Kodi recommendations

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Thickcnut

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Wannabe Geek

#222639 22-Aug-2017 04:55

Hi all,

I'm looking at buy a Kodi box, probably off wish or DHgate.

Looking for any recommendations or things / features I should look at making sure the box has. Like 4k as an example.

Any help greatly appreciated

R

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#1850125 22-Aug-2017 06:47

Have a look at the mi box

timmmay

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#1850126 22-Aug-2017 07:07

First off, please don't create multiple identical threads. It's not necessary as most people see all threads. It's actually harmful as threads are deleted and you might lose replies.

I use an R.Pi2 and it works fine. If I was buying now I'd get an R.Pi3. If you want to stream Netflix or such I'm not sure the R.Pi or Kodi is a great option.

Thickcnut

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Wannabe Geek

#1850129 22-Aug-2017 07:12

Apologies for multiple three posts I just didn't know the best place to ask my questions. The box's you and the other user posted about are unknown to me.

Could you please tell me where I can find them
?

Thanks

timmmay

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#1850131 22-Aug-2017 07:29

Raspberry Pi is a cheap but quite powerful little computer. The official distributer is Radio Spares (who deliver usually next day) but you can buy from many places - PBTech, Pi Store, trademe, etc. The benefit of buying from a reseller is they'll often include a case, power supply, and SD Card. Total should be less than $150 for everything. The Pi itself is around $60, no case or anything.

I run the OpenElec Kodi distribution, it works well. Google would find dozens of tutorials.

reven

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#1850132 22-Aug-2017 07:30

+1 for mi box, full android TV device so proper remote support, chrome cast, leanback UI, plex, kodi, netflix, etc.

Stu

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#1850133 22-Aug-2017 08:06

Thickcnut: Apologies for multiple three posts I just didn't know the best place to ask my questions. .....

A reminder for all: It's a breach of the FUG. Please refrain from posting the same topic in multiple sub-forums. Threads can be moved if necessary.

People often mistake me for an adult because of my age.

Keep calm, and carry on posting.

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Wiggum

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#1850139 22-Aug-2017 08:30

I get all of my pi gear from thepihut.com - https://thepihut.com/

A little cheaper than NZ, and they deliver to NZ.

Pi3 with OSMC/Kodi is the best way to go. Don't think the Pi supports 4K though.

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reven

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#1850140 22-Aug-2017 08:34

raspberry pis are no longer the way to go IMO. theyre great at running kodi, but thats it. today you want a device that does more, netflix, chromecast, youtube etc. and basically for the same price (actually cheaper once you buy all the raspberrypi bits) you can get a mi box.

Wiggum

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#1850146 22-Aug-2017 08:46

reven:

raspberry pis are no longer the way to go IMO. theyre great at running kodi, but thats it. today you want a device that does more, netflix, chromecast, youtube etc. and basically for the same price (actually cheaper once you buy all the raspberrypi bits) you can get a mi box.

Yea in a way I tend to agree, probably best to have a chromecast as well if Netflix is needed. Youtube is fine on the pi. I don't think there is however a good box out there, at a reasonable price that can do it all.

The pi 3 is getting dated now, no Gigabit ports, and no 5GHZ wifi. Its probably time for an upgraded version. But I hear its still at least a year away. Saying that though, I like the pi as its linux based, we don't use ours for just Kodi, it does heaps of other things too (unsure if thats possible with Android TV)

MikeB4

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#1850160 22-Aug-2017 09:20

Interesting thread, we are currently reviewing our options with regards to BB, TV and related stuff.

cshwone

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#1850161 22-Aug-2017 09:21

How robust is the wifi on the mi box? It doesn't appear to include an Ethernet connection which is what I currently use with my Pi-3 to access my NAS.

timmmay

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#1850174 22-Aug-2017 09:39

The Mi Box 3 looks pretty good. particularly x265 support which would save some bandwidth. Does it run Kodi by default? Looks like you install Kodi from Google Play.

We use Kodi on multiple devices, have a central database of what we've watched.

I'd probably look at this over a Pi3 next time I feel like upgrading, or if we want Netflix. I do note the power supply doesn't have an NZ plug, so you might have to use an adapter or replace it.

rscole86

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#1850176 22-Aug-2017 09:46

This list gives you an idea of what Android based hardware kodi supports at 4K.

Personally, I would suggest the mi box from aliexpress. Otherwise the Fire TV, not the stick, could be a good option tho I have never used it personally. There is a good, and very long, thread of the Fire TV here if you want to have a read.

I would also consider SPMC instead of Kodi, with the advantage that it has been tweaked specifically for Android devices. I have used both SPMC and Kodi, with no great differences imo. They both just work.

I think when I got my mi-box from Aliexpress it came with the nz plug adapter. I also ordered the network adapter so I could use it with a cable instead of relying on wifi.

timmmay

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#1850184 22-Aug-2017 09:55

rscole86:

I also ordered the network adapter so I could use it with a cable instead of relying on wifi.

Bit odd not to have an ethernet port.

reven

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#1850191 22-Aug-2017 10:06

mibox has a usb ethernet adapter, im using these instead of wifi. others have been using a usb hub with 3 usb ports and a network port aswell, but ive only had experience with the one i linked too.

youtube on kodi is ok, but its no where near as good as a proper youtube app. kodi will be getting support for netflix, but if you see the alpha videos, its just a file/folder list so interface is clunky and will be annoying to browse through. if they make a proper interface like the plex plugin for kodi then it might be an option, but for me, the only real cheap decent option is the mibox.

if you want to get something more powerful, theres a nvidia shield tv.

i love android TV, best OS out there i think for media playback. has the apps, nice interface, runs on cheap hardware.

OT: my LG webos3 built in smart tv performs a lot better than my sony android tv (one of them, 7000s series, 8000s series seems more powerful). but webos doesnt run kodi.

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