What’s Defines An Android TV Box?

There’s no hard definition of what an Android device must do to be considered a “TV box.” The term is not official, and is used for a simple reason; the devices are in the shape of a small box. Most are no more than 5 inches wide and two inches tall, and some are much smaller than that.

Since the category is not standardized, the hardware inside could be anything Android-compatible, but most products use relatively old dual-core ARM processors based off the Cortex A9 core, which was cutting-edge a few years ago. Some even use A5 cores, which are positively ancient.

The GPU is very often the Mali 400, a standard GPU from ARM to accompany its Cortex cores. Though also rather old, this part can handle 1080p video without much trouble, and can decode a wide variety of video formats.

Most of the devices offer 1 GB of RAM and between 4 and 8 GB of ROM storage, so you’re not going to be storing much HD video content on the TV box itself.

While the hardware isn’t advanced, these products do tend to run Android 4.2. Some advertise themselves with popular terms like “Google TV” and “XBMC.” This is often misleading. Google TV is a smart television platform that is separate from Android, and references to XBMC are usually little more than a vague promise the user can make the software work.

What Makes An Android TV Box Different From An Android Mini-PC?

Nothing.

Android TV boxes often use the exact same hardware as smaller Mini-PC sticks. And as if that weren’t enough to confuse you, some mini-PC sticks call themselves a Google TV Box, even though they’re not a box and don’t run Google TV.

Generally speaking, the TV boxes are both more expensive and more powerful than the sticks. While both tend to use Cortex A9 cores, the boxes are usually dual-core, while most sticks have a single core. Boxes also tend to have more ROM and include additional video-out options. But some sticks are dual-core, and some sticks have equivalent storage.

The most important difference is not the box itself, but the peripherals. A lot of devices sold as a TV box come with additional AV cables not found on a stick (you’ll have to buy them yourself) and a remote. Unfortunately, the remote often doesn’t work properly, and in most cases it doesn’t offer everything you need to control the box. These run Android, not Google TV, so you’ll need a mouse to navigate the interface.

What Can An Android TV Box Do?

For the most part, these products have access to the same apps and functions found on any other Android 4.0 device. They can run Android apps, including a web browser and many games. And they can be rooted (if they’re not in the first place) to run what normally wouldn’t be allowed.

There are ways to get creative. Don’t want an OUYA, but want to play Android games on the big screen? Then try the G-Box Midnight with a controller of your choice. You can also install media players like XBMC, or just download the streaming apps normally available from your provider of choice (like Netflix), and navigate the device with a wireless keyboard and/or touchpad.

It should be noted, however, that many phones can also be hooked up to a television, and older devices are available at a low price. The $100 you spend on an Android TV box could buy you a Motorola Droid X, LG Optimus Elite or Samsung Galaxy Exhibit. There’s also the mentioned stick PCs, which often sell for $50 or less.