Im noticing some cheaper units on amazon with good ratings, around $100
do they come with a guide installed already / software for iptv ?
I have a formuler Z8 for my main tv but need a couple extra boxes for other tvs .
Just wondering if I should save a couple hundred , the specs on these lower priced boxes
seem ok. 4GB ram, 4K etc....
Yes you can do that, but the guide comes with the service, not the box
Not usually. The google playstore has iptv players. Many iptv sellers / resellers an help with is best to use with their service.
Only dedicated IPTV devices (formuler, etc) come with apps for IPTV. You can usually tell from the remote control, if it has a number pad and 30 other buttons
The best advice I can give is to just use 4k firesticks if you already have a formuler as a main device. They are affordable and even considered cheap when on sale.
Get a couple of z alphas they work just as good as the z8 and much cheaper
100$ for a box sounds expensive, I got mine from AliExpress for around 35€, 64Gb storage, 4Gb RAM, Wi-Fi, BT, USB3, microSD slot. A95 FX3 model if my memory is good. 3d/4k compatible.
They come with iptv app pre-installed (kodi) I just had to install iptv smarters, Tivimate and a VPN client.
Your reseller / iptv provider should send you the guide or give you advices
Not any more than your android phone does. Why would it, it has nothing to do with IPTV. It's up to you to provide all of that if that's what you want to use it for.