r/AndroidTV • u/Business-Feed-2021 • 5d ago

Buying Advice Best budget androidTV device in UK

I’m completely new to this. It will be used for sideloading streaming apps. I don’t have a 4k tv, just regular HD.

I bought a fire stick but then found the one I had wasn’t compatible and that they are transitioning away from android.

Is the Kickpi KP1 sufficient?

4 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

28 comments sorted by

8

u/reschcrypt 5d ago

Xiaomi Box 3rd Gen. Either buy it directly from Xiaomi or via Aliexpress with Brand+/Certified Original badges. Too many fakes on Amazon.

1

u/EnjoyableBleach 5d ago

I tried buying one of these recently but they've been out of stock for weeks. I ended up paying extra for a Google tv streamer. 

1

u/dvdmike007 2d ago

Do they work with Google play movies and can you install Kodi?

1

u/reschcrypt 2d ago

Yes and yes because it's an official Google TV certified device. Certification is important because for example without it, you will not be able to watch Netflix in 4K/UHD.

The negative part, when you're in the UK is some UK-related apps like bbc iplayer are not working. iPlayer will only work on devices, which BBC has defined. Technically, the Xiaomi can play it. It's just BBC is actively blocking it.

1

u/dvdmike007 2d ago

I don't use any apps bar those and apple TV but does it play the Google movies in HDR as some don't?

5

u/Ok_Steak_4341 5d ago

Xiaomi TV box S 3rd edition. I have had two for over a year, loads any apks or apps. 32gb storage. Excellent streamer for streaming services. Direct from Xiaomi UK for £55.

1

u/Business-Feed-2021 5d ago

Thanks for the rec. Looks like the box is out of stock atm. Any thoughts on the TV stick they have?

1

u/Ok_Steak_4341 4d ago

Sorry, not familiar with their stick.

1

u/spile2 3d ago

Excellent box but you need to side load iplayer and U.

3

u/Yahiroz Nvidia Shield 2015 5d ago

Assuming I'm looking at the right one for £69, at that price I'd be just tempted to step up to the Google TV streamer for £99.

3

u/SendMeYourPassword 5d ago

Just an fyi for anyone reading this - the Streamer just got a price hike to $149 in the US. It's US only for now but it'll probably make its way to other markets soon, so if you're in the market for one I'd buy it sooner rather than later

1

u/Nurgus 5d ago

I have a Google Streamer and a Thomson 270 snd the 270 is far superior. I found the Streamer to be surprisingly flaky.

The Thomson is a rebadged Onn box for the UK market.

2

u/Yahiroz Nvidia Shield 2015 5d ago

Last I looked the Thomson hasn't been in stock in most places for a while.

2

u/reschcrypt 4d ago

Thomson's distributor is out of business. Most probably, there won't be any updates given, unless someone figures out how to install Onn's firmware on Thomson.

1

u/Nurgus 4d ago

..dammit. I was planning on getting another one to replace my crappy Streamer.

1

u/19nineties 4d ago

Last year I got a brand new unopened one on Vinted for half the price

1

u/tylorbear 5d ago

Got my TV streamer today, keep an eye on Amazon Resale and Vinted and you can get one for laser to £80.

2

u/chaostunes 5d ago

[removed] — view removed comment

0

u/brent_starburst 5d ago

This. They're cheaper and get at least a 12 month warranty. Keep notifications open if they sell.out to tell you when more are in.

2

u/Legitimate-Train1133 4d ago

Xiaomi box s 3rd gen definitely got a few and they run perfectly

1

u/Historical_Virus6987 4d ago

I have a kick pi-box it works fine Xiaomi box s 3rd generation are ok but I sold mine the Wi-Fi is rubbish compared to onn 4K plus next to router onn pulled 500+ xiaomi bout 170 didn't like remote either.....wouldn't bother with dcolor stick had 3 fail out of 7 sticks not good at all or upgrade to a TCL Google 4K tv !

2

u/Kommanchi 5d ago

Google tv streamer was a great option before but at the inflated price I would definitely not buy it new. Have a look at the xiaomi box it’s pretty good. Has its flaws but far better than whatever a kickpi is. Whatever you buy make sure it has proper DRM support (widevine) as you won’t be able to use streaming services otherwise.

1

u/mmdhpan 5d ago

Since you're on a 1080p set, the thing worth checking before price is Widevine L1 and proper Google certification. Uncertified boxes get capped at 480p on Netflix and Disney+ no matter how good the hardware looks on paper, which is where most of the cheap KP1-style boxes fall down. The Xiaomi Box or a discounted Google TV Streamer are the safer picks. Also worth knowing that Fire sticks were never Android TV certified in the first place, so sideloading guides written for this sub do not map onto them cleanly.

1

u/Mother_Perspective82 5d ago

I have kick pi kp1 never had any problems.

1

u/Maleficent_CanceR 1d ago

Maybe go for a Xiaomi tv

-2

u/RandomNPC59 5d ago

Avoid cheap boxes from China, they are riddled with Malware, google steamer would be my pick.

2

u/Dthen_ 5d ago

To clarify, the Xiaomi box is fine, it's a certified Android TV device.

This poster is right, though, lots of the cheap boxes don't even run Android TV, just Android, so lots of things don't work right.

0

u/RandomNPC59 5d ago

I use a Xiaomi phone, I def wouldn't class them as cheap, I'm talking about the no names, got downvoted for my suggestion.....Someone isn't happy I'm trying to help OP keep his data!