Idiot n00b pls help

by NotMyBurnerAccount77

So I just found out about this stuff, and finding sorta hard to find reliable and clear info. Or maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places.

Anyway. I want a device I can use with an app like TiviMate. Which I see recommend here a lot. (I understand that I need a separate provider to make it function) And also install "streaming APK's"

For a first device I want to spend as little money as possible. As mainly wanna use it as like a test. And see if it's simple enough for someone like my mom to use.

Where I live Amazon Fire Stick 4K and Google Chromecast with Google TV is like €80. I want to spend at least half of that.

Question is. Will a cheap Chinese device be sufficient? For example: A Sunnzo S9 Max | video review

Or will even a cheaper device suffice? Or will this just end in a frustrating experience? Also, does a box NEED to be rooted for any of this to work?

Btw I don't care about official google certification/Netflix DRM support. Also don't want to play games or anything like it on the device.

Apologies if my questions are too n00b-like. Just looking for a device to start with. Cheers.

badmamajama101

It's nice to get a question like yours from someone who is new to this. you have clearly looked in to this yourself and just need a little help. I have tried things from cheep no brand smart boxes to fire stick 4k/ chromecast alll the way up to nvidia shield. to be honest I would have constant problems with the cheep box I had. it gets incredibly frustrating because you never know if the problem is your provider or the crappy box/stick. fire stick 4k or the new chromecast are the cheepest devices that are usable in my opinion. obviosly there are alot of cheep box/sticks so I haven't tried them all. I would bet if you go with one of those you will end up switching to a fire stick within a few months anyway. maybee some one else can recomend a budget stick/box that actually does work welll

Zrh87

I would say use the 4k fire stick if your gonna got bet route. jJust cause of the extra ram. Running a vpn and and service kinda binds it up. Don’t get me wrong I have regular fire stick in the house and they work. But the extra ram will make a difference I promise.

I upgraded to a nvidia shield pro for the living room and I swear I should have done it here’s ago. Are they expensive yes. Are they a little buggy here and there yes.

But all in all I would recommend a shield to anyone after actually having one and seeing how well it performs.

Interesting_Lunch143

You are better off to spend the extra money for a good device. I have bought a couple cheap Chinese android boxes and they are crap. I would recommend the chromecast with google tv. Fire sticks are good as well I just prefer the new Google tv.

aybesea

Jetstream AGT 419 is a cheap bix that runs Android TV and works reasonably well if so that you're doing is IPTV. I run two of these in basement/bedroom, while using a nVidia Shield Pro as my primary. If you/she love this box, then an upgrade to a Shield is easy since it's Android TV as well.

BTW, if you do go this route, make sure to get the AGT 419 and not the 418, since this is an updated and more powerful box for the same money.

tmarc2

Firestick 4k, Chromecast with Google TV, Tivo Stream or the Dynalink from Walmart are all good entry level device which should give you a decent experience. If you decide you like streaming iptv then eventually you would want to upgrade your devices at least on your main tvs.

djrocco86

What's wrong with a good old fashioned firestick. and go from there. the only problem i ever find with them is that the remote is a little touché, sometimes

Jimdish2555

MeCool KM6 Classic can be had for mid $50's. I'm new on the learning curve but wanted the option of an ethernet port. Not sure if this will be a good IPTV box so maybe others can comment. It's a step down from their Deluxe model.

ozzy500116

Non 4k firestick should work

lemonAIDE96

I have a Formuler Z8 and a Mi Box S second hand for a cheap price (Formuler 90 €, Box 40 €). I can tell you from my own experience, either you get lucky by buying that chinese stuff and it will work OR you will get alot of problems with it and regret that you cheaped out.

So I'd search for second hand boxes that are known to be stable and good. I don't know much about these APKs etc. so I wanted to buy something where I only needed to put my providers info and nothing else. Which both of them do but I prefer my Formuler.

To my knowledge, only the FireStick needs some kind of rooting, but my Mi Box worked out of the box with TiviMate (Haven't purchased the premium feature, I only wanted to see if it works).

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Hope this helps put a perspective on things, from a noob to another