tv box softwares:
1. the operating system
- of course we talk about android here, old version like kitkat and lollipop still works but new box now shipped with marshmallow and nougat. for tv box, latest android not necessary the best because it still depends on the box firmware. well, if u found offer on old box, u still can buy it as long it is lollipop and above. fyi, kitkat uses dalvik runtime while lollipop onwards use ART runtime. but don't assume if you get latest android version and your box will be future proof. no such thing.

2.firmware
- here's the difference in stability and compatibility between boxes. nvidia, minix, wetek, himedia, zidoo, and some other well known companies develop better firmware than those generic no brand tv box (always but not definitely). good firmware ensures local files and online contents play smoothly. hd audio video decoding capability yada yada bla bla bla…

3. audio and video players
- good firmware bundled with good audio and video players. if no, perhaps you can install mx player v1.8.6 and above. for dolby and dts audio decoding, you could google yourself about custom codec for mx player. again, latest version not necessary the best because tv box is not using touchscreen and mx player doesn't have a dedicated version for tv box.

4. file manager and browser
- these 2 apps are most use apps other than video player or video streaming apps. stock file manager and browser are totally fine get the job done. for better experience, you can try asus file manager and file commander. for me, both firefox and chrome are good browsers for tv box if you use with wireless keyboard mouse / touchpad. any alternative? personally i use brave browser which resemblance to chrome.

5. live tv streaming apps
- there are paid and legal, paid but illegal, free and legal, free but illegal. the legal one you could most probably find in google play store, while the illegal one you might need to find and download the .apk file and install yourself. discussion has been going on and on, new comers gonna do your homework and use the search button.

6. video on demand (vod)
- normally we will install kodi (formerly known as xbmc) or spmc, find related repo, then install the vod service from the repo. question: where to find the related repo? new comers gonna do your homework again and please use the search button within the related thread.

of course, live tv could be in both .apk form or kodi repo, same goes with video on demand.

7. launcher
- normally the stock launcher works best. so choose the tv box with the launcher you like the most. of course you can install 3rd party launcher from google play store, but later you will find it either too bloated, not stable, or not optimised for tv box navigation.