Is Android TV worth it?

With so many entertainment options in the entertainment industry, it is quite confusing to choose the best one for your home. Especially considering the fact that most of them have similar features. To narrow down your options, we will evaluate whether DSTV Android TV is a worthy investment.

If you are heavily invested in the entertainment and are looking for a smart TV to meet all your entertainment needs and satisfy your individual preferences, then you may have come across Android TV during your search. The platform was established in 2014 and it is officially Google’s dedicated software for internet-connected televisions, that is, the popular smart TVs and streaming devices. The main focus of the software is to help you discover a variety of content online. That said, is it really worth it?

Yes, it is as is it packed with multiple special features that could transform your TV watching experiences such as its support for the Google Assistant and its ability to Chromecast.

So, what exactly is Android TV?

Android TV is a smart TV platform from Google that is built around the Android operating system. It gives you a chance to stream content to your smart TV via different applications, both paid apps and free apps, using your already established internet connection. That said, we can deduce that Android TV is quite similar to Roku and Amazon Fire. This is because you navigate through its menu the same way, using your phone as a remote control to guide you through the channels and features. The major difference between Android TV and other devices, is that it has an open system which gives it full access to applications that Google may not officially approve of.

In addition to its impressive streaming capabilities, Android TV has the ability to run apps, play emulators, use Kodi, work as a media player for your digital files and it even has the potential to connect to a TV tuner. The only challenge is that setting up all of these features would need you to familiarize with a few tech basics that may be quite time consuming.

What are the Android TV apps?

If you have subscribed to any cord-cutting service, including but not limited to HBO Max, YouTube, Netflix, Spotify, Showtime Anytime, Starz and Hulu; then Android TV probably supports it. If you are an online gamer, then you aren’t left behind as Android TV has gaming applications such as NBA Jam and Minecraft Story Mode ported over to the system, along with several emulators that you can easily find in the Google Play Store.

When it comes to live TV streaming services, there are only three that are supported by Android TV, which is, YouTube TV Fubo TV and Sling TV. The table below gives you a rough idea of their prices.

Live Streaming Services that are compatible with Android TV

Live TV Streaming Service
Sling TV
Fubo TV
YouTube TV
Perks
Best Live TV streaming deal
Focuses on International sports programming rounded out with impressive cable channels such as Nat Geo and Bravo
Offers a general TV watching plan with approximately 50 channels and includes unlimited DVR recording space
Starting Prices
$20 per month
$39.99 per month
$35 per month

 How would you use Android TV?

Generally, there are multiple ways through which you can use Android TV, either by purchasing a smart TV that readily has Android TV enabled such as the Sony Bravia and the Sharp Aquos among other TV’s that have been deployed in the entertainment industryor by using a streaming console that is compatible with Android TV such as the Razor Forge TV, MI Box and NVIDIA Shield.

Are there any special features that you can access with Android TV?

A great difference between Android TV and other Internet TV platforms is its Google Assistant features and the ability to cast video. These are the main special features that you will get with Android TV. Google Casting simply allows you to stream audio and video content from your mobile device to your television set. The only shortcoming is that this feature does not work with all applications but the great part is that

The Google Play App on Android is filled with both applications and games, making it a cost friendly gaming console. It also gives you a chance to use a third party Bluetooth controller to catch up on your favorite online games and there are times when you may find a couple of models that include their own controllers. It also gives you a chance to install third-party applications from other sources, known or unknown, which opens up your devices to a few dangers, but you can always use a VPN to secure your device.Its Google Assistant feature allows you to pull up content, control smart home devices, ask questions and check the news all via voice commands. All you need to do is press a button on your remote control to enable the feature.

Verdict: So, should you get Android TV?

Yes, you definitely should and it is an absolute value for the buck. You get a lot more applications on the Google Play Store that you do not get with a normal TV. In addition, it has built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant features that have been designed to maximize your TV watching experience. Its Chromecast feature allows you to transfer files from any compatible devices to your television whereas the Google Assistant feature gives you a chance to browse anything using your voice. With Android TV, you have the chance to watch streaming HD videos such a Netflix series and movies and even get a chance to play games. Lastly, Android TV is quite advantageous as it updates from time to time which eventually leads to improvements and brings new features. Even better, it comes at very reasonable prices so maybe its features are worth considering when purchasing your TV.

FAQs

  1. Can I use Android TV without an internet connection?

Yes, you can. You can always use the basic TV functions without having to establish an internet connection.

  1. Can I watch normal TV on an Android box?

Yes, you can. However, this entirely depends on the service that you have subscribed to.

 

You’ll Also Love

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *