this post was submitted on 13 Jun 2024
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The hardware they use on these TVs is complete shit* anyway, so your actually better off not using them for anything other than a TV. Buy an android box or one of those mini PCs instead.
*every time I saw the specs of these "smart" TVs a few years back, I would internally scream. I don't know if it has improved since, but I highly doubt it.
Or just plug in a regular laptop when you want to watch something. That's my move.
On top of crap hardware, "smart" TVs are a pretty serious security vulnerability, too. Better to not have it on the same network as your primary devices.
Connecting and deconnecting cables can cause damage. It's best to have a dedicated hardware.
Plus, you can literally turn your mini PC into an emulation box to play retrogames (snes, megadrive, ps1) and the new generation of "retrogames" (ps2, ps3, wii, nds). And if the hardware is good enough (modern amd APUs and 16gb ddr4) you can even play switch games on it.
Any recommendations on shopping for an Android set top box? Every time I start down the rabbit hole I feel like I’m just getting AI-written SEO scam fake review sites.
I can't really give you recommendations because you're from Canada and I am from a shitty third world country, so my needs and available choices are likely vastly different from yours. My only source is AliExpress, and I mostly don't care about the Android box being certified by Google so Netflix & co. work (at least I believe that's what the Google certification is for) because I sail the high sea.
TL;DR: Better to ask local groups.
That said, here's my recommendation based on my own limited experience:
A Xiaomi box would be a good choice if you want a product from a big international company.
A Mecool Android box is also a good choice since they are Google certified and have decent hardware like DDR4 RAM and somewhat decent CPUs. Just avoid the boxes with the AMLOGIC 905Y4 CPU (which uses the weak ARM Cortex-A35 cores) and only go for the ones with the AMLOGIC 905X4 (ARM Cortex-A55 cores). Otherwise, they both have the same GPU (Mali-G31 MP2) which should suffice for an Android box.
A more specific recommendation would be the Kinkhank G1 which has an AMLOGIC 905X4, 4GB DDR4, and 32GB of ROM and is Google certified.