The ecosystem of Android devices is very broad, in fact, it goes far beyond mobile phones or tablets. Within it we also have other devices such as televisions, since we find operating systems such as Android TV and Google TV (which will be the dominant operating system in the future). If you have a television, but it is not a Smart TV, using an Android TV Box is something that will allow you to transform this television into a smart TV in a simple way.
Many want to know what is an Android TV Box and what is it for. We are going to talk about this next, since we are going to tell you more about these devices. In this way you will be able to know if they are something that could be of interest to you or of help to you, in case you want to transform your television into a smart television.
These types of devices have been on the market for a few years now, possibly they are known to most of you. But it is good to know more about what they are and what they are for, since they may be a solution for many users in the market.
What is an Android TV Box and what is it for?
Android TV Boxes are small devices, which are designed to transform a television into a smart TV, a Smart TV. These devices have a format similar to that of a Mini PC, so they are compact. They will then connect to our television, which is not a Smart TV, and will then transform it into a Smart TV with Android TV as its operating system. The connection is carried out using the HDMI port that is normally found on these televisions, so it is possible to connect them to all types of televisions available on the market. In addition, these devices also have more ports and slots, which will allow us to get more out of them and have more options available. They usually also have Bluetooth and WiFi in terms of connectivity.
The TV Boxes have different versions of Android, depending on the model you are going to buy. In addition, the versions of the operating system have been modified by the manufacturer, in the same way that it happens with the customization layers of the phones. This is something that is done in order to optimize the operation of these devices for use on the television. We also find a series of applications available in them that will give us access to many functions and services, such as viewing streaming content on platforms such as Netflix, HBO, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video and many more.
The idea behind an Android TV Box is to be able to convert a television that is not a Smart TV on a Smart TV, which has Android TV as its operating system. Doing this makes it possible to access apps compatible with this operating system, which we will be able to download from the Google Play Store directly on the television. This way it will be possible to use them on the television with total normality. It will also be possible to download games that are compatible with these devices and then play them from the television itself.
For those users who have a television that is not a Smart TV, but it has an HDMI portThis is a good option to consider. The Android TV Box is going to turn this TV into a smart TV, which has Android TV as its operating system. This way it will be possible to have access to these applications that are so popular on Smart TVs, such as YouTube, Netflix or news apps. In addition, there is a good variety of these boxes available on the market, so there is always something that fits your price or needs.
Advantages of an Android TV Box
Instead of buying a TV with Android TV, many make the decision to buy an Android TV Box to transform your TV into a Smart TV directly. The reality is that these devices have a series of advantages or strengths, which are precisely what makes them so interesting for certain groups of users in the market. Therefore, it is good to know more about these advantages that they have or offer us, which are the following:
- Android TV Boxes are cheap devices, with affordable prices and that are cheaper than buying a TV with Android TV.
- Its installation is really simple and fast, anyone can do it.
- They usually have hardly any limitations in their apps and games, so you have access to practically all the apps and games that are available in the Play Store.
- They are versatile devices in terms of use and functions.
- They have more RAM and storage, so you can run multiple apps at the same time.
- A wide variety of brands and models, so you can always find something that fits your pocket or the use you want to give it.
Are Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast a TV Box?
In the market we find other devices known to many users, like Chromecasts (including the model with Google TV) or the Amazon Fire TV sticks. These devices basically fulfill the same function as Android TV Boxes, but they are not considered the same type of devices. Since these models that we have mentioned are not considered a TV Box, but are presented as an alternative to them.
In many cases, these devices are considered to be devices that are part of the same product category, but that present a series of differences in their use or operation. This is the reason why they are not considered a TV Box with Android TV. It is clear in the design, since the TV Box is a box, while these other devices leave us with a design in the form of a stick or dongle, which allows them to be connected directly to the television. Although the idea is the same, that a television that is not a Smart TV becomes a Smart TV and thus have access to streaming apps and functions of a Smart TV.
The functions or applications to which we have access will be the same at all times. All these devices seek to enable users to transform their television into a Smart TV and thus be able to access streaming applications, news apps or games on that television in a simple and cheap way, without having to buy a new television. You can see therefore that they work in a similar way. Although in the case of buying a Chromecast we need to use an Android smartphone, to control the app or send that content to the television. This is a function that we do not have in Android TV Boxes, but it does not make a big difference in its use or operation. Nor do we need a mobile phone on the Amazon Fire TV for the app to work and content to be played on the television.
It should also be borne in mind that the functions may not be the same in all cases. This is something that depends on each manufacturer, so depending on the brand you will be able to see that there are some additional functions in the TV Box, because the brand wants its device to have that function available, and in others it will not be available. On the other hand, we must also take into account that we find one noticeable difference, which is the storage capacity. This capacity is greater in an Android TV Box than in a device in the form of a stick, and there is no capacity in a Chromecast directly. In addition, the formats that can be played are also something that can vary between models, so before buying one you have to take it into account.
What options are available to us?
The selection of TV Box with Android has grown remarkably over the years. There are models available from all kinds of brands, many of them well-known. Therefore, it is not difficult to find something that suits us, either in terms of price or the functions we want. In addition, the fact that there are well-known brands (because they also launch Android phones), makes this easier, as we can always use a brand that we know is reliable.
Xiaomi is possibly the best known brand in this regard, which has its own Android TV Box, of which they have already launched several versions on the market. It is presented as a good option for those who want something that fulfills these functions, in addition to having the guarantee of a well-known brand that is not too expensive, which is another aspect that will undoubtedly have an influence in this regard. The best thing is to look for that combination of functions, a good price and that it has certain guarantees regarding the brand, that we know is reliable and that we are going to be able to use it for several years without too many problems.