Classic decoder VS Android decoder
At the start of the millennium, our historical access providers began to equip us with decoders in addition to the modem. Once connected to our televisions, they allow us tohave access to TV channels via the Internet, via an operator’s server. They have thus almost replaced reception by rake antenna, cable or satellite dish – but we bet that the oldest of our readers still remember them!
From now on, we see appearing more and more often “Android” decoders, that is to say equipped with a revisited version of the Android operating system already present on our smartphones and tablets. With them, our “old” old-fashioned TV is being transformed and modernized: lsuddenly able install applications, in addition to its usual broadcast functions (live or replay, with all the live control functionalities that this implies). We speak then of “smart TV”. No need to invest in a recent model while your screen still works very well!
You can then switch between TF1 or M6, but also between Netflix or Spotify, YouTube or Prime Video: all you need to do is download your favorite apps from the Google Play Store, or even subscribe, as you would with traditional pay channels. You are also free to open an Internet page to look for a recipe or the address of your next appointment, for example.
Two other very practical daily features will then be accessible to you:
- the Google Play voice assistant, by pressing the microphone button on your remote control;
- And the built-in Chromecast function: with it, all it takes is one click to switch the screen of your smartphone to that of your television.
Some examples of compatible offers
Let’s start with the obvious: no decoder will be provided with dual-play offers. For the rest, all access providers now have Android decoders, even if it is not on all their offers.
At Free for example, the Player Revolution is not compatible, unlike to Player Pop, available with Freebox Pop and Freebox Ultra. The latter also has the immense advantage of including the most popular streaming platforms. Unheard of among any of its competitors, and enough to understand its slightly unusual price.
At Bouygues Telecom, Android decoders appeared in 2015 and are available with the Bbox Must (the family car) and with the Bbox Ultym (for the most demanding). Of course, the “TV Box decoder” is 4K compatible, but also HDR.
For its part, SFR has developed the “Connect TV Android” decoder for its SFR Power Box. It will also be provided to RED by SFR subscribers who request it. Otherwise, SFR offers the SFR Box 8 TV for its Premium offer, with the added bonus of an integrated speaker for a more immersive cinema experience.
Obviously, Orange is not left out with its 4K UHD TV decoder, HDR and Dolby Atmos compatible, and also proposed to equip Sosh subscribers.
