G'day and Happy New Year! ???
I have been researching a new TV and noticed all the built-in "Smart" Android TVs, really aren't that "smart", as can only watch one channel at a time. E.g. Cannot record two channels simultaneously, or record one channel and watch another via PVR's 2nd tuner.
So I've been scouring the internet for suitable solutions - external PVRs supporting dual/twin recording. I was originally under the impression that DVB-S/-T meant one channel accessible to the broadcast, and DVB-T2/-S2 meant twin broadcast record, just as current $35 Soniq!
So has anyone experience with these Android OS 5/6/7.1 boxes?? There are numerous on eBay claiming to be "fully loaded" (rooted must be a bad word?). E.g. FREESAT, KM8P, etc.
What brands are reliable/reputable? What Chipsets & RAM would allow quality streaming? E.g. S905, S912, T9x chipsets...? Or 1GB, 2GB, 3GB RAM...?
Zero details other than specs on eBay sale pages...
Thank you for your time guys! ?
Related
I was curious to see if anyone has or heard of a ROM optimized for use as a dedicated media center or HTPC for our "old" or broken screen phones? I have 2 GS2s that I'm not using and the specs on them are better than a lot of the smart tv boxes like boxee, roku, etc.
I was thinking of a wi-fi only ROM that would output to 1080p, have VNC, network storage on boot, netflix, hulu, XBMC, bluetooth keyboard, game emulators, video calls via the rear camera, maybe GTV apps, etc, etc.
I know you can piece together something that could work via apps and configs but I was looking for something that would optimize the hardware for such a purpose.
Maybe a new CM branch...that would be amazing! Someday...
Thoughts?
scottsark said:
I was curious to see if anyone has or heard of a ROM optimized for use as a dedicated media center or HTPC for our "old" or broken screen phones? I have 2 GS2s that I'm not using and the specs on them are better than a lot of the smart tv boxes like boxee, roku, etc.
I was thinking of a wi-fi only ROM that would output to 1080p, have VNC, network storage on boot, netflix, hulu, XBMC, bluetooth keyboard, game emulators, video calls via the rear camera, maybe GTV apps, etc, etc.
I know you can piece together something that could work via apps and configs but I was looking for something that would optimize the hardware for such a purpose.
Maybe a new CM branch...that would be amazing! Someday...
Thoughts?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
it would just be cheaper and easier to buy a xios or google media players for $60
then you could have things like and air remote, and have a system doing what it's meant to do.
svtfmook said:
it would just be cheaper and easier to buy a xios or google media players for $60
then you could have things like and air remote, and have a system doing what it's meant to do.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It's not cheaper than a GS2 with a cracked screen that you already own. It also appears that those boxes are basically lessor powered android smartphones without the screen and battery to keep cost down. I'm not looking to spend money, I'm looking to use what I already have.
Has any of these $100 androd STBs OS's been ported to any handhelds?
Has any of these $100 androd STBs OS's been ported to any handhelds?[/QUOTE]
It seems like anything you could do with a Raspberry Pi you could do better with the better hardware and the an abundance of sensors in "old" smartphones. Anyone have any ideas at all? Fileservers, wireless repeaters/mesh, RADIUS server, NAS, etc. Just looking for non phone build optimized for non phone call purposes.
I agree that it would be better you use one of these "usb android media centers" that are relative cheap(and i think that it cost less than your SII sell price). I`m really waiting for something like this for rPi!
Hi,
Looking 4 2buy an Android TV Box.
Guess with the Black Friday - this is the right time.
So:
1. Any rec's for a mid homie user?
2. Have u seen a great deal for a good known company(eveb if a well know chinese one)?
Thanks for your time!
The MXIII 2GB model is meant to be pretty well reviewed. There is an analysis and discount atm that lets you get it for $71.99 here ($13 off): http://hometheatrelife.com/mxiii-m82-android-tv-box-amlogic-s802-impressions/
It uses a quad-core Amlogic S802 chipset with octo-core graphics. Wifi is dual band wireless AC. Should play pretty much everything except H.265 content although it does do 4K H.264.
Review: http://forum.xda-developers.com/har...xiii-4k-android-tv-box-review-videos-t2873830
Custom ROM from Freaktab : http://www.freaktab.com/showthread....82H-M8-amp-Tronsmart-S89-S89H-Finless-2-0-ROM
Thanks for your answer!
Meanwhile, i thinking if ti take the Amazon FireTV or the Cubox.
My needs are especially using the Internet from the TV in the saloon.
I woukd say 60-70% for browsering internet.
30%-40 for media center.
What would suite me the best?
Thanks !
shabydog said:
Thanks for your answer!
Meanwhile, i thinking if ti take the Amazon FireTV or the Cubox.
My needs are especially using the Internet from the TV in the saloon.
I woukd say 60-70% for browsering internet.
30%-40 for media center.
What would suite me the best?
Thanks !
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'd probably go either the Fire TV or one of the Android boxes
If i can get the Fire on 70+ it the hest choise or there's a better option in that price range?
What is the best to chose if i need it to stream my pc to the tv in saloon+dvb-t?
Tnx!
Adding in DVB-T makes things much more complicated. I tend to centralise my TV streaming using a server so that's outside of my expertise. The other thing that may be of importance is if you don't live in the US, the Fire TV may not be that useful if you want to use some of the Amazon services
Thanks fir all the info!
Regarding that i'll use it outside u.s:
Read that there are tut's fir hiow to make the Store recognizes as a Nexus, so it possible to access it out of u.s..
Also for the time zone too.
So ther aint a solution for DVB-T ...
Thanks !
I see that many people is interested in Android boxes lately, so because of that I want to share my thoughts of Rikomagic MK68 which is newest media player from this company. For me this device is good choice because it is not too expensive and at the same time it offers good hardware and very good software optimization.
The Rikomagic MK68 is based on 64-bit SoC Octa-core CPU RK3368 with the maximum speed 1.5 GHz. It has also 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB internal memory, if you need more space than you can upgrade it with memory card maximum 32 GB where the GPU is PowerVR G6110. As you can see it has enough strong hardware for any activity.
Many people bought or is interesting in these kind of devices mostly because of KODI. Because these application offers many useful features for watching movies. I've watched several movies in HD and some in SD quality and I can freely say that everything worked perfectly normal. Talking about software or to be precise OS, the Rikomagic MK68 comes with Android 5.1.1 which does not have any unwanted software. So this is good because you don't need to spend your time for deleting trash.
It has 3 x USB ports where the one USB port is for OTG function, but it has also 1 x HDMI port, 1 x optical output, 1 x microSD and 1 x LAN port. LAN supports 10/100/1000M connectivity where the WIFI supports 2.4GHz / 5GHz dual band. So you can see that you have two available choices in which you can choose how you will connect your box to your home network.
Until now I did not find any problems during use so I am very satisfied with this Android box, for more information you can visit their official website. Also for benchmark test, pictures you can go to the site: Rikomagic MK68
very good android box in general, but the only problem i found its relative to mac adress, always changing on every single boot. very weird seems like a firmware bug
Hello there.
About a month or so ago I saw an ad in the Canadian Tire flyer for a new media player for $99 on sale. Now of course I can't share a link just yet, at least not for another 8 more posts. But if you search Canadian Tire website, you can find it.
The purpose of this post is to see if anyone has tried this. It's got some pretty good stats. Plus the fact it has a one year exchange warranty and it's Canadian Tire, so if anything goes wrong with it within 365 days, you bring it back and get a new one. No questions asked. That's very appealing. So... has anyone tried this yet? Here are the stats.
FEATURES
Stream your favourite shows and movies with the Seiki Media Streaming Box
Features a memory 8 GB flash storage
Supports Google Chrome browser
Power streaming processor of Amlogic s812 quad core CPU
Resolution: 1080p/4K
Output Jack: HDMI
RAM: 2 GB
USB Ports: 2 x USB 2.0
Operating System: Android 5.0 Lollipop
Ethernet: 10/100 Full Duplex Port
Seiki sb162 streaming box
Buddy said it was decent unit so I got Seiki box yesterday at Canadian Tire ($99.99). Pleased so far and 4k works (30Hz.) which matches capability of my Seiki TV. It's a really an model S8S rebadged for Seiki. http://www.shiningworth.com/en/Product/product/id/46.htm virtually no info provided in the box and nothing on Seiki website yet.
Any external storage?
Jvirg said:
Any external storage?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What do you mean by this question? Can you add external storage? If that is indeed your question, then yes. I have a 1TB WD drive hooked up to it and watch "stuff" that way.
I mean to use as internal storage not removalable. Iv tried to get this to work to day but I can only get it to setup as a removable USB. Also this box comes pre rooted so do I need to download SuperSU app? Will that help to get things working proper?
I'm looking to get an Android TV device and I am overwhelmed with options. I want something that is fully unlockable with an active development community. What originally got me interested was the Amazon Fire TV but after reading up it seems the new units are no longer rootable/unlockable. That lead me down the path to other devices. I think I've settled on the AMLogic based devices (if there are other suggestion I'm open). It looks like there are basically 3.
S905 - Older chip and stuck with Android 5 roms
S905x - Newer with 4k but performance is not as good at the S905. More dev/roms available
S912 - 8 core. Has DVB S2/T2 support (not sure what that does for me though) Does not seem to be a lot of dev for this. Only one thread I saw.
Based on these assumptions I'm leaning toward a X96 - S905x 2GB/16GB model for $42.99.
Also. Do the non Amazon devices support Amazon video? My current chromecast's do not and that is one reason for the upgrade.
I am in a similat boot here
Decided on the X96 because I found the page for the firmware updates before I found a link to buy the box LOL
Apart from the missing BT a great box considering the usual limitations.
Amazon video only works on Amazon devices AFAIK but I don't use it.
Same story for Android TV, great hype about it but I think it is just a crippled launcher with really limited content showing up - mainly Youtube and Google but nothing else.
The S912 seems to be the affordable alternative if you need BT and a bit more computing power for games but S905D boxes are slowly turning up.
Same for devices running on Android7 and offering up to 3GB/32GB.
But Android7 for TV boxes is in an early beta to say it nice with a lot of bugs and half cooked menu structures - better to wait a bit longer if you ask me.
And since the hardware for these boxes is literally identical within the families it comes down to personal preference and what can be modded or not.
Personally I am starting to think that despite the huge price tag the Shield is still the best option in terms of quality, hardware and support.
DVB is for terrestial and satellite TV.
Thanks. I did not realize there was no BT on the S905x boxes. My only concern there is I was planning to use a wireless BT keyboard with it.
Almost all wireless keyboards that come with a dongle will work, for example the Logitech and MS ones, same for the dirt cheap and tiny touchpad keyboards you get on Ebay.
BT is only a problem if you need it for game controllers, weather stations or to pair some speakers to it.
I see. I went ahead and ordered a X96 that included a mini keyboard last night. I figure for $47.98, including shipping, what the heck right? I'll have a cheap new toy to play with.
Once you played enough you will start playing even more when you try different custom roms
hi please help i flashed wrong twrp recovery i think now my amlogic smartbox failed to boot in recovery mode and the main problem is my smartbox Encryption Unsuccessful Factory reset, when i click factory reset nothing happend please guide how to solve this
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