Introduction to Android TV. What is your new Android Media Box?

Your immersive introduction to Android Media Boxes and Android TV

What Is an Android Media Box?

An Android Media Box is a device using the Android operating system. This operating system is running on your smartphone, tablet, and many other devices across the world.

Commonly, the OS version running on your Android TV box will be Android 9, 10, or 11, and most applications that you can run on your Android smartphone, you can run on your Android Media Box.

Other terminology for commonly used for Android Media Boxes are:

• Streaming media device
• TV box
• TV stick
• IPTV box
• Set-top box
• Media streamer
• HTPC
• Kodi box
• Android TV box

The purpose of these devices is the same; to get content from the internet to your television

In North America, these devices are commonly called streaming devices, streaming media players, or Roku boxes, even though they may be made by Amazon, Apple, Nvidia or other another manufacturer.
In Europe, the devices are commonly called Kodi boxes or IPTV boxes because installing the Kodi streaming add-on or subscribing to IPTV (Internet Protocol TV service) is common.
In Asia, the devices are commonly called TV boxes.

What can an Android Media Box do?

The Android Media box can download apps like Disney+, Netflix, Prime Video, and stream their content on your TV (provided you have a subscription for their services).

An Android Media box can stream live TV through the use of apps like Sling TV, and Hulu, or listen to music on your TV through music apps like Spotify.

Media library applications like Kodi can be installed and used to stream content like the latest premium movies and series free from the internet.

What defines an Android Media Box?

The Android Media Box hardware produced by various companies like Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku box, Nvidia Shield, and other brands, may have different operating systems but generally have the same services.

The purpose of the Media box is to easily access your favorite content on your television. The manufacturers all provide many of the same services but use different hardware and software solutions.

Why buy an Android Media Box instead of an Apple TV, Roku, or Amazon Fire TV?

Streaming devices like the Fire TV (stick or cube), Roku, and Apple TV are easy to use, but Android Media Boxes have the ability to customize the applications installed.

With streaming devices like Roku, there are limitations of apps available to install. While Plex is available on most systems, Kodi is not available Roku or Apple TV. Installing Kodi on Fire TV can be a complex process.

In contrast, installing Kodi on an Android Media Box is as simple as opening the Google Play Store and clicking install. A wide variety of apps are made available for use through the Google Play Store.

Android Media Boxes are more complex and can be time-consuming to set up correctly. They may require updating as new versions of the apps are released.

How to set up an Android Media Box

The process is very simple.

• Connect the device to a power source.
• Connect the device to your TV via HDMI cable.
• Connect your device to your network via ethernet cable, or to your Wi-Fi network by following instructions on-screen.
• Log into your Google account. A Google account is required to download and install apps from the Google Play Store.
• Start downloading and installing apps on the device.

FAQs About Android Media Boxes

What channels are on the Android Media Box?

The Android Media Box is a device that displays the services you want to access – such as Netflix and Prime TV – on your television screen. In order to get your favorite TV channels directly, such as ABC, Bravo. CBS, Fox, and NBC, most networks have apps in the Google Play Store to access their streaming services. The website for your favorite channel will explain how to gain access.

Is normal TV available on an Android Media Box?

All the big TV channels have apps available that let you stream their channels live and view on demand previously aired episodes. There are services like DirecTV that bundle popular channels for streaming. This gives the user experience of cable TV but is delivered via your Android Media Box.

How do I use an Android Media Box?

Android Media boxes are designed for easy and intuitive use. It can be as easy as connecting your Android Media Box to your internet and your television. Android Media Boxes usually come with a dedicated remote and will start with a simple setup process to get you to download your favorite apps. Many of the most popular apps like Netflix and YouTube will already be installed on the device.

KTBGate.com is here to provide helpful articles and instructions on how to get the most from your Android Media Box.

Read how to get started with your new Android Media Box here

Do I need an Android Media Box if I have a Smart TV?

Smart TVs have a lot of the functionality of Android Media Boxes already built in, some even use the Android TV OS. If you have a Smart TV, the Android Media Box is not likely to provide more functionality than you have already,

Are there monthly fees for an Android Media Box?

There are no ongoing fees directly for an Android Media Box, but there are indirect costs with using the device. Android Media Box’s require a good internet connection and monthly fees for services like Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video if you subscribe to their content.

What does an Android Media Box cost?

Depending on the quality, an Android Media Box can vary in price from $20-$500+.

The more expensive boxes have powerful chipsets that stream content in high 8k resolution. They can have voice control, smart home integrations, services like Google Assistant, and have the ability to watch streaming services like Netflix in 4K.

Less expensive boxes are still powerful enough to let you stream in 4K but may not have the ability to watch Netflix and Prime Video in 4K resolution. They also may not have the capability for voice command or smart home integration and can have limited storage space or RAM. This can mean applications run slower and the devices fill up quickly if you download a lot of content.

What should I look for in an Android Media Box?

In general, the Android Media Box should have a recent version of the Android operating system so that it can still run the current applications versions available on the Google Play Store. It should have a quality processor, so the applications run smoothly, and enough space to store and manage your applications. Finally, choose a device that can provide the best picture quality for your TV’s resolution. A 4K TV will display the best quality with an Android Media Box that can deliver 4K as well.

Is the internet required for Android TV?

Yes. An Android Media box needs an internet connection, and a strong connection is recommended if you want to get the most out of your device.