Android TV boxes have become very popular since they are low-cost and can play games, stream videos from online sources, and, along with other apps, do many things.
As good as Android TV and Kodi can be it is a bit technical which can be a challenge for any non-technical person.
In this post I will explain the basics of using an Android TV box along with Kodi which hopefully will help anyone having problems.
This is meant to be a basic guide for those who have no idea what Android TV and Kodi is.
What is an Android TV Box?
Android TV is an Operating System created by Google which has become a term for most boxes running Android OS.
Android TV was created by Google for hardware and apps to give a smart TV experience.
It defers slight from the standard Android Operating System and is geared toward playing media such as movies and TV shows.
Like Android smartphones, the operating system is open source and free to use and modify. This makes it nice as a low-cost interface for a user to play media on a TV.
Apps can usually be installed to an Android TV Box from the Google Play Store.
Some low-cost boxes come with a smartphone Android version which can limit it at some task such as playing Netflix in full HD.
What is Kodi?
Kodi is a free media player that can stream and play videos from online sources or from a home network.
It has improved greatly over the years and is available on most any hardware platform, from Windows to Android devices.
One of the things that makes Kodi so popular is 3rd party add-ons that can be installed in to Kodi.
The most popular 3rd party add-ons stream movies and TV shows.
3rd party add-ons have nothing to do with Kodi itself but simply use it as a platform. Much the way most programs are not created by Microsoft for a Windows computer, most add-ons are not created by Kodi developers.
Hooking Up an Android TV Box To a TV
Most all Android TV boxes use an HDMI video interface to play video and sound to a TV.
Connecting the HDMI cable to a TV, powering up the box, and having the TV set to the correct HDMI input is all that is required.
Connecting to the Internet WiFi or Ethernet
The interface can differ between Android TV box manufacturers, but an internet connection is needed to stream online content.
The best setup is to use a wired Ethernet cable if possible, but not everyone will have an Ethernet connection close and have to use WiFi.
Most Android boxes will have the wireless and Ethernet in Settings–>Network–>WiFi.
Once an internet connection is setup Kodi apps such as Kodi are ready to be used.
Using Kodi With an Android TV Box
Kodi is simply another app within an Android TV box and will start when the Kodi Icon is clicked.
It can be installed from the Google Play Store or the main Kodi download page.
Kodi menus are divided up into sections including Pictures, Videos, Music, Programs, and System.
Video Add-ons would be under Videos–>Add-ons.
Installing Add-ons is not difficult but does require some technical skill and several steps.
Read Here for the most popular Add-ons.
Most Add-ons will give a server list of links and a good link will need to be found.
If a link gives an error or buffers simply move on to another link. Often it can take 4-5 links to find a good one and for the video to play.
Summary
The above is a basic overview of Kodi and an Android TV box with much more available to a user.
Other apps can also be used such as YouTube or an Internet Browser which can stream content.
Some can become confused when using Kodi since it is technical and may not be for everyone.
While Kodi may be a bit technical it is free and very useful once understood.
I need instructions to navigate bought kodi android box last year every time we try to watch some thing and it says one or more items failed to play check log for more information. I need instructions on how to use everything. Our box can set up when we bought it.
Thanks for this easy to follow page. I’m useless with tech but Kodi box up and running (well busy updating at the moment )
Can I use an android box with a chomecast to sent TV to another TV?
I keep getting a blue bix top of screen that says
Swipe down from top to exit full screen
I cant get rid of it help
Just bought a new minix neo, it has a kodi app on the main screen but nothing there for any add ons or anything, its just blank. There is an option to add an app but there’s no app for “add-ons”. I’m still pretty new to this but I’ve been searching to find the add-on app and there’s nothing that comes with all the apps for the box. Do I need to download something more for kodi or something else? Please help!
I find with the box certain porn apps are not working. Can you please help me and my girlfriend:}
My mxq pro keeps on rebooting I am on wire less what would course this
Someone else set up my TV box. He then gave it to me ready to use. My only problem is that the build he used is terrible. It’s not user friendly & doesn’t include the options I want. How do I get rid of it and get a simpler, more basic build?!
I can’t get any info on the left side of my screen it is getting cut off. How do I shrink the screen to get that info
You need to resize the screen. With your TV remove hit the aspect button until it gives you the proper screen size t see everything.
How do I turn it off
Help i have box at top if screen that says swipe down from top to exit full screen
It wont go away
Use the mouse icon on the remote. Move the arrow onto OK , hit ok on remote. Push mouse icon again to go back to normal remote.
the booklet that came with tv box does not explain enough on how to connect to get full use of box. am I missing a step to connect to kodi. help!
the booklet that came with my box was totally useless and pathetic. Cannot configure box.
I just purchased an android tv box. I have selected my internet provider but I don’t get any menu for movies, tv, music etc. I don’t see anything. The only menu I have shows Google Play Store, Miracast, FileBrowser, etc. What am I doing wrong?
I’m sorry did you think you could hook it up plug it jump on the box and start watching movies and TV shows etc?
I’m not sure what the rules are for disgusing
The Android TV platform box ..
The boxes do come with basic instruction on how to HDMI box to TV and plug cord in ..
You have to do the Programming by downloading the kodi app from google play, research “kodi ” and ya can pretty much get step by step help on YouTube , write what you find about step by step direction, and you’ll be good for go. The more you read the better you’ll navigate and become formula with the what to dos
Download kodi from Google play then look up the best Kodi builds on utube they will show you step by step
Go to google play store, use search to install kodi, and any other app you want.
I have a cordless remote..but the key board keeps poping up on screen. How do i make that disappear? Thanks
I just got an android box and it didn’t come with instructions on how to navigate through it I can’t watch movies. Please help any know to use this box?
My request is relatively simple, How do you get programmmes on Kodi to pause? There is no pause on the remote control.
Buy the 13 keyboard remote it has a pause and fast forwrd
Would it be much of a problem to get some of the replies on line.
Use a wireless mouse fix your prob
I have a Vizo 4K tv, do I need to get a Kodi box with 4K ?
Hello all,
I’m having trouble with the kodi downloads.
I have a neo u1,version 5.1.1. When I turn the box on I go to kodi from Android home page a bigger box comes up with a smaller box with the kodi symbol in it. Kodi comes up with the side bar on the left side of the screen. In the main part it says my library is empty.
I go down to the add ons and exodus is there, I clicked on it to see what happens and t.v and movies are there.
The last box I had went right to kodi off the main Android page and everything was there.
My questions are, is there an easier way to use these programs and where do I find the favorites list.
Sorry for the long explanation
I’m having a hard time downloading amazon prime video. I downloadloaded one version to kodi but it won’t let me sign in. Also, how do you close out of apps? My Netflix isn’t working, but it may just need to be refreshed.
Thanks!
I just received a new RCA 39″ Tv set and unable to connect to WiFi, what can I do?
How can I get rid of favorites plesse?
That depends. If you have a newer one with smart cast you should be able to download android Kodi from google play store onto the remote tablet. If like me you have older smart tv (4K) the “smarts” are part of the tv and I don’t believe there is a kodi app available. You would need an android box not necessarily 4K but why not.? I just put a minix neo u1(4K capable) on wifi connection with exodus add on. There isn’t much 4K material on exodus
is there a tutorial on how i can add these on kodi on my android ,iv got kodi 19 on my samsung but i can never seem to add the add onns
cheers
My T95X TV box was working perfectly, suddenly I tried to see some picture by Netflix, and there is no communication with the TV (the menu screen it does not appears on the TV), the blue led on/off the box is working, the remote control is working, I pushed the reset switch (inside the VA input) and there is no signal, I connected directly the modem to the TV box and there is not signal. Please help me to work this problem. Thanks.
how do i turn off update notifications sound, really annoying.
I just purchase the GS TV Box and hooked it up to the TV using the HDMI cable provided. The TV screen will show the “GS logo view”, but the remote control that came with the box is not being recognized. How do I get to the setup or settings screen if the remote doesn’t seem to work (installed batteries and top right “button” on the remote lights up when any other button is depressed)
It really would be helpful if there were answers for these questions…after all, we are beginners…
Hello
I want to download Kodi, so i manually removed it from my box. But now when i go to the google play store, the download is stuck on”download pending”
I have already shut down, logged in/out with 2 different accounts and cleared the cache. Yet it still shows download pending.
How can i fix this?
Thanks
It takes a 5 min for download to happen after that go into your apps and find an app called installer you will find it there click on it twice and download ENJOY.
hi
having a problem playing HTML movies from 123movies.net
it goes to the website and tries to play then just stops
is there something i have to do so i can play movies on this site?
i am a novice when it comes to android always been a windows fan LOL
got mxq pro 🙂
Hi we just purchased the android level box,, got it hooked up properly but can’t find the kido icon or the globe icon as instructed on the iTunes videos as how to install!!! Any suggestions??????.
I can’t get any info on the left side of my screen it is getting cut off. How do I shrink the screen to get that info
How can i fix this?
Goto apps, goto settings, goto display, see if selected 1000 pix setting, check resolution, see if you can find where you can use your mouse to select a ” zoom out ” setting to fit picture into your TV screen
Hi! I have two 3rd generation Kodi box and max I can load is Jarvis 16.1…is it outdated and time to buy the latest version? I can get Elysium to work but I get the “no stream available” message in the lower right when I try to view some of the latest shows. I also cannot reinstall on one MIC IPTV….though Sports Devil works fine on both. I am afraid to start fresh, as I won’t be able to load/update anything. I’ve gotten a good 2.5 years out of these..so I saved a lot on cable 🙂 Any suggestions on the next Kodi box I should buy?
StreamHub it’s the best has movies, live tv it’s own maintenance feature, it’s only video addon I use.
Look at setting up a Kodi build on Utube it will answer all your questions