Beginner: get started with the Android TV box

Whether you're just a curious person who wants to know more or a regular user looking for new features you'll find everything you need to know about Android streaming devices ... Anyway, welcome! And if I can add anything to this page let me know in the comment at the bottom of the page.

Let's start with the basics.

I would like to offer you a definition of an Android tv box: An Android TV box is simply an online streaming device that runs on Android. This is the same operating system as your smartphone or touchpad, obviously, it has been adapted to the size of the TV screen and uses without touch. If you know how to use a tablet or smartphone, then you should be able to use an Android tv box and its applications.

Android TV box or Smart TV?

The TV smarts (which include the "Google Android TV") are actually TVs with a built-in streaming box. Unfortunately, these devices are still very expensive today and it is often 10 times the price of a streaming box that you've just been able to connect to your current TV.

Hardware-level also a small difference is felt: With Smart-TV you only have access to applications that have been developed to be used on a connected TV (Logic no?) While on a box Android TV you have access to all classic Google Play store applications, with all the compatibility issues that it implies ... Indeed, the majority of applications available on the Google Play store are optimized to run on a smartphone or tablet, you see the problem? Yes, these applications have been made to appear on a small screen and controlled by touch ... Do not worry though: The Android box can often use applications without touch with your remote for menus and the joystick for games for example. So,

Android TV box or classic streaming box?

Well, it gets a little complicated here, to understand this paragraph I will first explain the difference between Android TV box and a classic streaming box: the difference is only on the operating system, in fact, an Android TV box is a classic streaming box that uses the Android operating system.

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The classic streaming boxes are Rokus, Amazon Fire TV (not yet available in France) or Apple TV (Not available yet) and they can be great. They are very simple to use, but quite limited in terms of functionality. An Android TV box can run almost any application thanks to its access to the play store and the Pkbazaar.pk. A Roku can not do that ...

What do you need to get started?

You will need some elements to get started in the "streaming adventure", this is where I will list them for you. You may already have some, some are free, others cost more or less depending on your choices.

I will help you choose from A to Z!

The good TV

Of course, you'll have a good TV to watch streaming, the question is: Can your current TV do the trick? Will you need to upgrade your hardware?

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In fact, your old TV is likely to agree unless it is over 10 years old. The HDMI jack (essential to the proper functioning of the Android TV box) has been installed on all TVs since about 2006. Since you can not access the 4K without the right sockets on your TV, you will need at least one HDMI jack on your TV. If you do not have an HDMI jack on your TV but you do not want to change, know that there are solutions (An HDMI cable - Scart or a simple adapter) however you will not enjoy the best quality of the picture.

And if all your HDMI ports are already used, by your internet box, your home console and your Blue-ray player for example? There are adapters that split the HDMI ports, it's called an "HDMI Splitter".

The good Android TV box

I guess if you're here, you've already chosen what you want between Android TV box, classic streaming box, and Smart TV. If you skipped the first part, first ... Why (I'm trying to make it easier!) Then, I advise you to go take a look at least to understand the differentiation between these three types of devices. The Android TV box is not for everyone and I advise you to check that it is the device you are looking for ...

Always here? OK, we go there then!

When I say "the good Android tv box" I mean by the Android TV box that will meet your needs and expectations while providing you with some room for improvement but without getting lost under the features and options unhelpful. The good android tv box will let you stream what you want, with the quality you want and when you want. For example, if you have an Amazon Prime Video subscription, the right box for you will not be an Apple TV. On the other hand, if you have your media content on iTunes and you feel like it, and Apple TV may be better than an Android TV box.

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I test a lot of TV box. In fact, right now my shelves are crumbling under the boxes of all kinds that I have to test ... Some cases are great, others are almost as good as a clipboard ... If they are not worth it, you will hear a talk on this site be sure! Most other comparative sites will try to sell you anyway by putting forward their "super design" for example to always make more profits ... I will not make you an affront to try this because this kind of site m 'exasperates and I feel like a fool each time I visit one! My site aims to help you with your choice and for that I prefer to be your guide rather than another unscrupulous seller ...

What Android TV box I recommend? I'm glad you asked the question. This is one of the questions you ask most regularly in the comment and on the contact form of the site. I have created a complete page that will guide you to the product that best suits you. If you are looking for a new box, this is the place where you should start your search.

What features should you look for? I have created a list of features to include in your case so that it best suits the technological changes of the coming years. This is not a shopping list where you must have all the features listed. No case will embark on all these features unless you listen to a fortune. However, this list is a perfect starting point to decide which features you are interested in and which ones you absolutely want on your case.

Successful installation

Well, now you should have an Android TV box that suits you ... And then?

It's time to set it up correctly. If you have just opened the box I propose my quick start guide. It's a checklist of all the things you need to check to make sure you do not miss anything important. If your box is already set up, then it's time to take a look at how you're going to read your media. I created two articles that I think are essential when setting up your Android tv box.

The two most popular media centers are Plex and Kodi. Each is a complete program with lots of great features. Both of them have their group of supporters who would sell father and mother to prove that their software is the best ... However, to be perfectly honest, they each have their advantages and disadvantages that must be known to choose the product that corresponds to us the best. In this article I have highlighted the main differences between Kodi and Plex, which will help you decide.

Choose the right streaming service

If you use an Android TV box, you will definitely need a streaming service. Without that, you will only be able to read your own media files or stream from unreliable, illegal sources or both!

Personally, I have two streaming services that I use all year. The first is the one that everyone has heard at least once in France since his arrival: Netflix. The second was included in the subscription of the most used e-commerce site in France: Amazon Prime videos. Your needs may be different and you can choose the streaming services that best suit you. For that, I prepared you the list of the best streaming services in France (Attention this list does not include all the services available but only those that I tested myself).

These services are often paying, indeed. That said, you can still save money on your home entertainment bill: With my two streaming services I pay less than with my old Canal Subscription with video on demand. In fact, this service of VOD was so expensive that it is several hundreds of Euros that I save every year! I know that the VOD service is a bit cheaper today, but it's still more expensive than an Android TV box and a Netflix subscription!