Video Accessories and TV Add-Ons

Boxes, converters and small TVs: what each one does

An Android TV box adds apps and streaming to a screen that lacks them, and listings give memory and storage, such as 4 GB and 64 GB, plus the Android version. An over-the-air tuner or DVR receives or records broadcasts from an antenna, so it does nothing without one. A converter box lets an older set receive digital broadcasts. A smart TV usually already includes most of this, so check before adding a box.

Small portable TVs of 13 or 14 inches suit a kitchen, a caravan or a garage. Look for the inputs you will use, such as an external antenna jack, AV input or HDMI, and remember that a screen this small is built for convenience, so do not expect it to double as a main set. If it will live in a caravan, check whether it runs from 12 V as well as the mains.

Ports and power: what has to match

Match the output of the source to the input of the display. HDMI is the modern standard, while RCA composite and coaxial RF inputs on older sets need either an old-style output or a converter, and an HDMI signal cannot simply be wired into RCA sockets. Power adapters must match the device's voltage and plug and supply at least its rated current; the same wattage is not enough. The subcategories Video Adapters & Splitters and Digital TV Antennas cover the missing pieces.

Questions about Video Accessories and TV Add-Ons

Do I need an Android TV box if I have a smart TV?

Usually not. A box helps when the TV's built-in apps are outdated, missing a service you want, or slow. Compare the box's memory and Android version with what your TV already runs, and check that the TV has an HDMI port free.

Will an over-the-air DVR work without an antenna?

No. It records broadcast channels that arrive through an antenna, so you need an antenna with a usable signal from local transmitters. Tuner count matters too: a four-tuner unit can record or stream up to four channels at once.

Can an HDMI box connect to a TV that only has RCA inputs?

Not directly. You need an HDMI to composite or HDMI to AV converter, which is powered and may reduce picture detail to standard definition. Check that the converter accepts the resolution your box outputs.