How to configure and optimise Android TV set-top boxes

How to set up a smart set-top box step by step

First of all, you need to connect your TV set to the unpacked TV box using an HDMI cable. It is better to do it with an HDMI cable. To do this, find the HDMI connector on the set-top box. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the smart TV and the other end to the TV. To connect the smart set-top box, select the signal source from the HDMI cable in the TV settings.

Next, follow these steps:

1. Connect your Android set-top box to the Internet.
   To do this, find your home network in the settings, enter your login and password. For higher data transfer speed and stable connection it is desirable to connect the set-top box by cable or if possible to 5GHz Wi-Fi.
2. Set the language and time zone.
   Go to the "Settings" menu, then to the corresponding sections. Select the language and time zone you need (the time will be synchronised online).
3. Create a Google account or link an existing one.
   If you don't already have a Google account, create one on your PC. And then enter the corresponding login and password on your TV in the "Accounts" section.
4. Install the necessary programmes.
   You can watch TV over the Internet using the popular Youtube, Netflix, Megogo, Maxnet Web TV apps. Just install them on your Android set-top box and enjoy watching your favourite programmes and movies.

How to optimise your Android TV device for special accessibility features

If you want to expand the capabilities of your TV box, special accessibility features allow you to do so. So, if you wish, you can:

Enable and customise the screen reader programme

Using this programme will allow you to hear what is happening on your TV screen or PC monitor. To enable the screen reader programme:

1. Open the settings menu ().
2. In the "Device settings" section, press the icon — "TalkBack" — "Enable".

To change the TV set-top box settings, you need:

1. Open the settings menu ().
2. In the "Device settings" section, click the icon — "TalkBack" — "Configuration".
3. Select the values you need for such settings as speech volume, detail, key press sounding, usage prompts, voice passwords.

Enable subtitles

To display the text that accompanies the video sequence, you need to:

1. Open the settings menu ().
2. In the "Device settings" section, press the "Subtitles" icon .
3. Select a source.
4. Select one of the available options.

Enable high-contrast text

Here the algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Open the settings menu ().
2. In the "Device settings" section, click the icon .
3. Enable "High-contrast text" (experimental function).

Change the font size

If necessary, increase or decrease the font size. To do this, you need to:

1. Open the settings menu ().
2. In the "Device settings" section, press the icon — "Text and display".
3. Select the appropriate "Font size" using the slider.

But note that the selected font size does not apply to Google Chrome, as this application has its own settings.

You can also switch off the special features functions of the Android set-top box if you wish.

How to improve the TV set-top box on Android

There is one more point that is worth paying your attention to. While using a smart set-top box, you may notice that the device "slows down". This can happen for the following reasons:

• Insufficient Internet speed, which leads to minor lags while watching TV content.
• OS interruptions (in this case you may need to reset the settings to factory defaults).
• High cache load, because of which there is not enough free space in RAM to perform simultaneously running operations.
• Overheating of the Android set-top box during active work.
• Problems with the TV box software.

To speed up the work of the smart set-top box, you should follow these recommendations:

• Periodically free up memory space on the device.
  

  For your device to work more efficiently, it is desirable to keep at least 10% of the total memory free. Therefore, you should uninstall applications that you are not using. So, to free up memory you need to:

  1. Press the "Smart" button on the remote control.
  2. In the window that appears on the screen, select the "Edit" section.
  3. From the list of applications and programmes that will be displayed, select the ones that are not relevant for you and press the "Uninstall" button.
• Clear the cache regularly.
  

  Unneeded files clog up your storage. To delete them, you need to:

  1. Switch the TV to "Smart TV" mode.
  2. Launch the Internet browser and select "Settings" in the upper right corner.
  3. In the window that opens, select "Clear cache".
  4. Press the "OK"/"Done" button.
• Provide a temperature setting to cool the TV box.
  

  There are different processors in terms of energy efficiency, so the temperature of different smart boxes can vary significantly. For some models, the temperature can range from 40°C to 85°C. There can also be different modes of operation of the set-top box, such as watching films or gaming mode.

Adhere to the recommendations provided by us on setting up and optimising smart set-top boxes — and the device will work as efficiently as possible. And if you are interested in purchasing an Android media player, you can order the model on our website.