Smart television Android TV: concept, differences and capabilities. Which Smart TV set-top box (Android TV box), which Android media player (TV box) to choose TV smart set-top box on Android OS

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 is an inexpensive but good TV for gaming 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, it uses a digital tuner designed for cable television (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 characteristic indicates a 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. The presence of the latest Smart system is another advantage. By logging into your browser, you can watch a lot of interesting videos from the network. 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 places 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 to 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 its own 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 installed processor, whose refresh rate reaches 1000 Hz. Unlike the previous model, this mid-price model supports DVB-T2 and 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 he turned out to be good basic characteristics. Demanding buyers will definitely appreciate the high quality of the picture.

Today, set-top boxes based on Android OS for TVs are becoming more and more popular. In this article we will take a detailed look at what such a device is, what its functionality and purpose are.

What is an Android TV set-top box?

Most modern TVs have a built-in Smart TV feature. However, Android consoles, designed as a separate device, are becoming increasingly popular.

Its purpose is to act as a kind of computer system using your TV screen. Just like a tablet or phone, it has RAM and a processor. The device has full functionality of an Android gadget.

The Android set-top box allows you to connect your TV to the Internet. By connecting a flash drive to it, you can use it to watch movies or listen to music.

When you connect the set-top box to the TV via the HDMI port, a menu appears on the screen, very similar to the menu of a regular Android. This device allows you to download applications from the Play Store. You can use the large TV screen not only to watch movies and shows, but also to play your favorite games, and useful applications. A regular TV with built-in Smart TV does not have such extensive functionality.

There are five desktops on the screen, which you can fill with the applications you need. It is possible to duplicate the screen of your phone or tablet. This is very convenient for viewing content from mobile device on the big screen.

Android set-top boxes also have IPTV. With its help, you can watch many terrestrial TV programs without being tied to your television provider. Their remote controls usually support the air mouse function.

You can’t ignore the ability to watch millions of videos on your TV from the YouTube channel in high quality. This is also possible thanks to the Android console. The quality of the video depends on the speed of your Internet connection.

The undeniable advantage of these devices over a regular Smart TV is the ability to switch between application windows just like on a regular computer. For example, you are watching a video on a YouTube channel and at the same time following the progress of a football match via an IPTV channel. To do this, simply pause the video on YouTube, minimize the application and open the broadcast window. During a break in the match, open YouTube again and continue watching from the same place.

When turning off the TV, you don't have to turn off the set-top box. It remains in standby mode, which is also quite convenient. It doesn't have a screen, and it doesn't have a battery either. The open application or video remains in standby mode.

2. Size and shape factors of Android consoles

The first thing that influences the choice of console is its appearance. How it will look is a matter of your taste and personal preference. The design of the device does not affect its functionality and the set of functions is the same for almost all models.

As a rule, all consoles are small, rectangular in shape and enclosed in a black case. There are also more original models made in a futuristic design. Such models will fit perfectly into a modern interior.

In addition to full-size devices, the assortment includes so-called “sticks”. Such devices look like an ordinary flash drive and connect to the TV via an HDMI port. The advantage of such models is mobility and minimal size. This is especially important if your TV is hanging on the wall. Among the disadvantages of the sticks are the lack of USB ports and limited functionality.

An important parameter that you need to pay attention to when choosing an Android TV set-top box is the processor and graphics core. It is recommended to buy devices with at least a 4-core processor, although the best option is with 8 cores. As for graphics, the best options are Mali-400 or Mali-450 cores with 4 or 8 cores, respectively.

The next important parameter for the set-top box is the size random access memory. For normal operation it must be at least 1 GB. The size of the built-in memory is not so critical, because at any time it can be increased with an external USB drive or MicroSD card.

3. File format support

Android TV set-top box supports almost any video, audio and photo file formats. You can watch videos in Full-HD, MP4, MPEG, AVI, MKV, etc. formats on your TV, listen to music in MP3 format, view photos in JPEG format, PNG, etc.

4. Options for connecting the Android set-top box to the Internet

Android set-top boxes, depending on the modification, may have an external or built-in antenna. They can be connected to the Internet via WiFi or using an ethernet cable.

5. Advantages and disadvantages

Android TV set-top box has a lot of advantages:
⁃ turns any TV into a Smart TV;
⁃ provides five desktops that can be equipped with different applications at your discretion;
⁃ has a convenient air control;
⁃ supports multitasking. We allow you to switch between applications, just like on a computer;
⁃ opens access to applications from the Play Market;
⁃ allows you to view files from any external media;
⁃ supports many file formats;
⁃ supports torrent technologies;
⁃ if you have a camera, it allows you to communicate freely in video chats and instant messengers.

The only downside to using the device is the need for an account. Google posts when connecting the set-top box to the TV for the first time.

Many modern televisions already equipped with built-in software based on android. The cost of such equipment is quite high. The best option In order to view photo and video files, work with applications or play games from the Play Store on a large TV screen, you need to buy a convenient Android console for your TV.

Modern TV is gaining “smartness and intelligence” year after year. Climbing the steps of the evolutionary ladder, they came very close to personal computers, game consoles and smartphones, and with the horned “TV boxes” that could catch a couple of channels, they are related, perhaps, only by the common name - television.

The generation of conventional TV is gradually becoming a thing of the past. Under the “hood” of the “young stock” coming off the production lines, there is increasingly its own processor, video, RAM, storage, network devices, etc. And this stuff is managed by its own operating system, for example, Andriod. Yes, the same green robot that lives in your smartphone, only adapted for a large-screen TV. It is this that allows the owner of such a device - Smart TV - to enjoy the fruits of progress: play games, go online, communicate on Skype, launch applications and, of course, watch movies downloaded from the global film library on the big screen. In short, use the TV as a multimedia computer - Android TV.

However, Android lives not only in smart TVs, but also in small boxes - set-top boxes. A set-top box is a miniature PC that can give the “brains” to the most ordinary TV: turning it, in fact, into a Smart TV and providing the owner with the same capabilities as the owners of real Smarts.

Set-top boxes, which are otherwise called media players, mini PCs or TV-boxes, differ in their set of functions, hardware, external design and prices. They have different processors, more or less memory, and a different set of interfaces. They, like smart TVs, are controlled by different operating systems, and Android is one of them.

How is Android TV different from Smart TV?

Various descriptions of the same technology cause confusion in the minds of many. People are starting to think that Smart TV and Android TV are equivalent, but different things: for example, this TV is Smart, and the one on the next shelf is Android. In fact, both TVs in this example are Smart. Only one of them is controlled by the operating room Android system, and the second is something else, for example, Tizen OS (Samsung) or WebOS (LG).

It turns out that the choice between Smart TV or Android TV is not entirely correct, because the second is a subset of the first.

Which is better - Smart TV Andriod or Android TV box?

What is better to buy - Smart TV or Android TV set-top box? There is something to think about here, because both have their pros and cons.

Advantages of a TV with integrated Smart functions:

• Monoblock design with a unified control system (one remote control for everything).
• Guaranteed compatibility between TV and smart hardware.
• All functions are available right out of the box - no need to connect or configure anything. Or it is enough to make minimal settings.
• The TV interfaces (in particular, the HDMI port) remain free.
• There is no need to guess where to place the set-top box if the TV is hanging on the wall.
• It is not a fact that a separately purchased set-top box will reveal all the capabilities of the TV (for example, the TV supports 4K resolution, and the set-top box supports a maximum of Full HD). To choose it correctly, you need to understand the characteristics of both.

Advantages of the set-top box:

• Why buy a new TV when you can upgrade your old one?
• TV box + regular TV are significantly cheaper than Smart. Especially if you already have a TV. Prices for set-top boxes start at about $30-35, but you can find even cheaper ones on Aliexpress and Ebay.
• If the set-top box becomes obsolete, replacing it with a new one is much cheaper than buying a more modern TV.
• The set-top box can be connected to different TVs, if there are several of them in the house.
• Users familiar with both Android TV boxes and Smart TVs often note that the former work faster than the latter.
• A lot of accessories are produced for set-top boxes that successfully compensate for the advantages of a single remote control for smart TVs.
• There are media players slightly larger than a USB flash drive (one of them is shown in the photo below). By connecting this, you definitely won’t have to think about where to hide it in order to hang the TV on the wall.

Advantages of Android over other TV OSs

Android TV today is more than just hardware and software. This is an entire ecosystem that unites TV and mobile devices on a common platform, where the same applications run and you can access content from any of the devices. So, using Google Cast (Chromecast), you can edit media content on your Android tablet and simultaneously view it on a large TV screen. Or start watching the program on TV and continue on your smartphone (although the latter will need a TV tuner for this). It's the same with gaming: many developers of popular mobile games have already ported their products to Android TV, so you won't have to change your preferences.

The next advantage is that in the set of pre-installed programs of any Android gadget (and TV is no exception) there is a store Google Play with a huge amount of free software for all occasions. Yes, not all applications are yet compatible with a large screen, but if you search, you can find anything to suit your needs. By filling your TV with content from Google Play and other available sources, you will receive a device that is unique in functionality, configured strictly for your tasks.

Alternatives to Android TV - Tizen and WebOS, also have their own stores, but their range is not nearly as extensive, especially in terms of free ones. Manufacturers of Smart devices based on these systems took care of users in their own way: they installed a bunch of diverse programs on the devices - both necessary and unnecessary. On the one hand, this is convenient - you don’t have to look for anything yourself, but on the other hand, many will have to rack their brains on how to remove the excess.

The third advantage of Android is that the majority of users know it well. Anyone who has ever used an Android mobile device will easily understand the functions of its sister TV. It may even be able to gain root rights and full control over the device.

What services does Android TV provide to users?

Amdriod TV, like other TV OSs, is focused on entertainment, so the bulk of the services supported by this platform are related to multimedia and games.

Games from Google Play

To give you a better idea of ​​what Android-based Smart TV can please you with, here is a partial list of adapted games:

• Stickman Battlefields is free.
• Crush Your Enemies! - free.
• GTA: Liberty City Stories - paid, 529 rubles.
• Hungry Shark Evolution is free.
• Chuck's Challenge 3D - paid, 129 rubles.
• The Jackbox Party Pack 2 - paid, 1590 rubles.
• Implosion - Never Lose Hope - free.

At the end of March 2017, there were more than 150 offers in the “Games for Android TV” section. And most of them are free.

Google Cast

The Google Cast (Chromecast) service is designed to broadcast movies, music, TV shows and other media content from a PC, smartphone or tablet to the TV screen.

Google Home

Google Home enhances Chromecast capabilities. With its help, you can create custom screensavers that will be shown on TV during breaks between programs, find movies by actor names and titles, search for applications, stream music to different devices etc.

Android TV Remote Control

This branded Google service turns any Android gadget into a remote control to control your TV. And also - into a remote keyboard, touchpad and microphone for voice search on TV.

Voice search

It allows you to search for content and applications installed on the TV, as well as query information in the Google search engine.

Android TV Launcher

Android TV Launcher is designed to manage applications on TV. Among its capabilities are the creation of menu tiles, search, quick access to programs and device options.

In addition to the above, services from third-party developers successfully operate in the Android TV environment. For example, Parental control(usually preset by the manufacturer); Photo Sharing is a service that allows you to share photos with friends, broadcasting them to a TV screen from smartphones; tools for searching and managing media content; desktop customizers and much more.

The best apps for Android TV

Unfortunately, not all applications from Google Play work correctly on TVs yet. We have selected those that will definitely not let you down.

Cinema ivi - movies and TV series in HD and Full HD

ivi is a well-known and beloved application for online viewing of films, cartoons, TV series and shows in good quality(maximum Full HD). It differs from analogues in that:

• supports all types of Internet connections, including Wi-Fi, 3G and LTE (relevant for mobile devices);
• has a huge film library, which includes works of all existing genres;
• designed for viewers of all ages, with any interests;
• quickly updated with new products;
• contains reviews from critics, information about actors, etc., which gives the viewer an idea of ​​the film before watching;
• does not require downloading content to the device - everything is available online.

Torrent-TV

Torrent-TV — a convenient client for watching torrent television on Andriod devices. Almost any TV channel is available. Each channel comes with a program guide. It is possible to watch archived recordings.

— an Internet browser optimized for Android TVs. It runs on a web rendering engine built into the Andriod OS.

How it works and how it differs from analogues:

• easily controlled from the remote control;
• supports voice search and tabs;
• contains a download manager;
• correctly displays web content on a large screen.

— an optimized launcher for quick access to applications that are not adapted for Android TV. A great alternative to Google's Android TV Launcher.

— improved virtual keyboard for large screens. It is controlled by a remote control and has an English and Russian layout.

The Chinese produce a huge number of Android consoles for TV, but choosing a decent option from them is quite problematic. If the price doesn’t matter, then you shouldn’t even look towards the Chinese.

Nvidia Shield TV - the best Smart TV set-top box

Nvidia Shield TV set-top box on Android TV is easy The best decision On the market. The Tegra X1 chip used in it contains four Cortex-A57 and four Cortex-A53 processor cores (while Chinese set-top boxes for $20-30 contain only four Cortex-A53 cores). NVIDIA Shield TV graphics support DirectX 12, OpenGL 4.5, NVIDIA CUDA, OpenGL ES 3.1, Vulkan API and AEP (Android Extension Pack). Of course, all this is not enough for serious games, but Smart TV consoles are mainly not used for games. In addition, if you have a powerful computer with an Nvidia video card, you can use it to play on your TV using the Nvidia Shield TV and the excellent joystick from this console. Plus, there is the opportunity to subscribe to Nvidia’s online service and play powerful games online. As for games, of course the question is debatable whether it is better to buy a game console or a gaming computer. But in any case, Nvidia Shield TV allows you to play much more resource-intensive games than Chinese Smart TV set-top boxes.

In terms of video playback, the Nvidia Shield TV delivers excellent performance. In particular, this set-top box allows you to play video in resolutions up to 4k at 60 frames per second, even if it is HDR video (with high dynamic range). Codecs H.265/HEVC, VP8, VP9, ​​H.264, MPEG1/2, etc. are supported. Automatic Frame Rate (AFR) is also present here - adjusting the display frequency to the video frame rate, so the video is played back without unnecessary jerks.

In terms of sound, everything is fine too. Unlike cheap Chinese set-top boxes, there is support for DTS (pass-through - end-to-end transmission of an audio stream to another device), Dolby Atmos and Dolby TrueHD (pass-through), DTS-X and DTS-HD (pass-through).
The control panel allows you to interact with the set-top box using voice commands.
The console also allows you to control smart home. You can give voice commands using the Google Assistant.

The set-top box copes well with playing “heavy” content over the network.
Of course, there is support for DRM (in particular, Google Widevine Modular DRM), which allows you to use subscription services such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Vudu, Hulu, ... The latter are of course not very relevant for Russia, but there are problems with Russian online There are no cinemas either.

Peer-to-peer TV (p2p TV) from ace stream and sopcast works great on Nvidia Shield TV, which allows you to watch pirated broadcasts of TV channels from the “garbage dump” (a free resource with links to ace stream peer-to-peer online television streams), as well as .

IN this moment Nvidia Shield TV 2017 runs on Android control 7.1. Of course, there is an Android TV application store, which differs from the Google Play Market application store for smartphones and tablets, because... it contains applications optimized for use on a TV. But using a third-party manager (for example, Sideload Launcher) you can install many more applications.

The Nvidia Shield TV 2017 version no longer has an optical output for audio, and there is no slot for SD cards. The game controller no longer charges via USB, but it has longer battery life, better feedback, and a better microphone that picks up voice commands.

It is difficult to find any shortcomings in this TV set-top box. This is the best no-compromise solution on the market, although not the cheapest. But, unlike the Apple TV 4K, it is really worth the money, as it is very functional. Amazon Fire (Stick) and Roku, unfortunately, are not of particular interest to Russians. So if you don’t want network storage functionality from your Smart TV set-top box, and the price doesn’t matter, then you simply don’t need to read further. Moreover, high-quality Chinese ones are not sold much cheaper.

Chinese Smart TV set-top boxes and Android media players: What parameters to pay attention to

For TV set-top boxes and network media players on Android, many single-chip systems (System-on-a-Chip or SoC) are used:

• Amlogic S905W, S905, S905D, S905X,


• Rockchip RK3128, RK3229, RK3328, RK3368, RK3399


• Realtek RT1295,


• AllWinner H2, H6


• Hisilicon Hi3798C V200,


• MTK MT6630, MT8693

Most of them contain 4-8 Cortex-A53 processor cores (in options up to 45-50 dollars you rarely see 8 cores).

In terms of operating speed, the popular Amlogic S905 is inferior to the S912, mainly only in games. Although, of course, it is important not to miss other points, in particular the speed of memory, network, and graphics subsystem.

As GPUs Smart TV set-top boxes most often use ARM Mali-400MP, Mali-450MP, Mali-T720, Mali-T820MP3 (listed in order of increasing performance).

The cheapest set-top boxes at a price of 15-30 US dollars are now sold mainly on Amlogic S905W (a stripped-down version of S905), Rockchip RK3128, RK3229, RK3368, Allwinner H2. Such a set-top box can have 1GB RAM and 8GB ROM, although of course it is much better to choose 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM. More memory may come in handy in reserve. But you need to take into account the fact that when using alternative firmware, it may turn out that you will not be able to use the extra RAM.

When purchasing, it is important to pay attention to support for a 100-megabit or gigabit network, the quality and range of Wi-Fi, the presence of USB 2.0/3.0 connectors, the supported HDMI version (HDMI 2.0a is required for playing HDR video and 4k video at 60 frames per second) , the presence of a memory card reader, the presence of an optical output (if you use it with appropriate audio equipment), the presence of a Serial ATA connector (for connecting a hard drive), the quality and functionality of the remote control remote control(in particular, the presence voice control and work as an aero mouse), 3D support, DRM support for online services streaming (Google Widevine Modular DRM, Microsoft Playready DRM, Marlin DRM, Verimatrix VCAS), the ability to download torrents or watch without downloading. Here, of course, everything is very individual.

The cheapest set-top boxes allow you to watch Full HD video, although there may be problems with 4k. They are almost guaranteed to lack support for DTS, Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-X, DTS-HD audio. Since most TV set-top boxes now use passive cooling, it is possible that it is implemented poorly, resulting in throttling (the processor skips clock cycles to avoid damage) and the set-top box slows down. But the biggest problem with Smart TV set-top boxes in the lowest and mid-price segments is the lack of firmware updates and support for Automatic Frame Rate. Moreover, this applies not only to the low price segment, and not only to nameless (noname) manufacturers.

Only a few manufacturers produce firmware for set-top boxes: Minix, Ugoos, Himedia. Even the popular brand Xiaomi, unfortunately, has not solved the problem with Automatic Frame Rate for its set-top boxes even in a year (not to mention the fact that most Xiaomi set-top boxes are intended for the Chinese market, so you need to tinker with Russification). The majority of Chinese manufacturers, at best, release a couple of firmwares and forget about support.

After I encountered regular firmware updates for an old phone Samsung Galaxy s3 and the complete lack of support for LG G Flex2, I no longer want to choose a device that will be abandoned. Ideally, of course, I would like to have the support of a large community, because... the manufacturer will abandon the device sooner or later anyway. In terms of alternatives, Nvidia Shield is unlikely to have competitors. Even the popular Amazon Fire TV (Stick) in the US does not have good support from enthusiasts.

Chinese Smart TV set-top boxes and Android media players: Recommended devices

One of the most recommended set-top boxes is Minix U9-H on Amlogic S912-H (prefix H means that licenses for decoding Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-HD have been paid for). This model has good build and support. But at $135, you immediately wonder if it would be better to add and buy an Nvidia Shield TV? Moreover, on Black Friday the latter in a version without a joystick was offered in the USA at exactly this price.

A cheaper alternative is Ugoos AM3 on Amlogic S912. Licenses for decoding Dolby Digital, DTS, DTS-HD are no longer paid for here, but the set-top box is sold at a price of 87 US dollars.

Of course, the price of 80-90 dollars does not suit many people; they want an option up to 50 dollars. Fortunately, the firmware from Ugoos AM3 can be installed on the Mini M8S Pro 2/16 (but it must be the version with 1 Gbit LAN, which began to disappear from stores with the advent of the cheaper Mini M8S Pro C).
Smart TV set-top boxes with Wi-Fi and BT adapter QCA9377/LTM8830 also allow you to install firmware from Ugoos AM3, without modifications. The only thing that will need to be done is setting up the remote control. These options include Tronsmart Vega S96 and Alfawise S92.
There are also smart TV boxes that come with several options wireless adapters, i.e. You may be lucky or not. Options with 2 GB RAM: Beelink GT1, TX8, H96 Pro. On CSA93, Sunvell T95Z Plus, Sunvell T95U PRO you can also install firmware from Ugoos AM3, but the screen on the set-top box itself will not work.
In addition, there are set-top boxes on which a modified version of the firmware from Ugoos AM3 is installed.
Of course, the Chinese can make some changes or incorrectly indicate information on the product page; the option with non-native firmware is more risky.

Recommended Realtek RT1295 set-top boxes include Zidoo x8, x9s and x10. Zidoo x9s has external SATA port, and X10 allows you to install 3.5" HDD inside the aluminum housing. The beauty of the Realtek RT1295 is that Android and OpenWRT can be installed simultaneously on the set-top box, although the Linux kernel is the same. OpenWRT was originally intended for routers, but is also successfully used in TV set-top boxes. Thanks to her, network media player gets excellent networking capabilities: SAMBA server, FTP server, torrent client, etc. Another feature of Zidoo x8, x9s and x10 is the HDMI input, video from which can be shown as picture-in-picture, as well as record video (up to 1080p30) with sound and even broadcast video via UDP protocol (for example, multicast broadcast 1080p30 video and audio to several devices in local network). Even if the video is being recorded, you can continue to work with the set-top box, although of course there is a chance of ruining the recording quality.
If Zidoo X9S can be purchased for 110 US dollars, then for Zidoo X10 the Chinese are already asking 190 US dollars. And these are sale prices!

Whether the prices for Zidoo X10 are really justified remains a mystery to me. After all, for $250 on sales in the USA you can buy “QNAP TS-251+ 2-Bay Personal Cloud NAS" - network storage with HDMI output and remote control. Since it uses an Intel Celeron Quad-Core 2.0GHz processor, and the RAM is expandable up to 8GB DDR3L, we get a much cooler solution that allows you to install several operating systems Windows/Linux/UNIX/Android on virtual machines. Although, of course, these are devices of different types, and the QNAP TS-251 Plus is, first of all, network storage.

Distracted by other Intel processors, I would not recommend Atom devices in any case, especially options with Windows and 2GB of RAM. The Intel Atom x5-Z8300 is a slow processor that, coupled with Windows, does not allow using Ace Stream, and even the responsiveness in the browser is worse than when using various single-chip systems from Rockchip, Amlogic, Realtek,...

Of the recommended Smart TV set-top boxes and media players not covered, Himedia Q5/Q10 Pro on SoC Hisilicon Hi3798C V200 remained. Himedia Q10 Pro allows you to install hard disks sizes 2.5" and 3.5". High-quality materials, high-quality playback, auto-frame rate, support for Bluray disc images, support for Dolby True-HD / Dolby True-HD ATMOS / DTS:X / DTS-HD MA, firmware updates, Android 7 - all this guarantees that the price will not be low. Now the Himedia Q10 Pro can be purchased for $159.99, although you can find options for $250-300. Just keep in mind that, unlike Zidoo X10, there is no OpenWRT support.

In general, choosing a cheap Smart TV set-top box is not an easy task. And even if a bailiff is recommended, this does not mean at all that latest version The firmware is free of problems (a striking example is Ugoos AM3).

Do you need an Android set-top box?

With such prices and/or problems, as well as the presence of Smart TV on the TV, you will wonder whether a Chinese set-top box is needed at all.

If you want to watch Torrent TV and other Ace Stream broadcasts (including Discovery Science HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, Nat Geo Wild HD, Animal Planet HD, Amedia Premium HD, Fox HD, Fox Live HD, etc., then you can set up aceproxy (or another proxy) on your computer. Ace stream server can be installed not only on your computer, but even on Raspberri Pi or some NAS (in Docker). And even some routers allow you to install Ace Stream support.

You can also install aRemoteFork on your Android smartphone/tablet and broadcast to Smart TV with ForkPlayer installed. At the same time, smartphones, even not the newest ones, often handle heavy content and Ace Stream much better than Smart TV set-top boxes.

If you need to view videos and photos, you can use DLNA server, which can be installed not only on a computer, but also on network storage or even some router.

But of course, in the absence of Smart TV, I would like to have at least some kind of set-top box, including for watching videos from Youtube, Vimeo, and simple games. In this regard, almost any device is suitable for an undemanding consumer. If only it was assembled with high quality and did not overheat.

Update (September 30, 2018)
Android TV boxes Zidoo X20, X20 PRO, as well as newer Z9S, Z10 on the SoC RTD1296 bass (based on a 4-core Cortex A53 processor and GPU ARM Mali-T820MP3) appeared on sale. Compared to the RTD1295, the RTD1296 boasts an additional Gigabit ethernet port, additional USB 3.0 port, an additional SATA interface, as well as a higher frequency of RAM memory.

Key employees of the Android department left Minix, after which the quality of the firmware deteriorated significantly. The update to Android 7 turned out to be crude, without autoframe support and problems with direct audio output. I'll have to cross this company off my recommended list.

At the end of September, the first reference boards for Android TV set-top boxes (TV boxes) on Amlogic S922X, S905X2, S905Y2 were presented, all with support for Android TV 9. The Amlogic S922X SoC boasts ARM Cortex-A73 cores, as well as a powerful quad-core Mali-G52 GPU . The first TV set-top boxes based on the new SoC Amlogic have already begun to appear.

Realtek introduced the new SoC RTD1395, which contains the same 4 ARM Cortex-A53 processors, but differs in Mali-470mp4 graphics. In the near future we are expecting TV set-top boxes on this SoC with support for Android TV 8 or 9.