
Originally Posted by
maird57
What's the latest model? The reason I ask is I have a friend that wants the best Buzz box for streaming.
Latest is not always the best. The latest ro be released I believe are the B5 and E5. They are great boxes but they are more geared to be budget friendly.
Then you have the X5, U5, and HD5.
The U5 is ideal for anyone doing a lot of PVR recording, since it is similar to the trusty xrs4900, and it has a slot on the underside of the box to support an HDD. If you go with the U5, I do strongly recommend getting and SSD instead of traditional mechanical drive. Box has 4GB of RAM, and since it allows the addition of a SATA drive, this box only has 32GB of onboard storage. Has USB2 and USB3 ports, HDMI and a Gigabit LAN. The U5 wifi, is WiFi 6.
The X5 is similar to the U5 in terms of internal CPU (which is the S905X4). It also has 4GB of RAM, But it comes in 64GB or 128GB of internal storage varieties. And has to external Antenna for the WiFI. Also Has USB2 and USB3 ports, HDMI and a Gigabit LAN. The WiFi on the X5 is Wifi 5.
** HOWEVER, they have released a newer version of the X5, the "BuzzTV X5 AX Special Edition", which has WiFi 6.
The HD5 is more of a little portable device. Only comes with 2GB or RAM and 16GB of internal storage, and the CPU is the the 905y4 (unlike the X5 and U5 which have the 905X4). Has only a USB2 ports, HDMI and a 10/100 LAN.
The B5 is the ultimate entry level budget box which has 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, and BuzzTV5. Has a 10/100 LAN connection and WiFi 5. CPU is the S905W2. Only comes with an IR remote (IR100), and USB2.
The E5 is a step up from the entry level B5, with 2GB RAM but 32GB storage, and BuzzTV 5. Has a 10/100 LAN connection and WiFi 5. Also comes with an IR remote (The upgraded IR200), and USB3. Uses the same CPU (S905X4) as the X5 and U5 devices. For an entry device, this unit does impress.
All of these devices typically comes with the Bluetooth BT400 remote, and all the newer devices have Android 11.
My recommendation (assuming it's within your budget):
If you do a lot of recording and downloading from your VOD provider, then the U5 would be the ideal choice. And I would pair it with an SSD that I'd get separately. If recording is not an issue and not a feature you'll use much, then I'd probably go with he X5 AX Special edition.
Here are 2 links with some nice comparisons of the different devices.
Code:
https://buzztv.com/product-features/
and
this one also compares with some of the older Android 9 devices - but missing the U5 and X5 Special edition
https://buzztv.com/site/compare/
But honestly, I also have 2 xrs4900 (older Android 9 boxes) and they are still amazing boxes.