Android TV box

The first thing I do before starting to use an Android TV box is to update its firmware to slimBOXtv (ATV version).

I only recommend boxes with 4 GB of RAM and Amlogic SoC, as they are the most flexible in terms of firmware and usually use more advanced manufacturing processes - which make them more efficient.

Good Amlogic SoCs, which in addition to being efficient, support more modern video codecs:

• Amlogic S905W2 (excellent quality-price ratio)
• Amlogic S905Y4 (excellent quality-price ratio)
• Amlogic S905X4 (good even for using the box as a console)
• Amlogic S905Y5 (good even for using the box as a console)
• Amlogic S905X5M (good even for using the box as a console)
• Amlogic S905X5 (good even for using the box as a console)
• Amlogic S928X (excellent even for using the box as a console)

To install the firmware of an Android TV box with an Amlogic SoC, I use the program Amlogic USB Burning Tool and to connect the computer to the TV box I use a USB A-A cable.

Steps to install the firmware on a box with Amlogic SoC:

1. Open the Amlogic USB Burning Tool, select the firmware you want to install and click “start”
2. Press the reset button on the box, which is usually inside the AV hole
3. While pressing the reset button, connect the box to the computer via USB - the USB port on the box to use is the black one (never the blue one)
4. When you reach 3 % you can stop pressing the reset button
5. Once the installation is complete, press “stop” and disconnect the USB cable

After the firmware is installed, there are applications that I think are essential to install:

• Projectivy launcher (ad-free ATV launcher)
• Aurora Store (alternative store)
• Aptoide TV (alternative store)
• Neo Store (alternative store)
• F-Droid (alternative store)
• Downloader (install apps with a simple numeric code)
• AdAway (ad blocker)
• SmartTube (ad-free YouTube)
• Kodi (excellent media center)
• Jellyfin (excellent media center)
• Stremio (excellent media player)
• RTP Play (excellent documentaries in Portuguese)
• Sparkle TV (good IPTV player)
• OTT TV (super complete IPTV player)
• File Manager (file manager)
• RustDesk (remote access)
• Frozen Bubble (playable with the remote)

After all the apps are installed and a few hours of configuration, the interface looks like this:

If you want to buy a box that is already fully configured and at the same time have lifetime access to the private Telegram group of this project, you can purchase one in the official store.