Table of Content
What Exactly is the Nokia Streaming Box?
The Nokia Streaming Box line comes from an Austrian company called StreamView that licenses the Nokia name. There are currently two models: the original 8000 from 2020 and the upgraded 8010 from 2022.
These boxes run full Android TV, which means you get a clean Google interface without constant Prime Video promotions. More importantly for business users, you can install any Android TV app from the Play Store, including Look digital signage software for remote management.
The most interesting bit is that these devices sit right in the middle of the market. Budget streaming sticks like the Fire TV Stick 4K cost half as much but offer minimal ports and weaker specs. Premium players like the Nvidia Shield TV deliver better performance but cost €200+. These Nokia boxes land around €100-130 with surprisingly good connectivity.
What caught our attention for signage use is that:
(i) The port selection is actually impressive. You get HDMI 2.1, USB 3.0, Ethernet (10/100 on 8000, Gigabit on 8010), optical audio, and even a 3.5mm composite AV output. That last one is a plus because it means you can connect to older TVs without HDMI, which is oddly useful for budget deployments.
(ii) Both models support 4K@60fps with HDR10, have Chromecast built in, and come with a backlit Bluetooth remote. The 8010 adds Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision, and AV1 codec support.
But there's a catch. These are consumer devices, not commercial signage players. There is no hardware watchdog, no true kiosk mode, and no certified uptime guarantees.
Nokia Streaming Box 8000: The full breakdown
The 8000 runs on an Amlogic S905X3 chip, quad-core ARM Cortex-A55 at 1.9GHz with a Mali-G31 MP2 GPU. It's a 12nm processor that's reasonably efficient, drawing just 3-4.5W during normal operation.
Inside you'll find 2GB DDR3 RAM and 8GB eMMC storage. That storage number sounds fine until you realize the system reserves about 4.5GB, leaving you with roughly 3.5GB for apps and content. This becomes a problem quickly if you're installing signage software plus caching content locally.
The device runs Android TV 10 and gets OTA updates from Nokia, which is good. The interface is snappy, noticeably smoother than older devices like the Xiaomi Mi Box S. It stays cool too, maxing out around 60°C even under load.
Connectivity: This is where the 8000 gets interesting
The back panel is surprisingly well-equipped:
HDMI 2.1 handles 4K@60fps output. USB-A 3.0 gives you 5V/900mA for external drives or peripherals. The USB-C port (5V/1A) can actually power the whole device, which is handy because you can just grab any 10W phone charger if you lose the wall adapter.
Ethernet is 10/100 Mbps. Not Gigabit, which feels a bit stingy at this price point, but adequate for most signage content. The optical audio output (TOSLINK) is genuinely useful if you're connecting to a sound system.
There's the 3.5mm composite AV output. This is unusual but cool since with the right adapter cable (not included), you can connect to old TVs that only have RCA inputs. Output is limited to standard definition, but it works.
Wireless includes dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11ac for both 2.4GHz and 5GHz) and Bluetooth 4.2. Wi-Fi performance is okay with a strong signal, but it's slow to reconnect after the device boots. We're talking 30-60 seconds sometimes. For streaming at home, you could brush it off as annoying, but for signage, you’re risking visible downtime which is a dealbreaker. Ethernet is a much better choice.
Video and audio capabilities
The 8000 handles most modern formats just fine:
H.264 up to 4K (8-bit), H.265 up to 4K@60fps (10-bit), VP9 Profile 2 up to 4K@60fps (10-bit HDR). It supports HDR10 and HLG but not Dolby Vision. The maximum bitrate is 100Mbps.
What's missing? AV1 codec support, there's no hardware acceleration, so AV1 videos stutter. Also, there's no automatic refresh rate switching, which means you need to manually set the output to match your display's refresh rate or risk judder in video content.
Audio-wise, it passes through Dolby Digital Plus up to 7.1 channels (including Dolby Atmos) and DTS up to 5.1. You can output via HDMI, optical, or the 3.5mm jack.
Google certification means Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube all work in 4K HDR. The device has Widevine L1 DRM, so content protection is sorted.
Design and what's in the box
It's a simple black square (112 x 112 x 24mm, 250g) made from polycarbonate with a matte finish on top and a glossy Nokia logo. The front has a white LED that shows power status and is quite bright, which is annoying if you place this near a TV in a dark room.
The included remote is larger than Amazon's but has some nice features, including backlit buttons (great for dark environments), dedicated shortcuts for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, YouTube, and Google Assistant. There's a built-in microphone for voice commands. It also has number buttons, which don't do anything unless you're using a Nokia TV.
One quirk though, is that the remote has volume controls, but they adjust the box's audio output, not your TV's volume. So you'll still need your TV remote for volume unless you configure HDMI-CEC, which only works for power on/off.
Price: Around €99-120 depending on retailer. Available throughout Europe via StreamView's website and various online stores.
Nokia Streaming Box 8010: What changed
The 8010 arrived in late 2022 with some genuinely useful upgrades. StreamView clearly listened to feedback about the 8000's limitations.
The big improvements
- Processor bumped to Amlogic S905X4-K, still quad-core ARM Cortex-A55, now at 2.0GHz. Not a massive leap, but noticeably snappier in daily use.
- RAM doubled to 4GB LPDDR4, meaning that apps load faster, multitasking is smoother, and you're less likely to hit memory limits with signage software running background processes.
- Storage quadrupled to 32GB eMMC. Finally. The 8000's 8GB was painful, but this upgrade actually gives you breathing room for apps and cached content.
- Gigabit Ethernet. This alone makes the 8010 worth considering for signage. The 8000's 10/100 connection works, but if you're pulling high-bitrate content from a server, that extra speed really bumps things up.
- Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) with 2T2R antennas. Better range, better speed, more stable connections. Still wouldn't rely on it for signage, but it's nice to have.
- Bluetooth 5.0. Upgrade from 4.2 on the 8000.
- The codec situation got sorted too. The 8010 adds hardware AV1 decoding, so future-proofed for when more streaming services adopt it. It also supports Dolby Vision on top of HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG.
- Software-wise, it shipped with Android TV 11 and has received updates to Android TV 12 and 14. Longer software support than the 8000.
What stayed the same
Same physical design. Same port layout (HDMI 2.1, optical audio, 3.5mm AV, though now three USB ports instead of two). Same 12nm processor architecture, so power consumption is still low. Same lack of automatic refresh rate switching and image quality controls.
The remote got a minor upgrade and now includes "Smart Control" functionality where you can program keys to control your TV or AV receiver. This is useful if you want one remote for everything.
Price: €129, so a €30 increase over the 8000. That's about 30% more money for twice the RAM, four times the storage, Gigabit Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, and better codec support. Seems fair.
8000 vs 8010: Spec Comparison & Which One to Buy
Choose the 8000 if
- Budget is tight and you're equipping multiple screens
- Your content is primarily 1080p or basic 4K video
- You're running lightweight signage apps with minimal local storage needs
- Network bandwidth is limited (10/100 Ethernet is sufficient)
Choose the 8010 if
- You need Gigabit Ethernet for high-bitrate content from the server
- You want better Wi-Fi performance and range
- Storage is a concern (multiple apps, offline content caching)
- You want future-proofing (AV1 codec, Dolby Vision, newer Android version)
- Your signage requires better multitasking performance
Look DS Expert Take: For most business signage, the 8010's €30 premium is worth it. The doubled RAM and quadrupled storage alone make signage deployment less frustrating. Gigabit Ethernet is icing on the cake. If you're buying 10+ units on a tight budget and your needs are truly basic, the 8000 works. But everyone else is better off getting the 8010.
How they compare to Fire TV, Chromecast, and Shield TV
Let's see how these stack up against competing consumer streaming devices:
vs Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max (~$60)
The Fire TV Stick is significantly cheaper at nearly half the price of the 8000. If you're a Prime subscriber who doesn't mind Amazon's aggressive promotion of its own content, it's a decent deal.
But the Fire TV's port situation is minimal with just USB-C for power. There’s no Ethernet unless you buy an adapter separately. There’s also no optical audio or a composite output for old TVs.
The interface is Amazon-first. Prime Video content dominates the home screen. If you're not in the Amazon ecosystem, it's a constant annoyance. The Nokia boxes give you a clean Android TV without the advertising.
Performance-wise, the Fire TV Stick 4K Max actually has decent specs (2GB RAM, quad-core processor), but the UI feels sluggish compared to the Nokia boxes.
Verdict: If price is everything and you live in Amazon's world, get the Fire TV. If you want more ports, cleaner software, and better performance, the Nokia boxes are worth the premium.
vs Chromecast with Google TV 4K (~$50)
The Chromecast with Google TV is Google's first-party solution, and is surprisingly capable for digital signage, running 4K HDR content smoothly with its Amlogic S905D3G chip and 2GB RAM.
It's compact and easy to hide behind a display. Setup is simple: plug into HDMI, connect to Wi-Fi, install your signage app from the Play Store, and you're running. The Google TV interface is clean and well-supported. For small businesses with 1-3 screens, it's a cost-effective entry point at half the price of the Nokia 8000.
Where it falls short: The Chromecast is designed as a dongle, so connectivity is minimal. There's only USB-C for power, no built-in Ethernet (you'd need a separate adapter), no optical audio and no composite output for older displays like the Nokia Streaming Box.
Storage is also an issue because even though the Chromecast has 8GB like the Nokia 8000, you can't expand it easily. At least the Nokia has USB ports for external drives.
The remote is simpler than Nokia's with no backlighting and fewer buttons. Some find it too minimal, but it gets the job done.
Verdict: The Chromecast works well for basic digital signage when paired with a signage app. It's not built for heavy-duty 24/7 commercial use, but for a small restaurant menu board or retail promo display, it performs surprisingly well at the price point. But as your deployment grows or if you need Ethernet reliability and better connectivity, the Nokia boxes offer more flexibility for the extra $50-80.
vs Nvidia Shield TV (~€150) and Shield TV Pro (~€200)
The Shield TV is in a different league. Nvidia's Tegra X1+ processor is significantly more powerful than either Nokia boxes. AI upscaling to 4K is impressive.
Both Shield models have the Gigabit Ethernet standard. The Pro adds USB 3.0 ports and more storage. Software support is excellent, and Nvidia keeps updating these devices for years.
But consequently, you are paying a pretty penny for all these capabilities. The base Shield TV costs about the same as the Nokia 8010 but offers less in terms of port variety since there’s no optical audio or composite output. The Shield TV Pro is nearly €80 more than the 8010.
For basic signage like displaying menus, slideshows, or simple video, the Shield's extra power is overkill (unless you own one already and want to repurpose). The Nokia boxes handle 4K@60fps video just fine, and you’ll be paying for features you won't use.
Verdict: If you need the absolute best performance and budget isn't a concern, get the Shield. For cost-effective signage that works well, the Nokia boxes deliver 80% of the functionality at 50-60% of the price.
Setting up with Look DS (step-by-step)
Look DS turns your Nokia box into a proper signage player with centralized content management. Here's how to get it running:
Initial setup (5-10 minutes)
1. Physical connections: Plug the HDMI into your display. Connect Ethernet cable (seriously, don't skip this). Connect the 12V power adapter. Turn everything on.
2. Android setup wizard: Select language, connect to network (Ethernet should auto-detect), sign in with your Google account, read and accept terms, and let it download any system updates.
Installing Look DS (2-3 minutes)
3. Open the Google Play Store on the Nokia box. Search "Look Digital Signage." Install the app. Open it once installed.
4. The app displays a 6-digit pairing code on your TV screen. Keep that visible.
5. On your computer, go to app.lookdigitalsignage.com. Sign in (or create a free account). Navigate to Screens > Add Screen. Enter the 6-digit code. Name your screen something useful, like "Front Counter Display" or "Lobby Screen."
That's it. Your Nokia box is now paired with Look's CMS.
Basic configuration
6. Set display resolution: Go into the Nokia box settings and confirm output matches your display (usually 1920x1080 or 3840x2160). Set refresh rate to match as well (typically 60Hz).
7. Configure Look DS settings: In the Look app on the Nokia box, enable "Display over other apps" so signage starts automatically after power outages. Look DS automatically caches your content to the device, so if the network goes down, your playlists keep playing with the most recent version that was synced.
Creating content (ongoing)
Now you control everything from Look's web dashboard:
Upload media: Images, videos, PDFs, web URLs. Drag and drop into Look's media library.
Design layouts: Create multi-zone layouts (e.g., main video area + ticker + weather widget). Look has drag-and-drop layout tools.
Use templates: Look provides pre-built templates for common use cases (restaurant menus, retail promos, office announcements), which you can customize with your branding and content.
Schedule playlists: Use dayparting to keep content fresh and dynamic. Look handles scheduling automatically.
Group screens: If you have multiple screens, you can use the screen grouping feature to tag them based on use, ie: "lobby-screens or "menu-boards” to push content updates to multiple displays at once.
Want to see the Nokia Streaming Box for digital signage in action? Pair it with Look DS in under two minutes and start displaying professional content. No credit card required for the free trial.
Making them reliable for 24/7 operation
Network setup (critical)
- Use wired Ethernet. Wi-Fi works, but it's slow to reconnect after boot and occasionally drops.
- Assign a static IP or a DHCP reservation. Prevents the box from changing IP addresses, makes remote management easier, and avoids potential network conflicts.
- If you absolutely must use Wi-Fi (we get it, sometimes running cable isn't possible): Connect to 5GHz with a strong signal. Consider a Wi-Fi extender if the signal is weak.
Power and display settings
- Disable your TV's sleep mode and screensaver. Dig into your display's settings and turn off any automatic sleep, screensaver, or power-saving features. These will interrupt your signage at random times.
- Enable HDMI-CEC for auto power. Configure CEC so your display turns on when the Nokia box boots. This ensures both devices wake up together after power outages.
- Consider a UPS if uptime is critical. A basic uninterruptible power supply protects against brief power blips. Not necessary for most deployments, but if losing power for 30 seconds causes problems, spend $50 on a UPS.
Output configuration
- Match your display's native resolution. It is not advisable to default to 4K if you have a 1080p screen. Unnecessary scaling wastes processing power and can introduce artifacts.
- Set refresh rate to match your display. Since there's no auto refresh rate switching, you want a consistent 60Hz output (or whatever your display uses).
Content and storage management
- Monitor storage on the 8000. With only 3.5GB free, check storage levels occasionally. Delete unused apps, clear cache if needed. Or just buy the 8010 and avoid this headache entirely.
App configuration
- Enable autostart for Look DS. Configure the Look app to launch automatically on boot by turning on “Display over other apps” during setup.
- Minimize background apps. Uninstall or disable stuff that will interrupt viewing like Google Assistant. Less running in the background means more resources for your signage app.
- Keep software updated. Enable automatic OTA updates from Nokia. Security patches and bug fixes matter.
Monitoring
Use Look DS monitoring features. Enable device status alerts so you're notified if a screen goes offline. Look provides screen snapshots, playback statistics, content performance breakdowns, and log reports that track device restarts and errors.
Check your displays occasionally. Even with monitoring, physically verify your screens weekly if possible. It helps you catch edge cases that monitoring might miss.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the 8000 support the AV1 codec?
No. It can technically decode AV1 through software, but you'll get stuttering and frame drops. The 8010 has proper AV1 hardware acceleration.
Can I actually watch Netflix in 4K?
Yes, both models have Google certification and Widevine L1 DRM. Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube all work in 4K HDR. The 8010 adds Dolby Vision to services that support it.
Will these really run 24/7 without issues?
Multiple tests showed stable continuous operation for days. They draw minimal power and stay cool. But these are consumer devices without enterprise watchdog features, so implement monitoring through your signage software. Most real-world deployments report reliable operation.
Why can't I use my USB drive for app storage?
Android TV's adoptable storage feature is inconsistent. You can connect external storage and access media files, but many apps won't install to external drives. This is an Android limitation, not specific to Nokia. The 8010's 32GB internal storage makes this less of an issue.
Wi-Fi or Ethernet for signage?
Ethernet. Every test showed Wi-Fi is slow to reconnect after boot (30-60 seconds) and occasionally drops. For home streaming, fine. For business signage, use Ethernet. Yes, running cable is annoying. Do it anyway.
What's the deal with the Ethernet speed difference?
The 8000 has 10/100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet), the 8010 has Gigabit (1000 Mbps). For most signage content, 10/100 is adequate. But if you're streaming high-bitrate 4K from network storage or frequently uploading large files, Gigabit makes a noticeable difference.
Can I actually use that 3.5mm port with old TVs?
Yes! Get a 3.5mm to RCA adapter cable (not included). Output is standard definition, but it works. We tested it with a 2005-era TV that only has composite inputs. Fired right up. Useful for budget deployments with ancient displays.
Does the remote control my TV's volume?
Sort of. The remote has volume controls, but they adjust the box's audio output, not your TV directly. You can use HDMI-CEC for power control, but volume usually requires your TV remote. The 8010's Smart Control feature lets you program keys to learn your TV's IR commands.
What happens after a power outage?
The device restarts when power returns. To ensure signage resumes automatically: enable "launch on boot" in Look DS, configure HDMI-CEC so your display powers on with the box. For truly critical displays, buy a UPS.
