Android TV need help choosing!

[Sylvain Huot]

Hi,

I'm looking for an Android box or Android TV box. I have looked for several options, such as Minix U9-H, Mecool M8S Pro L, Zidoo H6 Pro, Xiaomi Mi Box and many others, but I can’t stop my choice.

The first intended use for this box is in the car, for long hours trips. In this sense, offline viewing is very important. In a second use, I would also like to use it at home. However, I already have a PC connected to a TV and many needs are already filled.

Needs identified for use in the car:

• Playback of ripped DVDs (not ISO, but directories / files) with menu. Here it is not a question of piracy, I simply can’t afford to take with me in the car my entire collection of DVDs. Same thing for the Blurays, but to a lesser extent.
• Playback of Netflix episodes in offline viewing. Ideally in HD, but not essential given the size of the screen in the car.
• Wireless remote control, not infrared, because the box will be located at a place without line of sight for the users. It could be a wireless remote control or Bluetooth.
• It seems strange as demand in 2018, but a button power would be welcome, so that the box does not start automatically with the car.
• Play a few games.

Needs identified for use at home:

• Googlecast. So that the box behaves like a Chromecast.
• Miracast. So to display the screen of a cell.
• Netflix full HD minimum.
• Google Assistant.

Minimum expected technical characteristics:

• At least Android 6.
• Widevine L1, HDCP: to allow Netflix.
• CPU: ideally at least one Octa-core, type S912 & up.
• GPU: a GPU consequent to a little gaming.
• Flash memory: 16 GB and more.
• RAM memory: 3gb and more.
• SD / microSD port with expandable mode.
• Minimum 2 USB ports, 3 desirable. I do not see the USB 3 as necessary.
• Antutu score 38000 and more.

All this research has also brought me to realize that I will have to choose between Android and Android TV. Android allows all the apps from the store, but is less suitable to TV. Android TV is better suited even for most home needs, but has a smaller selection in the store.

Regarding Netflix, I read several articles about the support of full HD and offline viewing. I'm going to spare you here all the aspects I've read, but there seems to be a correlation: on Android TV, Netflix app allows HD but not offline viewing. On Android mobile, Netflix App allows offline viewing but not HD, often limited to 480P. Is it possible to have both apps versions coexist in the same box?

So far, here are the boxes that I considered, but not completely seems to fullfill my needs :
- Mecool M8S Pro L with wireless remote control. Manufacturer's support seems obscure.
- Beeling GT1 Ultimate. Good processor, recent Android, a lot of memory, but does not seem to support Netflix HD. Infrared remote control.
- Minix NEO U9-h with remote control A2 or A3. No Netflix HD because no HDCP. A little too expensive, almost the price of Nvidia Shield which is infinitely better.
- Xioami Mi Box. Too weak, characteristics too limited.
- Wetek Play 2. Very expensive, not enough flash memory. Android version outdated. Anemic processor.
- Probox 2 AVA remote +. Does not support Netflix HD. Processor and RAM anemic.
- Leelbox Q2 Pro. Dark specifications, anemic processor and GPU.
- T95Z Plus. OEM product, anemic support. Does not seem to support Netflix.
- Matricom G-BOX Q3. Anemic processor, does not seem to support Netflix HD.
- Zidoo H6 Pro. Unstable, poorly supported.
- R99. WOW! Really powerful, a lot of memory. But does not support Netflix and its price is almost identical to that of an Nvidia Shield.
- Tanix T92. Powerful enough, powerful Wifi, but Netflix support unknown / improbable.
- H96 Pro Plus. Good features, but does not support Widevine L2 and therefore only allows Netflix in 480P. Reputable unstable, many returns.
- Nvidia Shield: ideal, but much too expensive.

I've seen many many more models.

Can you help me finding the right model for my needs?

Thank you!

 

[mikedt]

Looks like Netflix compatibility is going to limit what you can choose from. AFAIK the issue is the DHCP DRM copyright protection of Netflix content. Just about all the cheapo Android boxes imported from China, including the ones you listed just don't have that in them. That's in addition to the poor support with many of them that you've already mentioned. I know DHCP is not used here in China, and there's no Netflix here.

Does Netflix maintain a list of approved and compatible devices that will work with their service? Maybe you'll have to cough up the $$$ for the Nvidia Shield, if that's the device that will do what you require.

 

[Sylvain Huot]

Looks like Netflix compatibility is going to limit what you can choose from. AFAIK the issue is the DHCP DRM copyright protection of Netflix content. Just about all the cheapo Android boxes imported from China, including the ones you listed just don't have that in them. That's in addition to the poor support with many of them that you've already mentioned. I know DHCP is not used here in China, and there's no Netflix here.

Does Netflix maintain a list of approved and compatible devices that will work with their service? Maybe you'll have to cough up the $$$ for the Nvidia Shield, if that's the device that will do what you require.

Thank you very much four your answer!

Yes, Netflix maintains a list of approved and compatible devices :

https://devices.netflix.com/en/

As you can see, the list of supported media boxes is very limited : Apple TV, Google Chromecast, Amazon FireTV, Nexus Player (discontinued), Roku Players, Nvidia Shield and LG bluray player.

Even the Xiaomi Mi Box, which is recognized for its Netflix support up to 4K is not mentionned in this list.

From the list in my post, I beleive those that pretend to support Netflix HD are Mecool M8S Pro L, Nvidia Shield, Wetek Play 2, Zidoo H6 Pro. One notably absent is the Minix U9-H.

Because most of these media boxes are not listed on the Nvidia Shield website, I wonder how they got Netflix HD functionnality. I fear it's more or less with hacks, that could be blocked in future Netflix app update.