NEWTVPLAYER

Choosing an Android TV box for IPTV: what to look for

A TV box turns any TV with an HDMI port into a smart TV. Before you buy one to use with an IPTV player, check these few things: they decide how smoothly your playlist plays.

The checklist

  • Google Play: a box with Google Play (Android TV or Google TV) installs NewTV Player like any other app and keeps it up to date. A box without it needs the Downloader app instead.
  • Android 7 or newer: NewTV Player needs Android 7.0 at least. Almost every box sold today has a much newer version.
  • At least 2 GB of memory (RAM): big playlists need room. 4 GB is more comfortable.
  • 8 GB of storage or more: for the app and its playlist data, with room to spare.
  • A wired network port, or 5 GHz Wi-Fi: a steady connection matters more than raw speed. A cable is the most reliable.
  • H.265 (HEVC) video: many streams use it. Most boxes play it in hardware, which keeps the picture smooth and the box cool.
  • A remote with a voice button is a bonus, not a must: with NewTV Player you never type the playlist on the TV.

Check a box you already have

1

Find its Android version

Settings > Device preferences > About (the words differ from box to box). It should say 7 or higher.

2

Look for Google Play

If Google Play is on the home screen, install NewTV Player from there. If not, use the Downloader app: see installing on Fire TV, which works the same way on boxes without Google Play.

3

Test with your own playlist

Every new device gets a free trial, so you can see how the box handles your playlist before you decide anything.

Fire TV sticks

Amazon's Fire TV sticks work well too. They have no Google Play, so NewTV Player installs with the free Downloader app.

Next: set up NewTV Player on Android TV in one minute, and read what an IPTV player does.

NewTV Player is a media player only: it comes with no channels, films or playlists. Before you add any content, make sure you have the legal right to watch it.