With OTT streaming becoming one of the primary sources of entertainment, it’s not surprising that the demand for OTT TV is at an all-time high. If you have an older television set or one that doesn’t connect to the internet but still want to access video content online, an OTT box could be the right choice for you.
But what is an OTT box in the first place? How does it work, and how do you set it up? We created a simple guide to help you set up and connect your OTT box to your TV.
What Is an OTT Box
An OTT box is a device that allows users to stream digital media directly to their television sets via the Internet, bypassing traditional cable or satellite TV services. Simply put, they are usually small, set-top boxes or dongles that connect to your TV and require an internet connection to work. With an OTT box, users can access a wide range of content from various streaming providers, such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and many more, depending on their OTT device and region.
OTT (over-the-top) refers to any streaming service that distributes content over the internet.
There are multiple OTT streaming devices to choose from, both for Android and iOS operating systems. No matter which you choose, you won’t be mistaken since these devices are the future of OTT broadcasting, and all come with excellent storage capacities, fantastic audio, stunning video quality, and many other valuable features.
You Might Also Like: OTT vs. CTV – What Makes Them Different?
How to Use an OTT TV Box
Most OTT boxes will require you to connect them to your TV and then download and install your desired apps on the device. Then, you can stream your favorite video content through those apps to your heart’s content. Here’s a step-by-step guide on setting up and downloading your favorite OTT apps on Android and Apple TV OTT boxes.
How to Connect an OTT TV Box to Your TV
Before you can use OTT apps, you first need to connect your OTT box to your TV set. You’ll need an HDMI and power cable to do that. Most Android OTT boxes come with an HDMI and a power cable included, so you won’t have to get any extra equipment yourself.
When purchasing an Apple TV box, you will get the box itself, an Apple TV remote, and an Apple TV power cable with it. You will also need an HDMI cable to connect the box to your TV, which is not included in the package. If you don’t have a spare lying around, you’ll have to buy one before proceeding.
After you get all the necessary equipment, here’s how you can connect these devices to your TV in a few simple steps:
How to Connect an Android OTT Box to Your TV
- Plug your HDMI cable into your OTT box and connect it to one of your TV’s HDMI ports.
- Connect your power cable to your OTT box and plug it into a nearby power socket.
- Then, turn on your OTT box and TV.
- And then navigate to your TV’s “settings” or “input selection” tabs and select the HDMI port you connected your box to as your input source.
- Finally, navigate to your OTT TV box’s settings and turn on Wi-Fi (your box won’t work without internet access).
How to Connect an Apple TV OTT Box to Your TV
- First, connect your power cable to your Apple TV box and plug it into a power socket.
- Secondly, plug your HDMI cable into your Apple TV box and connect it to one of your TV’s HDMI ports.
- (OPTIONAL) Connect your internet to your Apple TV box with an ethernet cable if you don’t want to use your Wi-Fi connection for streaming.
- Then turn on your Apple TV box and TV with your Apple TV remote.
- Use the Apple TV remote to select your desired language and country.
- Choose whether you want to set up Apple TV with a device or manually, and complete the process.
How to Download and Install Apps on an OTT TV Box
After you connect the OTT box to your TV, all you have to do is download your desired OTT apps and start streaming. So, here’s how you can download and install apps on your OTT TV box:
You Might Also Like: 12 Best OTT Platforms for Launching an OTT Business
How to Download and Install Apps on Android OTT Boxes
- Navigate the menu to the “Apps” section on your Android OTT box.
- Secondly, search for Google’s “Play Store” and open it.
- Then, enter your Google account information (or create a new account if you don’t have one)
- Browse the Google “Play Store” for your favorite OTT apps and download them.
- Install the apps after the download is finished.
You can now access the apps and content from various OTT providers like Netflix, Hulu, Plex, Kodi, and more!
How to Download and Install Apps on Apple TV OTT Boxes
- Select Apple’s “App Store” from Apple TV’s home screen.
- Then, look for the OTT app you wish to download.
- Lastly, press the “Price” or “Get” button to buy or download your desired app.
You can now access the apps and content from various OTT providers like Disney+, Netflix, YouTube TV, Amazon Prime Video, Twitch, and more!
TargetVideo’s White-Label OTT Solution for Publishers
If you’re interested in starting your own OTT streaming service, TargetVideo has everything you need. Employ TargetVideo’s white-label OTT solution ( for iOS, Android, webOS/Tizen) and deliver high-quality streams to audiences across all CTV and mobile devices. In addition, you can leverage TargetVideo’s advanced advertising tools and real-time analytics, boost your revenue with our scalable ad-based monetization solution, and use our customizable ad units to serve as many ads as possible. Utilize our white-label OTT solution to launch a successful streaming service.
FAQ
1. What Is an OTT Box?
An OTT box is a device that allows users to stream digital content directly through their TV set by connecting it to the Internet.
2. Is Apple TV an OTT box?
Yes, Apple TV is an OTT device, however, it can provide other services besides OTT streaming.
3. Is Amazon Firestick an OTT box?
Yes, Amazon Firestick is considered an OTT box. However, it does not have the stereotypical appearance of an OTT box. The Firestick is a small USB-sized player that you plug into your TV directly to stream content.
4. How to use an OTT box?
First, you connect your OTT box to a TV set. Then, you switch to the appropriate HDMI input, update the software if necessary, and then access the app library where you’ll find streaming apps you can install.
5. How does an OTT box work?
The OTT box allows users to access streaming services through their TV sets by connecting to the Internet.
6. What is OTT system?
OTT system refers to either a platform or a piece of technology that delivers online content to users directly over the internet.
