Buy set-top box - which is the right one?

Buying the right set-top box for your own needs is not that easy. We present three models and explain their advantages.

1. Set-top box: Amazon Fire TV

The Amazon Fire TV set-top box will be released soon for the German market. Especially if you are a customer of Amazon's instant video offering, this box might be the one for you:

• The box not only streams the offers from Amazon. Services such as "Netflix" or "Vevo" are also supported. This gives you a wide range of multimedia.
• With over 100 customized games, you can also play games using Fire TV. For example, build yourself through the worlds of "Minecraft - Pocket Edition".
• The set-top box is controlled with a Bluetooth remote control and also uses voice recognition through a microphone.
• If you want to know more about Amazon Fire TV, visit this practical tip.

2. Set-top box: STB from Samsung

The set-top box with the complicated name STB-E7909S is in the upper price segment. For 499 euros you get an absolute all-rounder:

• This STB is specially designed to stream content from your smartphone or tablet.
• The Samsung device uses the "Smart View" function. This allows you to connect several devices to the box at the same time and you can either watch the same or different programs. Football fans can follow two games at the same time.
• To use the device you need an internet connection. Then the box streams, for example, YouTube videos directly to your TV or tablet.

3. Set-top box: Apple TV

Apple TV lets you stream content to your TV from your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. But the set-top box can do even more:

• Apple TV is no bigger than the palm of your hand and saves space accordingly.
• The box streams content from your Mac or iPhone to the TV - both games, videos and music. Game fans even use the iPad as a controller for customized apps and use it to control a spaceship, for example.
• Movies are streamed in HD quality. Movies that have already been released on DVD are immediately available in the iTunes store. You also have access to Watchever's fee-based offer via this STB.
• At 99 euros, this STB is significantly cheaper than the competing product from Samsung.

Conclusion: which set-top box should I buy?

When choosing the STB, it all depends on your needs. Before you buy, think carefully about what you want to do with the box:

• If you want to stream films and music primarily from the Amazon offer, Amazon Fire TV is worthwhile.
• For Samsung fans, the STB-E7909S is the right thing, even if you have to pay a little more for this. The Smart View function enables you to stream different programs on multiple devices.
• If you can own iPhone, iPad and Mac, Apple TV is recommended. This STB is inexpensive to buy, small and handy. It streams current films to your devices.
• For all Android enthusiasts: Google is planning its own set-top box, called Android TV, which will be designed to use the Android OS.

Tip: You can find the best price for all streaming boxes in our CHIP leaderboard.

The Chromecast HDMI stick from Google is not a real set-top box, but this device works similarly.