How to transform your TV into Smart TV

Transform your regular TV into a Smart TV by using Android TV Box or Chromecast. In this article, we will teach you on how you can do just that, but we'll focus only on the TVs that support HDMI/VGA connection. First, you need to decide which option you prefer whether by using an Android TV box or Chromecast.


Android TV Box

Android TV Box is basically an Android powered device that lets you do the things you normally do on your smartphone, like watching online movies, browsing web, playing games, and many more. It's just like having a full functioning android device, and your TV will act as a display or monitor for it. 

To do this, you just have to connect your Android TV box to your TV using HDMI/VGA cable. There are a lot of companies that offer this kind of gadget these days, and it's up to you to choose which one to buy. At the end of the day, it's just a matter of individual preferences.

We compiled some of the Android TV Box available in the market right now, just to give you an idea on how it looks like and whatnot.

MXIII Android 4.4 Quad Core 4K Smart TV Box & Keyboard AH010

Specs: 

Model: MXIII S
OS: Android 4.4.2
CPU: Amlogic S802, 2.0GHz Quad Core Cortex A9
GPU: Mali-450 Octa-core GPU up to 600MHz
RAM: 2G
ROM: 8G
Decoder Format: H.265, HD, AVC/VC-1, RealVideo8/9/10, HD MPEG1/2/4
Video: MKV, MPEG, TP, MOV, VOB, TRP, RM, ASF, MP4, RMVB, AVI, TS, WMV, MPG, M2TS
WiFi: b/g/n
Bluetooth: 4.0
Price: $78 / ₱3,701

A400 4K Android 4.4 TV Box

Specs:

OS: Android 4.4
CPU: Amlogic S812 Quad Core -A9r4
GPU: Octa Core Mali-450 GPU at 600MHz+
Processor Speed (max): 2.0 GHz
RAM: 2GB
Internal Memory: 8GB
External Memory: Support up to 32GB
Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth
DLNA
Google Play
Adobe Flash
Support Miracast/DLNA/Airplay
Support 4K decode and output
Support H.264Excellent XBMC 4K HD BD ISO version
Price: $62.49 / ₱2934

Xiaomi Mi Box Mini

Xiaomi Mi Box mini Specs and Price:

Output: HDMI

Processor: MediaTek Cortex-A7 quad-core 1.3GHz

RAM: 1GB 

Storage: 4GB flash

Video Resolution: 1080p 3D video output

Dual-band (2.5GHz and 5GHz) 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0

Price: $70 / ₱3286

Kata Box

Kata Box Specs and Price:

1.5GHz Amlogic S805 quad-core CPU

Mali-450 GPU

1GB RAM

8GB internal storage

microSD card support

WiFi

2x USB 2.0

HDMI port

Ethernet

AV Out

DC-IN

107 X 107 X 25mm

Android 4.4.2 KitKat

Price: $63 / ₱2999

Google Chromecast

Chromecast 2nd Gen.

Chromecast is quite different to Android TV Box, aside from being a dongle, it requires you to use your smartphone, tablet or laptop. What it does is basically stream your activities on your smartphone into your TV. Although it's small, Chromecast can pretty much do almost all Android TV Box's functions, plus it's very easy to carry around due to its size. To use it, you just need to plug it into your regular TV via HDMI and hook it up to USB power. Download the Chromecast app, follow all the steps and you're good to go. 

Also, Chromecast has two versions, the Chromecast and the Chromecast 2nd generation. Pretty much the same except for the design and some improvements to its connectivity. Both versions support every Android device, iPhone, iPad, and computer with Google Chrome installed on it.

Chromecast Specs and Price

Output: HDMI

Processor: Marvell Armada 1500 Mini 88DE3005 SoC, 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 processor

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 2GB flash

Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p

Dimensions: 72(L) x 35(W) x 12(H) mm

Weight: 34 g

Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n (2.4GHz)

Power: microUSB (Power adapter included)

Price: $35 / ₱1642

Chromecast 2 Specs and Price

Output: HDMI

Processor: Marvell Armada 1500 Mini Plus 88DE3006 SoC, 1.2GHz dual ARM Cortex-A7 processors

RAM: 512MB

Storage: 256MB flash

Max. Output Video Resolution: 1080p

Dimensions: 51.9 in diameter, 13.49mm (H)

Weight: 39.1 g

Connectivity: 802.11 ac (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Power: microUSB (Power adapter included)

Price: $35 / ₱1642