On the territory of the Russian Federation, the era of analogue television is slowly but surely passing away, replacing the usual “slingshots” with more modern antennas for receiving a free digital signal, or equipping their televisions with more functional TV set-top boxes.
The departure of analogue television is a national-scale program that is being implemented throughout our vast country. This is important, since the user segment in this case is the largest possible, and the procedure for using televisions and set-top boxes is as extensive as possible.
Therefore, in this article we will look at three main categories of TV set-top boxes: standard tuner set-top boxes, TV-boxes, which allow you to turn your TV into an almost full-fledged Smart TV, and devices that imitate game consoles.
The best Smart TV set-top boxes for Windows
TV set-top boxes running the Windows operating system are becoming more popular every day. The growing performance of devices at falling prices plays a significant role in this. In addition, set-top boxes on Windows have an intuitive interface familiar to most users and do not require additional instructions and guides to get started with them.
In this article, we'll look at the five most popular Windows consoles, including their specifications, prices, and customer ratings. The rating is based on the number of orders of goods purchased by customers upon request of Windows TV Box.
✔ PACKAGING AND APPEARANCE
The Tronsmart company does not particularly strive to change the packaging, changing only the name, characteristics and photo of the set-top box.
The console was isolated as much as possible from external influences.
General equipment.
A little instruction.
The AC adapter outputs 3A at 5V.
Quite a thick HDMI cable.
Specifications:
Operating system: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Celeron J4115 up to 2.4 GHz (4 cores) Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 600 RAM: 6 GB DDR4 Built-in storage: 128 GB eMMC Interfaces: WiFi b/g/n/ac (2.4/5.8 GHz ), 2xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB Type-C, 1xHDMI 2.0, 3.5 mm audio input/output, Bluetooth 5.1, MicroSD slot
Chuwi LarkBox is one of the most popular Windows 10 mini PCs at the moment. The device owes this to its compact size and good technical characteristics - a 6x6 cm case fits a quad-core Intel Celeron J4115 processor, 6 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and a built-in 128 GB drive.
buy Chuwi LarkBox in the basic configuration for a price starting from 14,500 rubles in the AliExpress online store and eBay trading platform:
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Mini PC page in our catalog
✔ GAMES
The temperature of the set-top box immediately after switching on.
Some games simply refused to be installed, most likely due to Windows 10, but the popular WOT, although it took a long time to download, was installed and launched.
It's quite playable, there are some slight stutters, but overall it's quite playable.
The temperature, although high, is not 90 degrees, as when watching the video.
It's optimal to play arcade Sonic.
Specifications:
Operating system: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Atom Z8350 up to 1.92 GHz (4 cores) Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 RAM: 2 - 4 GB DDR3 Built-in storage: 32 - 64 GB eMMC Interfaces: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n , LAN, Bluetooth 4.0, 2xUSB 2.0, 2xUSB 3.0, MicroUSB, 3.5 mm audio output, HDMI 1.4B, MicroSD memory card slot
Wintel Pro is one of the most inexpensive mini PCs, which makes it very attractive for choosing as your first TV set-top box on Windows 10. It is equipped with an energy-efficient Intel Atom Z8350 processor with a maximum clock frequency of 1.92 GHz and can have 2 or 4 gigabyte of DDR3 RAM depending on version. The volume of the built-in storage is also available in two versions - 32 and 64 gigabytes.
buy Wintel Pro in the basic configuration at a price of 6,600 rubles for the 2/32 GB version, while a mini PC with 4/64 GB of memory will cost about 7,800 rubles :
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Performance
I tested the performance very simply. I didn’t install any toys, but I played videos in different resolutions, played music, loaded the device with dozens of simultaneously open tabs, and so on. And this is the verdict I can make regarding all this.
Let's start by testing the performance with various videos.
All files whose resolution is equal to or less than 1080p are handled by Wintel Pro without difficulty. The videos open quickly, the gadget doesn’t think about its life for a second.
The higher resolution (1440p) set of codecs and the K-Lite Codec Pack player generally work fine. Chrome also handles such videos on Youtube. Own Edge browser even more so.
But with 4K video there are already certain nuances. 2160p in K-Lite Codec Pac does not hold up - the frame rate is approximately 10 frames per second. Chrome has a very difficult time processing such videos on Youtube.
However, the Edge browser runs 4K videos without any problems. This is its undeniable advantage.
I tried W8 Pro in games. For example, Asphalt 8 plays just fine at maximum graphics requirements. No staffing shortages or other crimes.
Overall, I liked the performance of the system.
The only thing I wouldn't recommend is using Chrome to watch online videos. Even 480p resolution is sometimes difficult for him and literally everything starts to slow down, including the mouse.
Specifications:
Operating system: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Celeron Gemini Lake J4125 up to 2.7 GHz (4 cores) Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 600 RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Built-in storage: 128 - 256 GB Interfaces: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ ac (2.4/5.8 GHz), LAN 1000 Mbit/s, 2xUSB 2.0, 2xUSB 3.0, VGA, 2xHDMI 1.4a, 3.5 mm audio, MicroSD memory card slot, Bluetooth 4.2
GK3V Mini PC is a mini PC from the mid-price segment with excellent technical data. It is based on a quad-core Intel Celeron J4125 processor with a frequency of up to 2.7 GHz, has integrated graphics with 4K support and 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM. The capacity of the built-in storage depends on the version of the device and can be 128 or 256 gigabytes. A distinctive feature of this model is the presence of three video outputs at once - two HDMI and one VGA, as well as the ability to install an additional HDD or SSD drive inside the case.
buy a GK3V Mini PC in the basic configuration at a price of 14,400 rubles for the 8/128 GB version with licensed Windows 10 OS, while the version with 8/256 GB of memory will cost approximately 15,900 rubles :
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Mini PC page in our catalog
Specifications:
Operating system: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Atom Z8350 up to 1.92 GHz (4 cores) Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 RAM: 4 GB DDR3 Built-in storage: 64 GB eMMC Interfaces: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, LAN 1000 Mbit /sec, 3xUSB 2.0, 1xUSB 3.0, 3.5 mm audio output, HDMI 1.4, SD card slot, Bluetooth 4.0
The rating of the best TV set-top boxes on Windows continues with Beelink BT3 Pro II - a budget mini PC for home and office. It uses the already familiar Intel Atom Z8350 processor with integrated Intel HD Graphics 400. The amount of DDR3 RAM and built-in storage is fixed - 4 and 64 gigabytes, respectively. Popular with buyers due to its convenient form factor and affordable price.
buy Beelink BT3 Pro II in the basic configuration for a price starting from 8,800 rubles in the AliExpress online store and eBay trading platform:
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✔ SOFTWARE AND TESTS
Keeping pace - the manufacturer installed Win 10 OS.
Initially everything is in English.
But changing the language is very simple, you just need to download the required “language pack”.
As for the load, there is about 800 megabytes of free memory, the processor is loaded by a quarter, and the disk by more than 60%.
System information. Windows is activated and quietly receives updates.
Video adapter settings.
Device Manager.
For 10, the disk is of course too small; you will need to redirect the cache and other “my documents” to an external disk or SD card.
Specifications:
Operating system: Windows 10 Processor: Intel Atom Z8350 up to 1.92 GHz (4 cores) Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 RAM: 4 GB DDR3 Built-in storage: 64 GB eMMC Interfaces: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 /5.8 GHz), LAN 1000 Mbit/s, 3xUSB 2.0, 1xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB Type-C, 3.5 mm audio, VGA, HDMI 1.4, MicroSD card slot, Bluetooth 4.1
Our TOP5 is completed by the T95 Windows TV Box , another mini PC powered by an Intel Atom Z8350 processor. However, this model is distinguished by the presence of a USB Type-C port, support for dual-band Wi-Fi, and beautiful LED backlighting of the case. The use of budget components greatly reduces the price and makes the device affordable for many buyers, which is why it deserves its honorable fifth place in the ranking.
buy a T95 Windows TV Box as standard for a price starting from 8,000 rubles in the AliExpress online store and on the eBay trading platform:
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Equipment:
- T95 Windows TV Box
- Power adapter 12V 1.5A
- User guide
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This concludes our rating of the best Smart TV set-top boxes for Windows. We hope that the information provided helped you make your choice and purchase a device that ideally suits your needs. Add the site to your bookmarks and follow the updates of our catalog of TV set-top boxes and the release of new articles. All the best and happy shopping!
In progress
A full download in my case takes no more than 35 seconds. It's practically a bare system, except for a couple of installed applications and the Chrome browser.
The first thing I encountered was the lack of Russian language in the system. Of course, this is not a problem, since you can always install the language pack yourself. It's very easy to do. You need to go to Settings, select Time and language, then go to Region and Language. Here, click on the Add language button and then click on Download when the system checks for the presence of a language pack on the server.
After accessing the Internet, the system reported that it was necessary to activate Windows 10. Perhaps this is the only more or less significant drawback of this TV box.
The kit comes with a non-activated version of Windows 10.
In other words, you will have to either look for (read buy) a license key yourself, or just put up with it. The second option is completely preferable, since the system does not remind you of the need for activation. There is only one reminder in the settings menu. That's all.
After checking and installing the latest OS updates, the work to which we are all so accustomed begins. This is a regular Windows PC with all the attendant capabilities. Everyone will customize it to their needs, install the necessary applications, and so on.
