Without a doubt, the most famous query I get asked is if Android streaming TV boxes can play Netflix HD streams?
Apparently , that is not that simple to answer, sad to say.
Even so it must be.
I don’t know about you, but when I open Netflix, or any application, I expect it to be aware what my HDTV’s resolution is. I also expect it to instantly size and play the video appropriately.
If II have a 4K video as well as a 4K TV, it has to play in 4K, right?
That's a simple query. But that is not what will happen usually, and here’s the reason why.
Why cannot stream everything on Netflix HD?
Netflix has got a list of accredited units that it works together with. They divide it into 7 groups, but we are only looking into the ones that operate Android, so we’ll cut that list down a bit more.
If you consider it in very general terms, Android streaming TV units fall under 3 classes: Streaming Media Players, Tablets and smartphones, and Android TV. When I state Android TV, I am talking about units operating the exact Android TV operating system, like NVIDIA’s Shield, and TV’s from Sony, Sharp or Phillips.
Huge companies such as Netflix and Google take all of these under consideration.
Android streaming TV boxes must be a streaming media player, correct?
They are not. They fall beyond those 3 groups.
Netflix has granted their HD video to be played exclusively by these streaming media players.
Apple TV Google Chromecast Roku Amazon Fire TV Google Nexus Player NVIDIA Shield
In line with preliminary accounts, CNX-Software plays HD videos from Netflix although not 4K.
If you are seeking out the best Android TV box on the Android TV list, do not bother. Android streaming TV boxes such as the MINIX NEO U1 or Zidoo X1 don’t operate a certified Android TV OS, so Netflix does not think of them in that category either.
They get lumped to the tablet category, in many cases.
It's going to be lumped into the smartphone or tablet category automatically except if a unit is operating a certified Android TV OS.
How come that is bad?
Well, first off, the top tablet screen during the time of this article, is the Sony Xperia Z4 having a resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. It’s not the real 4K, however it is more than adequate for 1080p. So, what do you think is the issue?
The problem is that these units all need to be accredited to operate at that resolution.
www.onyxbox-tv.com
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