much more opportunities for entertainment and even work. Perhaps something will change over time, and TV manufacturers will bring Smart TV to life, more applications will appear in their stores, but this moment buying a device like Defender Smart Android HD2 seems to me the best option.

Also on the site:

We transform regular TV in Smart TV. Review of Smart TV set-top box Defender Smart Android HD2 updated: October 13, 2014 by: admin

Progress does not stand still, but moves forward at lightning speed. No sooner had humanity moved away from shovel-sized phones than robotic vacuum cleaners appeared that clean better than some housewives. And then TVs with computer functions Smart TV. It would seem, what else can you expect? However, Google knows how to surprise and in 2014 presented the Android TV operating system to the sophisticated public. Now televisions are also at the mercy of the “little green men”.

So what is Android TV? In short, it is a stand-alone operating system whose user interface is tailored for convenient consumption of digital content. Now on a large home TV you can watch various videos on YouTube, download movies, games, applications from Google Play, listen to music from Google Play Music and many other features.

However, you must first log in to your account Google on the same principle as on any other Android device. To do this, you must first connect to the Internet. After simple manipulations, the user will have access to Google services.

Play Market has undergone minor changes in the interface and has become more adapted to home TVs with big screen. For convenience, the content is divided into categories, so finding the right application will not be difficult.

Capabilities of the Android operating system built into TVs

voice search . The operating system uses voice input and search, focused on videos and applications. After the user asks a question out loud, search system will display the requested information in the form of a YouTube video. In addition, this function can recommend thematic selections of films and TV series. Voice search greatly simplifies life and saves time, which now does not need to be spent on typing and searching for information - just say;
broadcast from other devices. Now you can broadcast games, movies, sports matches on the big screen without losing quality and enjoy the process even more. This function work with various devices on Android, iOS and Chromebook platforms, as well as Mac computers and Windows. To start broadcasting, use Google Cast;
expanded gaming capabilities. Playing your favorite games on a large flat screen is much more convenient than on the screens of relatively small devices; visual effects and 3D graphics will transport the player into a virtual world full of adventures. On top of that, now you can race a car along a race track, fight dangerous monsters, and explore abandoned ruins with your friends. Instead of joysticks, you can use smartphones or tablets of the Android operating system. And yes, there is no need to worry that the game results will not be saved - Google Play Games are synchronized with all Android devices.

Android TV or Smart TV

Before Google launched the Android TV operating system, everyone was really excited about the so-called “smart TV”. TVs with Smart TV function are aimed at supporting entertainment content on the Internet. This way you can watch movies, TV series, animated series and much more without the need for regular television.

To do this, you need to use the built-in browser. In addition, for convenience and searching for specific information, the Smart TV system has pre-installed widgets, that is, services of popular Internet sites that open when you click the cursor.

Thanks to them, you can share photos and videos, read current news, view the weather and more within a few seconds. These widgets are regularly updated with new versions. For this purpose, there are special websites from developers on the Internet.

However, with the advent of Android TV, many major manufacturers household appliances abandoned the first option. And this is quite justified, because a smart TV on Android has significant advantages over its predecessor.

One of them is the ability to install various applications and games on the device, and not be content with the limited number of programs that Smart TVs have. This function is especially relevant for all those who are active Skype users. As it became known in June 2016, the developers will stop supporting the application for TVs and will no longer release updates. Moreover, Skype will be removed by manufacturers from almost all TV models.

In addition, a TV with the Android operating system can be used as full-fledged computer. All you need to do is connect a mouse and keyboard to it and use it for the desired purposes. For example, by downloading office programs on it, you can create various files, edit them, and use them for work and educational purposes. The capabilities of Smart TV in this regard are limited: although a device on such a platform can also be used as a computer, however, the package of applications in it will be from the manufacturer, without taking into account your needs and opinions.

Undoubtedly, you can play games, watch videos online, and visit all kinds of websites on both types of devices. However, as many Smart TV users note, this system It freezes very often, the Internet is constantly disconnected, and videos do not play, which, in general, indicates that the technology requires serious improvements on the part of manufacturers. Another thing is Android TV, where no such problems were noticed.

Which Android TV should I buy?

TV manufacturers, trying to outdo each other, produce products with such functional filling that even advanced user, not like the average consumer. However, among the wide range there are several models that are worth highlighting.

Sony W75C based on Android

Photo: Sony W75C

The well-known Japanese company Sony is actively improving its products. So every day there are more and more fans of this brand in the world.

The company managed to please its loyal consumers after its publication. Sony TV W75C. Describing this model in three words, we can say that this TV is impeccable, super-thin, smart.

Flawless – the viewing experience is beautifully detailed thanks to Full HD. Literally, every pixel works to improve the quality of the picture, and some areas of the image are subject to careful analysis. Moreover, the TV is equipped with the X-Reality PRO noise reduction system, with which you can forget about the interference that occurs every now and then on analogue and digital TV channels.

Additionally, Motionflow XR technology ensures smooth movement. With it, even the most dynamic scenes become clearer!

Super thin - such a TV will be a clear indicator of the owner’s impeccable taste. It will fit perfectly into any interior and will become the envy of all your friends. The screen diagonal is as much as 43 inches!

Smart – The Sony W75C is incredibly smart, thanks to Android TV. It's practically equivalent to your smartphone, only much bigger and better. With Sony W75C you can:

carry out voice search for any content on the Internet;
synchronize all your devices;
use your smartphone as a remote control;
download applications from Google Play;
broadcast photos from a tablet or smartphone to the screen in Full HD using an MHL connection;
mirror your smartphone screen to your TV screen via NFC connection;
record your favorite programs and movies to external media via USB;
study the TV program, search and discuss new films with TV SideView.

The Sony W75C TV is no longer just a box that broadcasts an image, but a real and irreplaceable friend that will help you while away your leisure time, do work and communicate with friends. Its price in stores starts from 58,438 rubles.

Philips 65PUS7120/12 with built-in Android – characteristics, price

Photo: Philips 65PUS7120/12

The Dutch company Philips has released more than one generation of TVs with Android TV, each time increasingly adapting the operating system to its products. There are many worthy models, but the Philips 65PUS7120/12 stands out among them.

First of all, one cannot fail to note the design of the TV. The developers did everything to make their product look stylish and sophisticated, but at the same time be as functional as possible. It has a thin stand and an elegant frame, so it will fit well into any interior and make it cozy.

Philips 65PUS7120/12 allows you to fully immerse yourself in watching a movie and make the experience as exciting as in the cinema. This effect is achieved thanks to Philips Ambilight, a technology that, due to the projection of light on three sides of the screen, visually expands the boundaries and makes the picture brighter and richer.

The developers have also improved the image quality. Full HD has been replaced by 4K Ultra HD. 8 million pixels make all content bright, clear and deep. There is also deep detail and smooth dynamic scenes.

The powerful Philips Quad Core processor handles any task and makes operating your TV fast and easy. A Android TV provides:

user-friendly interface;
support for Google Play, which allows you to download all kinds of applications, games, books and films;
support for gaming services;
synchronization with other devices.

The Philips 65PUS7120/12 model on Android TV fully justifies its price of 105,188 rubles and is one of the best embodiments of Philips Android TVs.

Xiaomi Mi TV 3 based on Android TV

Photo: Xiaomi Mi TV 3

Most users are familiar with the Chinese company Xiaomi from their smartphones, but this brand also produces many other devices, from fitness bracelets to smart TVs.

The Xiaomi Mi TV 3 is a new generation TV that opens up many possibilities for fans of the brand. The price of such a device is rather high, about 58,438 rubles, but it is fully justified by the “filling”, and by the design too.

The screen size of Xiaomi Mi TV 3 is 55 inches. Using 4K technology, the image is clear and bright, without interference or noise, and the video transmission speed is about 60 frames per second! The screen resolution is 3840 by 2160 pixels.

The creation of this model was based on the idea of abandoning the milestones of augmented gadgets and devices to turn the TV into a “smart” one, and ample opportunities should have been immediately integrated into the device. Thus, the new Xiaomi Mi TV Bar soundbar was made. This device is characterized by a powerful MStar 6A928 processor, 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal memory.

The main processor of the Xiaomi Mi TV 3 smart TV is characterized by four cores, two channels of two-gigabyte memory and a frequency of 1.4 GHz.

TV works on Android based and opens up for the user all the wide possibilities of the operating system:

synchronization with other devices;
voice search;
user-friendly interface;
wide variety of programs.

The Xiaomi Mi TV 3 TV combines innovative technologies, high image quality and stylish design!

Android TV set-top box if you don’t want to replace your old TV

The massive transition to functional TVs with Internet access and a wide range of capabilities continues. “Smart” TVs on the Android platform are increasingly displacing their less functional counterparts every day and winning the market and the love of consumers.

However, many still have televisions in use that perform their direct duties well, but do not have modern software. That's understandable! After all, the cost of such a device with operating system Android system not cheap at all. So many consumers, reluctantly, have to buy televisions that are called “simpler and cheaper”, with limited functionality.

However, it is possible to significantly expand the functions of the TV without making a significant hole in the budget! It’s worth taking a closer look at such a device as the Android TV Box - a set-top box that can turn almost any TV into a computer or tablet with Internet access. After connecting this set-top box, your TV will become an order of magnitude smarter, provide a lot of new opportunities and allow you to study, work, or just have fun with it.

Immediately after connecting the set-top box using a regular cable, all applications that are inherent to the Android operating system will begin downloading to the TV. In addition, the user can download other applications he needs.

Android TV set-top box provides the ability to view videos of various formats in high quality. This is very useful feature, since the problem of playing files of various formats periodically bothers everyone. Android TV Box allows you to watch videos and clips from huge libraries and storages, as well as from online cinemas.

If you are not satisfied with the quality of television channels or the broadcast videos are not to your liking, you can install it on a set-top box additional applications, which will allow you to view large quantity channels on TV.

The technical properties of Android set-top boxes for TVs are similar to each other and practically no different. All of them are equipped with a dual- or quad-core processor, several gigabytes of free memory, the volume of which directly depends on the cost of the device, a memory card slot, and a built-in adapter. The console is controlled using a special remote control that comes included.

When choosing a console, you should pay attention to how well the device is assembled and how well it works. To do this, first download “heavy” videos or demanding applications to a flash card and test it in the store. This will show all the weaknesses of the console, if any. Also, when choosing, it is worth considering the following nuances:

It is best to purchase goods from well-known manufacturers, with positive reviews and a large customer base;
The speed of the device depends directly on the number of cores in the processor. Work also depends on this graphics accelerator. For normal operation, the optimal option is four cores;
Preference should be given to devices with multiple slots for memory cards, a mouse or a keyboard.

In Lifehacker’s office there hangs the most ordinary “brainless” widescreen TV with an HDMI connector. Previously, there was a Google Chromecast whistle sticking out of it, which, although it allows you to broadcast content from mobile devices and from the browser, but is not an independent media center, and therefore we began to look for an advanced replacement for it.

On AliExpress you can find hundreds of budget (and not so budget) TV set-top boxes. We wanted one that would work on full-fledged Android, that is, with access to Google Play, applications, games, and so on.

After looking at the reviews and doing a little research on the topic on the Internet, we settled on the MK809IV model. Chinese budget technology can be quite difficult to understand. The same product is produced by several companies, in different boxes, with different version operating system and shell. In our case, the manufacturer turned out to be Transpeed, but in general there will not be much difference when choosing another manufacturer.

MK809IV is essentially an Android computer without peripherals, small system unit. If there is a discount from the seller, you can purchase it at a price in the region of 1,700–1,800 rubles.

For simplicity and convenience of managing the media center, we have added a wireless keyboard to the purchase for just over 500 rubles. It's even more difficult with the keyboard manufacturer. We couldn’t figure out who exactly made it, so we’ll call it what it says on the packaging: MINI Keyboard.

If you buy as a set, you will get approximately 2,400 rubles (depending on the size of the current discount).

When ordering on AliExpress, you need to be prepared for surprises, including a month-long wait for your order to arrive. Pay attention to information about sellers. Choose those who have been trading for a long time and have a high percentage of positive reviews.

What MK809IV can do

MK809IV is a keychain with dimensions of 102 × 40 × 9 mm and a weight of 35 g.

The red part on the front panel is actually a retractable Wi-Fi antenna.

The MK809IV connects to the TV via an HDMI connector statically fixed on the device body.

The kit includes a 20cm HDMI extender, which is useful in cases where the design of the TV or adjacent wires do not allow you to connect the MK809IV directly.

With its help, you can place the keychain on the back of the TV at your discretion or simply leave it dangling as in our photographs.

On the MK809IV body there is one USB port for connecting peripherals (flash drive, wired mouse or keyboard, Bluetooth adapter for a wireless mouse or keyboard), card slot microSD memory(supports up to 32 GB inclusive), as well as two microUSB ports.

One microUSB (choose any) will be used to power the key fob. You can use a free USB TV for power supply ( USB cable- microUSB “male-male” included) or connect to an outlet via a 2 A adapter (also included).

The peculiarity of USB is that the current strength in it can be different. If you powered the MK809IV from the TV via USB, but the key fob does not turn on, it means that there is not enough current and you will have to connect it to an outlet. In our case, the current in the TV was enough.

The second microUSB slot is also used to connect USB peripherals via the included microUSB - USB male-to-female adapter.

Inside the MK809IV there is a quad-core Rockchip RK3188T with a frequency of 1.4 GHz and Mali 400 graphics, 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage for installing applications and storing data, of which 1 GB is occupied by a system with pre-installed applications. The key fob supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and has built-in Bluetooth 4.0.

The performance of the MK809IV is enough to broadcast content in Full HD quality at 60 frames per second, but by default the keychain operates in 720p@60fps mode.

The operating system in the MK809IV is the old but stable Android 4.4.2 KitKat with an MBOX-like shell, support for Miracast and AirPlay.

The AnTuTu test showed 16,000 points, which is quite acceptable for such a cheap thing, but clearly not enough for heavy 3D games.

There aren't many pre-installed apps, but most of them are useful.

Google Play (on first launch it will update itself to current version, and then will allow you to update the remaining pre-installed applications and download the missing ones).

Kodi (formerly XBMC).
YouTube.

Netflix.
Socials.
A file manager, a media gallery, default players, a browser that you don’t have to open at all and just install Chrome, and even a separate utility for installing apk files.

The MK809IV's tiled interface may seem unfamiliar at first, but it's very easy to use when using the remote control with arrow buttons. In our case, control is taken over by the wireless MINI Keyboard.

The shape and feel of the device in the hands resembles a gamepad.

It is powered by two AAA batteries (not included), which are located under the cover on the back panel. Stored here wireless adapter to connect to a computer.

In addition to the wireless interface, the keyboard can be connected via microUSB, but we are not at all interested in this option.

The buttons are rubber, there is a Russian layout (pay attention to this when ordering, there are many similar keyboards on AliExpress with only English letters).

The joystick on the left is responsible for controlling sound and playback, and on the right - navigation. There's a small touchpad in the middle on top, and it's downright bad.

Despite its rather modest size, it has extremely low sensitivity. It also happens: you move the cursor, remove your finger, the cursor jumps back to the point from which it started moving. Sometimes false taps occur. This is terribly infuriating.

The only reason we haven't thrown this device away is because of the ease of input. text information. After getting used to the device a little, you can type messages and enter search queries it turns out really quickly. The process is accelerated by additional keys (for example, search), which Android correctly recognizes.

The full potential of the keyboard can only be fully realized on a desktop operating system, in particular Windows. All additional keys and combinations were created specifically for this system.

Total

We spent 2,400 rubles. Did we manage to turn a regular TV into a Smart TV? Yes. Is it convenient for them to operate the keyboard we have chosen? Yes and no. WITH text input no problems, but to comfortably replace the mouse you need to look for something else or get used to navigating with arrows.

Can you recommend something better for the same or comparable money? Let's discuss this in the comments.