android tv smart box

[#1]

Has anybody tried one of these ?
I was thinking about buying a new TV but I didn't know that then you have to buy a sound system as well
my old TV works fine and has got good sound so I thought a android box might be the way to go
I am only on adsl but I seem to be able to watch TV fine on my Imac with speeds of 2.2mbs
thanks

[#2]

I have a couple of them (I got them free for developing new roms on them) the are OKish, the wifi is cr@p unless it is right next to the router. If you want to use iplayer etc then a STB would be better than one of them, if you want to play games then the are quite good, if you can find a game that doesn't expect portrait mode by default. You need to add a mouse or a combo as they don't usually come with any controllers.

[#3]

I have a Measy U1A (just as a toy) and it's quite good! No stuttering on HD movies which is better than my home computer can manage

[#4]

Sorry yes they can play back HD stuff well, but you have to have it on a local disk to allow good playback, over the network/internet is iffy on my 2 boxes (cx-01 & mk802)

[#5]

Since getting my Raspberry Pi, I haven't bothered using the smart features of my TV at all. The experience of using XBMC is miles apart from the clunky, unintuitive experience you get with Samsung TVs...
It's a doddle to set up (using raspbmc), plays anything I throw at it with ease (1080p content over the network? No problem!) and is totally silent...
There are a few hidden costs mind you, but if you've already got a spare SD card, HDMI cable and phone charger, you're laughing!
I can't comment on Android devices, but from what I understand, hardware H.264 decoding is a rarity with these, so smooth playback isn't something that's guaranteed...

[#6]

Thanks for all the info
I went to currys today and they sold me the google tv smart box
really nice build quality feel to it
but  after doing the set up which was quite easy I found it is not compatible with skype So I will take it back tomorrow
you are right Hairy Biker i would have to download you tube etc to memory as my internet is just not fast enough
I have only wasted a couple of hours which I think is good going
So thanks again to everyone

[#7]

I thought about the pi but the SD decoding on them sucks. HD is fine, but 90% of my stuff is SD. All the android boxes I have will do mkv(HD) or avi (SD) playback no problem, as long as it ls local.

[#8]

Try one of these. They use the same quad core cpu's found in the latest Samsung smartphones.
Add a nice case and you have a very versatile, powerful system for use as a media server, stb, or anything else you can think of