Many of the latest releases support Flash, HDMI and multilingual GUI. Most have built-in WiFi for quick Internet connection. Some boast parental lock, and auto-scanning and EPG functions.

Expandable NAND flash

Grand Electronics (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd

Shenzhen Grand’s Android 4.1-based FV-10HD122 model uses a Rockchip 3066 Arm Cortex A9 processor and an OpenGL ES2.0 Mali-400 GPU. It comes with a 1GB DDR3 RAM and 4GB NAND flash, which can be expanded to 16GB. It also supports HDMI with a video output resolution of 1080p at 60Hz and has a data transfer rate of 10/100Mbps.

7.1-channel HD pass-through

HiMedia Technology Ltd

The Android 4.2-based Q5II model from HiMedia supports 7.1-channel HD pass-through and comes with a 2.4Hz QWERTY remote control. The unit is compatible with XBMC, Netflix, Skype, Google Talk, IPTV and 3D BD-ISO. It boasts an SATA and three USB 2.0 ports, and can play media files from NAS/PC via LAN or WiFi. The housing is made of aluminum.

Multiformat HD video decoder

Lichine Technology Co. Ltd
Priced at $33 to $40, Lichine's Android 4.2-based A02 model features a 1080p HD video decoder that supports most video formats. It is compatible with Flash 10.2, HTML5 and Google browser, and has a built-in WiFi and an external antenna. The unit also packs four USB 2.0 hosts, a 10/100Mbps RJ45 port, a 3-in-1 SD/MMC/MS card reader and a 2.4GHz QWERTY remote control. The product supports multilingual GUI as well.

Access YouTube, Skype, Facebook, Twitter

One Audio Digital Ltd
The IPR1106-5 model from One adopts an Amlogical 8726-MX processor and comes with a built-in WiFi. It supports DVB-S2 as well. The unit can also be used to access YouTube, Netflix, Flixster, Hulu, Skype, Facebook, Twitter and Amazon.

Android TV STB allows parental lock

Shenzhen Ablee Electronic Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Ablee's AT2-6166 model runs on Android 4.2.2 and uses an RK3066-MXS Arm Cortex A9 1.6GHz dual-core CPU. The unit supports 1,080p, 1,080i, 720p, 576p 480p, 576i and 480i with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and 4:3. It also has an auto-scanning feature, parental lock and 7-day EPG function. Netflix, Hulu, Flixster, YouTube, Skype, Google's Android, Market and Amazon can be easily accessed as well. The price is $40 to $45.

Slim Android

Shenzhen Vipstech Co. Ltd
Shenzhen Vipstech offers the slim Android 4.2-based V52-1225-1 model that utilizes an Allwinner A20 Arm Cortex 1GHz dual-core processor. The unit has a maximum resolution of 1080p, and enables WiFi and LAN connection. The product packs a 1GB RAM, 4GB NAND flash and two USB 2.0 hosts. The CE-, FCC- and RoHS-certified model also comes with HDMI and AV cables, remote control and adapter.