Smart TV Box
With the rising popularity of streaming from DSTV Now, Netflix, Showmax, etc… The demand for Smart TV Boxes has also increased.
The big question is, what Smart TV Box should you buy?
There are many Andriod Boxes, TV Boxes, Smart TV Boxes, etc. on the market, but there is a common issue with most of them. They are NOT Google Certified.
If smart TV device is not Google Certified, then the popular apps such as DSTV Now, Netflix and Showmax will not work. However, many Smart TV Boxes come with DSTV Now, Netflix and Showmax preloaded. The issue here is, as soon as the relevant app updates, it will stop working correctly.
The bottom line is to ensure that your Andriod TV Box is Google Certified.
How do you know if your Andriod Box is Google Certified?
Check your Play Protect certification status by following these steps:
- Open the Google Play Store app on the device in question
- Tap Menu Settings (hamburger menu)
- Under “Play Protect certification,” you’ll see if your device is Play Protect certified or not
As long as your android device is Google Certified, apps such as DSTV Now, Netflix and Showmax will work and can be updated when required.
Non-Google Certified Android Devices
Most “cheap” Android Boxes are not Google Certified. The importers of these devices often preload DSTV Now, Netflix and Showmax. They advise you to never update these apps as they will stop working. Ultimately, the apps will stop working as the app software becomes outdated.
Buy a Google Certified Android Box
Like any purchase, before buying an android box, do your homework. Do NOT take a random salespersons word for it. Most online shops that sell android boxes declare that the device is preloaded with software such as Nexflix but should now be updated. If you see this, you know that the device is not certified. If you are still not sure, Google the devices name or model number that you are interested in and read reviews and public forums where other users have commented about the use of the device.
There are a limited amount of Google Certified Android Boxes available in South Africa. One of the certified devices is the Xiaomi Mi TV Box S Media Player. We purchased one for R1499.00 from Takealot, and it works really well. The setup process is quick and easy, and within a few moments the Xiaomi Mi TV Box S Media Player is set up and ready to download DSTV Now, Netflix, Showmax, YouTube and, a wide range of other apps such as Kodi and VLC which are used to watch external video files.
Android box sadly only comes with one USB port. We find this a slight disadvantage as we can not have a USB memory stick and a mouse/keyboard plugged in at the same time. But, this is a minor inconvenience. Overall, we are pleased with the device.
Technical Specs of the Xiaomi Mi TV Box S Media Player
Andriod Box Features
- Ultra HD 4K HDR
- Android TV 8.1 Oreo
- Cortext-A53 Quad Core 64 bit
- Mali-450 GPU
- 2GB DDR3
- 8GB eMMC
- Dolby, DTS Surround Sound
- Powered by Android 8.1
- Voice Control Google Assistant and Voice Search
- High-Performance Storage Capacity – Powerful Quad-core CPU and 3+2-core GPU
What’s in the box
- 1 x Mi Android Box S
- 1 x Google Assistant Voice Remote
- 1 x AC Power Adapter
- 1 x AAA Battery
- 1 x HDMI TV Cable
Woogie Says Yes
Woogie gives the Xiaomi Mi TV Box S Media Player Android Player a big YES! But the decision on what TV Box you purchase lies with you. Do your research and make sure that the TV Box you chose is right for you and your requirements.
