Are you looking for a way to stream your locally saved media directly to your TV? Interested in the idea of an open-source set-top box with customizable third-party add-ons? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it sounds like you are looking for a Kodi box.
The next step is to determine which one best suits your personal needs. When it comes to Kodi boxes, there are plenty of options in the market. Different boxes are suitable for different usage situations. Unfortunately, it is not always easy to understand the wide range of choices. Keep reading to discover our top recommendations.
FAQ
Q:Is a Kodi Box legal?
Yes, there is nothing illegal about Kodi software or installing it on a streaming box. The issues stem from the types of content and add-ons you then watch through the app.
Q:Can Kodi run on any Android TV box?
Yes. Kodi is available in the Google Play Store so it can be installed on any Android box or Android TV.
Q:Can you install Kodi on a Smart TV?
Yes, but with caveats. Smart TVs aren't as powerful as some of the dedicated boxes we've discussed. Here's where smart TVs fall short from a Kodi perspective:
- Decoding: Most smart TVs have ARM cores. They are weak and seriously limit what you can decode in the Kodi app. As such, you rely on the formats that Kodi can decode using Android MediaCodec (AMC). The most common AMC formats are MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Part 2 ASP, H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC.
- Audio: TVs normally only have HDMI inputs and no outputs, so you'll need to use HDMI-ARC audio formats. There will be no HD, Dolby Atmos or DTS:X audio output.
- 4K resolution: You can have Kodi play 4K resolution videos on your smart TV, but you'll need to enable MediaCodec surface video acceleration mode in the Kodi app. This will force the TV to render the video output rather than the Kodi software. This setting should also enable HDR playback.
