Need advice for choosing box

[Isukthar]

Hello all, i'm new here.
i'd like to buy a box with low budget (<50$) mostly for video streaming from my local wifi network (1080p h264, aac, ssa) and HD IPTV. Most important i think is the software quality (updates, bugfixes, ...).
I checked many boxes and saw X96 air with S905X3 and 4GB/32GB at 36$ (most box at same price have 3318, S905 or H6). Is it a good box (specs are nice, but what about software ?).
I don't know if it's better to have android or android TV. Is it possible to use android with IR remote ? or I need air mouse?

thanks for your help.

[RiCkLaR_atvX]

S905X3 is new chip and will have bugs in first software releases by all manufacturers. That being said, a budget device under $50 is hard to choose for getting good Software support from any manufacturers(only official Google Certified AndroidTV devices offer support past the first year), but if I was to gamble and purchase a new S905X3 it would be the Tanix TX3 that is on Pre-sale on several different websites for under $50. Tanix actually invests money into making their device's firmwares better. I am grateful for my Tanix TX6 to get software updates from Android-7 to Android-9, and note the software is not perfect still, but at least the manufacturer offered some support in first year of ownership.

And always use and Air-Mouse remote, IR sucks, even better is an Air-Mouse remote that connects through Bluetooth and not USB-dongle.

[Isukthar]

Thanks for your answer.
I was looking for S905X3 because more recent and powerful for nearly same price, so I though the box will have a better lifetime.
I'll follow your advice getting an air mouse, and i'll have a look to Tanix TX3.

[ministerjee]

i suggest beelink GT1-mini , its little more than your budget around $60 it has S905X2 with 4GB ram, but firmware updates are available as its been there long.Plus its a great performer.
i also looked at X2 pro which was released recently, around $60-$75 and same specs as mini, but i do not own it, but seen some good reviews about it.
i also suggest to look at Meecool KM3 box, it has smart voice control and its google certified, and sells around $70.

if you want solid performance and regular updates , i recommends you spend $60-$70 on a good box.

[Isukthar]

I can't mesure how much Beelink or Mecool software is better than Tanix software, but the GT1-mini/KM3 is nearly twice the price of the TX3 for about same performance (S905X2 + DDR4 vs S905X3 + DDR3). Does it really worth the price?

What is the advantage of a certified box ? Certified box doesn't have Netflix HD, and I think my TV (samsung UE40H6400) supports Netflix HD, amazon prime, ...

[ministerjee]

Isukthar
i own Tanix TX92 i bought for $75 about a year, ago there have not been anymore updates, this company seem to abandon support of older models when new more cheaper models released, im staying away from tanix.
GT-mini is in market for a very long time, and beelink is known as company with good reputation, plus we have many dev working on custom firmware you can see in the form.
i understand SOC is older and cost is more, but i would go with something that lasts longer and have good support with spending some extra money then a box with faster specs and no support.

also its true as as said by RiCkLaR_atvX , newer chip will have bugs for sure.

Meecool does not have netflix and amazon video, but this does not mean its a bad box. it supports chrome cast and voice control and 4k youtube, and better than xiaomi Mi box plus its running ATV.
everyown have their own choices.

[Bange23]

Isukthar
i own Tanix TX92 i bought for $75 about a year, ago there have not been anymore updates, this company seem to abandon support of older models when new more cheaper models released, im staying away from tanix.
GT-mini is in market for a very long time, and beelink is known as company with good reputation, plus we have many dev working on custom firmware you can see in the form.
i understand SOC is older and cost is more, but i would go with something that lasts longer and have good support with spending some extra money then a box with faster specs and no support.

also its true as as said by RiCkLaR_atvX , newer chip will have bugs for sure.

Meecool does not have netflix and amazon video, but this does not mean its a bad box. it supports chrome cast and voice control and 4k youtube, and better than xiaomi Mi box plus its running ATV.
everyown have their own choices.

+1

[ministerjee]

Isukthar
just to add one more thing, have you looked at xiaomi mi box S , and fire tv stick 4k, they dont have top of the line specs but can very well fit your budget of $50.

[Isukthar]

Thanks for you answers.
My TV is only 1080p so no need for 4K, and it supports Netflix, Amazon Prime, ... I'll precise my needs, my TV has 2 issues : it doesn't have Molotov app for IPTV, and it's bad at decoding videos (can't decode large video or ssa subtitles embeded). I'd like a TV box for both usage.
Do I need Android TV and certificate for Molotov ?

Xiaomi mi box S was my first choice before i see the spec of other box, but it's quite expensive and with 2 GB RAM and old SoC (and still on android 8.1 ?) i think it won't have a good lifetime.

Other question, does any of the box provider has open source code for firmware or drivers? I suppose it'll be easier to get some fixes if the code is open.

edit : i saw that Beelink sold 2 GB boxes, saying it's 3 GB (GT1 Ultimate), can we trust this company ?

[ministerjee]

My TV is only 1080p so no need for 4K, and it supports Netflix, Amazon Prime, ... I'll precise my needs, my TV has 2 issues : it doesn't have Molotov app for IPTV, and it's bad at decoding videos (can't decode large video or ssa subtitles embeded). I'd like a TV box for both usage.
--------you do not need to have a 4K TV to use with fireTV 4k, also there is a non-4K version available as well.

Do I need Android TV and certificate for Molotov ?
-----Android TV or android OS that a personal choice.
------i have not used Molotov TV app , so im not sure, but i see its available on Play store.

Xiaomi mi box S was my first choice before i see the spec of other box, but it's quite expensive and with 2 GB RAM and old SoC (and still on android 8.1 ?) i think it won't have a good lifetime.
-------Xiaomi mi Box S can be bought for around $50, If you are in US walmart had it for $49.99 few months ago. I know SOC is old, but it works like a charm if you not into gaming/want top features/more storage.

Other question, does any of the box provider has open source code for firmware or drivers? I suppose it'll be easier to get some fixes if the code is open.
----I think you are asking about root,... there are some boxes available that offers root option out of the box...however having root does not guarantee long term support.

edit : i saw that Beelink sold 2 GB boxes, saying it's 3 GB (GT1 Ultimate), can we trust this company ?
-stay away from beelink's Ultimate model, i have seen too many issues here on this form. ..otherwise i like beelink products.

[Isukthar]

------i have not used Molotov TV app , so im not sure, but i see its available on Play store.

I mean, Molotov needs Widevine DRM, but I don't know what level and which box has it (except Xiaomi or Amazon).

-------Xiaomi mi Box S can be bought for around $50, If you are in US walmart had it for $49.99 few months ago. I know SOC is old, but it works like a charm if you not into gaming/want top features/more storage.

I'm in France, here Xiaomi box is sold around 75$.

----I think you are asking about root,... there are some boxes available that offers root option out of the box...however having root does not guarantee long term support.

I'm not really talking about root. I'm talking about source code. Android is based on AOSP so the source code is available. But in addition to that, there are many driver or custom firmware from Soc provider and box manufacturer. I was wondering if some manufacturers share their source code (so people can modify it and build custom ROM easily).

[RiCkLaR_atvX]

I mean, Molotov needs Widevine DRM, but I don't know what level and which box has it (except Xiaomi or Amazon).

If you need Widevine DRM L1 then yes you will need Xiaomi MiBox or Amazon FireTV device. Check and see if the IPTV app has a forum or FAQ to find out the facts about that app to make best choice.

I'm not really talking about root. I'm talking about source code. Android is based on AOSP so the source code is available. But in addition to that, there are many driver or custom firmware from Soc provider and box manufacturer. I was wondering if some manufacturers share their source code (so people can modify it and build custom ROM easily).

The only manufacturers that share Android source code are makers of SBC's(Single Board Computers) a.k.a. development boards. Most SBC's are more expensive then TV boxes because you must buy extra components that are not included in the board sale price like power supply, power supply cable, device case, board heat-sink, eMMC module, etc. If you plan to tinker with firmwares and/or modify your own firmware then SBC device is the best option for Open Source code. The two best device manufacturers of SBC's for multimedia use are HardKernel's Odroid brand and Khadas with their VIM model line. Currently the best performance per dollar value for SBC is the Odroid-N2 with an Amlogic S922X SoC, I recently bought one and it is fun to play with the firmwares, there is already a custom non-official LineageOS 16 firmware and an AndroidTV firmware that is also based on LineageOS 16. If you buy direct from HardKernel in Korea the HTPC kit is $75 usd and comes with case, heat-sink, Micro SDcard with CoreELEC software preinstalled, power supply, but not including shipping. May save on shipping if you find a local dealer/distributor, I ordered from Ameridroid which is Online Store that sells SBC's and accessories globally.