Check the box in the test: a duo for TV tuning

It doesn't always have to be a new TV – find the manufacturers of two small devices that want to refine the slipper cinema. One takes care of the good sound, the other wants to bring the colorful world of streaming services to an already older screen.

Thus, a sound improver, called HDSX TV Sound Optimizer, as an electronic outboard motor, is supposed to combat an annoying problem: if advertising blocks interrupt the program, the sound often gets louder. Volume jumps sometimes annoy even when switching between different programs, and those who reduce overly dramatic film music to a moderate level, thereby dampening the dialogues at the same time. All this should be a thing of the past when the small aluminum box with the HDSX electronics comes into action.

This promise is not quite so exotic; settings called "night mode" in some TVs and soundbars promise something similar. But if this sound option is missing, the additional box, price around 120 euros, could actually help. However, it only affects external speakers: the TV feeds digital stereo sound to the device via an optical connection, another optical cable connects the HDSX processor to a soundbar. A headphone can also dock to the box via an analog jack socket.

Two switches, one for the digital, one for the analog signal path, switch the processor effect on and off. First of all, it is noticeable: the HDSX electronics significantly reduces the overall volume. And it really levels out violent volume fluctuations, so it makes perfect sense, especially at a late hour. But of course, the small outboard also levels the program dynamics; we would turn it off for concerts.

Modern Google TV interface

The second box, all in white, is a small Android computer with the type abbreviation THA100, which gives every TV connected via HDMI a modern Google TV interface on request.

It lists, neatly sorted, all the important streaming services with their logos, Youtube and the media libraries of the stations are also included. On top of that, the Google Play virtual app store has a whole universe of other video sources and programs available. Externally similar devices are available in countless variants for a pocket money, some come directly from China. We have not always had good experiences with such TV boxes: lousy surface graphics often determine the picture, insufficient processor power occasionally causes the movies to stutter, the Android substructure often refuses to choose the appropriate frame rate.