Android Box Enqiry

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sep11guy

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#115817 8-Apr-2013 10:49

Hi All !!

I have a query regarding the android box's you get these days.

I want to get one of them but want to know first if it ll meet what I want it to do. What I want to do is to have a box sitting connected to my tv. The box is networked to all my pc's / laptops in house thru wifi and to be easily throw in mkv, avi, mov, etc files on it, and to be able to play on my tv thru that box.

Is this something easily done with todays android box available in the market.

Please advice and if you have any pointers on brand's , min spec requirements for future proofing. I am ok if it serves well for say 2-3 years? I am looking at minix neo x5, or similar, whats your feedback / view on those?Thanks

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#794914 8-Apr-2013 11:45

wait 2 months and buy an ouya.

it will run xbmc and plex, should become the default android HTPC for a while. theres also pivos devices that run xbmc.

ajobbins

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#794926 8-Apr-2013 11:59

I'm using Plex on a Raspberry Pi (Rasplex) and it's working great.

Cost me roughly AU$75 all up. $38 pi, $7 case, $15 Class-10 SD card and $15 Wifi adapter.

Quite happily plays 1080p H.264 video over Wifi and can control it using the TV's own remote over HDMI-CEC

Twitter: ajobbins

sep11guy

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#794932 8-Apr-2013 12:16

reven: wait 2 months and buy an ouya.

it will run xbmc and plex, should become the default android HTPC for a while. theres also pivos devices that run xbmc.

Ouya sounds like a good option. I can wait no problem, its just that everytime i have to watch something , I have to give up my laptop to connect to TV and then the laptop cant be used. And hence this search for a reliable sturdy box..

My only question on Ouya at this stage is - it seems to have its on User Interface. Will it be possible to have Ouya with just a simple android jelly bean interface ?

reven

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#794969 8-Apr-2013 13:22

the ouya is completely hackable so yeah you could just use the normal interface, not sure why you would want to for a HTPC....

sep11guy

660 posts

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#794980 8-Apr-2013 13:34

reven: the ouya is completely hackable so yeah you could just use the normal interface, not sure why you would want to for a HTPC....

I would want to have the normal interface at all times, cause there will be usually someone who wants to casually browse the net, see some videos etc , so it kinda acts as another laptop with a bigg screen so that setup + a keyboard remote helps !!

do you have any other similar devices which you may recommend?

reven

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#795007 8-Apr-2013 14:14

there will be a built in browser for ouya, there will be a youtube plugin etc.

no need to use the android interface, just use the interface designed for couch use.

i wouldnt recommend any other android device atm. if ouya fails and doesnt live up to the hype, then i'd look at pivos devices.

JimmyH

2886 posts

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#795192 8-Apr-2013 19:34

sep11guy: Hi All !!

I want to get one of them but want to know first if it ll meet what I want it to do. What I want to do is to have a box sitting connected to my tv. The box is networked to all my pc's / laptops in house thru wifi and to be easily throw in mkv, avi, mov, etc files on it, and to be able to play on my tv thru that box.

A WD Live Hub will do all of that.

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richms

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#795227 8-Apr-2013 20:32

cheap android sticks seem to be an almost there solution.

Problems I have with the ones I have tried is -

UI doesnt go all the way to the edge of the screen, videos do however. No ability to disable underscan on any I have tried.

Mouse seems very very laggy, makes it hard to use. Its not the mouse, or the TV as they are fine on a laptop.

Doestn seem to do proper vsync for the video playback, so it stutters quite often.

They pretend they are a tablet so that youtube etc will play stuff that is blocked from the inbuilt smart tv players, like most music videos, however there is heaps that is blocked on a tablet that is ok on a PC.

Plex on an android stick is a pretty close to there solution. The native android interface works very well with a wireless mouse and keyboard, and since it is designed for a small screen, everything is huge so even if you have a weeny tv and sit miles away you should be fine.

Richard rich.ms

sep11guy

660 posts

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#798736 13-Apr-2013 11:38

Thanks for your replies.

I am looking at the minix neo x5 which seems pretty decent spec and is about 115$ nzd.

what i want to know is, say i have connected the box ( any android box ) to my internet connection either thru wifi or ethernet , and now is working fine.

How do i go about transferring avi, mkv files, and were do they exactly sit On the box itself ( for future use )

I just want to make this aspect clear before i plunge into buying it, as I have narrowed down and dont seem to find anything better in this sort of price range.

Please advise,

merve0o0

492 posts

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#800677 17-Apr-2013 08:32

Anyone tried a jynxbox. I have been thinking about getting one to replace my atv2

pgs2050

281 posts

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#800746 17-Apr-2013 10:12

sep11guy: ... I have narrowed down and dont seem to find anything better in this sort of price range.

merve0o0: Anyone tried a jynxbox. I have been thinking about getting one to replace my atv2

Have you considered the Roku 3?

The Roku was recently released and a number of (if not all) leading tech sites have featured prominent reviews - almost universal positive appraisal. Combined with Plex Media Player/Server apps, this device will do exactly what you want. Recently Roku announced that they have sold 5 million units since 2008.

There have also been posts on Geekzone stating that devices purchased via Amazon US were received within a week (some sooner).

If you have considered the Roku 3, why have you selected this device over the Roku 3?

sep11guy

660 posts

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#800766 17-Apr-2013 10:33

pgs2050:
sep11guy: ... I have narrowed down and dont seem to find anything better in this sort of price range.

merve0o0: Anyone tried a jynxbox. I have been thinking about getting one to replace my atv2

Have you considered the Roku 3?

The Roku was recently released and a number of (if not all) leading tech sites have featured prominent reviews - almost universal positive appraisal. Combined with Plex Media Player/Server apps, this device will do exactly what you want. Recently Roku announced that they have sold 5 million units since 2008.

There have also been posts on Geekzone stating that devices purchased via Amazon US were received within a week (some sooner).

If you have considered the Roku 3, why have you selected this device over the Roku 3?

Hi Pgs2050

I did consider getting the Roku 3 seriously, but i read a lot of forums regarding roku products were it talked about getting a vpn connection, getting it activated to run, and then maintaining a vpn connection to get the APPS running and I couldnt really get on with a recurring cost as i want something plug and play with just a one time investment, and hence i narrowed down the minix box.

I just hope that it serves me well for a few years atleast.

Cheers

pgs2050

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#800788 17-Apr-2013 10:51

sep11guy... getting a vpn connection, getting it activated to run, and then maintaining a vpn connection to get the APPS running

My understanding is that a VPN/continuous connection is only required if you wish to use the streaming-of-US-TV functionality. Roku registration should be a once off process, no different to logging your google details into a new android device.

Streaming of local media is not directly supported by the Roku 3, you will need an app like Plex (the android app costs about $5, once off, Roku 3 app should not be much different) to stream your media from the server (your pc). The Plex app is actively developed for local media streaming. I am currently using the app on a Samsung smart TV over the home wifi and it's so good that I am intending getting the Roku 3 specifically to duplicate its functionality on a Panasonic TV (also 'smart' TV but no Plex support).

Unless the minix has other functionality that you also want, I think Roku/Plex combo may be the best solution currently available for your originally stated needs.

I have been waiting for the Ouya, but reviews of developer versions have not been very good - so am starting to favour the Roku.

Whatever you choose to go with, I'd be keen to for an update once you have it all going.

sep11guy

660 posts

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#802066 19-Apr-2013 08:57

pgs2050:
sep11guy... getting a vpn connection, getting it activated to run, and then maintaining a vpn connection to get the APPS running

Whatever you choose to go with, I'd be keen to for an update once you have it all going.

The andoid box was picked up at 17th from overseas by DHL and they have it today 19th morning with courier! Cant wait to get it now. haha

sep11guy

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#802258 19-Apr-2013 13:25

What is best method to transfer files onto a android's memory ROM? I would be plugging in Ethernet onto back of the device, but if there is a wifi method, thats also ok.

any recommendations? thanks.

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