Im thinking of getting a new TV to replace my spoilt tv.


Should i get a normal TV (not smart, for example just LED TV) and then pair it with an android box like Mi Box S?

Options:

Normal TV + Mi Box S

Smart TV + Mi Box S

Android TV + Mi Box S


Opinions on this matter are greatly appreciated.


Thanks.

Normal led 4k TV + FireTV CUBE Gen2 box

get a 4k tv and android box. the tv should last you some years but the problem is with android updates .. a box is much more flexible and cheaper option.. if slow or no update u can just update the box and not the whole package..

When I looked for TV last time, I can't find the one that I like that is not smart TV. So, I just bought one. Actually I was looking for just TV too. On my second thought; well, if I have smart TV, I can just switch on TV without bothering about the android box HTPC or whatever external unit. I can find one box later for more feature.

Having external one is good since the built-in one in the TV will be outdated fast. They probably update GUI and put more function. Later the unit become low on RAM/ROM and performance become sluggish. Most likely after 2 years no more upgrade and no more being bothered since new TV models come out each year nowadays

Any external box is the best choice. Can easily replaced since they are outdated fast too. For longer stability and more flexibility, I'd go for a small PC like NUC and I'm still looking for one after a year. Waiting for better one or price going down, but every time you see new model with better feature and new price and keep waiting and waiting Anyway, I'm in no rush because my TV is already smart TV

Yes, buy separate external box

yeah, from my options, im buying the separate box, the issue is the TV.

So ur suggestion on the tv is?

thanks guys.

for the FireTV CUBE, do u know where i can get with a good price?

Just buy the TV you like within your budget. If the one you like is a smart TV, just don't bother about price difference. That was what I did

thanks for the info.

budget ok, but if i can save and use it for something else, why not?


for example the difference in price of the smart tv vs 4Ktv, i can use that money to get a better android box.

for example, instead of getting a Mi Box S, i can get a FireTV Cube.

keep in mind 2 things:

1.. priority is for the TV's hardware, picture/audio quality becos the tv is more expensive and should last u >5 years.
the trouble is the best tv for those aspects are typically very "smart" or AndroidTV (ATV).
u won't find a low cost "dumb" tv that is great with picture/audio quality - that's the way TV makers work.

2.. if u r decided on a box, the next thing u need to decide is whether it is regular android or AndroidTV os.
there are some differences... some people prefer one to the other, depends on what u do with it and want u require/not require.
if u pick an ATV tv, u do not want an ATV box too since u will have both of the same... better pick a regular android box then.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Jan 17 2020, 09:44 AM

thanks for the pointers.

Can you tell me some good examples of Android box?
and some examples of Android TV box?

correct me if im wrong, Mi Box S is Android TV box right?

What about FireTV Cube?


Maybe i would try to get the best audio visual quality tv plus a box.

if the tv is a "smart" type, then maybe i just get a smart tv (not androidTV) plus androidTv box.

u should get a 4k hdr tv that is smart enough at least to have built in Netflix HD4k and youtube 4k. - these 2 are essential.
most new Tv's today have them, that is easy. ATV tv's will surely have them too, plus other ATV capabilities.
just avoid buy a cheap dumb tv that has nothing more than a browser - these are typically poorer built Tvs.

boxes... been discussed in LYN for almost 10 years now... lots of threads and posts.
the thing is this box thing changes very quickly... android4 to android10 within 8 years.
and hundreds of boxes, some regular android, some ATV.

mibox s is ATV, so is shieldtv, sony and sharp ATV tv's.
fire cube runs on own fire os.
all others run on regular android, currently at android9 for most.

there are individual threads for each brand or box.... u can search/read/ask... e.g.
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4513032/+680
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3561305/+3960
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4722095/+980
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4867893/+20

which box suits u best depends on what u want to do with it.
not all boxes are built the same... some are better that this but not so good for that, etc.
online streaming, playback, video, audio, ethernet, wifi, networking, nas...

thing is, normal 4k tvs have poorer picture quality cos they are lower specs.

if you just wanna use for netflix, youtube and amazon prime, a smart tv would be fine. can play h.265 encoded file as well.

getting a android box only if you want to do more like using kodi and such.

Tumpang. Which Android box is able to run Astro GO app?

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4405774/+1220

And u need search the refresh rate also. I got toshiba atv running 4k at 30hz and Sharp 630x running 4k at 60hz eventough the Sharp is way older than the Toshiba. Depends on your preference My recommend go for Sharp 6800x if u have the budget. I got both ATV now and still I use Nvidia Shield for ease of mind

get smart tv(android), pair with whatever andoid box u want..

reason is smart tv give 4k youtube, and load app faster...

android box dont have 4k app most of it(cos need license) but can run illegal movie app

You orang kaya, can la.

Get the top specs saja. Haha

I need to think about budget

If ur requirements are more focus on legit streaming app availability/capabilities for both in/out MY than other features/usage then get a TV with best PQ which is within ur budget and separate media box which has the most legit streaming app collection.

This post has been edited by juzmafia: Jan 17 2020, 01:23 PM

No la on the shield also get the cheapest i can get on shopee also below 1k. The tv model I got is not top model but comes from old stock on a good price. The sharp 630x(no hdr) I think about 2013 model while the toshiba also only 49 inch and not a flagship model but currently broken now due to horizontal line. Waiting for replacement part

Such an interesting discussion here. Well forgive me if I sound stupid but why on earth do we need another android box to pair with Android TV?

becos...

1. Android TV cannot do certain apps whereas other boxes can, eg. astrogo.

2. some people have home theater and like to do local playback with HD audio... AndroidTV cannot do that.

Thanks AVFAN for the reply. Well I'm planning to get an Android tv but I had few questions and appreciate if any of you sifus could help.

1. For what I read the booting time for ATV is way too long within 40 - 60 secs. Is there a way to speed it up.. like bypassing the Android logo?

2. What are the default sources the TV would run after boot up. Is it ATV, HDMI 1, 2 or 3?. Or it can be set?. Bcoz I prefer Astro Ultra Box to be as default.

3. Which would you choose between these 2?

Panasonic 55GX650K https://www.panasonic.com/my/consumer/home-...h-55gx650k.html
- Nice borderless design and very light (10kg). 2 ways bluetooth in and out. But no mirroring features and lack of reviews.

Sony 55X8000G https://www.sony.com.my/electronics/televis...g-x8077g-series
- Better picture with WCG panel. Bigger ROM 16GB, 4 HDMI and 3 USB ports but a bit bulky 17kg with an old-fashioned design.

Thank you in advance.

This post has been edited by kakamal: Feb 18 2020, 03:25 PM

1. i have not used any ATV other than my 2 sharps. so, cannot be sure if the start up/booting is same.
my tv's, i never unplug power, always on standby... when i start up, it returns to where it was last used, e.g. hyppbox.
if the hyppbox is already on, it takes no more than 2 secs to be ready.
sure, if u unplug power everytime after use and have to power up each time, it can take up to 60secs.
no, u cannot bypass the ATV as it is an integral part of the tv opsys.

2. upon start up, it goes to last source used. if this source is off, u press a button to return to the homepage - the ATV UI.
from there, u can select netflix, youtube, or any other app u installed.
OR, u change source, say HDMI1 or 2 or 3... whatever u have connected.

3. i have very little idea about pana. the sony, i think it is very similar to the sharp.
from the specs, i cannot tell what audio the pana can handle; the sony can do dd/dd+/dts which is pretty good.
if u wish to compare to yet another ATV tv, check:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4778611/+240
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/4488602/+2260

when buying new TV, keep in mind TV makers focus on displays, not player, streaming, connectivity or even audio.
those are additional features to make a more wholesome product.
so, the primary consideration is the PQ.
there is a chance u find the ATV apps, online stream or local playback not giving the best PQ.
that being the case, one way is to get a better box, e.g. full 4kHDR videos with HD audio.

Thanks again AVFAN for the useful reply. Well I went to Harvey Norman yesterday to test Pana & Sony ATV boot up. Both TV boot very slow 50-60 secs with the brand and Android logo at the start up even though I just turn it off use the remote button@standby. Is there any setting to change to make it fast boot like your TV?

that is annoyingly surprising.

i do not know the 2 tv's u r considering.

for that, i think u can ask the actual users of these 2 tv's in the relevant tvs threads in this section.
https://forum.lowyat.net/HomeEntertainment

On the site Switchonshop I bought a great console. They work quickly, faster connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi network after turning on the console connect to the Internet before the inclusion of the console is very convenient and not annoying. Recommend.

Why not consider LG?
I'm using um7290 which is entry level, bought RM2600 in shop with air mouse.

The webos system is nice and fast enough to use.
Nowadays if I just want to YouTube or using website streaming, I no longer use my tvbox.

Of course tvbox is still way better because can do more things especially if you need VPN.

I already found out. Need to enable Fast Boot under TV setting. Tested at AEON Mid Valley yesterday and it does work. Well I almost giving up to buy an ATV bcos of slow booting but thanks to you AVFAN for helping me out. Appreciate that a lot.

Nice to know u sorted it out.