TV box

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TheOEL

14 posts

Geek

#214433 11-May-2017 14:26

I want to buy a TV box as I hope to be able to watch Moto GP live and, hopefully, the upcoming America's Cup races. There is a bewildering selection available on Aliexpress and Banggood. Does anyone have recommendations as to which ones are regarded as good? Most seem to have 2GB of RAM. Is more neccessary? Android 6 seems popular, is there a later version that is better?

Any helpful comments would be appreciated.

Cheers,

C.D.

mattrix

193 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1779680 11-May-2017 14:33

Nvidia Shield (king of Android boxes) / Xiaomi Mi Box

kobiak

1615 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1779682 11-May-2017 14:37

I recently installed Xiaomi Mi Box TV 3 (international) + Plex = I'm overwhelmed how easy and simple to set-up and use.

I'm yet to-do live TV, but local streaming is flawless.

helping others at evgenyk.nz

Bazil

79 posts

Master Geek

#1779966 12-May-2017 07:28

Using Xiaomi Mi Box, very happy with it.

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#1780027 12-May-2017 10:27

+1 for nvidia shield tv. much better than the mi boxes IME. i have 3 miboxes and 1 netflix doesnt work, 1 something else doesnt work, 1 i think is ok. I havent used the miboxes in a few months, there may be a s/w update to fix those issues, but yeah shield is way better. but then again its a lot more expensive.

i wouldnt waste my time with a non android TV android box. too many apps will run in tablet mode and use a mouse like interface. whereas a android tv box its all designed/run off a remote/your voice.

TheOEL

14 posts

Geek

#1780227 12-May-2017 15:06

Thanks for all your input. Do any of the devices suggested allow my to get Moto GP and /or Americas Cup? Can software be loaded into any of the sets to do so?

No mention has been made of Roku or Kodi. These are available from China. Are they not suitable? If so, do I need DNS4Me. These may seem like silly questions but I haven't found site that puts it all the info together to allow me to sort it out.

Regards

mattrix

193 posts

Master Geek
Inactive user

#1780234 12-May-2017 15:24

You can install KODI on the Shield or Mi Box.

Most of the "China" KODI boxes are just Android boxes with KODI installed.

The Mi Box is a good China Android box (the rest will be usually old Android versions / limited hardware).

Your question about the live sport is bordering on illegal streaming....

If your using DNS4ME to access legit overseas streams and there is a KODI add-on or Android App to view these legit streams - then that should still work fine.

Journeyman

1186 posts

Uber Geek

#1780299 12-May-2017 17:00

Can anyone recommend a reliable place to buy a Mi Box that comes with an NZ power plug?

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JimmyH

2886 posts

Uber Geek

#1780323 12-May-2017 18:33

China uses the same plug and voltage as we do.

Kodi is legal. But the plugins you need to get live sport etc probably aren't and there is a big clampdown on live streaming of sports going on in the UK. Flat out illegal, and arguably a lot more dodgy than recording Sky you are paying for, circumventing geoblocking for a legit service you are paying for, or ripping your own DVDs to a media server.

Personally, I think that is an issue for your conscience not mine, but I doubt you will find find many people here who will openly help you with that sort of thing. Plus, if the thread gets to far into the "how to pirate" domain, then I suspect that Mauricio will (rightly!) close the thread.

steve2222

498 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1780426 12-May-2017 23:27

Journeyman:

Can anyone recommend a reliable place to buy a Mi Box that comes with an NZ power plug?

Here:

http://www.lightinthebox.com/official-international-version-original-xiaomi-mi-amlogic-s905x-quad-core-android-6-0-tv-box-ram-2gb-rom-8gb-wifi-bluetooth-4-1-eu-plug_p5715677.html?sku=444_7417

At the top of the Product Description it says it will come with an adaptor based on your shipping address - looks like for NZ they will apply the OZ one.

Journeyman

1186 posts

Uber Geek

#1780436 13-May-2017 00:03

Cheers. You've used that website before? They're trustworthy?

driller2000

935 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#1780459 13-May-2017 08:22

Alt source:

https://www.banggood.com/Xiaomi-Mi-Box-Amlogic-S905X-2GB-RAM-8GB-ROM-TV-Box-International-Version-p-1118302.html?rmmds=search

Have purchased a 100+ items from them - shipping is slow like most Chinese based sellers - but they are reliable as 98% of my orders have turned up (and the couple that didn't were resent successfully).

old3eyes

9119 posts

Uber Geek

Subscriber

#1780513 13-May-2017 09:34

Looks like WiFi only. Ethernet or nothing as far as I'm concerned..

Regards,

Old3eyes

steve2222

498 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1781776 13-May-2017 21:25

Journeyman:

Cheers. You've used that website before? They're trustworthy?

No I have not - yet.

The price looks good and the photo shows the correct model number.

AliExpress is another option and I have bought from them before (but not a MiBox)

steve2222

498 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1781778 13-May-2017 21:29

old3eyes:

Looks like WiFi only. Ethernet or nothing as far as I'm concerned..

You can add Ethernet support by using an OTG cable and USB 2 network adaptor availble for peanuts from AliExpress.

See discussion in this thread:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=84&topicid=204857

And from post #1772554 onwards where it is talking about the same solution for the Chromecast 2 in this thread:

http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=151&topicid=210311&page_no=2

steve2222

498 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1794598 4-Jun-2017 17:10

steve2222:

Journeyman:

Cheers. You've used that website before? They're trustworthy?

No I have not - yet.

The price looks good and the photo shows the correct model number.

AliExpress is another option and I have bought from them before (but not a MiBox)

@Journeyman

Have now - ordered 16 May, received 30 May.

Exactly what I expected, perfect condition in original packaging and is the International model, sent with NZ adapter. All for NZD$89 delivered.

Interestingly the package was sent from the Netherlands!