Airtel xstream vs tata sky binge plus vs Jio Fibre is the most common question in Indian Android TV set top box market. If you are planning to buy Android Set top box and not able to decide which one is best for you. We will help you to decide by comparing different Android Set Top Box features and their specifications like Airtel Xstreme, Tata Sky Binge plus, Jio Fibre STB etc.

Due to increase popularity of OTT apps such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hotstar etc. DTH service providers also getting tough competition from these OTT platforms.

Therefore to keep engage their users, now DTH companies like Airtel, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Videocon also providing hybrid set top box to their customer so that that they can have choice to watch both the contents live TV channels and OTT apps from same DTH set top box using broadband internet or with 4G data with mobile hotspot.

A hybrid set top box is a combination of both android TV and a DTH set top box. These boxes having traditional dish antenna input through coaxial cable and internet connectivity using Wi-Fi interface and through Ethernet port also.

You can also convert your normal TV to smart TV using these Android TV Set Top boxes.

You can screen mirror your android TV and Laptop over TV using inbuilt Chromecast and Miracast features of these Android Set Top Box.

What is Difference between Chromecast and Miracast

Chromecast is the proprietary feature of Google Android devices that allows users to cast apps directly from their mobile to Chromecast enabled devices like Google Chromecast, Android TV, Android TV Boxes, Android Sticks.

When you tap over cast icon on supported apps, the content link is directly picked up by Chromecast or built in Chromecast devices.

Miracast is a feature that allow users to cast their Mobile or Android Screen over Miracast supported TV, Wireless displays, and also you can screen mirror android or laptop screen over Windows 10 laptops.

Microsoft also provided Miracast dongle to use TV  or Monitor as wireless display.

These boxes are based on android TV OS that is customised by DTH service providers to make them use their services with DTH TV interface and switching between apps.

The only drawbacks of these customised set top box are that to watch OTT platform apps you have to also recharge your DTH connection with some minimum monthly recharge every month.

Otherwise along with DTH channels you will not be able to watch OTT apps also like Netflix , Amazon Prime etc. Even some DTH box also turn off Chromecast feature to cast the apps from your mobile to TV using their inbuilt Chromecast feature over Wi-Fi router.

Due to tough competition in the DTH market these boxes are made with very limited hardware to cut the cost.

For example, only 1GB /2GB RAM is available and internal storage in most of devices provided as 8 GB. However for memory expansion they are providing USB ports to connect thumb USB drive / Hard Disk and also some boxes having memory card slot to support up to 128 GB memory card.

Along with the DTH and OTT platform most of service provider also providing their tailor made proprietary app with additional subscription e.g. airtel xstreme app available for Rs. 999 yearly subscription. Tata Sky binge app is available for Rs. 299 monthly subscription after expiry of their 6 month welcome offer.

In Jio Fibre set top box Jio TV and other Jio apps are free along with their fibre broadband plan.

But Jio Set top box have other limitations compared to Tata Sky and Airtel that we will tell you later in this post.

In this post we have compared most of all the features, specifications, price, connectivity of these android set top box in details to find out answer of which Android Set Top Box Airtel xstream vs tata sky binge plus vs Jio Fibre is best for you.

Disclaimer: All the information gathered to write this post is based on various service providers official websites, Tech Blogs, Forums, online retailer sites, YouTube channels. Users are advised to confirm respective service providers about their plans, Set Top Box features, their specifications. As these may be changed time to time by service providers. This website cannot guarantee the actual specifications and other feature you may get in your purchased set top box.

Airtel xstream vs Tata Sky binge plus vs Jio Fibre vs Videocon D2H Vs Dish TV SMRT Hub

Jio Fibre Set Top Box

Jio Fibre is providing free set top box along with their fibre broadband plans to their customers. But in Jio STB you have to take separate DTH connection to watch live TV channels that can be taken from local cable TV providers. Right now there is no option to watch live TV channels in Jio STB via Dish antenna.

For live TV channels Jio may tie up with Hathway, DEN and GTPL, Jio already gathered stake in these companies.

In the previous models of their Set top box this Dish antenna port was not available but now in upgraded STB model they are providing dish antenna port along with upgraded version of Jio Fibre router.

Jio STB is android based STB but you are not able to use Google play store in it. The version of android is also not available in the settings. As per some YouTubers and Tech websites this is Android 7.0 in previous models and Android 9.0 in latest set top box.

 

However, kernel version and security patch are shown in the STB settings. Further Specifications are not confirms, seems it has 1-2 GB of RAM and 8 GB internal memory. As it is available in all similar Android DTH set top box.

In Jio STB  In place of Google play store, Jio is having Jio store to install apps. However, some apps already pre-installed like Amazon Prime Video, Disney + Hotstar, Sony LIV, ZEE5, Sun NXT, Voot, Jio Cinema and Jio Saavn.

You will get complimentary access to Hotstar VIP plan, Sony LIV, Voot, and others based on the tariff plan you pick. One year of Amazon Prime is available with Gold Plan and above at no extra cost.

But there is no Netflix app available also cannot be installed from Jio store. Jio Store having very few apps compared to Google Play store. Also, most of apps are tailor made Jio app.  Further you cannot install apps from pen drive, that is possible in other brands STB.

Jio STB is a 4K supported Box that is having both connectivity options LAN & Wi-Fi for other connectivity ports you can see the photograph below, where SAT IN input is available for dish antenna or cable TV, SPDIF for connecting home theatres, HDMI port, RJ45 port for ethernet LAN, two USB port and one power port.

Regarding memory card slot we are not confirm, it is available in most of the Android STB like Airtel, Tata sky etc.

Further using pen drive you can play the content saved in the USB drive. Recording feature is also available.

There is one more drawback in this STB that there is no Chromecast built in as like provided by other DTH Android STB.

Remote – Jio Is providing voice enabled remote along with their set top box, but google assistant is missing. This is a Bluetooth enabled voice controlled remote.

There is no option to change resolution in Jio STB settings (from 4K to Full HD or HD), by default all 4K enabled app run over maximum resolution. The internet data consumption will be higher as video by default run over 4K for the supported content and apps. Users have to consider plan accordingly.

Jio Fibre Plans

Airtel Xstreme Set Top Box

Airtel Set Top is providing their Android Based Hybrid Set top box for Rs. 3600 2499 for new customer and for existing customer at Rs. 2300 including STB charge and installation charges. Further airtel also providing free 3 months airtel xstreme app subscription with the new connection.

As like Jio Fibre STB this is not customised Android version. This Android STB is full-fledged Android TV Box with Android 9.0 and Google Play store support.

Features of Airtel Xstreme Android TV Set Top Box are as below

1. Support of Google assistant voice search using Bluetooth remote
2. Inbuilt Chromecast to cast apps from mobile or laptops
3. Memory card support up to 128GB for expansion
4. Google play store for all the apps installation
5. Side load of apps are also possible
6. Airtel xstreme app contents are available with the subscription of Rs. 999 for one year
7. Mobile can also be used as remote control using apps
8. Netflix app is available that is the major plus point in Airtel Xstreme Box as it is not available on all the other Android Hybrid STB

Some of drawback of Android Xstreme box are that there is still no program recording feature as of now as like available in Tata Sky binge, Videocon D2H and Dish TV STRM Box.

To enjoy the OTT platform apps and Chromecast also you need to recharge monthly your DTH connection.

If you want to watch only live channels using DTH connection, that is also possible without need of internet connection.

Airtel Xstreme STB box is based on Android 9.0, it is having 2GB RAM and 8 GB of internal storage.

Various ports available in Airtel Xstreme Box

1. SAT input for dish antenna
2. RJ-45 Lan port
3. HDMI Port 2.0
4. Optical S/P DIF
5. USB Port – 2 nos.
6. Power connector 12V
7. Memory card slot

Airtel price includes charges for 1 year free Airtel TV Xstream app, one month DTH services, 3 months subscription of ZEE5.

Tata Sky Binge Plus Android TV set top box

Tata Sky launched their set top box very late but to compete other Service provider Tata sky also kept the same price of Tata Sky STB i.e. Rs. 2999 . Earlier Tata Sky launched their STB at Rs. 5999, now they have reduced it to Rs. 2999.

As welcome offer you will get six months Binge service free plus 3 months Amazon Prime video, after that you have to pay Rs. 299 per month for Tata Sky Binge service that is similar to Airtel Xstreme app where many OTT platform videos, movies, shows are available in common app.

Tata Sky also providing free Amazon Fire TV stick to their existing customer with 30 days trial of Binge app plus 3 months Amazon prime subscription.

There is no Netflix app support in Tata Sky binge as like Airtel DTH box. But there is recording feature is available. There is also a feature to watch TV shows up to 7 days catch-up TV feature.

Tata Sky Binge + Android STB feature are as below

1. Hybrid Box to watch OTT + DTH channels
2. Android 9.0
3. Play store available
4. Side load of apps available
5. 2GB RAM + 8GB internal storage
6. Micro SD card slot available
7. 2 nos. USB ports along with recording support
8. Inbuilt Chromecast
9. Google assistant Bluetooth voice remote

Ports and connectivity details are similar to Android STB

1. SAT input for dish antenna
2. RJ-45 Lan port
3. HDMI Port 2.0
4. Optical S/P DIF
5. USB Port – 2 nos.
6. Power connector 12V
7. Memory card slot

Videocon D2H Stream and Dish TV SMRT HUB

Both the Videocon and Dish TV are launched their STB also, they are almost similar in features and various ports and connectivity. User interface and other features are also identical in both the STB.

These STB offers all the similar features as like Airtel and Tata Sky like Android 9.0 STB, Play Store, in built Chromecast (Also they are advertising that these STB supports Miracast to cast your devices without any hiccups). User Profile is also available to customised app experience for different users.

You can access the Profile section from the top left of your screen and create up to 5 user profiles as per your choice. The same profiles can also be edited by using Option key of the remote.

Both boxes are coming with preloaded apps like Video, ZEE5, Voot, Sony LIV, Alt Balaji, Hungama and Watcho.

It is having 1GB RAM / 8GB internal storage. As like Airtel and Tata Sky these boxes also having Google assistant voice search Bluetooth remote.

Program recording is also available using remote in USB drives.

AS like Tata Sky and Xstreme and Jio TV there is no special tailor made app available in the D2H and Dish TV SMRT.

The price of these both boxes are Rs. 3999/- for new customers.

D2H and Dish TV SMRT both are available for existing users at the price of Rs. 2499 for upgrade offer.

Netflix app is also not available in these two smart hybrid STB.

Ports and connectivity details are similar to other Android STB:

1. SAT input for dish antenna
2. RJ-45 Lan port
3. HDMI Port 2.0
4. Optical S/P DIF
5. USB Port – 2 nos.
6. Power connector 12V
7. Memory card slot (not confirm)

Airtel xstream vs Tata Sky binge plus vs Jio Fibre vs Videocon D2H Vs Dish TV SMRT Hub – Comparison of specifications and features

 

Features /Specifications	Jio Fibre STB	Airtel Xstreme	Tata Sky Binge+	Videocon D2H	Dish TV SMRT
App Store	Customised Android Box with Jio Store with limited app support	Full Android Box with Play Store	Full Android Box with Play Store	Full Android Box with Play Store	Full Android Box with Play Store
RAM / Internal Storage	Not confirm (may be 1-2 GB/ 8GB)	2 GB/ 8GB	2 GB/ 8GB	1 GB/ 8GB	1 GB/ 8GB
Live TV Channels with Dish Antenna	Right Now not available, Can be watch through apps	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Dish Antenna Port (SAT IN)	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HDMI out	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
RJ 45 for LAN	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Wi-Fi	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Recording	Yes	No (may be available soon)	Yes	Yes	Yes
Netflix support	No	Yes	No	No	No
Built in Chrome Cast	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Google assistant voice remote	Normal Voice remote	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Memory Card slot	Not Confirm	Yes	Yes	Not Confirm	Not Confirm
Price	Free with Jio Fibre Plan	Rs. 2499 for New & Rs. 2300 for existing customers	Rs. 2999	Rs. 3999 for New & Rs. 2499 for existing customers	Rs. 3999 for New & Rs. 2499 for existing customers
Supported Resolution	4K	4K	4K	2K Quad HD	2K Quad HD

 

Final Words

Airtel xstream vs Tata Sky binge plus vs Videocon D2H vs Dish TV – Which one to buy

If you are thinking to upgrade or purchase Android TV Hybrid Set Top Box than Airtel Xstreme and Tata Sky Binge both are better options. Airtel Xstreme and Tata Sky both are 4K enabled, having SD card support Airtel Xstreme having Netflix support also but recording feature is still not available (users have to check with Airtel if recording feature now enables in the latest firmware update).

In Tata Sky you will found recording feature, but Netflix support is not there. Videocon D2H stream and Dish TV STRM both are equal in features and specifications however these boxes are not having 4K & Netflix app support. Further RAM is 1GB in their STB compared to 2GB in Airtel and Tata Sky.

If you are planning to upgrade or purchase fibre broadband internet connection than Jio Fibre could be a better option for you as Jio Fibre STB comes free with Jio Fibre plan. You have to check whether in your locality Jio Fibre is available.

The drawbacks of Jio Android TV Set Top Box over Airtel and Tata Sky is that it is not having Google play store, apps options through Jio store are limited. Further for live TV channels you have to wait as Jio is under collaboration with different cable TV providers. Memory card, Google voice assistant, inbuilt Chromecast are missing in their STB.

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