While there are hundreds of advanced television models in the market with built-in smart features, the price ranges of these devices are beyond affordability for many. In this situation, the most cost-effective solution can be a standalone Android TV box that works seamlessly with any TV model you might have.
Android TV boxes have been an absolute game-changer in terms of entertainment. It combined the best of connectivity and access to content with the cinematic experience of large screens. But what’s the best Android TV box out there? And how do you know what’s the best pick for you? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you everything you need to know.
What’s an Android TV Box?
There are mainly two types of television – a regular TV and a smart TV. You’ll find tons of options for both regular and smart TVs in the market. The difference is that smart TVs are much more expensive.
An Android TV box is essentially a workaround to turn your regular TV into a smart TV. It’s a device that runs the Android OS. The box turns a regular TV into a smart TV, allowing you to access a variety of online content, apps, and services on your television screen. These boxes are compact and typically come with HDMI ports to connect to your TV, USB ports for additional peripherals, and sometimes an Ethernet port for a wired internet connection.
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What to Consider While Buying an Android TV Box?
There are several things to consider while buying an Android TV box. Features like processor, storage, and connectivity can make or break the overall experience. Here’s a checklist of things to consider.
Storage
It's important to consider the storage option as it will determine how many apps you can install or store local media. As a rule of thumb, go for TV box models that offer at least 16 GB ROM. Also, check whether they include micro SD support or not. An additional micro SD or USB driver is a great way to sideload content on your TV.
Processor
A good processor on your TV box would make the overall experience smooth. You don’t need a super high-end processor for a comfortable user experience. Having a quad-core processor is enough for multitasking and handling resource-intensive applications.
GPU plays a significant role in improving video playback and gaming performance. Make sure your TV box uses a dedicated GPU rather than a processor-integrated one.
Operating System
Android TV boxes get OS updates just like Android smartphones. So make sure you purchase a TV box with the latest OS as well as future OS support.
Connectivity
Another thing to consider is the number of HDMI ports on your TV box. The more the number, the more devices you can connect to your TV box. Furthermore, check for the number of USB ports to connect controllers or pen drives.
Many people often overlook network connectivity. Look for devices with both Wi-Fi and Ethernet options for internet connectivity. A wired connection can be more stable for streaming high-quality content.
Video Resolution and HDR Support
Video resolution is subjective to the TV you have. If your TV supports 4K content, make sure to get an Android TV box that supports 4K content. Some cheap TV boxes cannot decode 4K or HDR content directly from the streaming sites. For that, you might need to download the content first before watching.
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Some Popular Android TV Boxes in Bangladesh
Android TV boxes are available in different price ranges. Let’s check them out.
Under 3000 BDT
TX3 Mini Smart Android TV Box
If you’re looking for an all-encompassing Android TV box within a budget, then look no further than the TX3 mini smart Android TV box. The box comes with all the standard features including ports for AV, SPDIF, HDMI, ethernet, two USB 2.0, and a standalone smart remote control.
The TX3 Mini is powered by Amlogic S905W based on a quad quad-core ARM Cortex A53 chipset. It has a dedicated Mali-450 GPU with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB eMMC ROM. The TX3 Mini uses KODI 17.3 as the native video player for a wide range of content support.
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Key Features:
- RAM: 2 GB
- ROM: 16 GB
- OS: Android 7.1
- Video Resolution: Supports up to 4K
The price of the TX3 Mini Smart Android TV box is around 2,199 BDT.
