the best 2018 media streaming device

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cokeman2

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#232215 5-Apr-2018 09:42

since i upgraded tv set (Panasonic ex780) to a HDR compatible

my old media streamer minix U1 dose not support HDR even thou it does hevc and 4k ...

looking for a new device

i have read numerous of reviews online of latest devices

the roku , apple tv , nvidia shield and vero 4k seem to stand out along with alot of other devices

i want to be future proof does Dolby atoms ,dts X pass threw ,HDR etc

and good support

its either nvidia shield (expensive) or vero 4k anyone want to suggest any others?

thanks

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#1988597 5-Apr-2018 09:48

Future proof is a good thing, but if the mibox (~$100nzd delivered) does everything you need now, I would just go for that. The price is so low its not a biggie IMO. It may do all that (im not sure), but its a great device thats supports 4k, runs android tv (the best TV os IMO/IME).

I do prefer my nvidia shield tv for speed, but i have several tvs around the house using the mi box and its hard to justify the extra cost of a nvidia shield tv just for watching netflix/plex/kodi etc on.

cokeman2

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#1988639 5-Apr-2018 10:08

reven:

Future proof is a good thing, but if the mibox (~$100nzd delivered) does everything you need now, I would just go for that. The price is so low its not a biggie IMO. It may do all that (im not sure), but its a great device thats supports 4k, runs android tv (the best TV os IMO/IME).

I do prefer my nvidia shield tv for speed, but i have several tvs around the house using the mi box and its hard to justify the extra cost of a nvidia shield tv just for watching netflix/plex/kodi etc on.

thanks for that ,looks quite good, where do you buy it from ?

reading up on all the reviews theres no perfect box yet

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timmmay

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#1988640 5-Apr-2018 10:09

I have a Roku that I got from Amazon. It works well and was pretty cheap. You'll have to check into whether it has the specs you need. Can't say if it's better or worse than a MiBox. I can say the little stick I have has only ok WiFi - I had it inside a solid oak TV cabinet and it was getting about 1Mbps max, I moved it outside the cabinet and it went up to 10Mbps.

reven

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#1988642 5-Apr-2018 10:11

nvidia shield tv i would say is pretty much the perfect box for now. just its pricey compared to other options. but when i started with HTPCs, i spent $2500 on a machine ($600 was just on a case). so its pricey but thats really relative.

i just bought my miboxs from aliexpress. but theres banggood.com, geekbuying.com, dx.com. compare the prices and go with the cheapest. also avoid the EU/UK version, the power plug is massive, the US one fits an adapter much easier.

reven

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#1988644 5-Apr-2018 10:14

timmmay:

I have a Roku that I got from Amazon. It works well and was pretty cheap. You'll have to check into whether it has the specs you need. Can't say if it's better or worse than a MiBox. I can say the little stick I have has only ok WiFi - I had it inside a solid oak TV cabinet and it was getting about 1Mbps max, I moved it outside the cabinet and it went up to 10Mbps.

i only recommend android tv because of the apps and future proofing for the apps. its android, so you can side load any apk basically. and it has built in chromecasting.

wanghou168

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#1988688 5-Apr-2018 11:11

using raspberry pi at the moment.

For your need, I would suggest mibox as well.

MOBILE: Huawei P30
OTHER: Thinkpad E14 + Asus Vivobook + Intel NUC5i3 + A family of Raspberry Pi x 9 + Amazon Echo

woodson

232 posts

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#1988691 5-Apr-2018 11:21

+1 for the Mibox

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michaelmurfy

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#1988721 5-Apr-2018 12:09

I've tried (and didn't like) the MiBox due to it running an outdated Android build. The Shield TV is what I use now and love it. To be honest, if you're doing 4K then this is the device to get.

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dafman

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#1988722 5-Apr-2018 12:12

(ignore me, just adding a post so I can keep up with updates as posted)

cokeman2

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#1988752 5-Apr-2018 13:10

michaelmurfy:

I've tried (and didn't like) the MiBox due to it running an outdated Android build. The Shield TV is what I use now and love it. To be honest, if you're doing 4K then this is the device to get.

https://www.amazon.com/NVIDIA-SHIELD-Streaming-Player-Controller/dp/B01N1NT9Y6

ummm $257 nzd postage on top maybe another 20 , so 277nzd vs mibox at $100

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/nvidia-shield-tv-16-gb-streaming-media-player-black/6100500.p?skuId=6100500

a bit cheaper dont know if it ships to nz thou

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reven

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#1988754 5-Apr-2018 13:13

go with either, you could sell either on TM for a small profit. so theres no real risk.

nvidia shield tv has come down a fair bit in price, personally I would go for that seeing that price. but if you were doing multiple rooms i would get one nvidia shield tv for the main one then mi boxes for the rest.

steve2222

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#1988756 5-Apr-2018 13:14

I use two Mi Boxes and swear by them.

However it may pay to keep an eye on this Android TV box about to be sold by Vodafone Australia for A$120 from about mid April.

https://forums.whirlpool.net.au/forum-replies.cfm?t=2714884&p=1

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/89kxhr/new_android_tv_box_vodafone_tv_launching_in/?st=jfltaev3&sh=0fb0645c

The potential benefit (assuming it lives up to the promotional hype) is it will run Android Nought (v7) whereas the Mi Box is still stuck on Marshmallow (Android 6) despite numerous promises to update to 7.

The OZ Vodafone box may also solve some issues some users have with the Mi Box on Android 6.

Also the OZ Vodafone box has an ethernet port. It also has a DTV RF tuner , but of course that will be no use to us in NZ.

Should be fairly easy to pick one up at a Vodafone store in OZ or have an OZ based friend ship one.

According to the promotional material you do NOT need to be a OZ Vodafone customer and the device is NOT locked down ie any Android TV app from the Play Store can be installed.

A$120 is not that much more than importing a Mi Box from Light in the Box from China.

reven

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#1988757 5-Apr-2018 13:17

Errr, i would be cautious of the vodafone box. ill be very surprised if its actually running Android TV and not just "Android" on a tv. and being tied to a ISP like that errr. I'd still go with the other 2 options.