There will be a drawing for those who participate in this poll and the winner will get the same streaming box that I’m using in this video. Drawing will be held on Thursday, December 18th.
12/18/25 - Congratulations to @Kerberos for winning the drawing!
Do you prefer Certified Android TV or Android Open Source Project (AOSP) Streaming Devices?
For me certified android tv are better since they are usually cheaper to obtain. If the AOSP Boxes would be at a reasonable price range (similar to the certified ones) I would definitely purchase them more than certified android. Also, I do not play games on streaming devices so for me memory is not a huge factor when buying them.
It really comes down to personal preference. AOSP takes a bit more work to set up but you can customize your device to your personal preferences with more selection of apps than Android TV. Android TV usually comes with a more user friendly homescreen but on AOSP devices, you can easily install a custom launcher like Projectivy or Wolf launchers to mimick Android TV operation.
Ditto - also not a fan of Android / Google TV home screen
As far as I know these tv boxes do not update the Android version - good brands will provide security updates.
Google TV / Android TV do get version updates - not sure for how many versions
My Nokia 8000 test box - shipped with Android TV 10, updated to Android 12, last security patch 5 Oct 2024
Both it really doesn’t matter. I use my boxes to Stream VOD shows/movies (KODI), and Live TV via a few IPTV services. Using the ONN 4K Pro (certified) and Prior to that T95Z Plus (AOSP)for several years. I don’t use launchers as I’m only on my Home screen for 10 seconds so the background interface on either doesn’t bother me as I really don’t care. I understand people like to customize, use launchers, etc…..I just want to watch stuff. Glad there are so many options in this hobby
Gosh, I don’t see a third option such as neutral or prefer both. The way I see it there are pros and cons of both, and both excel in different areas. So if only given two choices then I will go with certified.
So what would you recommend if can’t use my fire tv cube anymore for kodi and real debrid? I don’t record, play games, or need anything fancy. I just use it to watch movies and shows but I would like it to possibly be future proof. I don’t want to keep buying something and then there’s a crackdown, so I can’t use it anymore. Thank you!
Nobody can predict the future especially with this hobby and I am not going to lose sleep on what may or may not happen. I use the ONN 4K Pro and highly recommend that or the newer ONN Plus. The Cheap China boxes like the T95Z’s work great too. You can find a lot of them with different configurations on Amazon.
I am using the Onn 4k Pro, followed Troy’s setup guide. All I do is use Kodi, Real Debrid and Tivimates, no recording or game playing. Does everything I need it to do for me.
Get a good non cert box with good hardware and you should be good for a while - needing a new device only when the newest Kodi requires latest Android os
I am using the MECOOL KM2 Plus deluxe. All of my streaming apps work as they should. It has Dolby Vision and Atmos, and plays 4K UHD movies. It is fast and there are few problems. Hulu doesn’t work, but I have Disney+, and I can access that site through the Disney app. So far, it is the best streaming box I have used.
Well @jpp974 ….you are certainly member of “THE” web site to learn how to use streaming boxes and services. Plenty of how to/review videos by @TROYPOINT , with lots of topics to read, and people willing to help you if you are willing to put in the effort and learn….
The Onn 4k pro is a great device for every day streaming and using other apps such as TiviMate, Kodi, Stremio, etc. I owned Shield TV prior to Onn and I did not notice a huge difference. I just upgraded to BuzzTV Power Station 6 with 8gb Ram and 128gb storage. It is faster, smoother, with better all around performance. I don’t know if is $200 better, but I will have a lot more options. I decided on this choice based on Firestick and maybe Google controlling the future of side loading. None of these devices would be as necessary if big business did not charge ridiculous amount of money to watch network TV and use certified apps.
price won’t matter if you can’t sideload or block apps they don’t like.Ugoo’s are fantastic devices with much better specs and playback then any firestick,or google 4k boxes.
There will be a drawing for those who participate in this poll and the winner will get the same streaming box that I’m using in this video. Drawing will be held on Thursday, December 18th.