Tv box android tv box. The best Android smart TV box for home. Choosing the best Smart TV set-top box

A modern set-top box will easily turn an ordinary TV into an advanced multifunctional device. From now on, viewing various content, as well as access to the worldwide Internet, even from an old TV set, will become a reality. What is it, the best android set-top box for TV 2019? What tasks will this device help to solve, is it worth buying, which model should be preferred?

Externally, the TV set-top box on the android resembles a regular router. The so-called TV boxes belong to the group of stationary installations, to which they connect various devices. There are also TV sticks on the market today. This option looks like large flash cards, is mobile, usually has no more than two USB outputs.

The presence of Internet access on the TV is always an additional plus. If there is no such function, it is best to use a smart set-top box. To enjoy watching information programs, music programs, movies, you just need to connect this miniature device to your TV. The device will also allow you to view various content without prior download (online). Games with Android-prefix will give pleasure to any gamer.

The device can easily replace a personal computer, laptop or tablet, it will cope well not only with playing various files, but also with entering the necessary text. The last action is performed using a virtual, pluggable wired or wireless keyboard.

Last year was remembered by all the real excitement around the Android operating system. It is ideal for different equipment, and set-top boxes for TVs are no exception. This OS boasts openness, less demanding on various resources, a convenient and understandable interface.

In order not to make a mistake in choosing, we offer an overview best models android set-top boxes for the TV in 2019, as well as a few recommendations regarding the acquisition.

What are the nuances to consider when choosing:

• the presence of an HDMI connector on the TV is preferable to analog ones, since the latter somewhat distort the picture;
• a multi-core processor guarantees high speed and good performance, so it is better to give preference to such models;
• connection to the TV should be fast and as convenient as possible;
• Internet connection type;
• Memory;
• the ability to read various formats;
• complete set, the presence of additional accessories that facilitate the work with the console;
• the choice of form depends on the personal preferences of the buyer, and does not affect the efficiency of the device at all.

The best models of 2019

The presented model is a full-fledged android smart TV set-top box for a TV set costing about $ 100 with fairly wide functionality (Android OS 5.1.1, 4-core processor). The device is made in the form of a small compact box, the sides of which are treated with black lacquer, the upper part is covered with an aluminum lining, the bottom is trimmed with a special elastic softtouch material.

The prefix is ​​compatible with almost all models of television receivers. Connection to modern technology carried out using HDMI, outdated - AV-connector. Internet access - wired and wireless, the device is controlled by a remote control. The prefix works great with many resources, reproduces information from a memory card and flash drive. A sufficient set of connectors allows you to connect a mouse, keyboard, webcam, headphones, etc.

This model is a miniature computer. It perfectly copes with the assigned functions, easily turns any TV into a real multimedia station. Thanks to the 8-core processor, the set-top box has a high speed. In addition, this device guarantees high quality viewing any video format.

The amount of RAM (2 GB) is enough to accommodate a sufficient number of programs. The size of the shared drive is a little over 16 GB. If there is not enough memory, you can use external drives that are easily connected via USB connectors. Connection to the TV goes through HDMI, Internet networks - Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, LAN. The cost of this set-top box in 2019 is about $95. This is quite a decent price for a good device.

This model, due to its good technical characteristics and compact size, deserves to be connected even to a large-screen TV, but quite affordable price only added to her popularity in 2019. FullHD and UltraHD support ensure that you watch movies, music, sports and other programs in excellent quality. Gamers can use this TV box to install a range of undemanding games. The speed of the device is guaranteed by a 4-core processor, the lack of RAM and built-in memory is compensated by connecting an external hard drive. On the case there is a set of connectors necessary for this category of equipment.

This budget version of the set-top box on the Android 5.1 OS connects not only to new television equipment, but also to outdated TV models through special analog ports. For only 50-60 dollars, the buyer will receive a modern functional device, the speed of which is provided by a 64-bit 4-core processor. The amount of RAM and total memory is modest, no different from previous models. However, the set-top box has four USB ports, which will simplify the connection of external drives.

A TV box from a Chinese manufacturer comes with a power supply, an adapter for euro sockets, an HDMI cable, and a remote control. remote control, which fits comfortably in the hand. I would like to pay special attention to the appearance of the console. The device has a square shape, the absence of clearly defined corners makes it more interesting and original. The body is treated with a special silver lacquer, which distinguishes this model from others.

The prefix has a 4-core processor, uses Android 5.1 OS. A small amount of RAM and shared memory (respectively 1GB and 8GB) is enough to store the most necessary applications and content, if you wish, you can always connect an external drive. The set of connectors is standard, no different from previous set-top boxes. Smart TV box from the ZIDOO campaign is a harmonious combination of attractive appearance, good performance and affordable price.

This option can be attributed to the group "best android set-top box for TV 2019". Although the price of this device is rather big (over $140), the gadget has a number of advantages: appearance, two operating systems (Android and RTD OS 4.5), support high resolution and almost all codecs (video and audio), the ability to view 3D video, the presence of a built-in audio amplifier, a set of necessary connectors. A feature of this model is the ability to connect a computer hard drive or hard drive for a laptop, which is somewhat cheaper than buying external drives.

Choosing a quality TV set-top box requires a serious approach. When buying such equipment, it is worth considering not only the manufacturer and specifications, but also for what purposes this gadget is purchased. A brief overview of the popular models of 2019 - just a little additional information needed to make the selection easier.

Some people believe that the built-in SMART functions in a modern TV have not yet been properly debugged by developers at the software level. This is partly true, but every year the previously discovered shortcomings and errors in the software are corrected and improved. Nothing is perfect. Obviously, each manufacturer uses its own operating system and interface in their models, and therefore they face different problems, which ultimately slows down the debugging process. However, you always have a choice.

You can buy a TV without SMART features and add an Android TV box to it. This operating system is constantly being updated and improved, since the developer community is quite large. As a result, you will get the same smart TV with the usual applications from Google Play and save some money. Earlier I gave some, and today I made a small selection of Android TV boxes running on the modern innovative Amlogic S912 processor.

TV boxes powered by Amlogic S912 processor are characterized by stability and high performance. Many visitors are interested in the possibility of creating a Wi-Fi access point in a TV box. I note that all the considered instances have such a function that works stably, provided that you have brought a LAN cable into the set-top box itself.

Beelink GT1. The delivery set of the TV set-top box with a plastic case includes a little informative manual, an IR remote control (there are no functions of an air mouse and a gyroscope) and a power supply unit (5V / 2A). On the bottom side of the set-top box there is a hole for resetting the device to factory settings (RESET), and communication ports are located on the end parts.

At the top side of the device there is a connector for connecting the power adapter, a full-fledged USB 2.0 and HDMI port, LAN and an optical audio port (SPDIF). On the left is the second full-fledged USB port and a slot for an SD memory card (supports a maximum volume of up to 32 GB).

In the lower front part there is a status indicator (in the standby mode it lights up red, and in the working position it shines blue). There are no vents or power buttons. There is no AV output either and, therefore, this TV BOX cannot be connected to old TV models.

In fact, this is one of the first set-top boxes built on the eight-core Amlogic S912 processor that appeared on the market. In addition to the new main processor, Beelink also updated the graphics one, preferring the more powerful Mali-T820MP3. This set-top box runs Android 6.0, has dual-band Wi-Fi, a gigabit LAN port, 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal memory.

The set-top box works quite quickly, online TV in HD quality and films in FullHD format play smoothly without jerks and freezes. In addition, the Beelink GT1 TV box plays “heavy” 4K files without any problems. Games like "Real Racing 3" with good physics and graphics run smoothly and without glitches. According to the results of read / write speed and synthetic tests AnTuTu, Geekbench 4 and 3DMark, the set-top box has good performance.

At the same time, it must be said that there is no particular increase in performance. Despite the fact that the firmware has already been updated several times, most likely it has not yet been brought to the ideal, and in the next versions we can expect a slight increase in performance.

Sunwell T95U PRO. The set with the TV box includes: power adapter (5V/2000mAh), HDMI cable, remote control with programmable buttons to control the TV (one remote control for two devices). On the back wall there are HDMI and USB 2.0 ports, AV input, Ethernet, OPTICAL connector (optical S/PDIF) and power supply. On the left side wall there is another USB 2.0 port and a slot for a memory card. There is a clock and an LED display and indicator on the front panel.

At the bottom there is a sticker with the MAC address of the device. Holes for the removal of hot air are not provided by the design. But in vain, because during long work the device heats up to almost 80 °. The set-top box has a metal case, two-position Wi-Fi, a simple and convenient file manager, supports playback of high-definition 4K (4096 x 2160) and 2K (2048 x 1152) formats up to 60 Hz, H265 codec, Kodi.

In online mode, video in HD and FullHD quality plays remarkably. By the way, unlike the previous instance, T95Upro can be connected to older TV models via the AV input.

The prefix does not always find new version firmware, so the cherished software may have to be installed via a memory card after placing the necessary files there. I liked that this device has ROOT rights out of the box. The results of synthetic tests Geekbench 4 and 3DMark are very good. The performance is good, if you do not take the results of AnTuTu into account (the test was made on the old firmware, on the new one the result is more than 40000).

In general, the prefix turned out to be very good and I hope that minor errors will be fixed in the next software version. It should be said that after the last software update, Wi-Fi began to work noticeably better. Games such as World of Tanks (produces almost 26 FPS), Real Racing 3 and FIFA 16 football run without problems. You can connect the joystick via Bluetooth.

YOKA KB2. Android set-top box sent to the buyer complete with a manual on English language, power supply (5V/2000mAh) with European plug adapter, HDMI cable and remote control with TV control function without gyroscope. That is, with one remote control you can control the TV set and set-top box. When turned on, the logo on the top panel lights up in blue, and when turned off and goes into standby mode, it lights up in red.

The case itself is plastic, and the lower part is metal with holes for heat dissipation, rubber feet on top of the screws, and a sticker with the MAC address of the device. On the side front there is an infrared receiver and a physical power on/off button.

On the left side, there are 2 x USB 2.0 ports and a slot for a memory card with support for up to 32 GB. On the right side, there is a connector for an external Wi-Fi antenna. On the back side, there is a LAN 100/1000M, an optical output (S/PDIF), an AV input for connecting old TVs, HDMI, a power connector and an unsigned Reset button. The results of already familiar synthetic tests are at a good level.

To bring a shortcut of some application to the desktop, you need to click the "Add app" button and select the required pre-installed program. Out of the box there is the Play Store, Kodi 17 and Netflix and the app for learning the remote control "ShortcutKey". The interface is modest, but everything works quite quickly and smoothly. It's nice that the TV box has built-in ROOT rights, dual-channel Wi-Fi and plays FullHD, UltraHD online with no problems.

While watching movies and testing games, the CPU heated up to an acceptable 60 degrees. Games like "Asphalt 8" run at maximum settings without lags.

I tried to tell and draw your attention only to important points so as not to take your precious time. All mentioned TV boxes are decent and run on the same CPU and GPU. They have no significant differences in price and performance range. All these models in domestic stores are almost twice as expensive as in Chinese.

With the help of a device such as a Smart TV set-top box for a TV, you can increase the functionality of almost any TV receiver, including conventional models released many years ago.

Buying a suitable gadget allows its owner to watch programs and movies online, record video information and even communicate on social networks.

To do this, you do not have to buy a new “smart TV”, however, in order to choose the right set-top box, you should know certain criteria.

Choosing the best Smart TV set-top box

The main characteristics of devices designed to increase the functionality of the TV include:

• interface for connecting to a TV receiver and the Internet;
• hardware requirements, including processor and memory;
• operating system;
• supported file formats;
• body shape and size.

The set-top box and its ease of use are of particular importance.

Take into account the way the device is powered - from the TV or the mains.

Many users are also interested in the price category of the gadget, especially since the cost of different models can differ several times.

Connection interface

Before buying a set-top box, you should make sure that it is compatible with an existing TV (it’s hardly worth buying a device at the same time as a TV receiver - it’s easier to buy a model with smart functions already built in):

• the owner of a more or less modern and “flat” TV should make sure that the equipment has an HDMI port;
• if there are only VGA or AV connectors, you should pay attention to the compatibility with these formats of the set-top box itself;
• to connect old TVs, you can use signal adapters.

Should know: Late 2000s CRT TVs may have a built-in HDMI input. For other outdated TV receivers, it is best to choose a set-top box with tulip or VGA connectors - when using an adapter, the signal quality may decrease.

Hardware Requirements

The main task of the set-top box is to improve the capabilities of the TV, and for this it must have modern hardware - a processor and RAM, the performance of which is enough to play FullHD and 4K video.

The minimum requirement for such a device is a CPU with 2 cores, 1 GB of RAM and 4-8 GB of internal storage, the recommended parameters are twice as much.

In the electronics market, you can find models with fairly large RAM and ROM.

They will cost more, but provide the user with more options.

Some gadgets can even replace a set-top box, while other devices, in fact, are full-fledged computers.

Supported file formats

Most expensive set-top boxes are capable of playing any file.

Even if some format is not supported, the issue is resolved by updating the firmware.

Before buying devices from the budget price category, you should pay attention to the possibility of launching files with various extensions.

The most common formats are . mp4. mkv, .wma and .mpeg. You can find out about their support by the prefix in the documents for the prefix and on the websites of online stores where the equipment is selected.

However, in any case, films from the Web will be played - problems arise only when trying to play an already downloaded video in an unsupported format.

Internet connection method

Smart set-top boxes for TV receivers are almost always connected to the Web - otherwise their purchase does not make sense.

In assortment modern manufacturers consoles can find models with 3 connection options:

• using RJ45 cable;
• over a Wi-Fi network;
• with both options.

A wired connection is chosen only in one case - with a small distance from the TV (next to which the set-top box will be located) to the router or Internet cable.

Wireless connection is the best option, although such a set-top box will cost more.

Even more convenient option – set-top boxes with a built-in Wi-Fi module and a cable connector.

Shape selection

The form factor and dimensions of smart set-top boxes are chosen depending on the available space and the required functionality.

Models in the form of a small box usually have big amount connectors, more efficient processors and a decent storage capacity - it is in such models that you can find ROM for 32, 64 and more gigabytes.

Set-top boxes in the form of a flash drive take up a minimum of space - they are simply connected to the TV receiver, like a regular USB drive.

Some mid-sized devices are almost indistinguishable from a compact computer and even work with older LCD TVs and monitors.

In addition, a prefix in the form of a box is easier to reflash, although it is inconvenient to transfer to a new location.

Other features

The kit that can be found in the same box with a TV box usually depends on its cost.

Premium models are equipped with a full set of cords and adapters, and even a multi-function remote control keyboard.

More cost-effective options get a minimum number of fixtures - sometimes it's just one cord, a power adapter and a standard remote.

When choosing a set-top box, you should pay attention to the way it is powered.

Although all models in the USB flash drive form factor are powered by a TV, you will only have to choose an option when buying a version in the form of a box.

Best Smart TV Boxes

Tab. 1. Comparative parameters of popular models

Nvidia Shield TV

The high cost of the device is fully justified - it is suitable for gamers who use such TV boxes to broadcast games on large screens, and for those who are going to turn an ordinary TV into a "smart" one.

The set-top box supports 4K resolution at up to 60 frames per second - an indicator that not every TV receives.

To connect peripherals, the model comes with two USB 3.0 connectors and an HDMI port.

• decent performance, corresponding to an average computer with a graphics card (not all PC models released before 2010-2012 support 4K);
• stable operation of the device itself and the Wi-Fi network;
• stereo output and support for 24/192 audio format;
• the ability to play torrents, support for streaming from a computer and game console;
• convenient setup and support for 4K format.

• lack of support for HDR technology in the YouTube service.
• the device does not support 3D format and does not have a separate power button.
• besides, it has enough high cost, almost comparable to the price of a whole TV.

Oleg I.: It is very convenient that the remote control is combined with a gamepad - by connecting a game console to a TV using such a device, you can use it to play. The controller itself costs about $30, so it's understandable why the Nvidia Shield itself is so expensive. She did not notice any shortcomings - all the functions I need are there and work fine.

Iconbit XDS94K

The IconBIT XDS94K TV set-top box received a good processor, but there is too little RAM and permanent memory.

Although this hardware is enough to play video in 4K format.

The features of the model, in addition to connecting to the Network and Internet TV, include a functional remote control and the ability to record TV shows.

• a large number of functions;
• good transmission of light and image;
• complete with an HDMI 2.0 port and good hardware.

Negative:

• small amount of memory that comes with the device.
• because of this, the set-top box sometimes launches videos in FullHD and 4K formats for too long.
• on the other hand, after starting the video, it plays normally without freezing.

Michael N.: I have been using the prefix for more than a year. I am satisfied with the fast processor, which is enough for most tasks - problems arise only when playing 4K video, but I still don’t watch it. I can only name two drawbacks - the lack of HDMI cables in the kit and a USB 2.0 port (I would like a more modern 3.0 or 3.1).

Nexon MXQ 4K

A modern device with a powerful processor and support for 4K video playback.

The TV set-top box does not have much memory, but it is possible to connect external devices - from a flash drive to HDD and SSD.

Peripherals are connected using 4 USB ports, and the modern Android 7.1 platform is installed as an operating system.

• the ability to use not only the remote control, but also a wireless keyboard or mouse;
• connecting to hundreds of digital TV channels and watching a huge number of movies online;
• affordable cost;
• support for using Skype, running games and free applications for Android OS;
• playback of videos in 4K format.

Negative:

• a small amount of RAM and permanent memory, due to which 4K video starts too slowly.
• the case of the set-top box when playing such formats heats up quite strongly.

Anatoly L.: Convenient fixture, I do not regret buying. True, if the set-top box works for a long time, playing video in at least FullHD format, sometimes the signal on the TV starts to disappear. Maybe it's from overheating. I did not notice any other problems, everything works quickly, there are many opportunities - with the purchase of MXQ 4K, I even began to use the computer less frequently.

Xiaomi Mi Box 4K

The model from the popular Chinese brand Xiaomi can be called the best option in terms of price and functionality.

The set-top box copes with 4K video playback at a frequency of up to 60 frames per second, received built-in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth modules, connectors for connecting peripheral devices and a remote control with voice control.

The gadget also has support for Google Cast technology, which provides audio and video broadcast from other devices.

• convenient voice control;
• support for Android TV and HDR technologies;
• playback of videos in 4K format and H.265 codec;
• affordable price.

• lack of a sufficient number of Android applications.
• some users consider the lack of a wired connection to be a drawback - although this disadvantage is fully compensated by Wi-Fi support.

Vladimir K.: High-quality and affordable set-top box. Liked - appearance, functionality, convenient control and 4K support. I didn’t quite like the orientation, mainly to the Chinese market, which is why all the instructions are in Chinese.

Apple TV Gen4 32GB

Model TV Gen 4 32GB is best version TV set-top boxes from Apple - more functional is the 64-gigabyte version from the same series.

The capabilities of technology are enough to create a full-fledged multimedia center capable of not only playing video, but also recording it for further viewing.

• compatibility with any of Apple's media services and most third-party brand services (including Google);
• the presence of Bluetooth;
• support for most media features of the Web;
• decent speed and support for most formats.

• can be attributed to the maximum resolution of FullHD.
• for a set-top box with such a price, the manufacturer could provide for 4K playback.
• in addition, you can get full functionality only by registering and opening an account on the Apple website.

Maxim R.: When buying a prefix, I doubted whether I needed it? But already on the second day of operation, I discovered a lot of useful functions. With its help, you can not only connect to various online cinemas, but also use the Photos services, and even play simple games using the included remote control. Thanks to Apple TV, my old TV is almost as good as today's smart TVs.

MINIX NEO Z64A

The MINIX NEO Z64A should not be called a set-top box, but a mini-computer - that's how it was sold from the very beginning.

The set-top box is equipped with an Intel Bay Trail processor with integrated graphics, 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of ROM - parameters comparable to inexpensive nettops.

Despite this hardware, the maximum supported resolution is only FullHD.

• decent functionality that allows you to practically replace a computer with such a purchase;
• support for a large number of formats;
• 32 GB drive;
• a clear image, regardless of whether the network or external media is used;
• support for most applications from the Play Market.

• rather high price of the device
• An outdated version of Android without the possibility of updating.
• because of this, the set-top box supports fewer applications compared to more modern versions.

Victor M.: I chose a TV box because it comes with an Intel processor. I am very pleased with the purchase - and the processor, and RAM, and ROM - all the characteristics are impressive. It is a pity that the 4K format is not played - but this, in my opinion, is not such a serious problem. Moreover, the Philips TV, to which I connected the set-top box, also does not “pull” such a resolution.

AmiBox X96 mini

The X96 mini media player is a more compact version of another set-top box with similar functionality.

The gadget is equipped with a 4-core Amlogic S905W processor with a bit depth of 64 bits, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of ROM.

The hardware part is not enough to play 4K video, but it copes well with FullHD resolution (as well as watching videos on YouTube and in online cinemas), and for convenient control, almost any wired and wireless manipulators and controllers can be connected to the set-top box.

• affordable cost;
• launch capabilities are visible in FullHD format (not bad for such a price);
• minimum level of heating and throttling;
• compact dimensions and weight, thanks to which the device is easily fixed, for example, behind a TV.

Negative:

• "raw" software device.
• this shortcoming can be corrected by flashing.
• The lack of support for 4K format could be called a drawback, but other models in this price category do not have such an opportunity.

Alexander P.: The set-top box fully met my expectations - this is the cheapest way to upgrade your TV, give it smart functions and access the Internet. I would like to separately note the ability to easily remove pre-installed applications. I did not notice any cons - except for a small amount of ROM, which I almost never use.

AmiBox X96

The capabilities of the X96 smart set-top box allow it to compete on equal terms with most more expensive models.

The model, which is powered by a 4-core processor, powerful graphics system and Android 6.0.1 platform, plays FullHD video.

And the built-in utilities allow you to control the operation of equipment and easily configure the necessary parameters.

• good performance for such a cost;
• support for most video formats;
• user-friendly interface.

Negative:

• poor quality of the Wi-Fi module. If you install the set-top box in another room with a router, the signal may be too weak. The problem is solved by using a wired connection or by moving the wireless router closer to the TV.

Sergei P.: For such money, the gadget is very decent and convenient. A lot already installed programs which are easily removed. The prefix copes with its functions very well - I have no complaints. The only thing that confuses is the flimsy-looking case, which is unlikely to withstand a fall. The mini model looks more solid.

AmiBox X92

The parameters of the processor, RAM and ROM of the X92 are among the best among all modern models, although it only plays video in up to FullHD format.

Connection of peripheral devices is provided by 4 USB ports, audio and video outputs, Internet connection is carried out using a wire and wirelessly.

The optical interface SPDIF allows you to connect acoustics 5.1.

• stylish appearance, including the presence of a clock on the case;
• a decent amount of memory, both operational and permanent;
• the presence of 4 USB ports at once;
• fast Wi-Fi;
• the ability to connect external hard drives.

• Lack of 4K video support.
• hardware performance (one of the best among set-top boxes from the rating) could provide such an opportunity.
• the downside is the heating of the case during prolonged use of the device at full power.

Andrew O.: The capabilities of the X92 are impressive. On a five-point scale, I would give her 5+, especially for the price. Signal reception is good, the picture is clear, the wireless mouse responds quickly to clicks. I could not find any noticeable flaws - for me it is the best option TV set-top boxes.

Tanix TX2

Smart set-top box TX2 easily turns even an outdated TV into a full-fledged Multimedia Center.

If necessary, the 16 GB ROM of the device can be expanded by another 32-128 GB using a microSD card, and external devices connected via USB and HDMI ports.

The device runs on Android 6.0.1 and a 4-core CPU, supports Full HD video and can connect to the Internet via cable or Wi-Fi.

• high image quality and support for most online services and video formats;
• connecting external media - from USB flash drives to HDD or SSD;
• support for installing applications and games.

Negative:

• the prefix received a not very productive processor, and may not work too fast. when playing FullHD video, there are no problems.

Konstantin S.: I have been using the prefix for about a month. There were no problems with Internet surfing or watching movies. The only serious drawback is the freezing of some videos in FullHD format, possibly due to a weak CPU. Although for my TV with a diagonal of 40 inches and the usual distance to it of about 2 m, this problem is not critical - but I do not recommend the set-top box to owners of TVs of 43 inches or more.

conclusions

Considering the possibility of purchasing a set-top box that can increase the functionality of any TV (except for models released more than 20–25 years ago), you should pay attention to Nvidia Shield TV and Xiaomi Mi Box 4K devices.

Fans of the Apple brand will appreciate the capabilities of the Apple TV Gen 4 32GB TV set-top box.

Those who prefer budget purchases over power will love the AmiBox X96 mini.

It took quite a long time for the Chinese to finally start making more or less worthy TV boxes that do not cause difficulties and inconvenience in daily use. It can be said that we have achieved satisfactory devices from them with blood and sweat ... having gone through all the circles of hell and having spent tons of nerves and time on it.

One of my first consoles was the Mk 809 IV... it's not even a console, it's a stick. At that moment, I thought that this would solve all my problems that I experienced on my TV with a stripped-down smart ... But alas, my hopes vanished in just a couple of days of use. Everything was bad in it: the speed of work, the speed of wifi, problems during production, problems during loading, problems with overheating, problems with power ... in general, everything ended with sawing, sawing, and all sorts of meaningless worries. At the moment, the stick is lying somewhere on the shelves with a dead wifi transmitter and has not been in use for 5 years.

The second prefix was Emish. This is already a prefix with a capital letter "P" - white color, glossy, with many entrances and exits, and not very prominent stuffing. Hopes were very high, but again they quickly disappeared due to some kind of clumsy control, unoptimized firmware and periodic freezes. Since then, I swore off the use of any set-top boxes on Android and took another TV, with a good smart.

But time goes by, the Chinese do not stop sawing new boxes on their knees, optimizing the firmware and trying to please our whims.

I got a box that seemed optimal to me and that was supposed to satisfy my small needs in the first place on older TVs, but it so happened that he is a frequent guest on newer models as well.

So, I will quickly go over the configuration and my comments. The kit is very standard: box, adapter, hdmi cable, remote control, instructions. Everything comes in a nice box, which, by the way, used to be Brown. In general, as it turned out, there are many varieties of this box, but since this is a “basement”, it is good that the manufacturer develops and improves its product over time. In general, there is nothing special about the kit - an adapter for 2 Amperes, the remote control is very truncated and sharpened more for TV, a short hdmi cable.

The box itself is made of good plastic with glossy sidewalls. As you can see, the manufacturer did not stint on the ports - you can connect anything and any way you like. All connectors are working and do not cause any difficulties, any flash drives, hard drives and memory cards are connected and started.

Well, perhaps one of the most important is the filling. According to reviews of previous releases of this model, you can see that the manufacturer is changing and improving components ... this can be seen from the memory chips, wifi antenna, etc. In general, the assembly is not bad in terms of circuitry, but in terms of execution, everything is a little clumsy - it is soldered obliquely and crookedly, in some places the solder is not removed ... in general, the "basement". RAM - SEC K4B4G0446B- HYH9 . Memory - Toshiba thgbm5g7a2jbair 16gb. Of the jambs - the reset button behind the AV connector remained.

We pass to operation. The firmware menu has not changed lately, only the firmware revision and the Android version itself change. On board this time is a relatively new “andryukha” - 7. Of the pre-installed programs, it is pleasing to have root, es explorer, kodi and youtube, sharpened for remote control

Some details from AIDA64

Well, accordingly, since this is a review, where without synthetic tests. I have not paid attention to them for a long time, but perhaps it will be useful to someone

About WiFi. The box supports 5GHz, and when I ran the test, I expected to see speeds of about 30 megabits ... since my router is no longer outputting. The test always shows a little overestimated ... maybe just a coincidence

As for a very important element for many - 4K support ... I had to slightly correct the review and change my mind. Unfortunately, the first videos that I downloaded for the 4K test, sort of like on specialized sites, did not correspond to the actual display of cases. On a tip from comrade Kaze (thanks to him), the Chimei Inn video was downloaded and played (3840x2160 at 29.970 fps, MPEG-4 AVC, ~50 Mbps avg). Unfortunately, it is a bit difficult for the player to cope with it and there are periodic friezes and smoothness is not always present. As for the "lighter" clips, most of them are played without problems. Also want to add more detailed description tests of various videos in 4K

I think it’s not worth talking about the rest of the function such as IPTV, watching online movies and TV shows, the box copes with this with a bang - however, like cheaper boxes.

Of the sore for many - temperature! Normal operating temperature is around 35 degrees. When playing 4K, the temperature rises to 41 degrees. We managed to warm up to 55 degrees as much as possible during tests in Antutu.

Summing up, I want to say that I liked the use of this prefix. I am pleased with the smoothness of the interface, the absence of glitches and freezes. With all the functions regarding video viewing, the set-top box did a good job. I can fully recommend it to all those who are still in thought and who will have this first prefix - it may well satisfy all everyday requests, and I also think it will cope with overpriced ones. Thank you for your attention!

This model has been purchased

You can also apply a discount coupon that will still be active until April 9 - MXQRPO. The final price will be - $35.79

Watching TV today is considered bad manners. The quality of the programs that are fed to the general public does not stand up to criticism. At the same time, a huge amount of interesting, smart content is produced daily in the world, which you will never find in the schedule of national channels. To get out of this situation, it is most reasonable to purchase a smart TV set-top box, with which you can organize your personal television.

Smart TV Box X9S - the latest set-top box from trademark ZIDOO, which specializes specifically in the production of such gadgets. To be honest, I had never met the products of this company before, so I was even a little surprised by the fact that it has existed for more than 10 years and is very popular among fans of wide screens.

Contents of delivery

ZIDOO X9S comes in a neat double thick white cardboard box, which carefully protects the set-top box from all the troubles of a long journey. The set includes a set-top box, detachable antennas, a remote control, a power adapter, a cable for connecting a hard drive, an HDMI cable, and a user manual. This set is enough to connect the TV box to the TV and start using it.

Specifications

ZIDOO X9S is one of the most powerful and functional devices in its category today. The device runs on the Android 6.0 operating system, has an HDMI input for video recording and PiP (picture in picture), a SATA interface for connecting an external hard drive, supports 4K resolution, can decode H.265 and VP9, ​​and also works with HDR and 3D. In addition, the device can run the popular OpenWrt firmware, so it can be used as a router and network attached storage (NAS).

Here full list device characteristics.

• Housing material: aluminum.
• Processor: Realtek KEB1295 Cortex-A53 (64 bits).
• Graphics accelerator: ARM Mali-T820 MP3 (3-core).
• RAM: DDR3, 2 GB.
• Operating system: Android 6.0.
• Built-in memory: eMMC, 16 GB.
• Wi-Fi module: IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n, 802.11ac; 4.9-5.8 GHz (5.0 GHz ISM Band); dual-band Wi-Fi module RTK8821.
• Network card: RJ-45 Ethernet Jack (10/100/1000 Mbps).
• Bluetooth 4.0.
• HDMI port: HDMI2.0a output, support 4K, HD Audio (7.1 CH); HDMI2.0a input, support PIP, HDMI IN, streaming recording and broadcasting via UPD/RTSP.
• SD/TF card reader (1-32 GB).
• Two USB 2.0 ports.
• USB 3.0 port.
• IR port.
• Composite video and audio port.
• S/PDIF interface (2CH, 5.1CH).
• Interface SATA 3.0 (6 Gb / s).
• Video support: HDR, HEVC/H.265 up to 4K (60fps), H.264 up to 4K (60fps), VP9 up to 4K (60fps), BDISO/MKV.
• Audio support: 7.1 CH.
• Power: DC 12V/2A.

Power on and setup

Even a child can handle connecting the Smart TV Box X9S to the TV. You just need to insert one end of the supplied HDMI cable into the set-top box, and for the second, find a suitable connector on the TV. After that, we connect the box to the network, press the power button and activate the HDMI output in the TV settings.

Oh yes, do not forget to insert batteries into the remote control or install a special program on your smartphone with which you can control the set-top box.

To perform the initial setup, the set-top box has a special utility in the form step by step wizard, which allows you to set the language, establish an Internet connection, and so on. But it is much more useful, in my opinion, to open the operating system settings page and perform all the necessary actions there. After all, Android is well known to us inside, so most users will cope with this task without difficulty.

Software interface

After turning on the set-top box, a proprietary ZIUI shell appears on the TV screen. The main elements are made in the form of tiles, so you can easily move between them using the remote control.

Directly from the main screen, you can get to the following sections:

• Weather- a simple application that displays the current weather conditions and a forecast for several days.
• Applications- list of all programs installed on the device.
• media center- a file manager that allows you to detect and play media files stored on the set-top box or on connected media.
• HDMI IN- if you have connected an external source, then you are here.
• Browser- browsing sites.
• Settings- ZIDOO X9S options page.
• cleaning- launching a special utility that will clear the device's memory of garbage.

Below is a row of buttons for launching the most popular programs. You can add your own applications here, such as your favorite games and media players.

Functions

Smart TV Box X9S has such a wide range of functions that for them detailed description You need to write more than one article. Therefore, I will limit myself to a list of the main features of this console.

Media playback

Of course, this is the most important purpose of Smart TV, for which most people buy a set-top box. ZIDOO X9S can play almost any files from internal memory, from removable media (USB, HDD) and from online sources. I searched for a long time, but among my films I did not find one that would have any problems with playback.

To play video, audio and listen to Internet radio stations, you can use the built-in ZDMC media center, which is a modified version of the well-known KODI. The main feature of this program is that its functionality can be increased by installing plugins. These plugins change the appearance of the media center, add localizations, codecs, new content sources, and more. I will definitely dedicate one of the following articles to this program.

If you don't like ZDMC, you can install any other program that is designed to deliver online content from the Google Play catalog or a third-party source. TVzavr, Megogo, IVI, Google Play Movies, YouTube - their name is legion.

Games

Android games have come a long way in terms of graphic quality lately, so why not enjoy them on your big screen TV?

The quad-core Cortex-A53 processor, working together with the ARM Mali-T820 MP3 graphics accelerator and two gigabytes of DDR3 RAM, is quite able to cope with any modern games and produce a high-quality picture without slowdowns.

Of course, not all games will be conveniently controlled using the remote control, so it makes sense to use the free USB ports of the set-top box, to which you can connect a full-fledged game joystick. Great picture on the big screen + convenient controls = double the fun!

Connecting external sources

Not everyone will need this feature, but in some cases it can be useful. The presence of a separate HDMI IN input allows you to connect modern multimedia equipment to ZIDOO X9S. This way you can, for example, record broadcasts from a satellite receiver.

Watch TV shows IPTV

Real life hackers don't watch TV. But if you suddenly decide to take a look at what is happening in the world with one eye, then just feed one of the playlists with channel addresses to the set-top box, and you will immediately gain access to a huge number of television programs from around the world. Without an antenna and completely free - you only need a fast Internet connection.

additional services

As I mentioned above, the set-top box runs on two operating systems at once: Android 6.0 and OpenWRT, which allows you to use the Smart TV Box X9S as a router and network storage.

This opens up broad prospects for those of our readers who understand technology and want to create a sophisticated home entertainment center based on this device.

Smart TV Box X9S has a number of useful apps installed by default, including AirPlay and AirMirror, DLNA and MicroCast, Zidoo RS and Google Remote. It is always possible to additionally install any other necessary programs, which allows you to significantly increase the functionality of the set-top box.

Results

To be honest, before writing this review, I was somewhat skeptical about this species devices. It seemed to me that set-top boxes are a rudiment, an extra link in the evolution of gadgets, the last attempt of TVs to stay in our apartments.

I confess I was wrong.

Thanks to ZIDOO X9S, I again remembered how great it is to watch movies on a big screen, and even played a few games. It is especially great that now you do not need to mess with flash drives, disks and wires, and the choice of films and TV shows is limited only by my imagination. Excellent picture quality, easy control, a huge selection of content - what else do you need for happiness lovers of multimedia entertainment?

So I recommend you take it. Moreover, a discount is provided for our readers when entering the code. GKB-ZIDOOX9S.