It’s best to start with the need for a TV set-top box. Judging by reviews on social networks, forums, and under video reviews on YouTube, users do not fully understand what this gadget is.
A TV box is a multimedia device capable of working with any content from the internet at both hardware and software levels. Connecting external storage devices is just an option, not the main feature. The TV box outputs video (images) to a monitor or TV screen.
How to properly choose and buy a TV box
And immediately the question arises – why do you need a set-top box, since most TVs have a built-in player. Yes, smart TV equipment does not need an external player. But the problem lies in the fact that TV equipment has a number of limitations that significantly restrict the functionality that the user needs:
- High-quality processing of UHD video – this causes image lag due to chip overheating in the TV.
- Sound decoding – many audio formats require a license, which increases the cost of the equipment. For example, most TVs do not support the ancient DTS, which encodes most Blu-ray movies.
- Limited operating system. The proud Android sticker on the packaging means nothing. Almost all TVs have restrictions on installed programs. This means that installing a popular player or game is impossible.
- Lack of necessary interfaces – internet connection, audio output to speakers via AUX (only digital), Bluetooth, etc.
Chip performance – types and features
Almost all TV boxes on the market are based on the Amlogic chipset. Regardless of the modification, the chip is initially designed for multimedia and Android system. The most popular Amlogic chips:
- S905X
- S905X2
- S905X3
- S912
- S922X
The difference between chipsets lies in the type and volume of supported RAM, video adapters, and additional functionality. In terms of stability, Amlogic has no competitors. Naturally, if the set-top box manufacturer properly implemented the cooling system inside the device.
Another chip found on inexpensive set-top boxes is Allwinner H6. Compared to Amlogic, this chipset heats up very much and does not want to output 4K video from YouTube at 60FPS. In pursuit of minimal cost, many media experts do not recommend buying a TV box based on the Allwinner processor.
The third market player is Rockchip. It has one feature – it can support the true 4K format (4096×2160). While others work with consumer resolution 3840×2160. But this detail can be ignored, as most TVs have consumer 4K resolution – 3840×2160. The Rockchip processor heats up insanely and cannot work stably with multimedia.
Premium-class set-top boxes use controllers from Realtek. Considering that the brand actively promotes other multimedia solutions under its name, it’s not hard to guess what capabilities the chipset might have. High-quality microcircuits demonstrate excellent video and audio transmission and have additional functionality.
Additional chips include Tegra X1+ and Broadcom Capri. But the Chinese do not use them due to high cost. Processors are installed by serious brands such as Amazon or NVIDIA. These chipsets do not heat up, support all audio and video formats, and have good functionality.
Functionality – especially for convenient video viewing
In pursuit of performance, buyers focus on the amount of RAM and ROM. Perhaps due to comparisons with smartphones, where 4/64 GB is standard. The functionality of the set-top box does not depend on increased volumes. The norm is 2 GB RAM and 8 GB ROM. This is enough for all user tasks.
It’s better to pay attention to other device characteristics:
- Voice control. It’s convenient for searching videos – much faster than clicking buttons on a keyboard or remote.
- Good Wi-Fi module with 5 GHz or Ethernet port at 1 Gb/s. Considering that 4K movies can reach 80-100 GB, a bandwidth of 100 Mbps is not enough.
- Good sound card with the necessary output. Digital output SPDIF, AV, or AUX. Selected individually for the speakers. If there is no home theater or active speakers, this criterion is not important.
- Working Bluetooth. Since it operates on the Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz frequency, there should be no signal interference. This criterion is important for gaming enthusiasts with gamepads.
- Thoughtful cooling system. Good set-top boxes do not tend to overheat. But there are cases when the TV box is installed behind the TV. Due to lack of air circulation, there may be issues during gaming.
- Ease of control. Main menu, navigation panel, curtain. Everything should be perfect for comfortable use.
- Root rights and updates from the manufacturer. The set-top box is not bought for one year. Therefore, the software should be upgradable.
Which product to prefer in terms of price-quality ratio
Among dozens of manufacturers, there are many interesting and quite productive solutions. The advantage is definitely with three brands: Ugoos, Beelink, and Xiaomi. But there is also an average class, which shows good results – Mecool, Vontar, Amazon Fire, Tanix. Before buying, it’s better to watch reviews on YouTube channels. Because the specifications in the product description cannot be trusted.
In terms of proven, time-tested TV boxes, the following models are ideal:
- For watching videos – Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, TANIX TX9S, Mi box 3, Ugoos X2(X3), Mecool KM9 Pro, Beelink GT1 Mini-2 (or mini), VONTAR X3.
- For gaming – UGOOS AM6 Plus, Beelink GT-King (and Pro), NVIDIA SHIELD TV PRO 2019.
Where is the best place to buy a TV set-top box and why
You can buy a TV box in two ways – in Chinese online stores or in specialized stores in your country. It’s important to understand that the same product is purchased, which just differs in price.
If we talk about Chinese stores, then definitely GearBest. The company always supports the buyer, so there is more trust in the store. Plus, goods from GearBest always arrive very quickly.
Alternative – AliExpress. More choice and customer reviews, lower price. The store is good, but often the purchases do not quite match the declared characteristics in the description. Disputes do not always end in favor of the buyer.
Purchasing a TV box within your country gives the buyer certain guarantees. Which, by the way, will cost extra. The price of the set-top box, compared to China, can be 20-100% higher. It all depends on the initial cost of the product and its demand.
The best solution, according to TeraNews, is to buy a TV box in China via GearBest. This is not an advertisement. Just years of experience ordering from GearBest, AliExpress, Amazon, and eBay allow such conclusions. Even if the set-top box is 10% more expensive than in other stores, the service is top-notch – it always arrives exactly as described. The parcel arrives twice as fast, often through a paid courier service (paid by the sender). The decision is up to the buyer, but it’s better to buy in China than overpay for the same product in local stores.
What equipment is necessary for comfortable operation of a TV box
For all TV models with screen resolution below Full HD (1920×1080), any TV box can be purchased. At resolutions HD and lower, all chips will handle the work. When buying, you can save by choosing a set-top box with an older HDMI format (up to version 1.2).
To watch 4K videos, a TV with a diagonal of at least 55 inches is required. Only on such displays can you, upon close inspection, see the difference in photos or videos (Full HD and UHD). And even not on all large-diagonal TVs can you see this difference. The quality depends on the type of matrix and refresh rate. How to choose a 4K TV was already discussed here.
Sound. If audio is planned to be played through TV speakers, there is no point in looking for advanced solutions supporting modern sound codecs. Built-in audio systems, even with surround sound imitation, will not give the desired effect. Unless it’s Bang & Olufsen TVs. For full immersion in dynamic scenes, a receiver or AV processor with speakers and a subwoofer is needed.
Special attention, when you have a 4K TV and acoustics, should be paid to cables. In particular, AV, AUX, SPDIF, and HDMI. The solutions included in the kit simply do not meet the required level. During testing of set-top boxes, the TeraNews team concluded that only three brands can be trusted: Hama, Belkin, ATCOM. Of course, in the budget and mid-price segments. If we talk about elite, then – the Ecosse brand.
Internet. A reliable router that does not hang due to long operation and does not shape the channel (does not reduce throughput at the output). If stable operation is needed, it’s better to prefer good network equipment. Trustworthy brands include: Asus, Cisco, Keenetic, Linksys, Netgear, Huawei, Zyxel.
In conclusion
Besides the main question – how to properly choose and buy a TV box, we also considered the conditions for comfortable use of the device. Purchasing a multimedia device is not limited to choosing a model. For 4K, a whole system is needed to convey the atmosphere of the reproduced content.
Powerful chip, productive graphics card, proper cooling, and functionality are the main criteria for selection. Memory volumes and presentation do not matter. To relax, you need a 4K TV from a well-known brand with a good matrix, stable internet, and a good audio system. Disagree? Let’s chat in Disqus (bottom of the page).
