Any recommendations for cheap Android TV boxes?

Yes, I’m fully aware that the best way to have a streaming box is to run Linux on a Raspberry Pi, and if anyone has a guide for how to best set that up, connect to various streaming services, and allow casting from a phone then I’m very happy to check it out. However, I’ve heard Android TV boxes/sticks are still relatively customisable so I’d really just like something I can run SmartTubeNext on and cast YouTube to the TV without any ads. I’m not going to be putting much in the way of personal data on it so it’s obviously doesn’t need to be the most secure/hardened thing in the world, but I’d still rather avoid the dodgiest of boxes. Any recommendations for something cheap-ish and private-ish?

FuckyWucky,

there are phones which support displayport over type c maybe something like that could work.

varsock,

check out Kodi and Plasma Bigscreen. I am eager to set up plasma bigscreen bc it can work with KDE connect.

snoopa, (edited )

Here is the actual answer you were looking for: The Dynalink TV Box (4K) for $30.

  • Unbeatable price
  • One of 3 TV boxes supported by LineageOS for best privacy. Only other ones are the Nvidia Shield devices ($100+) and the Google ADT developer devices (can’t be easily purchased)
  • Possible to use without GAPPS or with GAPPS and a root firewall
  • Can use VPN or custom DNS despite regular Android TV limitations
  • Full DRM/Widevine support for UHD content even with LineageOS flashes

I’ve personally used one for months now for GApps-free, Widevine compatible streaming on Netflix, Prime, Newpipe, etc. I used LOS + Mullvad VPN + AFWall + several Xposed modules to hide root and it all works just fine.

rx480,

Doesn’t seem to be available anywhere. Any other suggestions?

snoopa,

I actually just bought mine a few months back. Unfortunate that it is no longer available.

smeg,

As the other commenter says there doesn’t seem to be anywhere that sells it. Where did you get it from?

rx480,

Ok so I took a look at XDA forums and I found this thread for TV box devices. Seems like there is an unofficial build of LineageOS for the Google Chromecast with Google TV which should be available worldwide <a href="">https://forum.xda-developers.com/t/official-unofficial-lineageos-19-1-for-amlogic-g12-sm1-family-devices.4313743/</a>

HughJanus,

If you’re asking for a cheap Android TV box that is private, they do not exist, to my knowledge. Not enough people care I guess.

I’m just using a cheap mini PC and accessing services via the browser.

MangoPenguin,
@MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

The Google Chromecast one is really good

smeg,

As in the “Chromecast with Google TV”? Looks like it’s full customisable (side-loading, custom launcher, etc), is that the case?

MangoPenguin,
@MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone avatar

That’s the one, I’ve side loaded SmartTube on it for youtube, but haven’t done much else. I would imagine it’s customizable since it’s a google product, and their pixel phones are very good for that too.

smeg,

I’ve done a quick search and it seems you can replace a lot of the stock ad-filled UI etc, so sounds like a good shout, cheers!

djghettoredneck,

Not to cheap but I have 7 Nvidia Shield Android TV boxes. I love them and 3 of my 7 are the original ones still going strong.

sup,

It’s definitely not private, but is cheap-ish - Amazon Fire sticks. They’re great little devices, they run Android and apps can be sideloaded without issues.

kolorafa,

I use Xiaomi Mi Box S, as it works with official apps and additionally has Chromecast certificate.

But in places where Chromecast is not needed I use S96 Mini but flashed with www.atvxperience.com as it’s sometimes 2x cheaper.

Both are cheap but with price come lack of performance compared to Nvidia shield and such.

But didn’t test it with SmartTubeNext, as I’m using it mostly for IPTV/Jellyfin.

simple,

Just stay away from Chinese made Android Boxes. Linus did a good video covering those here

smeg,

Yeah that was the main reason I posted here, so I can get some recommendations to avoid the full-on spyware!

simple,

As far as I’m aware, the only way to get a private streaming box would be to use a RaspberryPi. You could use Google Chromecast but then you get Google, Nvidia have Nvidia Shield but that costs a lot and I’m not familiar enough with it to know if it has spyware.

With RaspberryPi, all you really need is to just install the Raspbian OS (they have detailed instructions on their website) and you basically have a mini PC with an Internet browser and all that. So you could just do that?

There is also this Chromium DRM compliant browser which supports Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, etc. Which you can install on the Pi for streaming support. Here’s the link

smeg,

I already have a Chromecast and being able to cast to it from your phone is very convenient, however the unblockable YouTube ads are not. Is it possible to cast from a phone to anything running on a RPi?

simple,

Yeah, there is a software you can install on the Pi called scrcpy (which is a terminal utility), you can get a GUI for it with guiscrcpy

Here’s the link going over it: here

And for the GUI part here

I haven’t use it, so not sure how well it works. There could also be other software to support casting that I’m not aware of.

smeg,

Oh that’s pretty cool, I guess it’s only for screen mirroring and not casting video streaming apps though?

simple,

Yeah it would be screen mirroring

smeg,

Fair, not exactly what I’m looking for now but still sounds like a fun project to try out so cheers for the link

HughJanus,

With RaspberryPi, all you really need is to just install the Raspbian OS (they have detailed instructions on their website) and you basically have a mini PC with an Internet browser and all that. So you could just do that?

The first sentence in the post acknowledges that…

live_long_prosper,

I always had a good experience with the Walmart ONN branded android tv sticks. Changed the launcher and everything made it way faster once you stop using the stock android launcher.

smeg,

Any idea if they exist outside the USA?

live_long_prosper,

Damn no only sold in the us and shipping it to Europe would cost as much as the device sorry.

smeg,

Damn, cheers anyway

confetti_8tVST5,

Same but i opted for the box not bad for 30$

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