One thing I want to mention or bring up is just the topic of Casting. Or 'chromecasting' as I'll call it. AndroidTV OS allows: * casting from standard cast-ready apps (ie, Google Music, Photos, Movies+TV, RU-vid) * Screen mirroring from another android device * Casting (of course) also from ios devices with cast-ready apps (as above) Whereas standard Android does not allow 'casting' to it. Workarounds: There is a very BETA app APK on the net somewhere called CheapCast which runs on Android, and makes other android devies see it as a Chromecast device. But it never made it out of beta and is very unfinished. From what I understand, Casting (in the google sense) requires certain 'certificates' (a handshake between certified devices) to work. Products which google has given the OK to basically. (eg nVidiaShield Android TV box, Chromecast Dongle). I think this is something people should bear in mind if they are picturing being able to cast their photo collections, or videos straight to their tv setup. There is also AirPin Pro app (for Android) which as Robert will testify, can work as a screen-mirror for ios devices. However I don't know if this allows android screen-mirroring or google Casting. rgds.
Skillip, but i can cast from any phone (Android + IOS) or any computer on my house (OSX + Windows) to any Android box, either Android TV OS and pure Android. I have used Air Pin Pro for a few years for that but i tested about 1 month ago the app called Air Screen and works great. Actually i was surprised how good it was and easy to use check it here play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ionitech.airscreen&hl chrome-cast, Airplay and DNLA services This is the only reason that i dont mention anything on the video because we can achieve on both versions of Android but i plan to add a video to the series talking about this feature 👍 Thanks 😀
Roberto Jorge Roberto Jorge Robert this AirScreen app looks very promising! You can often tell something about the expected quality of an app from its play store page in my opinion. Going to try it. Thank you for the insight very impressed that it's multi-protocol (AirPlay,Cast,Miracast etc.) I completely acknowledge your point about not covering the topic specifically and thanks for correcting me on the finer points of those 2 specific android boxes (which, as you say) robin fact have native Cast support. Great vids Robert others may have said it also but I think a good part of your videos is that there is that you're quite personable. Easy to listen to, articulate, and not over-rushing it like god-knows how many other RU-vid presenters. (You know the sort.. A.D.D. generation :-p)
Thank you guys for expounding further on this topic, as I cast A WHOLE LOT to my TV using Localcast on my cell phone to my Chromecast connected to the TV. I have tested the Minix U9-H for one entire month before I had to return it and I can tell you that I am completely convinced that I really want that box. The ONLY thing I forgot to test was casting, largely because I already have a Chromecast dongle. But if I could enjoy casting through the Minix U9-H, that would effective allow me to occupy just one HDMI port on the TV and that's it! I would love to learn more if you guys do more testing/exploration on this special topic. It's a very important topic. Thanks so very much.
I'm reading the comments about AirScreen from the Google Play Store. It would seem there might be a monthly subscription attached to this app for advanced features. Roberto, that is the best way to cast to the Minix U9-H? Thanks so much.
I really like the shield, but "Pure Android" seems like the way to go for me. Looks like I will be getting the Minix or something cheaper with similar specs. obrigado
overall i have had the best "TV" experience using android tv platform. It seems like all the pure android boxes that i have had/tried have issues. Most of them have work arounds, but at the end of the day i feel like im tired of using a hack or work around just to watch stuff. Now im just using my shield, mi box, and 2 firetv's. I put the "pure android" boxes away for now. I dont mind sideloading droid admin, then i can enter a code and install whatever i want. Its not like it blocks the apk's from working, it just doesnt show up in the store. Not only does android tv offer better performance on youtube and netflix, but its also better for youtube tv. using the apk's made for android tv on a tv work better on a tv than the ones made for phones and tablets, and the ones made for tv WILL NOT run on pure android, but the ones made for pure WILL work on android tv. So in my opinion sacrificing backgrounds for functionality is well worth it.
Roberto Jorge it does, but its better on android tv. Trust me. The mobile version on the tv is annoying. U have to use your mouse cursor to make it full screen by hitting the screen in the middle to bring up the little icon on the bottom right side, thrn u have about 1 second to click it otherwise u have to do it again. And its impossible to use the recorded shows cuz u cant scroll
Exactly, but... I'm returning my just purchased Nvidia Shield, I'm not a gamer, and want full use of play store, like being able to customize, hate having to work around (side load). If I what to use chrome I don't want to have to go through the trouble of loading three apps just to get one, then having to buy another remote because the shield remote won't work the chrome because it's still a mobile app, way too much trouble.
Thank you so much for summing this up for me I have been struggling with it I bought the nvidia shield tv and hated it. But now I know I need a pure android box. Do you have any suggestions?
Nice video man. I prefer the Android TV boxes (LOVE my Nvidia Shield TV) with sideloaded apps that aren't available in the app store on those. The vanilla Android is great, with the customization, etc... but it's not as STB friendly as the other UI.
Great Eevnos, and glad that you enjoy your shield, i also have 2 of them and they are a great device. I do however love also Pure Android hehe!! Im glad that there is enough for everyone 😀
I love both versions. Android TV is smooth and very functional and it is pleasing to the eye. Pure Android can be great too but it has to have a great launcher like the one tanix runs or one of the Minix launchers. I hate downloading aftermarket launchers (even nova). Best case scenario get Android TV and use tv app repo to put the apps on your home screen. Nevermind you just said it right after I typed it. But if you can't get Android TV box, get tanix tx92 it is the closest to Android TV but still has the freedom of pure Android, and it is rooted. So here is my list of best boxes in order: Nvidia Shield Pro Nvidia Shield 16 gb Zidoo h6 Tanix tx92 Xioami mi box Mecool m8s pro W or L R99 H96 max pro
If that Mecool m8s pro is in your list of top boxes, Ima have to bow out of even looking further into this. I got one as my first box and I thought it was straight up trash. Actually, I couldn't even give it a fair shake, really , coming from a fast desktop that thing was painfully slow. I'm going to try Chrome OS w/ Android 9 on a x86 Mini PC. I wouldn't say it ran full fat Windows 10 Pro, it was more like a slow waddle, but it ain't bad with a midweight Linux distro. If Chrome runs even close I'll take it
@@BigFarm_ah365 yea, that was my list 2 years ago, but all but the shields are slow by today's standards. You should wait on buying that mini pc though, there is a kickstarter group that is producing a mini pc that has a ryzen chip. Not the laptop chip, the full true ryzen chip. I'd either wait on that to go into production or just build a mini itx pc like the one with the skull on it.
@@BigFarm_ah365 here is a video of the ryzen 5 mini pc that was on kickstarter last time I checked. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nfnWkXkjbFg.html
Hi...which pure Android TV boxes have the best assessubility features for the visually impaired e.g high contrast, white on black or negative mode? Thanks Mark
Hi Roberto. You do great videos. Please I bought Mecool KM3 android tv box. Pls can you help me how to see open apps there? To close some of them and let open some of them. Thanks a lot.
i have two questions: 1- how do you get a custom theme for the cursor(like different colors and shapes)? 2- I have a tv box with android 9, that looks like a tablet version, came with a generic tv launcher but I can install any launcher, the problem I have is that I can't (with the mouse cursor) to hold and drop nor apps or widgets on my home screen. Also, the navigation bar and notification bar are missing. Is it possible to get all those functions from the app store?
Hey Roberto. My main use is going to be gaming . I'm thinking about getting the Nvidia shield tv 2017 because of hardware powers. I was wondering what are the limitations from the Google play store gaming wise? Thanks.
Hi im thinking is getting the Abox A4 2018 for TV viewing in spain - don't need gaming - would you recommend? Complete box virgin but use android phone and tablet. Thanks A
For me Android TV is the best. I just want and use Netflix in HD/4K and Kodi. I also have apps like crunchyroll (for Anime) and a local service, all just for watching movies and TV shows. The navigation is much better then with the Android version for phones and tablets. And if you want Netflix in HD/4K Android TV is basically the only option.
Yep for that type of usage its the easiest and the best!! Regarding Netflix not really 😀 Wetek Play 2 and Wetek Hub both are Pure Android Boxes licensed by Netflix and play up to 4K. Also Ziddo H6 Pro just got updated and now plays Netflix HD so there are other options other than TV OS for Netflix The best is that there is a choice, for someone like your self and for other that want Pure Android and at the same time Netflix 4K 👍
I had the WeTek Play 2 a few weeks ago and it only had the phone/tablet app for Netflix which need to be operated with a (air) mouse. I thought that version always has a maximum playback of 480p? Either way, for me Android TV works so much better on a tv I prefer it over pure Android boxes.
Hello Robert Jorge, Thank you for great information. Very useful. Can you please advise how we could get access to Android TV OS so we can do some testing? We are building an IoT device and would like to install Android TV OS instead of traditional mobile android OS. Again, we would like to get access to Android TV OS and not a device which has Android TV.
Great video, as always. However, I have a few questions that no-one on the entire web seems to answer concisely. 1) Is the Minix U9H the ONLY pure Android box that can play Netflix in HD (1080p)? There must be another surely? 2) What resolution does the Amazon Prime app play at on the Minix U9H, or any other Pure Android box for that matter? I would happily use Chromecast but Amazon don't support it and the screen cast option is pretty poor! I'm against buying an Android TV box because it does not offer as much flexibility, despite being able to sideload almost any app. Plus, Google takes forever with updates to Android TV, plus they pulled the plug on their own Google Nexus TV box, both of which suggest that surely they may well stop investing time in Android TV eventually. Hopefully, you can help with such a late question to the comments thread! Thanks anyway.
Which android tv box will support skype video calling? is it possible on Mi 4k latest andriod box / Nvidia shield or any other workaround for it apart from the telebeem something like that massanger ?
i have LG 43 inch smart 4tv can i use any android tv box to download google app store and any apps in it, like es file explorer ,skype , etc plz inform me.. thnx
Thanks! I wish I saw this video before my recent purchase of the H96 Pro+ and T95Z Plus TV boxes. Neither uses Android TV OS -- something I was expecting after years using the Google Nexus Media Player and FireTV Stick. Both easily navigated and used with a simple remote. I really don't like 'touch' screen / tablet apps which require an air mouse or trackpad remote. Netflix and the playstore are a pain in the butt with a simple remote.
Yes i lnow the feeling for someone who is used to android tv os the best options are Shield Tv, mibox 3 or even the Minix u9-h running Android Tv. As i shared on a recent video.
This is easy question to answer. If you have an Air mouse/Keyboard go with Pure Android. No Limitations. TV OS are good if you are only going to run Netflix, RU-vid, Hulu.
No...the TV OS youtube app SUCKS with that side scrolling crap. The regular phone youtube app with full functiionality on pure android tv box is THE BEST (with air mouse of course and keyboard on the back to comment like Im doing right now)
Qual box vc recomenda entao? Queria um barato e que rode bem o Skype ou TrueConf pra dar de presente pro meu irmao e pros meus pais, assim posso conversar com eles a distancia... Se tiver algum que o microfone fique no controle, melhor ainda! Abraco!
Hey CJ, so far the only Box that i have found with a web interface that i can control from a distance is the Wetek Play 2. Search for my review and you will see me testing that feature 👍👍
Hi..I'm waiting for my nebula cosmos projector and suddenly they have decided to move from Android 9 to android tv. Isnt this a downgrade? Tell me if I want Netflix,hotstar,amazon video , you tube do they come preloaded on android tv or they have to b sideloaded? Also is there any picture quality diff btwn android tv and Android 9 for thes apps in particular?
Whith the Yalpstore and Aptoide TV (The good one), is my shield the best. And some apps i make a shortcut to my homescreen. But I make last month a new mediacenter pc whith duall Os Android 8.1 Oreo and Windows 10 Pro. Specs, 32gigh 2400mhz DDR4 Ram, 1 Tb SSD-HDD, and my videocard on this moment is the Nvidia 1050I. Its my hobby, and sometimes a grazy hobby. I buy almost every box i see hahaha.
Same interface functions, basically. BUT I find that Android TV (at least on my Shield) will show the blocked content that you would normally have to cast from your mobile device... So I say Android TV all the way if you have RU-vid TV.
Roberto, I am a great fan of your videos. Can you please recommend a PURE Android TV box with version 7.1 or above and decent hardware. I saw in one of your messages that Mi Box has PURE Android but when I saw some reviews on RU-vid, it looks like it also has the Android TV OS. Appreciate your help. Thanks
What does PURE Android TV Box means? How about this one on amazon, android OS 7.1 2gb Ram 16gb Rom Bluetooth 4.0 Amlogic 64Bits A53 Processor? www.amazon.com/AuviPal-Configuration-X10-Processor-Bluetooth/dp/B07CNC9RDM/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1527951268&sr=1-6&keywords=android+tv+box+7.1+bluetooth
You had mentioned that you can use SKYPE using the 'PURE Android tv box' on a different segment of yours. Can you please explain this to me, with my using a Samsung web camera on my Samsung smart tv.
Roberto Jorge, Thank you for your great video! Can you please help me with my issue... I bought Xiomi Mi Box S , which apparently is with Android Tv and now I cant add the app for which i buy that box :( . Where to find .apk of "gDMSS" the program for my cctv?
Hi Roberto! Do you know if it's possible to plug my own microphone and webcam on a "pure" android TV? The webcams usually bring very bad microphones so I'd like to use my own. Thank you in advance :-)
Pure Android is still the best option to me because this is a "true" mini pc experience in a way. You don't have to search apps for hours to install etc. full store, hybrid experience TV/mini pc. Android Tv is quite ugly mott plus you're stuck with a remote without air mouse, that you would need one way or another at one point on these devices. You can't manage apps in the background etc. Android TV is mostly for peasants imho.
They all will work. regarding content limitations that will depend on your government if they block any kind of traffic or not. If they do you can use a VPN service to be free 😀
Some yes, RU-vid app for example there are 2 versions TV and tavlet version and we can use both on Pure Android but its easier the TV version. Netflix we can only yse the tablet version on Pure Android and some people dont like it Those are 2 examples that i can remember right now 👍
You can have Android TV experience on *Pure* android box by installing Android TV apps on android box and similar lanchers. Ps look for the price , my android box cost 25$ and it doing his work great.
Hello there! Im yours new fan, im watched a lot of yours movies on yt. And now im looking for your advice, i want to buy TV Box, thing that is most importand for me is Netflix in 1080p. Also I want to use YT, Kodi and interned browser. So I almost buy xiaomi tv box, but there is a problem with Chrome. In my opinion the best TV Box for me is some with pure android and Netflix in 1080p. Have you got some proposition in budget near XIAOMI? I really hope for your advice, Cheers 🙂
Roberto Jorge, este video es del 2017. Hay mejoras entre Android TV OS y el "Pure" Android; si aun existe? Es posible reemplazar el sistema operativo Android que vino con una caja China? La caja viene rooteado. Es posible descargar e instalar Android TV OS original o modificado en la caja?
hey roberto im trying to find a good box for Raiplay can you recommend one? i tried a little cheapie hk1mini but its slow and the playstore says incompatible version, managed to install apk but that didnt work, but rai play works on my pc and asus phone with oreo 8 hmm.
hey roberto.. bought a u9-h and knowing my luck the forums are down and i can't get android tv os, do you have a link download or dropbox... arrgghh and i need that program you used to install... ahhh why me.
True, and honestly i dont use it personally so i dont feel to comfortable bringing it up. It should come to the Pure android experience as well soon but if it doesn't and someone needs it than the Shield will be the only option. I dough that it wont come to all devices 😀
thank you Roberto for your video, i hope you can make us a more detailed video in regard how to find both OSs (Pure android OS and Android TV OS) download them upgrade our Boxes firmware with the new OS and how to customize the launchers. before i asked you about the best cost effective android box, now i guess it's time to customize it and change that SWin8launcher comes in it. many thanks in advance and please consider this technical request as i really need it.
+Hatem Sabrey hi, actually that is almost a impossible task at least to get the box working. This is something that is build for a single machine as they use different chips and driver's won't work on some. Regarding launchers I have a video planned for both machines and os 👍
Ola Roberto Jorge. i bought two days ago Nvidia Shield android tv Version 7.0. I'm having a problem with the remote , it was working fine i first but now can't get to have the cursor working . everything else works except the cursor . i try to follow some tips here and how to reset it but so far nothing. hope you can help me. thanks .
Thanks (again) Jorge for this episode of Android TV, much appreciated. But, can you please post a link for installing this Pure Android (version? rooted I guess?) , I'm using the Mi Box 3 International ;-) Thanks in advance, Phil from Belgium
Hi Roberto, do you know of any way to get Asphalt 9 working on Android TV? It isn't in the Play store, the version on Aptoide TV doesn't work, and sideloading doesn't either due to region locking.
Anyone know how I can work around the WatchESPN app to watch live sports? When I click on the option is says I need to use a computer, phone or tablet. Doesn't let me watch on the app on my "Pure" Android Box.
Hi roberto I bought android box from ebay octa core an 3gb ddr4 but it stop working now I bought Nvidia shield but til now I did not receive it its' good?
Can you suggest me a box for pure android experience in INDIA ? because the boxes you have reviewed is not available to buy in India. or could you make a review for android tv boxes available in India.
Hi, check down below on the video description for the Best Android TV Box 2017 video and there are a few that you can get world wide, i always post the links from where you can get 👍
I own two Mi Boxes and you can set a default home launcher such as "TVlauncher". Instructions are here www.techhive.com/article/3143972/consumer-electronics/android-tv-home-screen-bloat-and-how-to-fix-it.html All you need is amale to male usb cable (usb adapters work also) and ADB. I only use Sling TV, Terrarium, RU-vid, Netflix and Google Play Music and that is all I have in my home screen. Pressing home on remote takes me back to TVLauncher as it should.
Hi Ismar, thanks for the input, i was not aware of it 😀 i personally prefer the Android TV OS look than the TVLauncher 😀 but nice that there is a option to set it as default launcher. It takes a bit of time but its a solution. Thanks for bringing it up and hopefully will be useful for someone 👍
Hey Mathew, thanks for the tip. Haven tried on the shield using Aptoide to install the browser but for a beginner its important to understand that Aptoide will be sideloaded 👍
how can i cast my youtube app the same way i use to cast in chromecast 2 ( lets say i dont want to use youtube app in android tv box), I would like to cast without keeping my phone on all that time
Hey Allen, true but i have to simulate here that i dont have a PC 😀 because some people wont have a PC available. Or i would need to say on the video that a PC is a requirement to use a Android TV box hehe!!! I usually sideload that way as its easier for me but some aps will show as incompatible and when downloading the APK will work 😀
you can just use yalp store to download your stock android apps easily without doing extra steps and all those apps are downloaded directly from google.
You don't mention one of the main things....... Android TV has a higher level widevine DRM . so can play 4K Netflix RU-vid and the like. The normal android TV box will only play those apps 1080p at best... Rather a vital point to miss out. Far note important than anything you talk about
Not True Simon, there are several boxes with Drm lvl1 (maximum btw 😀) and who says Netflix is pne of the main things? Hehe!! Maybe for you but maybe not for many others. Netflix 4k has to do with licensing besides drm which most boxes don’t have 😀
exactly. most cheap android boxes dont have that right level drm for the paid service like netflix 4k and prime 4k.... so looking at your comment you say "not true" but end your comment by contradicting yourself and saying most boxes dont have the right drm. so as i said if you want to access the legal 4k services netflix prime and youtube 4k you need to get an android tv box like an nvidea shield or mecool M8S PRO W with android tv information sadly lacking from your so called comparison
But it will always be a app running instead of a Launcher, so when we press "Home" button it will take us to the original "Home" screen and if i want to use the launcher again i have to press the icon and so on. Not friendly at all in my opinion 👍
Roberto Jorge Actually, if you have both the stock launcher and the app launcher, you are given a choice in the menu of which one you wish to use as the default. Clicking on 'always' means you get the app as the default, until you uninstall it.
I dont understand why anyone uses that annoying side scrolling crap TV OS, when you can get the pure android system and have it look exactly like your phone, you can get the PHONE youtube app and make comments and playlists etc (the TV youtube app SUCKS)...AND YOU CAN GET APK APPS and get all shows and movies for free
