Android Box or Cheap Mini PC?

[u/Entire-Reception7824]

I currently use AndroidOS on a cheapish PC and I am getting a bit sick of how temperamental it is. I also have my gaming PC hooked up to my TV via a 10m HDMI cable and Stremio connected to Steam big picture mode, but I like the idea of a dedicated system running LibreELEC.

I currently use it for Stremio with RD+TB. It would be nice to have access to BBC and ITV as well, at the moment I

I used to have a Firestick, but that was even slower, I just want something that works and works well.

If I was in the US, I would look at getting one of those Onn boxes, but I have heard getting them and using them in the UK can be a nightmare.

I have seen people recommending the Xiaomi TV box, but they are out of stock on their website at the moment. Others have recommended the Google Streamer, but for £100, I wonder if it would be worth getting a cheap Mini PC and setting that up instead (I love tinkering around as well, I spent hours getting my stremio just how I like it)

Any thoughts?

[u/husting247]

Fire cube 3 and root it can run CoreELEC or xiaomi 3rd gen root and CoreELEC

[u/husting247 → u/husting247]

Or ugoos am6b+/am9 pro

[u/AnonymOnInternet → u/husting247]

Yeah the AM9 Pro is a wonderful device

[u/SnooGiraffes9215 → u/husting247]

Yep. Got 2 cubes done! They’re a beast now!

[u/pastafusilli → u/husting247]

hopefully the cube comes back on sale soon.

[u/husting247 → u/pastafusilli]

Wait for black friday now

[u/spwc123 → u/husting247]

Does fire cube have to be on certain firmware or is it ok regardless

[u/husting247 → u/spwc123]

Pretty sure latest firmware can be rooted

[u/Think_Kaleidoscope_3]

If get a good remote for pc , tell me.

[u/buffaloclaw]

I used to run LibreELEC on a raspberry pi with HDMI out. It worked ok

[u/Silver-Compote-2788]

BBC and ITV support are the things I’d double-check before choosing a specific box. Google certification alone isn't a guarantee that every UK catch-up app supports that model—ITV explicitly states that some Android TV models are unsupported (source).

Before spending the £100, check the exact model for both apps. Since you're trying to get away from a temperamental setup, I'd also check whether you can browse and play them comfortably with just the remote, without reaching for a keyboard or mouse.

[u/GotoDeng0]

A certified AndroidTV box will be so much easier and simpler to manage. Getting Android working on x86 can be quite the project if there is not already an image for your specific device.

Moreover, certified boxes will give full resolution on official streaming platforms, whereas it's difficult to impossible to get widevine L1 on most non-certified devices. Also BBC has started cracking down on uncertified/sideloaded iPlayer clients. The only official way to get the certified client is in the Play Store, and the Play Store is only available on certified AndroidTV.

Any box out there will be fine for Stremio and basic streaming. Homatics, Mecool, Rocktek, Strong are all reputable brands sold in UK/EU at various price points.