Give a New life to Your TV

Tired of getting up every few minutes to control the playback of a movie on a laptop connected to the television? And what about when you have to search for a popular application unavailable on the current Smart TV?

Either because your ‘dumb box’ is too old or because of the excessive limitations of certain ecosystems, the truth is that multimedia players (HDMI sticks, set-top boxes, etc.) continue to be the ideal solution to give a new life to the TV.

5 Devices Which Give a New life to Your TV

In a world where we are increasingly consuming more and more content through streaming services, Whether it’s movies, series, or games, having a device that can handle high-quality content is becoming more important than ever. In this article, we have listed some of the best devices on the market today that will transform your TV into a true multimedia center.

Chromecast with Google TV

It’s not just a device to watch TV anymore; it’s like a small computer with its unique features and abilities, customizable (up to a certain point), open to external apps and with the purest essence of Android. With an intuitive and configurable interface, the new version of Google’s ‘dongle’ eliminates the dependence on the mobile and offers very reliable performance.

When it comes to playing content in 4K resolution at 60 fps, squeezing games from the Play Store and Stadia (and even Xbox if we like to ‘tinker’ with the system), or enjoy the variety of offers from its app store. It uses an Amlogic S905X3 processor with 2 GB of RAM and 8 GB of storage (expandable). It is compatible with technologies such as HDR + and Dolby Vision and has OTG support, although not with Ethernet output. Very versatile to connect it to the back of your TV.

Pros:

• Intuitive and customizable interface
• Supports 4K resolution at 60 fps and HDR+
• Compatible with a variety of streaming services
• Easy to connect to the TV

Cons:

• No Ethernet output
• Limited storage capacity

Fire TV Stick

The great alternative to Chromecast comes with the Amazon stamp in different models. The Lite version, the most basic, offers good performance in FullHD resolutions, as well as compatibility with Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos, among others. The Fire TV Stick (2021) maintains the same chipset, amount of RAM (1 Gb.) and storage (8 Gb.). However, it offers greater stability and a remote capable of fully controlling your television.

The 4K version is compatible with UHD resolution, while the 4K Max model has more power and support for WiFi 6. And for the most demanding, there is only one better option than the Fire TV Cube, which loses its compact size to include a speaker to squeeze Alexa. They all support dual WiFi 2.4 GHz.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Comes in different models to suit different needs and budgets
• Supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos
• Compatible with Alexa voice assistant

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• Some users have reported connectivity issues
• Requires an Amazon account

Apple TV 4K

The most natural solution (but not the only one) for every user of an iPhone. With a powerful A12 Bionic as an ‘operations center’, the second generation of Apple’s media player offers a great user experience.

Compatible with the most popular audio and video technologies, its ecosystem integrates the brand’s services (Apple TV+, Arcade, etc.) and streaming video classics such as YouTube, HBO or Disney+. It starts with 32 GB of storage and adds a renewed controller, without a touch panel but more functional. In its favor, how easy it is to send all kinds of content via AirPlay, its proprietary standard.

Pros:

• Seamless integration with other Apple devices
• Compatible with a variety of streaming services
• Supports 4K resolution and HDR10+
• Includes a dedicated remote with Siri voice control

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other devices
• Limited storage capacity
• Some users find the remote difficult to use

Xiaomi Mi TV Box S

A complete option that stands out for its good value for money. Based on Android TV and compatible with a large number of video formats (MPEG, VOB, etc.), this well-known TV Box -dating from 2019- is capable of playing 4K content at 60 fps with complete ease.

It also adds an integrated ‘smart cast’ (to send videos to the TV from the smartphone), as well as Widevine L1 certification. Now, if you are looking for a more portable version on a day-to-day basis, you can opt for the new Mi TV Stick, a compact HDMI ‘dongle’ with more humble features that, despite everything, guarantee very solvent performance with content.

Pros:

• Affordable price
• Compatible with a wide range of video formats
• Supports 4K resolution at 60 fps
• Comes with a smart cast feature

Cons:

• Limited storage capacity
• Some users have reported connectivity issues
• No Dolby Atmos support

Nvidia ShieldTV

With two models available, this TV Box wins a lot with the integration of Geforce Now, its well-known cloud gaming service. With the flagship power, the Pro model guarantees great fluidity when playing 4K content at 60 fps. Thanks to its Tegra X1+ chipset and 3 GB of RAM. With 16 GB of storage and outstanding connectivity (2 USB 3.0 ports, dual WiFi, Ethernet, etc.).

It comes with Widevine L1 certification, essential to enjoy Netflix (and other VOD services) in HD. In addition, it implements an image scaling system by artificial intelligence and the Plex Media Server, another basic one.

Pros:

• Powerful hardware and smooth performance
• Supports 4K resolution at 60 fps and HDR10+
• Comes with built-in AI image scaling and Plex Media Server
• Includes a remote with voice control

Cons:

• Expensive compared to other devices
• Limited storage capacity
• Some users have reported connectivity issues

Conclusion

Multimedia players are still a great solution to enhance your TV experience. These devices can transform your TV into a platform with its entity, customizable and open to external apps, allowing you to enjoy high-resolution content and even play games. Whether you are looking for affordability, compatibility with your smartphone, or integration with other services, a multimedia player can meet your needs.