* This post may have affiliate links. Please see my Disclosure.*

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

The way we watch television keeps evolving. Technology is getting better and faster. Many people are looking to cut the cable bill and use a combination of an over the air TV antenna and internet streaming. There are a few companies that are meeting this demand. In this article, we are going to look at several Android boxes with built-in tuners that will allow you to record live TV. In addition, they can stream online content to your television, without a subscription fee. These boxes are small and powerful. All of these Android boxes offer a built-in TV tuner to allow you to plug in your HD antenna and record and pause live TV.

Android Boxes With Built-in Tuners That Record Live TV

Channel Master Stream+

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

The Channel Master Stream+ integrates two OTA tuners to record and watch antenna broadcast signals. It allows for the recording of two shows simultaneously while watching a streaming service. The Stream+ has a subscription-free live program and DVR guide, that makes viewing and recording your favorite TV show seamless. The Stream+ is capable of 4K and HD viewing. It is all powered by an Android operating system that also allows you to install just about any app, game, or streaming service from the Google Play Store. The Channel Master Stream+ is a fully integrated media player for anyone looking to watch and record OTA broadcast TV and has the capability to stream many popular streaming apps.

For a More In-Depth Look at The Channel Master Stream+ Check Out Our Article.

Tech Specs

The Channel Master Stream+ technical specifications and features:

What is in the box:

  • Stream+
  • Quick Start Guide
  • IR/Bluetooth/Voice Remote
  • 2 – AAA Batteries
  • Power Supply
  • 1 Year Limited Hardware Warranty

Hardware and Software:

  • Quad-Core ARM Processor
  • Android Nougat 7.0
  • 4KP60 UHD 10-bit HEVC
  • HDR-10
  • SD or HD, Up to 1920 X 1080
  • 4kp50-60, UHD Up to 3840×2160
  • Integrated Voice Search
  • Two internal ATSC 1.0 tuners
  • Built-in Google Cast (Chromecast) functionality
  • Dolby Digital and Dolby Digital+ audio support

Connections:

  • RF Port (ATSC 1.0 Dual Tuner)
  • HDMI Port (2.0 with HDCP 2.2)
  • Optical Audio Port (SPDIF)
  • USB Port (USB3.0)
  • Ethernet Port (10/100BaseT)
  • MicroSD Port (U3 Required for DVR Capability up to 512GB)
  • Wireless 2.4 GHz /5 GHz WiFi
  • Dual Band 802.11ac
  • Bluetooth 4.1

Where to Buy:

The Channel Master Stream+ is available at these retailers.

Channel Master:

Channel Master Stream+ OTA DVR and Streaming Box

Channel Master Stream+

eBay:

Channel Master Stream+

VBox Android TV Gateway

VBox Android TV Gateway Over The Air DVR

The VBox Android TV Gateway is an Android-based DVR that will record over the air antenna signals and stream the content to multiple wireless devices on your network. It allows for the flexibility of hooking into a standalone HDMI television or stream your recorded and live broadcast content to several devices around the home.

Product Features

  • Watch Broadcast TV on multiple devices simultaneously up to 4 channels
  • Watch on iOS and Android devices, Smart TVs, PC & Mac, via VBox TV apps, or via 3rd party apps at home and on the go
  • Recast up to 4k broadcast quality Live TV content with a minimal effect on bandwidth
  • Use DVR capabilities to record Live TV, schedule, and manage recordings at home and on the go
  • Record multiple TV shows simultaneously and share recording between devices
  • Recast to additional rooms at home without additional cable installations
  • Transcoding capability in connected devices from 240P to 1080P
  • Over-the-air electronic program guide (EPG)

System Requirements

See our full article on the VBox Android TV Gateway.

Where to Buy:

The VBox Android TV Gateway is available for purchase at this retailer:

VBox Communications

WeTek Play 2 Hybrid Media Center

The WeTek Play 2 is a powerful Android box that will record over the air TV. Just plug in your HD antenna, allow the box to scan for new channels and you are ready to go. It comes with a removable antenna module that will work in the USA, Canada, or UK. You can pause, rewind and record live OTA television. It is not just limited to OTA signals, this box will also work with cable and satellite connections. Just insert the appropriate module for your location and needs. The WeTek Play 2 is capable of running many of the apps available from the Google Play Store, including Kodi. This box is powerful enough to stream 4K content. The user interface is easy and intuitive. If you plan on cutting the cord, this box is well worth considering.

 

Electronic Program Guide

The WeTek Play 2 comes with an electronic program guide that will help you view and record what is on TV. You can schedule your recordings in advance. It also has a handy web interface that will allow you to remotely control the box from anywhere.

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

Modules

The WeTek Play 2 can be used with different removable modules. Make sure to select the appropriate tuner module for your country and needs. The available modules are DVB-S2, DVB-C/T/T2 and ATSC.

 

Specifications:

  • Processor (CPU): Quad-core (Amlogic S905H)
  • GPU: Mali MP-450 Penta core
  • RAM Memory: 2 GB DDR III
  • Flash memory: 8 GB eMMC
  • Modular Tuners: DVB-S2 (satellite), DVB-C/T/T2 (cable/terrestrial) and ATSC (North America, South Korea)
  • Wireless LAN: 802.11 B/G/N
  • Supported Wi-Fi: 2.4/5 GHz (AP6330)
  • Ethernet: 1000 Mbit/s (Gigabit Ethernet)
  • Bluetooth: 4.0
  • S PDIF optical out: 1x
  • HDMI: 1x 2.0
  • A/V Output: compatible only with 17mm TRRS jack
  • MicroSD: 1x
  • USB 2.0: 3 External
  • Serial Debug: Yes, external
  • Power socket: DC In
  • Software: Android Lollipop 5.1.1
  • Stream support : RTSP, RTP, HTTP, UDP, IGMP etc.
  • DRM: Google Widevine, Microsoft Play ready, HDCP 2.2
  • Video processing: H264, H265 up to 4k@60Hz
  • Video codecs: H.265(10bit), H.264 AVC, H.264 MVC, MPEG-4 ASP, VC-1, AVS, MPEG-2, MPEG-1
  • Audio codecs: MP3, AAC, WMA, RM, FLAC, Ogg, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS
  • Subtitles: DVB, SRT, SUB
  • EPG: XMLTV

 

Where to Buy:

The WeTek Play 2 Hybrid Media Center is available for purchase at these retailers:

eBay:

WeTek Play 2 Hybrid Media Center

Amazon:

WeTek Play 2 Hybrid Media Center

MyGica ATV 586 ATSC TV Recording PVR Android TV Box

The MyGica ATV 586 is a decent all-in-one DVR and streaming box. It offers a powerful ARM Cortex A5 Quad-Core CPU with 1GB DDR3 RAM. The best feature is the built-in over the air tuner (ATSC tuner). Just plugin your’re over the air antenna and allow the box to scan your area for free HD channels. Then you can schedule and watch recordings of your favorite TV shows. This box offers a nice on-screen overlay when you are watching live TV that will allow you to pause and record. Another nice feature is the EPG guide that allows you to see upcoming TV shows and times. It will also let you schedule weekly recordings of a particular show. In order to use the DVR feature, you will need to plug in an external hard drive or storage device for it to record on.

User Interface

The MyGica ATV 586 box offers an uncomplicated user interface. It is a simple yet effective GUI. You can access and install many apps from the Google Play Store and the MyGica Store. You can play games and install many of your premium streaming services like Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and Netflix. This box also has Kodi fully loaded so you can enjoy the benefits of this powerful media software. Its GUI has an easy update option that will keep the box running smoothly.

Mirroring

A nice feature is the ability to stream live TV to your Android phone or tablet. The box has a powerful wireless network antenna that will give you a strong internet connection anywhere throughout the house. This is a great one-solution box that will cover just about all your media needs.

Specifications

  • Operating System: Android™ 4.4 Kitkat
  • System Processor: Quad-core ARM® Cortex™-A5 up to 1.5GHz
  • Graphics Processor: Quad-core ARM® Mali™-450
  • Digital TV Tuner: ATSC HDTV Tuner
  • Video Resolution : 1080p(60fps),1080i,720p,720i,576p,576i,486p,486i
  • Video Playback Codec : MPEG 1/2/4,H.265,H.264,VC-1,WMV,AVI,MKV,MOV
  • System Memory: 1 GB DDR3 RAM
  • Internal Media Storage : 8 GB eMMC embedded MultiMediaCard
  • Video Interface: 1 x HDMI 1.4
  • WiFi : 802.11b/g/n 2.4 GHz
  • Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.0
  • Ethernet Interface: RJ45 10/100 Megabits
  • USB Support : 2 x USB 2.0 Ports Max USB HDD Support is 2TB
  • Micro SD Card: 1 Slot Max 128GB

Package Contents

  • MyGica ATV 586
  • Remote Control
  • AC Power Adapter
  • HDMI Cable
  • Mini Indoor Antenna
  • Quick Installation Guide

Where to Buy:

The MyGica ATV 586 is available for purchase at these retailers:

eBay:

MyGica ATV 586

Amazon:

MyGica ATV 586

SkyStream X5 Android TV Box with Built-In TV Tuner & DVR

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

The SkyStream X5 is a very impressive Android box. It comes with a built-in TV tuner and DVR. You will need a separate HD antenna for this to work. This will allow you to watch all your local over the air broadcast channels in HD. You can also record over the air shows with their built-in DVR. You can pause and skip over the commercials. The recordings will require an external USB hard drive or SD card. Just screw in your HD antenna and hit the scan button for the box to attain your local stations. This box will also tell you what programs are coming up in their guide. It runs Kodi very well. It has an easy-to-use and responsive interface. The SkyStream X5 functions like most Android boxes on the market, allowing you to install many apps from the Google Play Store. It has strong wireless capabilities due to the external WIFI antenna. They have an active forum page for any technical questions and a great YouTube channel of how-to videos. Overall this is the best Android box for over the air recording I have seen on the market.

Specifications

  • CPU: S812 Quad Core
  • GPU: Mali-450 Octa Core
  • RAM: 2GB DDR3
  • Flash: 16GB
  • WiFi: 802.11AC
  • External Antenna
  • LAN: 10/100 Mbps
  • USB: 4 ports
  • HDMI & AV Outputs
  • Air Mouse with Full QWERTY Keyboard
  • Built-in TV Tuner with DVR (external antenna required)
  • Unlocked & Rooted Android 4.4 OS

Where to Buy:

The SkyStream X5 Android TV Box is available from this retailer:

eBay:

SkyStream X5 Android TV Box

 

Aura Live

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

Another great Android box with a built-in tuner is the Aura Live. This box has many of the same features as the MyGica ATV 586. The one main difference is this box has an antenna output. This allows you to pass the over the air signal to your HD TV. You can then continue to use the internal tuner of your TV if you prefer. You can also watch and record live TV with this box. The user interface is easy to use and well designed. It has all of the apps that are available from the Google Play Store like Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, Netflix, YouTube, and PBS to name a few. It also has a nice built-in web browser that will let you surf the web from the couch on your big screen TV. It also has Kodi already installed. You can share content from any device to the Aura Live box onto your big screen TV.

Specifications

  • Over-The-Air DVR Integration
  • Full Web Browsing
  • Keyboard Controller
  • Picture Viewing
  • Video Calling
  • Video Games
  • Quad Core Processor
  • Max. Resolution: 1080p
  • Audio/Video Outputs: Optical Audio, Component (YPbPr) RCA, HDMI
  • Media Input Connectivity: Bluetooth, Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi
  • 4 USB Inputs
  • 1 Micro SD Input (64GB Max)
  • 1 HDMI Output
  • 1 Antenna input
  • 1 Antenna output

User Interface

Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

Where to Buy:

The Aura Live is available for purchase at this retailer:

eBay:

Aura Live Streaming Box

Other Options for Recording OTA Antenna Signals

There are a few methods to record an OTA antenna signal. Here is a list of different ways to record an over the air antenna signal.

Kodi PVR

The media software Kodi allows you to playback your recorded antenna signal. This requires a back-end device to capture and record the antenna signal. There are many different ways it can be set up. It can be inexpensive to build. You can see our how-to article below:

Setting up Kodi for live OTA tv and PVR new

Setting up Kodi for Live Over The Air TV and PVR.

OTA Digital Converter Box

Another simple way to record OTA TV is to use a digital converter box. Your OTA antenna plugs into the converter box and the content is recorded onto an external USB hard drive. It is simple and easy to implement.

OTA Digital Converter Recording Device

How to Record Over The Air TV With a Digital Converter Box / DVR.

OTA DVR

You can also record using an OTA DVR. These units are all in one devices that record your antenna signal. They all have an internal hard drive and allow you to schedule the recordings.


Record Over The Air TV with a PVR.

Conclusion

All of these Android boxes with built-in tuners offer practical solutions for anyone looking to record live over the air TV. They are well priced and offer many online streaming options to boot. If you are looking for one box that can do it all, then choose one of these media boxes. It may be the only box you will ever need.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,589 other subscribers
July 14, 2023 0

The Best Over The Air Antennas Based on Performance and User Feedback

Last updated: Friday, July 14, 2023Having a reliable over-the-air antenna is important. It can improve the reception of television stations and ensure a strong signal. In this article, we will discuss the best over-the-air antennas based on performance and user feedback. These antennas have consistently received positive reviews from users and are recognized for their ability to capture signals effectively. However, it’s important to research and consider your specific location, terrain, and distance from broadcast towers to determine the most suitable antenna for your needs. The Best Over-The-Air Antennas Based on Performance and User Feedback Channel Master EXTREMEtenna CM-4228HD The Channel Master EXTREMEtenna [...]
Ad
About Johan
I started this site to educate the public on alternative ways you can watch television besides subscribing to cable. I have been in the audio-visual business for over 20 years. I also have an extensive computer networking background. I am a Microsoft Certified Professional and CompTIA Network+ Certified Technician. I hope you will find my articles and reviews helpful in conscious uncabling.

26 Comments

  1. hello Johan

    This is very interesting. I was wondering is there such a box that uses satellite as its over air input.

    Regards
    Mark Statham

  2. Thanks

  3. Wetek Play 2 is the best DVR ota solution for Android at the moment. They’re custom rom support and even openelec support

  4. I really wanted to get one of the Skystream x5 or Auramedia, but seems they (& ones similar to it) are off the market now? Why did Skystream stop with the x5? Their new unit does not offer a built in tuner. Auralive is out of business and the Mygica has limited features compared to these other two. I’ve read about the Geniatech ATV1815H, but good luck trying to actually find one for purchase.

    The wetek play 2 seems to be the only unit on the market that similar

    • These boxes are becoming very rare indeed. I am not sure why Skystream pulled the x5 off the market. Maybe they were trying to promote their newer box. It is a shame there are not more boxes in this space. There seems to be a demand for them. I will keep my eyes open and if new ones become available, I will update this post. Thanks!

  5. I have an Aura.. it is horrid on the PVR front. I think pretty much all android based devices have the same issues………..

  6. Looking for a streaming box with:
    Coax input jack for my digital antenna (uses coax cable)
    ATSC tuner obviously…my TV is a monitor
    HDMI & optical outputs to my receiver
    USB port for external harddrive
    Ethernet jack
    2nd HDMI jack to passthrough signal from an Xbox or PS4
    DVR capability that I can use with the external HD for storage
    Possible to DVR more than 1 show at the same time?

  7. It is posible to watch International channels? cable companies have them in their Very Expensive packages, especially spanish packages.
    Thank You!

  8. So they record only local Tv, what about international tv, like HBO, CNN, Bein Sports? if i wanna record or schedule a record on those int. channels, they can’t do that?

    • The WeTek Play 2 can record antenna, satellite or cable TV. If your source is from any of those three, then you can record any channel that is being broadcast. You will need to buy the appropriate module or tuner to record. This is all based on using a builtin tuner to record broadcast TV, not using the Internet.

  9. It records whatever is picked up on the TV Tuner.

  10. I liked the article. I’m writing this comment more than a year after the article was written (1/30/2018). I am have canceled my Dish net which I liked but was expensive for a retiree. So I am going OTA and streaming what I can through Hughes Net satellite internet as of right now because it’s the quickest internet avaliable to me where I live period. I bought a really cheap DVR (30 dollars shipped to store through Walmart) and will use it till my Channel Master Stream+ arrives which I preordered for 99 dollars. It is a double tuner ((Permits recoding 2 programs at the same time) Android DVR which will, if it works as advertised, allow me to Record and play back my OTA channels and to stream via Google play etc from one box. When the Stream + arrives I will likely set up the Walmart DVR (Ematic AT103B) in our bedroom.

    • Sounds like a nice setup! I am excited to see how the Channel Master Stream+ works out. Looks like a cool device. I am planning to write an article about it soon and will add it to the list of OTA DVRS in the post.

  11. Stream + does not allow a hdd to be attached for recording. and Wetek 2 can not be found to buy anymore. have tried amazon and ebay. any other suggestions for a android with a separate hdd attached for recording?

  12. I just got a MiBox and will be adding a USB Tuner to it and using Google Live Channels. With a USB Hub I’m able to attach my HDD and it is picked up by VLC for playback of movies, I’m thinking it will be pretty simple to record to it as well.

  13. Hi,
    Wonder if you could update this article from 2016 to show the latest streaming boxes that also have antenna inputs:
    “Android Boxes With Built in Tuners That Record Live TV

    January 5, 2016 Johan”
    The above article was from your site, but is 3 years old now.
    Thanks

  14. There needs to be an update to this article or an all new one done. Android versions older than 5 are not too useful now since YouTube and many other sites, services, and apps no longer support 4.x or older.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*