TV box applications. Free apps for watching TV on Android TV Box and Smart TV

In this article we will tell you how to watch movies and TV series online for free on a TV box and other Android devices, and the main thing is to do it for free. In our selection of programs you will find only those that provide films and TV series in good and excellent quality.

How to make your Android let you watch movies and TV online in good quality

If you purchased a TV set-top box on Android and managed to connect it to your TV, you will notice that initially there are not many applications in the TV box. And to watch films, television series and TV channels online in Russian and for free, there may not be any, or there may be Chinese or American programs. The latter, you understand, are of little use for Russian-speaking users.

Don't be upset! In fact, for Android there are a sufficient number of online cinemas, with which you will get access to thousands of films, TV series and cartoons in HD and SD quality. There are also several applications to watch TV channels online. Our article and tips are equally applicable to watching videos on mobile devices (smartphones and tablets) and smart TV set-top boxes. Everyone has the same system – Android.

Ways to watch online videos on Android

Android is very flexible and allows you to watch movies and TV shows online in several ways (many will even help you watch it all for free). There are few restrictions. Let's take a closer look:

Watching videos in the browser. With this method, you need to open the installed browser (Chrome, Opera, Firefox, Dolphin, UC Browser and many others). Search for the movie, cartoon or TV series you need. It’s better to do this using the following phrase: “Watch online... in HD quality.”

Why in HD? The fact is that video in online cinemas, as a rule, is very compressed, which means that only HD quality will be acceptable. In a lower quality, you will get a pixelated, blurry picture, unsuitable for viewing on a large diagonal TV. Choose the link you like and start viewing.

The limitations you may encounter can be counted on the fingers of half one hand:

• The site must have an html5 player (Flash players are not supported by many browsers on Android);
• Your set-top box must have minimal hardware features to watch videos online in a browser. If you have a cheap TV box or TV stick, within 5-10 minutes after you start watching your favorite movie, stuttering and twitching will begin.

Download torrent file. If you are familiar with the concept of torrent, then you can install an application for downloading torrents on your Android media player (we recommend µTorrent, aTorrent or tTorrent). After downloading the desired movie, simply open it in the video player. We recommend using MX Player or VLC as they have excellent hardware decoding support. This means the film will run smoothly.

This method also has limitations:

• The Android file system does not allow files larger than 4.4 GB to be downloaded to the device's memory. Without dancing with a tambourine, you will not be able to overcome this problem. And then still expect constant glitches in the form of the SD card falling off (unmounting).
• The second disadvantage is the limited memory size of devices. In fact, with memory sizes ranging from 4 to 16 GB, you can download one to three movies in good quality. Then you will have to clean the card.
• And lastly, you will have to wait for the torrent application to download the movie for you and only then watch it. True, there is one secret in the form of using the Torrent Stream Controller application. But more on that later in this review...

Watch movies online in special applications. Probably the most convenient way. It does not require special preparation from you or time spent searching for interesting films and TV series. These online cinemas, in most cases, are adapted for large screens. Their interface provides more than just searching and watching online videos. In such programs you will often find:

1. recommendations of popular and new films
2. search by genre
3. search by actors and directors
4. select video quality
5. ratings from Kinopoisk and iMDB
6. descriptions of films.

Among the disadvantages of this method: such online cinemas “pull” the video file, as a rule, from popular online cinemas. And when there is a large influx of visitors on such sites, you may encounter slowdowns and video freezes.

It is also worth considering that some applications (especially those that offer you viewing for free) upload the file without the consent of the sites, and they, in turn, actively fight this and limit access. At one point, you will not be able to watch online movies on your Android device due to terrible slowdowns or complete inaccessibility.

But the developers do not sleep - usually the situation is corrected within 24 hours. To combat this disadvantage, we recommend having several programs on board your TV set-top box for watching movies and TV shows online.

Another way out in this situation is not to mess with free cheese in the form of such programs, but to use paid online cinema applications, for example, watch movies using Google Play Movies, Ivi.ru, MeGOGO or TVzavr.

Types of Android applications for watching videos, movies, TV series and TV shows online

Due to Google's very strict stance on the distribution of unlicensed content, you will not find all existing applications in the Google Play Market. Thus, in our review we will consider two types of applications:

1. Available on Google Play Market
2. Applications that can be downloaded from other sources

Applications from the second point may be able to provide you with access to movies online without having licensing rights. Those. By downloading such a program you become a pirate. It is because of such suspicions that Google does not allow them into its market.

The purpose of our review is not to clarify all the legal nuances, so we will leave this topic to copyright specialists. The creators of such programs assure, in most cases, that they act legally, and provide access to online videos only “for informational purposes,” whatever that means.

What should be the Internet speed to watch movies and TV online?

Important! Before we move on to reviewing such programs, you must remember that they will all require a wide Internet channel. Here are the approximate parameters:

1. For average video quality (SD, 480p) – 1.5 Mbit/s minimum, 3 Mbit/s is better;
2. To watch high-definition video (HD, 720p), you must have a speed of at least 8 Mbit/sec;
3. To watch online video in real time of very high quality (1080p), you will need a channel of at least 12 Mbit/sec;

Most likely, your family members will use the Internet channel at the same time as you. Naturally, their computers, tablets and smartphones will also require their “piece” of the overall speed. Therefore, choose a tariff plan from your provider with a reserve in order to watch online movies and TV series without delays and wasted nerves.

Hour TV for Android

Program from the creators of the glaz.tv service. As they write on the official page of the application, it is great for watching videos on smartphones and tablets. And this is actually true. But for viewing on TV you will only need it as a backup option.

The program interface is simple - tiled. There are about 50 Russian channels available for viewing. Shows TV shows through the built-in player. You can conveniently scroll between channels. You can watch online TV channels on Android with this program, but the picture quality is below good.

Why did we include it in the review? Despite the poor quality of the picture (the video is very compressed), sometimes you can’t do without it. Imagine that you decide to watch the online broadcast of the match on First. We turned on Torrent TV - it slows down, we tried Torrent Stream Controller - the same story. And here you no longer care about the quality of the picture. It is in this case that Chas.TV will help you out. You can download it.

Torrent-TV on Android

Without exaggeration, we can say that this is one of the most popular Android applications for watching online TV channels. Recently, it has added functionality for watching movies, TV series and cartoons online.

As the name suggests, the application is based on torrent technology. But don't be alarmed, you don't have to search for and download torrent files. The program does everything for you and unnoticed by you, providing you with a convenient interface.

There is also a fly in the ointment. Watching online TV channels on an Android device is only possible for users with VIP status. And it's not free! The creators of the service modestly call it “support” and it costs “only 3 rubles” per day. Those. per month you will need to pay approximately 90 rubles.

What does the Torrent-TV application on Android offer in exchange for “support”:

1. The ability to watch hundreds of TV channels online (about 400), including in HD quality: public, sports, entertainment, educational and much more, for every taste.
2. With Program Version 4.0.26, an updated archive of films and TV series appeared
3. “Favorites” tab – your favorite channels are now in one place, no need to search. You can add and remove from there at your discretion.
4. Program guide in EPG style
5. Search channels by name, genre
6. The ability to watch torrent files with movies without waiting for them to download
7. Can also be installed on an Android smartphone. Set up viewing TV channels in mobile quality
8. Select default video player
9. Availability of TV channels for adults, for example: Hustler HD, Playboy TV, O-la-la and a dozen others. For some reason I wanted to give this feature a separate subtitle and call it “How to watch porn on Android”)). But still, this is not what our review is about. And those who are thirsty will figure it out without us.

To install the application you need:

• Download the application from this link.
• And also install from the Google Play market Ace Stream.
• You will also have to register on the Torrent-TV website and get VIP status by depositing a few rubles into your account in the service.
• Then enter your credentials in the program settings and enjoy watching TV channels.

The program interface is very convenient, adapted for both mobile devices and TV screens. It is easy to use. You can control it either with the remote control or with a connected mouse or Air Mouse.

There is a separate tab in the program for watching movies and TV series. This functionality appeared quite recently and is a bit crude. There are programs that are more convenient and more informative. But Torrent-TV on Android is actively developing - I think that after just a few updates, the developers will look at the best from competitors and make it at least as good.

Of the minuses, some channels are rarely unavailable or work with brakes. The reason is torrent technology. If there are few viewers during the distribution, then the application does not have time to receive data for uninterrupted and smooth video display.

This application could be considered a clone of Torrent-TV on Android, if not for the strange appearance of the interface. The program is shareware. This means that almost all functionality is available for free. But if you subscribe, you will get some additional features.

What allows you to watch Torrent Stream Controller:

1. Ability to watch over 400 TV channels online (free)
2. Watch movies without waiting for the entire file to be downloaded via torrent (free)
3. TV program (after subscription)
4. Favorites – add TV channels to the favorites section (paid subscription)
5. Select default player (paid subscription)
6. TV channels for adults (paid subscription)
7. Quickly switch channels while watching directly in the player (paid subscription)
8. Search by TV channel names (paid subscription)

Everything in this program is as good as in Torrent-TV on Android. The only difference is a less user-friendly tiled-style interface. It's great for smartphones or tablets, but doesn't look as good on a TV. Well, there is no archive of films and TV series. However, this can be fixed by installing a couple of applications, which we will talk about a little later in this review.

In the free version, a window will periodically pop up asking you to sign up for a paid subscription. You can close it only after 14 seconds of viewing. A tolerable and humanly understandable function. The developers of such applications also want to eat:

• A yearly subscription costs $5.99.
• Subscription for an unlimited period costs 17.99

To start using the program you need:

1. Download the program
2. Install from the Google Play market Ace Stream.
3. Launch the program and enjoy

Our recommendation: An excellent program for watching hundreds of TV channels for free, including in HD quality. Works great for viewing torrent files. Adaptation of the interface to large screens let us down - but tolerable. Place your bet - you won’t regret it!

Zona for Android

A good program that allows you to watch new movies and TV series in HD quality. It is possible to add films to favorites. A tiled interface (each film is shown in the form of a poster), searching for films and TV series by title - all this allows us to add this program to the list of “must-haves” for online viewing of movies and TV series on Android-based TV boxes.

The downside is that there is no way to search by actor, by film release date, or a built-in player. About the latter, we can say that it is good for everyone, remembers the playing position, but periodically begins to slow down. The solution is to restart the program.

An application that will give you the opportunity to watch movies, TV series and cartoons online in excellent quality. The source for this program is www.hdserials.tv. The site is full of popular films of different genres, so you will not feel any shortage of them. New film releases appear regularly.

The program is completely free. You can install it only by downloading the file from here. The application does not have a built-in player, so we recommend downloading and installing MX Player or VLC.

Main features of HDSerials Android:

• Send a movie to Google Chromecast
• Classification of films, TV series and cartoons in sections
• Sorting by title or date of adding movies
• Customizable display of the movie catalog (table or posters)
• “New” section with new movies just added
• The ability to watch movies online with a choice of movie quality (usually there is good HD, mediocre SD and very bad SD)
• Search by video title
• A very useful “Favorites” section, where you can add movies or TV series
• When opening a film - a detailed description, rating of the film

HD VideoBox

The icing on the delicious movie cake from apps for watching movies on Android devices. A real online cinema in your TV set-top box or smartphone. Until recently it was called FS VideoBox and was strictly tied to fs.to, which died untimely. Don't worry - this practically did not affect the functionality of the program. Without a doubt, one of the best programs for watching movies and TV series online.

Completely free. Not limited in functionality. As a cost, you will periodically see pop-up ads that you can close instantly.

Very convenient interface adapted for large screens. Used for viewing.

For each movie in HD VideoBox there is:

• description,
• rating on Kinopoisk and iMDB,
• as well as a selection of sources from several sites from which, in fact, it will be shown to you (moonwalk.cc, tree.tv, zona.mobi, filmix.net, my-hit.org, tivio.net, kino-rex.com , kinokong.net),
• The ability to watch online movies, TV series, cartoons with a choice of quality from good to FullHD
• regular updating of the video collection,
• powerful search,
• browsing history and favorites section,
• sorting by popularity, date added or created, by rating

List of online cinemas in Google Play Market

We will not write a lot and in detail about the applications that you can find in the Google Play Store. The reason is simple - they are easy to find, and their descriptions on the market are very detailed and honest.

Which online cinemas should you watch on Google Play Market:

• Google Play Movies,
• Ivi.ru,
• MeGOGO,
• TVsaur,
• Zoomby

Applications on Google Play Market for watching TV channels:

• SPB TV
• Peers TV
• Crystal TV+

Good luck finding your set of apps on your Android TV box. We hope our review will help you add a couple of useful things to your “Must have” list.

Do you like to spend time watching exciting movies and television series, then you should know about best apps for android TV. Today there are a huge number of different programs that make a person’s life more comfortable.

Rating of the best apps for watching TV on Android

The best apps for watching TV on Android are extremely popular, since this software allows you to watch your favorite channels and movies absolutely free.

Free TV

The program cannot play video files on its own; it only works in conjunction with third-party players. However, despite the existing shortcomings, this application has more than 100 channels and supports an auto-updating playlist.

Free TV is among the TOP applications for Android TV due to the following advantages:

• intuitive menu;
• no advertising;
• convenient broadcast window;
• familiarization with program schedules, etc.

Interesting facts! Most of us dream in color, but those who grew up watching predominantly black and white television often dream in black and white.

This software offers users exclusively legal content and a wide range of television programs. SPB TV application for watching TV is included in the TOP of the best 2018 thanks to the following advantages:

• clear user interface;
• the presence of more than a hundred TV channels;
• prompt launch of the program;
• Russian-language interface;
• adjusting image quality.

Ability to view content in different quality - SD, HD and 3D. The main advantage of ViNTERA TV is that you can view not only over-the-air channels, but also programs from the local network of providers. The best application for Android TV set-top boxes, ViNTERA TV, is extremely popular due to its wide range of settings and excellent quality of broadcast TV shows.

Premium TV

Surpasses most similar applications due to its advantages. Premium TV works in conjunction with the MX Player media player, and the application itself has the following features:

• a large number of television channels;
• the best TV box app for Android has a simple interface;
• There are 2 versions of the service available to choose from - free and paid;
• connection is made via 3G or Wi-Fi.

Interesting facts! After President Kennedy's death in 1963, television networks broadcast his funeral for four days without any advertising, costing them approximately $100,000.

This software boasts more than a hundred Russian-language television programs and films. Despite the large list of advantages, Our TV has one serious drawback - the presence of intrusive advertising. However, this is unlikely to stop true fans of television series and films.

Crystal TV

Almost everyone knows about this application, since the software is freely available to all users. If you want to unlock a wide range of channels, you should get a paid subscription. The best application for smart TV for Android, Crystal TV, has the following advantages:

• professional and stylish interface;
• “Picture in Picture” option;
• the software functions perfectly on popular platforms;
• Several Russian-language channels are available free of charge.

IPTV

The application can play channels through a streaming player, being just a VLC shell. The user can choose from playlists with paid and free content. Advertising in IPTV can be disabled, but to do this you will need to activate the PRO version of the program.

The best online TV application for Android Peers.TV is very popular among users due to a number of advantages:

• an extensive range of television programs;
• watching TV shows from a virtual archive;
• the ability to add third-party channels that are not in the primary list;
• broadcasting content on a big screen;
• the “active recording of missed TV shows” function is available;
• A selection of current news is available.

Interesting facts! The true creator of television did not allow his own children to watch television, saying: “There is nothing there that you should see.”

Online TV

This service will primarily appeal to those users who prefer to watch not only Russian television programs, but also foreign ones. It is worth noting that there are relatively many Russian channels here, and just as many foreign ones. After installing the software, users will have access to broadcasts of French, American, Turkish and Indian channels. Moreover, you can exclude unnecessary channels from the general list, after which they will not be displayed.

RoTV

Very useful software with a memorable interface and wide functionality. This option for a set-top box on Android is worth paying attention to first of all, since RoTV has many useful and convenient functions, including:

• the ability to simultaneously view programs in several windows;
• it is not necessary to register a new user;
• the presence of numerous icons displaying the name of a particular channel;
• you can stop the broadcast at your discretion;
• opening the channel of interest in one click;
• You can create your own playlist from selected channels.

Conclusions

Well, thanks to today's review, you will make a choice in favor of one or another program for watching TV on Android. The above software will make your leisure time brighter and more interesting.

When choosing a TV, potential buyers are faced with a dilemma: is it worth overpaying for Smart TV? On the one hand, synchronization with the Internet is an important function for every user, but at the same time we must not forget that there are alternatives.

Increasingly, experts say that the main task of a TV is to broadcast high-quality images. As for additional “smart” functions, they are added to a regular TV by connecting an Android TV Box.

The functionality of the set-top box significantly exceeds the capabilities of Smart TV. The review of Android TV set-top boxes was compiled based on reviews from real users. A rating of the best Android TV Boxes of 2018 was created especially for you, which will help you choose the optimal model.

Functions of Android console

Are smart TV devices really inferior in functionality to TV boxes? So that no one has any additional questions, we list the main functions of the set-top boxes:

1. Watch video in various formats and resolutions, including 4K. As a rule, set-top boxes are equipped with a Kodi media harvester, which allows you to view and catalog video information, making the content even more accessible.

1. Watching videos from torrent trackers without first downloading. This point deserves special attention. You just need to find the movie you want through the search, after which you can start watching. The user selects the image quality. The video loads almost instantly, it all depends on the Internet speed.
2. View Youtube. An equally important function, given that this service has actually become a new television.
3. View Youtube Kids– a special version of the popular portal for children, from which adult content has been removed. All programs and channels are pre-formatted properly.
4. View on-air channels. If payment, or rather the lack thereof, is of fundamental importance to you, then you can spend some free time and set up on-air channels. If you don’t have time, then you can pay a nominal fee to watch TV. An additional advantage is the archive. If you missed your favorite show, series or football match, it doesn’t matter, because you can watch everything in the recording.
5. Working in game console mode. You will be able to run video games downloaded from Google Play. You can also download an emulator of Dandy or the first version of Sony PlayStation.

1. Video calls via Viber, Skype and other programs. You just need to connect a web camera.
2. Listening to music in real time with connection to the receiver. Again, today there are many different services that allow you to connect to a colossal music database for a nominal fee; the tracks will be selected according to your preferences. Google Play Music and Spotify will make listening to music as convenient and practical as possible.
3. Listen to all radio stations. To tune in to your favorite radio, you just need to download a special application and connect.
4. Listening to audio books and much more.

This is just a short list of the functionality of Android TV. Therefore, you can safely choose a regular TV with the highest quality picture without overpaying for a Smart TV. The functionality and performance of the set-top box may vary depending on the specific device in question.

Rating of Android consoles 2018

Each model has unique technical characteristics that directly affect the operation of the device. The TOP 10 best included really high-quality consoles. When compiling the rating, the following points were taken into account:

• Multi-core. The central processor determines the speed of the box, so the list of the best set-top boxes included models with at least several cores.
• Amount of internal RAM. The capacity of the RAM chips determines the number of applications and videos that can be run simultaneously on the device.
• Availability of antennas and video cameras. Innovative models have been selected especially for you, which can also be used for video calls.

When compiling the Android TV Box rating for 2018, the CPU clock speed was also taken into account. This setting determines the maximum allowed video resolution for viewing. A weak processor does not allow you to view video files in good quality. If you still don’t know which console to choose, then we suggest you familiarize yourself in detail with the best smart boxes.

Dune HD Solo 4K

Cost – 15,990 rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Sigma Designs SMP8758.
• RAM – 1 Gigabyte DDR3.
• Size – 139 × 105 × 40 mm.

Dune HD Solo 4K is a high-quality media player with extensive functionality. Therefore, choosing this console will be a good decision. It is possible to connect a hard drive. The devices differ from analogues in the built-in Dune Store application market.

If we consider pre-installed services, then first of all we should highlight OLL.tv, YouTube, Megogo. In addition to playing files online, the user can connect an external drive via a USB connector. The set-top box supports any resolution, including 4K.

High quality of assembly and components is one of the main advantages of Dune HD Solo 4K. The only drawback is the lack of 4K at 60 fps. In all other respects, the device is significantly superior to its competitors, which is why it takes first place in the rating.

Xiaomi TV Box

Second place goes to a device from a well-known Chinese manufacturer. It differs from its competitors in its compact size, successful design and optimal price/quality ratio. Cost – 4100 rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Amlogic S905 Cortex-A53.
• RAM – 2 Gigabytes DDR3.
• Size – 101 x 101 x 19.5 mm.

Xiaomi decided not to reinvent the wheel and simply copied the design from Apple TV. It turned out very well. A compact black box with rounded edges will appeal to all aesthetes. The outer panel is made of matte plastic. We must admit that this is not the most practical solution, because after a while dust begins to accumulate on the case and fingerprints appear.

After the first connection, the user will understand the intuitively simple system for setting up the equipment. It is advisable to carry it out using a smartphone. Xiaomi TV Box allows you to play video content directly online, as well as from external storage devices.
To summarize: this is a truly high-quality and budget alternative to Apple TV. It is worth noting that the Chinese manufacturer was inspired by the American counterpart not only in the design selection process. The fact is that the devices have an almost identical set of functions. Today, this is one of the few Android set-top boxes that supports fast wireless Internet communication standards.

Nvidia Shield TV

The main feature of this model can be considered the presence of a gaming joystick in the basic configuration. The manufacturer seems to subtly hint that this device is capable of handling not only basic functions, but can also be used as a game console. Specifications:

• Central processor – Tegra X1.
• RAM – 3 Gigabytes DDR3.
• Size – 98x159x25 mm.

If we compare this TV set-top box with the previous Nvidia model, which was released in 2015, the main changes affected primarily the design, and the performance increased slightly. However, despite this, this model is perhaps the most powerful on the market.

The eight-core processor speaks for itself. Separately, it is worth noting the GPU equipment, which is significantly superior in power to budget laptops. It is not surprising that this box will play videos of any quality, including 4K, without any problems.

It would seem, who pays attention to the design of the console? But it's really hard to take your eyes off the TV Shield. While Chinese manufacturers continue to copy Apple TV, Nvidia has created a truly unique device with a heterogeneous texture. Polygonal design and green backlighting are a signature feature of boxing.

Unfortunately, the price is very high, which is why TV Shield takes only 3rd position in our rating.

MXQ Pro

The wooden medal in the competition for the best Smart TV set-top boxes goes to MXQ Pro; the seller managed to create a truly budget device while maintaining the maximum possible power. The cost will please the consumer - only 3 thousand rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Amlogic S905 2 GHz.
• RAM – 1 Gigabyte DDR3.
• Size – 130x130x25 mm.

Let's start getting acquainted with the device with design. MXQ Pro is a rectangular box, no frills, minimalism above all. The black plastic case looks elegant, but is very finicky to care for - be prepared for the fact that it will have to be wiped very often. At the ends there are 3 USB connectors, a power port and ventilation holes.

Despite the modest price, the set-top box supports all popular media formats, including 4K. However, 1 GB of RAM significantly limits functionality. Therefore, this model has a narrow focus - broadcasting high-quality video.

Overall, this is a budget option for beginners. If this is your first time using devices of this type, then this box is ideal for you.

Google Chromecast 2015

Another interesting TV Box option for connecting to a TV. Cost – 3000 rubles. Also a budget model, but from a more famous manufacturer. Specifications:

• Central processor – Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3006.
• RAM – 512 Megabytes DDR3.
• Size – 70x31x10 mm.

When developing the second generation Chromecast, Google relied on compactness. As a result, we managed to create a miniature box that looks more like a rounded flash drive. The intuitive interface is another advantage that dummies will appreciate. For the set-top box to start working, you just need to connect it using an HDMI cable.

After connecting, the gadget will try to synchronize with the proprietary application on the smartphone for better setup. Perhaps one of the most important innovations of Chromecast is the duplication of video from a TV to a mobile phone.

Thus, this is the simplest option for beginners; among the pre-installed services you will not find Netflix, HBO, Spotify, etc.

Iconbit XDS94K

Outwardly it resembles a Wi-Fi router, since there is an antenna on the side. Price – 3290 rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Cortex-A53.
• RAM – 1 Gigabyte DDR3.
• Size – 100x100x25 mm.

Connects via HDMI. The device is equipped with several USB ports. Not the most powerful device, sometimes it takes more than 30 seconds to turn on.

Amibox X96

Runs on Android 6.0 OS. Specifications:

• Central processor – Amlogic S905X.
• RAM – 1 Gigabyte DDR3.
• Size – 92x92x19 mm.

The advantages include a carefully thought out ventilation system. Overheating is excluded.

Apple TV Gen 4

Neat rectangular box in black. The design of the device is beautiful and laconic. Cost – 9500 rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Apple A8 64-bit.
• RAM – 2 Gigabytes DDR3.
• Size – 98 x 98 x 33 mm.

There are no questions regarding functionality, but you will have to significantly overpay for the brand.

Himedia Q10 Pro

Cost – 15,500 rubles. Powerful and expensive box. Specifications:

• Central processor – Hi3798CV200 Quad-core 64bit.
• RAM – 2 Gigabytes DDR3.
• Size – 126 × 98 × 36 mm.

It is possible to connect an internal hard drive.

Mini M8S PRO

Another budget device for beginners. Cost – 2900 rubles. Specifications:

• Central processor – Amlogis S912.
• RAM – 2 Gigabytes DDR3.
• Size – 110 x 110 x 17.5 mm.

Functional device. The only drawback is the weak Wi-Fi signal.

A list of programs that can be used to view various content. The list will include both system and multimedia programs. If you haven’t decided yet, please contact us, we will be happy to advise you. We also provide services for setting up TV set-top boxes both remotely and locally in Kyiv. To install programs yourself, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with.

Media center (all in one):

Kodi (formerly XBMC)- cross-platform open source media center.

Kodi is a system designed for organizing a home theater. The program's graphical interface allows you to easily manage video files, photos and music located on a computer, optical disk, on the World Wide Web or on a local network. Can be controlled using a remote control. It is also possible to install plugins for watching television, weather forecasts and much more.

TV programs:

Lanet TV- service for watching TV channels from the provider. The list includes about 100 Ukrainian channels of average quality. The broadcast always works stably and does not require a high connection speed (can work from mobile 3G/4G traffic).

To activate the full list of channels, log in to the program using Google or other social networks. If an error occurs during authorization, update Google Play Services. You can download it from the Play Market.

you tv- online broadcast of Ukrainian TV channels. There is a paid and free package. All channels are divided into categories, there is a TV program guide. The built-in player is used for playback.

User-friendly interface, as a rule, everything works, about 80 channels are available for free, 100+ for paid ones. The program can be downloaded from the Play Market application store.

Trinity Player- Ukrainian channels online. There are paid and free subscriptions. On the free channel, half of the channels are blocked.

User-friendly interface, about 150 channels, including HD (paid). The program itself is easy, the menu works quickly, and is intuitive. The quality of regular channels is satisfactory. Available for download on Play Market.

Programs for online movies:

MEGOGO- cinema + watching TV channels.

A huge number of films, cartoons, TV series online. User-friendly interface with descriptions, list of actors, user reviews and ratings from Megogo, IMDB and Kinopoisk. Automatic selection of playback quality depending on connection speed. Ability to select a player for playback. It also has the ability to watch popular TV channels.

IVI- online cinema.

Popular online cinema. Has one of the largest media libraries. There is a huge number of sorting options by date, genre, popularity, etc.

Online cinema + TV channels + radio.

A huge number of Ukrainian and international TV channels, an excellent database of films, TV series and cartoons for online viewing with all sorts of sorting.

System programs:

ACE Stream Engine

Ace Stream is a platform with a distributed data delivery and storage system for creating online services with AVoD (Audio and Video on Demand) and Live Streaming functions, with an extensive social and interactive component.

MX Player the most popular and most powerful player with a hardware accelerator and the ability to turn on subtitles.

With this player you will open almost all video files, including .3gp .avi .divx .f4v .flv .mkv .mp4 .mpeg .mov .vob .wmv .webm .xvid and others.
Also, it reads most subtitle files, including .srt .ssa .ass .sub .smi .mpl .txt .psb and Matroska Subtitle Track (mkv).

Speed ​​Test

A utility to check the speed of your Internet connection.

*All materials are taken from open sources; we do not encourage the use of these programs. The material is published for educational purposes.

The Android TV operating system, whether it is a smart set-top box or a smart TV, provides convenient access to the Google Play store. True, only games and programs adapted by developers for this OS are available in it. But this does not mean that you cannot install the desired APK file manually.

This can be done through a file manager, for example "". It is available on Google Play directly from your TV. With its help, finding the required installation file on a connected flash drive or memory card will not be difficult.

Note that most manually installed applications will launch without any problems, but for comfortable control you may need a gamepad or computer mouse.

2. Install applications directly from your computer

You can also install the necessary applications through a browser on your computer. The TV linked to your account will appear in the list of devices on the Google Play website. You only need to select it after clicking the install button.

This way, you can install many applications that simply will not appear in the search results when searching from the TV. This also applies to games that can sparkle with new colors on the big screen. For greater convenience, you can install a browser directly on your TV, allowing you to use the web version of Google Play.

3. Use voice search

Most Android TV devices come with remote controls that support voice search. It is activated by pressing one button, after which you can say a command to launch the desired application or search for the necessary content. You can perform search queries in the Chrome browser in a similar way.

With the launch of Google Assistant in Russia, the capabilities of voice interaction with TVs on Android TV should be significantly expanded.

4. Compatible with Xbox and PlayStation 4 controllers

The standard package of Android TV set-top boxes rarely includes a gamepad, and even less so in the case of TVs. However, for amateurs this is unlikely to be a problem, because you can connect many Bluetooth controllers to the system, including those from Xbox and PlayStation 4 consoles.

The connection occurs by simple pairing through the “Add accessory” settings item. Gamepads can be used both to navigate the system and for games whose developers have provided this type of control.

5. Using your smartphone as a remote control

You can control Android TV not only with the included remote control and gamepad, but also using your smartphone. There is an official Google app for this, available on Android and iOS.

With it, you can navigate and use the on-screen keyboard, which allows you to type search queries and, for example, messages on social networks. In addition, the mobile application allows you to use voice search, which is especially important if the included remote control does not have such a function.

6. Chromecast features

Any device with Android TV has full Chromecast support. That is, you can easily broadcast a picture from a smartphone or content from a browser on a PC and laptop to the TV screen. Moreover, this does not require any additional configuration.

In the case of a mobile gadget, you will need the Google Home application, but on a computer it is only important to be on the same Wi-Fi network and have the Chrome browser. In the latter, the broadcast function is available in the settings drop-down menu on the right.

7. Possibility of expanding the built-in memory

Some Android TV set-top boxes and TVs have only 8 GB of internal memory, which is very little considering the space occupied by the system itself. Even 16GB may not be enough, especially if you love gaming. A flash drive or memory card will help solve this problem. Both can be adjusted in the settings to the built-in memory, allowing the system to install applications there.

You can expand the standard 8 or 16 GB up to 128 GB. Although you are unlikely to need that much for applications. In this usage scenario, you just need to avoid removing memory unless absolutely necessary. Otherwise, reconfiguration will be required every time you start.