Streaming media online or from a NAS (network attached storage) has now become easier and more accessible with the advent of Android TV boxes. However, choosing the right Android TV box for your home is not as easy as you might be thinking. You will need to make sure that the Android box not only has a good build quality, but also supports a variety of media files. One of the few Android TV boxes that actually has these features and more is the Lynec M6.
Characteristics
With dimensions measuring 5 x 1.2 x 5 inches and weighing 9.1 ounces, the Lynec M6 has arguably the most solid and compact build of any Android TV box. Powering this device is an ARM-Cortex Quad Core CPU paired with a capable Mali 450 Quad Core GPU and 1GB of RAM. It currently runs Android 4.4.2 with Lynec which promises OTA updates and technical support in case you encounter any issues with it. Some people may scoff at the 8GB internal storage, but that shouldn’t be a concern as you can easily add more space to install apps and media via a USB port and an SD card slot. Also included in the package is an HDMI cable (to connect to your HDTV) and a remote control for easy navigation through the XBMC interface.
Pros
XBMC is already preloaded with plugins and optimized for the Lynec M6 hardware, so you don’t need to fiddle with its settings. Android Box XBMC optimizations ensure stability when it comes to streaming content, as well as offering more flexibility with its features compared to Vanilla XBMC. And unlike Roku, Apple TV, or Amazon Fire TV set-top box, you can actually stream content (movies and TV shows) using the Lynec M6 for free. The quad-core CPU and Mali-450 3D GPU also ensure that you won’t have a problem streaming media regardless of whether it’s in HD (1080p) or not.
Cons
If there was one thing that would improve the M6 it would be the inclusion of a mouse and keyboard in the package. The included remote is good enough on its own, but having a mouse and keyboard can make the M6 much more powerful than it already is. However, you will have to say goodbye to the compact package of this TV box if a mouse and keyboard are included.
Should you get the Lynec M6?
If price is the reason you’re still undecided about getting an Android set-top box, then you should definitely get the Lynec M6. It’s not the cheapest Android TV box on the market, but it’s not the most expensive either. With the many features and build quality it offers, this Android box could easily sell for double or triple the current price that it is selling for. In case you’re still not convinced, you can check out the numerous online reviews from satisfied customers who have used (and are no doubt still using) this Android box to stream multimedia content to their HDTVs.
