Network Video Streamer

The Zidoo Z1000 Pro takes all the excellent features found on the company's cheaper Android TV media boxes and adds a high-end chassis, built-in HDD bay and antennas, and a full-sized Bluetooth remote control. Nice!  

The Zappiti One SE 4K HDR adds a second HDMI output for audio, but remains a simple solution to streaming virtually any media format.  

Google announce new Chromecast Gen 3 at the 2018 Pixel Event, along with Pixel Phone 3 and 3 XL, Home Hub and Pixel Slate.  

Now TV, Sky’s online only service, is getting some of the Sky-Netflix loving with support for Netflix as well as a new box with 4K, 60fps and HDR.  

Dolby Atmos surround sound is joining Dolby Vision on the Apple TV this month  

Nvidia update their media streaming box in an attempt to stay ahead of the competition  

Egreat makes a grab at the high-end of the media streamer market with the A11. It offers excellent video playback, object based audio passthrough, frame packed 3D and host of other features but is it really worth all that extra cash?  

The Minix Neo N42C-4 is the first device from the manufacturer that allows for upgrades to RAM and internal storage. It features Triple Display 4K video output, there's a VESA mount and UHD HEVC 4K decoding, Netflix, YouTube and the rest to keep home entertainment fans happy. Is this the mini-beast you're looking for?  

Billed as part NAS and part 'high-end' Android Media Player, the DVD Fab Movie Server is designed to simplify and enhance the process of watching your own disc rips but does it broach the inter-device duties successfully?  

Apple finally upgrade their TV streaming box, adding 4K, HDR and Dolby Vision support. Does the new device eclipse the competition and have Apple changed the game yet again?  

Do you want pretty much all the major UK streaming services, in up to 4K HDR, packed in to one, tiny and incredibly easy to use package? Look no further, the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is indisputably the best supported dedicated streamer available. Obviously, it's not without its niggles, though...  

There is a cinema mode hiding in the Fire OS 6 source code which would allow the Fire TV 3 to output content at a refresh rate that complements the frame rate of the content. We just need Amazon to unlock it and developers to make use of it now.  

The latest beta of tvOS for developers contains fixes for the dynamic range issues of the Apple TV 4K as well as adding dynamic refresh rate switching as an option.  

For less than £70 the new Fire TV offers up to 4K HDR streaming, an absolute wealth of apps and games and all the benefits of Alexa but is there a reason why it's £110 cheaper than the Apple TV 4K and NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV?  

The biggest draw for the Minix NEO Z83-4 Pro Mini PC is a cut-price Windows 10 Pro licence but, as a KODI alternative, the new CPU has stifled matters, somewhat. Still there's lots to like with excellent networking and great build quality among them.  

NVIDIA is pitting its SHIELD TV directly against the new Apple TV 4K - if it wasn't already - by releasing a games controller-free, remote-only, media-centric SKU at £179 which is precisely the price of the base ATV 4K model. Has Apple got them worried and should there be more of a reduction than £10?  

The OSMC Vero 4K benefits from tailor made software, superb manufacturer support and some excellent hardware on which to build. There are minor limitations but, chances are, they will be ironed out soon, making this one serious little contender.  

Egreat makes a very credible assault on the upper end of the Android media streaming market with the A10. It lacks some of the features of the competition but, in pure playback terms, it is right up there with the best.