TV boxes, are they worth it?

Are TV boxes really worth to have in any household? Or is it just another luxury item to have. In this blog, we will go into detail about TV boxes by answering the following main questions:

• What are TV boxes?
• How do TV boxes work?
• What should you consider before buying a TV box?
• Which brand of TV boxes are the best to buy?
• Why not just buy a smart TV instead?

By answering these few questions, we will know exactly if TV boxes are really worth it to have or not. But first, remember on this blog there will be advertisements that come from third parties. If you should click or purchase something from an ad, I will receive a small commission which comes at no extra cost to you. If something should go wrong with your purchase, please read our terms and conditions to enable you what steps you should take next. 

What are TV boxes?

TV boxes are small devices that connect to your old TV and allow you to stream content from the internet. Even a old box TV can become smart with a TV box, which is really impressive. All TV boxes typically run on the Android operating system and are equipped with Wi-Fi capabilities, HDMI ports, and USB ports. 

Thus, instead of watching normal TV via satellite or TV dish, you can watch your favorite TV shows or movies directly from the internet. Watching movies or TV shows via internet is becoming the norm these days, but not everyone can afford a smart TV. That is where the TV box comes to save the day.

How do TV boxes work? 

TV boxes work by connecting to the internet through Wi-Fi and using apps to stream content onto your TV. Thus, it is important before you even buy a TV box, you must have a stable internet connection. 

If you do not have a stable internet connection, you will experience a bad TV box experience as your TV shows or Movies will buffer a lot. I will always recommend above 10mbs internet connection line. But to be safe, 20mbs internet connection line will be perfect for streaming your TV shows or movies on the TV box. MTN is a good internet service provider to consider. Click on this link to view a some of their great affordable internet data deals that they have available for you.

You can download the following apps to stream movies and TV shows from:

• Showmax
• Netflix
• Prime Video
• Disney+
• Viu
• eVOD
• Pluto TV
• HDO Box
• DStv Now

With so many streaming apps to choose from, why will you not get a TV box?  You will have so much control which TV show or movie to watch when and where you want to.

Besides streaming, if you have children that love to play games, then the TV box can satisfy their gaming needs as well.

Of course, not Xbox One or PS4 quality and up, but still provide games to your children to keep themselves busy. Plus it is a smart way to eliminate old tv game consoles and store all those games onto a TV box. But of course, you need to find the right TV box to satisfy those needs for your kids or yourself.

What should you consider before buying a TV box? 

Before buying a TV box, there are a few things you should consider:

First, make sure that the TV box is compatible with your TV. Most TV boxes connect to your TV through an HDMI port, so make sure your TV has one of these. There are TV boxes that can connect to old TVs through AV cables, but it may cost you to buy the AV cable separately and cannot guarantee it will function perfectly. Best have an HDMI port TV to ensure great quality experience from your TV box.

Second, consider the apps you want to make use of on your TV box. Not all apps work on every TV box that are for sale. For example, DStv Now only work on Google Certified TV boxes. If the TV box is not Google Certified, then you will not be able to watch DStv Now on this TV box at all. No matter which trick you try, the device will be blocked to view DStv Now. I talk from experience by trying out every trick out there in the web currently to install DStv Now on a non Google Certified device and if it worked, it will be blocked the next day.

Third, make sure you select a TV box based on the plug ins or other connections you want the TV box must connect to. Example, you want to watch movies or TV shows that are stored on your external hard drive. You will need a USB port for the TV box to be able to watch the TV shows or movies from the external hard drive. A TV stick does not have USB or any other ports besides the ones giving itself power and connecting to the TV HDMI port. Plus some Bluetooth functions do no work with the TV stick, but work on some TV boxes.

Final point to consider, is to make sure the specifications of TV box is matching in terms of the performance you want the TV box to perform. Some TV boxes may be sold at a very low price, but is ridiculously slow in terms of performance. Example, slow in opening apps, apps keep freezing, slow start-ups and etc. 

By considering these four factors, you will be able to select the right TV box for yourself and have no regrets. Please remember them.

Which brand of TV boxes are the best to buy?

Some of the most popular TV boxes are:

• Amazon Fire TV Stick
• Google Chromecast
• Roku Streaming Stick
• Xiaomi Mi TV boxes

These four TV box brands are the best ones to have in any household today. Any other TV box brand that is not on the list, must be treated with caution as they might not satisfy all your expectations you desire from a TV box. 

Like example, cannot watch DStv Now or Showmax from the unknown TV box brand. Thus, it is important you know what you want in a TV box to avoid any disappointment.

Why not just buy a smart TV instead?

Smart TVs are really impressive as they function already as a TV box, without having a physical TV box. Thus, you eliminate having physical decoders around your smart TV and have more space in the room where the smart TV will be standing.

Now why don't we just buy a smart TV instead of a TV box? 

Firstly, smart TVs are more expensive compare to TV boxes. Not everyone can afford a smart TV.  Lowest smart TV prices go at R2000 and upwards. While TV boxes go at R699 and upwards.

Secondly, not all smart TVs can guarantee they will be able to play your desired apps. Just like with certain TV boxes, certain smart TVs cannot play certain apps. Like DStv Now is not available for download or update on certain smart TVs as an example. 

Final point, smart TVs are not easy to modify and restore back to its factory settings. On a TV box you can easily modify your apps and restore it back how it was if a installed app does not function properly. If you modify on a smart TV and something goes wrong, you will be forced to take the smart TV to a repair place. Plus that does not even guarantee you will have your smart TV operating the same again when it was functioning properly.

Thus, why go through the hassle to buy an expensive smart TV that does not guarantee to satisfy all your app needs? Plus, if something goes wrong, you cannot easily fix it by a factory reset? That is why TV boxes are less of an hassle and affordable for everyone. 

Overall

TV boxes is definitely the best item to have in every household. It gives you the option to do anything you desire on your TV box. No matter if it is for streaming or gaming. Plus you can modify the TV box to the way you want it. If something goes wrong on the TV box, then you just factory reset it and the problem will be resolved.

Just remember to do thoroughly research of all kinds of TV boxes out there and keep in mind the items mentioned in this blog that you must consider when selecting a TV box for yourself. By doing all of that, you will ensure yourself to select the right TV box that meets your TV needs.

Would you consider to buy a TV box for yourself?

If yes, which brand of TV box would you buy?

Please let us know of your answers in comment section below. If there are any questions about TV boxes you want to ask, you may gladly place them in the comment section below as well. I will try to respond to them accordingly and in a timely manner.