Thinking of buying an Android TV box , any suggestions?

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yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek

#179149 28-Aug-2015 16:09

Hi all, I've been thinking of buying an Android TV box, mostly to stream online TV and some movies, TV shows on Kodi. There're zillions of them on Trade Me but I did a bit of research and M8 Android box looks good and very budget friendly. The only problem I came across with it is the wifi connection as it sometimes doesn't recognise the connection and drops occasionally etc.
here's the trade me link to it: http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/other/auction-939101212.htm
It has 2GB ram quadcore CPU which looks good.

This is something else I found quite good and has extra antenna for wifi enhance:
http://www.trademe.co.nz/electronics-photography/tvs/other/auction-937650408.htm

Was wondering any of you have one of these units and are you happy with it or do you regret the day you buy it? Would appreciate any feedback or any other box suggestions.

cheers

garbonzai

315 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1375849 28-Aug-2015 18:14

I use an older one and like it,

basically I can watch anything I want when I want, wifi range is a bit crap, but mines close to router, ethernet would be better, XBMC (Kodi) is absolutely awesome, but the addons do have probs now and then.

Watching season 3 of Vikings and still getting through the original Star trek series.

Here's the link to a post a while ago, mines at the bottom,

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=34&topicId=160359

yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek

#1375906 28-Aug-2015 20:17

garbonzai: I use an older one and like it,

basically I can watch anything I want when I want, wifi range is a bit crap, but mines close to router, ethernet would be better, XBMC (Kodi) is absolutely awesome, but the addons do have probs now and then.

Watching season 3 of Vikings and still getting through the original Star trek series.

Here's the link to a post a while ago, mines at the bottom,

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumId=34&topicId=160359

thanks for the reply, I'm sure it'll do a good job as I'm only going to use it with Kodi. I'm thinking of putting it through ethernet but that's a different story..

cheers

hairy1

3332 posts

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#1375931 28-Aug-2015 22:03

If you are keen you could grab a Fire TV from Amazon. You will have to ship it via Youshop however it will be far ahead of a no name Android box.You can sideload Kodi onto it and also play real games.

Cheers, Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek

#1375947 28-Aug-2015 23:24

I think I'll go with this model any thoughts? http://tr.aliexpress.com/item/Minix-neo-x8-h-plus-support-H-265-x8h-x8-h-PLUS-Amlogic-S812-Quad-Core/32256323431.html?isOrig=true#extend

is this website reliable?

cheers

ubergeeknz

3344 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Vocus

#1375948 28-Aug-2015 23:41

yudumcan: I think I'll go with this model any thoughts? http://tr.aliexpress.com/item/Minix-neo-x8-h-plus-support-H-265-x8h-x8-h-PLUS-Amlogic-S812-Quad-Core/32256323431.html?isOrig=true#extend

is this website reliable?

cheers

Aliexpress is kind of like a chinese ebay, ie you are buying (mostly) from private sellers. However they offer protection for if you don't get the goods or if they are substandard, so it's pretty safe. I've bought a heap of stuff through aliexpress and wouldn't hesitate to buy something like this through them. Just check that the seller you're using have plenty of feedback under their belt, as per trademe, etc.

As for android boxes, I have a Tronsmart 89H and it's not bad. But I sometimes wish I'd got a Roku instead (I run a Plex server) as it has problems playing some media formats and I have to fiddle with Plex. Netflix and Hulu work pretty well but the picture quality is not as good as Roku.

Basically the android boxes are OK, but YMMV and be prepared to load 3rd party firmware for best results.

BarTender

3606 posts

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#1375956 29-Aug-2015 05:54

I've tried a Nvida Shield Android Tv
http://shield.nvidia.com
Very cool little box.

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#1375963 29-Aug-2015 07:06

yudumcan: I think I'll go with this model any thoughts? http://tr.aliexpress.com/item/Minix-neo-x8-h-plus-support-H-265-x8h-x8-h-PLUS-Amlogic-S812-Quad-Core/32256323431.html?isOrig=true#extend

is this website reliable?

cheers

based on all the reviews i have read that is the pick of the bunch as best as i can tell

i almost pulled the trigger on one - but will likely go for a chromebox or nuc instead as i need my next kodi box to play hd audio and future proof it a bit for 4k playback.

i found this thread helpful: http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=94268
good luck choosing as there are a truckload of other options - esp once you start looking at sites like aliexpress / gearbest / bangood etc etc

as for aliexpress - i have purchased numerous things from multiple sellers on their site - they all arrived and were as described - shipping can be pretty slow - but their pricing is keen.

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Apsattv

2388 posts

Uber Geek

#1375965 29-Aug-2015 07:22

Geekbuying.com is a good place to look. Most of the ones on Trademe are OLD junk no ac 5ghz wifi etc

sangha

53 posts

Master Geek

Trusted

#1375972 29-Aug-2015 08:25

Open Hour Chameleon is another good option.
http://www.cloudmedia.com/products/open-hour/chameleon

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1376161 29-Aug-2015 16:41

I got the Windows version of the Minix Neo from Expansys.co.nz. Good, fast service, and I assume being an NZ shopfront you are covered by NZ consumer law (but I may be wrong). They have the M8 for $260, and shipping would be around $20.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

yudumcan

84 posts

Master Geek

#1376200 29-Aug-2015 20:42

littleheaven: I got the Windows version of the Minix Neo from Expansys.co.nz. Good, fast service, and I assume being an NZ shopfront you are covered by NZ consumer law (but I may be wrong). They have the M8 for $260, and shipping would be around $20.

hi, that's way too expensive for M8, it's $119 on TradeMe

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1376378 30-Aug-2015 12:10

yudumcan:
littleheaven: I got the Windows version of the Minix Neo from Expansys.co.nz. Good, fast service, and I assume being an NZ shopfront you are covered by NZ consumer law (but I may be wrong). They have the M8 for $260, and shipping would be around $20.

hi, that's way too expensive for M8, it's $119 on TradeMe

Oops, I got confused - the one at Expansys is an X8. It has double the storage and claims to be 4K capable. The X7 is $130.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

bbunnys

321 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1378389 2-Sep-2015 16:02

BarTender: I've tried a Nvida Shield Android Tv
http://shield.nvidia.com
Very cool little box.

I second this. Its an awesome box and can do 4K netflix etc if needed.

Shindig

1585 posts

Uber Geek

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#1378764 3-Sep-2015 09:26

check this page out.
Some crazy spec and capable boxes coming out of China

http://armdevices.net/

The little things make the biggest difference.

NZtechfreak

4649 posts

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#1378815 3-Sep-2015 10:09

+1 Nvidia Shield Android TV (SATV)

Love mine to bits.

If 4K is something you'd like right now, or you'd like pretty robust future-proofing on that front then the SATV is the only game in town.

If you really want to play games it is also the only real option going. Sure, you can play games on others like the Fire TV, but the SATV is basically pointing and laughing at the games prowess of all the other boxes.

Twitter: @nztechfreak
Blogs: HeadphoNZ.org