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

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...

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

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.

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.

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

Nice to know u sorted it out.