Hello
I've seen a few threads on Smart TV boxes/sticks.
I'm looking for something (preferably a box, sticks are flimsy) that can also record TV
Specs guidelines:
Can Handle 1080p HD (obviously, needs HDMI output too!)
Can record TV (Freeview HD, Great Britain)
Has at least a 120 GB HDD to store stuff (or at least USB to allow extra HDD)
Is fast enough to not freeze under normal usage
has access to Google Play Store (or something similar that: available in UK, has good priced films and good selection of films)
Android is preferred, not 100% necessary, (If it's android, must be 4.0+, or has custom recovery somewhere to install android 4.X roms)
Is easy to use (IE anyone can pick it up and use it)
I think that's about it
Preferably less than £200/$300, although less than £300/$450 is ok if it's worth it
Related
I want to play Full HD movies and view photos from my PC to the TV. Therefore, I want to buy an Android Stick Computer to create HTPC. I have the following requirements:
1) can handle 1080p without problems;
2) has comfortable controls (probably need a remote control);
3) price less than 200$ (if you really need, you can increase my budget);
4) good antenna for receiving Wi-Fi signal (in a room, where there is a TV, signal is 20%);
5) the existence of a memory card slot;
6) support XBMC;
7) powerful processor and graphics accelerator.
I tried to search the Android Stick Computer. However, there are a large number of different devices.
I will be glad for any advice.
Are my requirements too strict?
Simply the best
Hixon10 said:
Are my requirements too strict?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
There is no best andoid stick. You must compare it with the best phone, tv or the best home / garden.
What is the best is personal your personal favorite. To run XBMC you must search a neon capable usb key.
Supported processors are find on the xbmc wiki. Search for Android hardware.
My personal favorite is the RK3188 (quad core) processor.
I am studying this issue for several days. I found one interesting device, which runs on android. It is http://www.vidon.me/android_blu_ray_box.htm Also, I realized that I need to choose the device, which based on OpenELEC. Although, maybe I'm wrong.
Hey folks,
TLDR at the end
I'm wondering if you can help me please, however I'm not sure if what I want is available. I'm new to this area of Android and I'm finding all the options a bit daunting as I'm not familiar with what is reputable and what is not. For example, I read the thread about the Gearbest MXiii, but when looking in the UK, I found the same box on Amazon, released under 2 different Manufacturer names... Much like if you try to buy a Media PC keyboard.
Anyway, here are the things I hope to do / run:
I want to replace my Windows Desktop that acts as my Media Centre. I use Kodi (Formerly XBMC) 14. I also use Chrome to play Netflix (would replace this with the android app), Spotify - and that's pretty much it. All my Storage is networked so I don't need anything there.
I am hoping to get a powerful machine (Quad core perhaps) with the ability to run lollipop (through AOSP if necessary) that will run Kodi, spotify and the Netflix app. BUT what I am also hoping to do, is run a 5.1 audio setup. I'm under no illusions that this support will be unlikely to be built-in (Although that would definitely be preferable) but will happily buy a USB DAC if we know of a stick that will support it and is not extortionately priced... What complicates things further, is I don't really want to run 5.1. I actually want to run 3.0 ( I don't imaging that makes much difference here, but again - it's not a familiar area to me). The reason being that on my Desktop, I run a centre speaker with the volume controlled separately, because whenever any of my media supports 5.1, when it mixes down to dual channel, I often end up with loud sound effects and low dialogue, which can be trouble when I have both an upstairs and downstairs neighbour....
So.... does anyone have any recommendations based on that?
TLDR;
I'm looking for a Powerful android stick that will support Lollipop through any means and 3.0 Audio as a minimum, even if through a USB Dac
danarama said:
Hey folks,
TLDR at the end
I'm wondering if you can help me please, however I'm not sure if what I want is available. I'm new to this area of Android and I'm finding all the options a bit daunting as I'm not familiar with what is reputable and what is not. For example, I read the thread about the Gearbest MXiii, but when looking in the UK, I found the same box on Amazon, released under 2 different Manufacturer names... Much like if you try to buy a Media PC keyboard.
Anyway, here are the things I hope to do / run:
I want to replace my Windows Desktop that acts as my Media Centre. I use Kodi (Formerly XBMC) 14. I also use Chrome to play Netflix (would replace this with the android app), Spotify - and that's pretty much it. All my Storage is networked so I don't need anything there.
I am hoping to get a powerful machine (Quad core perhaps) with the ability to run lollipop (through AOSP if necessary) that will run Kodi, spotify and the Netflix app. BUT what I am also hoping to do, is run a 5.1 audio setup. I'm under no illusions that this support will be unlikely to be built-in (Although that would definitely be preferable) but will happily buy a USB DAC if we know of a stick that will support it and is not extortionately priced... What complicates things further, is I don't really want to run 5.1. I actually want to run 3.0 ( I don't imaging that makes much difference here, but again - it's not a familiar area to me). The reason being that on my Desktop, I run a centre speaker with the volume controlled separately, because whenever any of my media supports 5.1, when it mixes down to dual channel, I often end up with loud sound effects and low dialogue, which can be trouble when I have both an upstairs and downstairs neighbour....
So.... does anyone have any recommendations based on that?
TLDR;
I'm looking for a Powerful android stick that will support Lollipop through any means and 3.0 Audio as a minimum, even if through a USB Dac
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
what a crap question
Has anybody started a thread with their 'best' or 'favorite' Android Stick & Console Computer hardware? I currently have a Google ADT-1 (w/ PureNexus), but I'm looking to sell this and upgrade in favor of something newer.
I guess I'm looking for suggestions based upon cost, performance, support for newer android versions, ease of use, root access, etc. I recently was helping a friend who had a 'Minix' device, and was impressed with the UI and how easy it was to add shortcuts to the 'desktop' for apps (no need to rely on Leanback Launcher apps, etc). I don't necessarily need support for 4k, but was seeing what people are buying.
Ultimately the goal is that this device will replace my TV set top box, so I will have Xfinity Stream TV, Netflix, Kodi, and other streaming platforms on my television screen.
Thanks in advance!
Since there hasn't been any traction on this thread, I thought I would add an update. After a little research, it seems I should definitely look toward Android TV 'box' with the s905x processor. Then the next step would be to find one of these devices that can rooted and / or one the supports a custom ROM. BTW, this would be for use in the USA.
First of all, sorry for my spelling, my english is not the best.
I know that there's a lot of chinese tv-boxes that run android and also a lot of single board computers in which you can install it (for example pine64 boards)
But it's well known that, in opposite to mobile phones, there is no brand or manufacturer that is critically acclaimed based on price, community support and regular updates.
I mean, if you have a smartphone you know that if you buy a google pixel, a oneplus, a samsung galaxy, a xiaomi etc. you know that you're buying a good phone (in some cases also cheap like the oneplus or xiaomi), and you 'll have official updates for a while, and in the case you don't, you have a large community cooking roms and extending your phone life.
I don't see this on tv boxes, and this become important in the case of tv subscription apps.
There's a lot of android apps that drops support on old versions of android (for example netflix, directv, fox, etc.). So, you can have a hardware capable box in terms of hardware (processor, RAM, GPU, etc.), able to upgrade to a new android version, but you get caught on the lack of will of your manufacturer on upgrading your android version.
You end up with a box with good hardware but you can't use your updated apps (because of course, the majority of that apps don't let you watch content anymore until you upgrade).
So, all this introduction is to ask if any of you know any box or single board computer that have regular official updates or a good community.
I know, raspberry is the best choice on community resources, but is well know that at the date it cannot run android normally.
I have a pi3 and it's terrible on running android, i also know that the new pi4 (with 4gb of ram!!!) does not come with out-of-the-box or official android compatibility and the guys that tried to install it came up with the same results as in the raspberry pi3.
Libreelec on rpi is not an option, because what i want is to run subscription sites (like fox, tnt, directv, my own cable operator app, etc.) and libreelec doesn 't have any addon to run these (i now that there's a lot of iptv sources but is difficult to find a good stream and i'm paying for these subscriptions)
Raspbian on rpi is also not an option ¿why? because, of course, this tv services can be accessed by their own site, but hardware aceleration for streaming video on raspbian doesn 't work well, so, yo cannot play youtube videos on 1080 fullscreen, and of course no other suscription page (is not a hardware thing, is a software thing, libreelec can play 1080p videos on raspberry). There is a solution specifically for youtube via omxplayer but doesnt work for other html5 sites.
I know that the pine64 androck64 boards come with android support but i dont know if those are good buys.
I don't want speccifically an android OS, but i think i will be easer an cheaper, if there´s one that run linux and you can have HW accelaration it would be great (because sites like netflix, fox etc. has their own html5 webpages to watch content).
What i have and what and tried:
1-) I have a raspberry pi 3, an incredible device that can run kodi, linux, and almost anything, unless android.
- libreelec: its almost perfect, but doesn't have addons for pay sites like fox, directv, hbo tc. to watch suscription content
- android: There's a lot of community builds but they are really alpha stage, really slow, and can´t do any HW acceleration and, if you want to have a tv box you will use it 90% to watch video, so it´s not an option.
- raspbian: you don 't have HW acceleration on html5 pages
I think if this one had the android compatibility will be the best choice, its a huge community , but it doesnt
- I bought a kii pro tv box (CPU: Amlogic S905 Quad Core - GPU: Mali-450 - 2GB), it runs well 1080p but it start to get slow when you try 4k videos.
But that's no problem for me now.
It also, of course, comes with a really little support (official and community) it is difficult to find how to root it, how to patch some things etc.
The real problem with this device is that for now i'm stuck on lollipop and i know that some time form now i will be unable to run some apps (not because of the hardware, like a said, but because of the android version).
So, in some months from now maybe i'll have a box with good hardware but no possibility to use it like a want.
I don't want this to happen again to me. If i buy some device i want to extend my device life for tv use.
Do you have any recommendation ?
Resuming, i want something relatively cheap to watch NAS content, and also streaming services (netflix, hbo, fox, etc.), but i want you to reccomend me something with a good community and by a manufacturer that periodically updates the roms or firmware,
I don't care if its linux, android, windows etc.
The closest to this is the raspberry but like i said it lcks support for this particllary thing
i also benn putting my eyes on the pine boards.
are ines ingleboards good?
is tehere any singleboard better?
and, out of the single boards, are there any android tv box well mainaned by community or manfecuater?
Thanks in advance
Resuming, i want something relatively cheap to watch NAS content, and also streaming services (netflix, hbo, fox, etc.), but i want some recomendations on something with a good community and by a manufacturer that periodically updates the roms or firmware,
I don't care if its linux, android, windows etc.
The closest to this is the raspberry but like i said it lacks support for this particullar thing.
i also been putting my eyes on the pine boards.
are pine ingleboards good?
is there any singleboard better?
and, out of the single boards, are there any android tv box well mainaned by community or manfecuater?
Thanks in advance
https://androidpctv.com/
I really want to buy a rootable android and Pixels seem to be the way to go. However, I'm reading conflicting info about whether or not I'll be able to use 1-2 external monitors with the Pixel 7 Pro. I hoped this wouldn't be necessary.
I'd really like to replace my laptop with a phone that's capable to using 1-2x external monitors (4k resolution not necessary but would be amazing as well - 1080p would be plenty).
From what I see, using a displayport dock via USB-C can enable at least 1 HDMI output:
Project your Pixel phone's screen - Pixel Phone Help
If you have a Chromecast or other device that casts, you can mirror your Pixel phone's screen and audio on
support.google.com
>Tip: Pixel 3 and later Pixel phones work with the MediaGear USB-C Hub Docking Station (item 853265008171). Other docking stations can also work.
Can someone please confirm this is possible and let me know which dock they're using? Also, is there any chance I could use 2 HDMI outputs through the same dock? Or perhaps one USBC-Displayport-HDMI connection + 1 Chromecast connection to enable 2x monitors?
I'd love to be able to code using a bluetooth keyboard/mouse and skip having the carry my laptop around entirely. I have a 1440p portable/external monitor that works wonderfully for both my laptop and my LG V50 ThinQ.
2x monitors would be my dream; the portable external monitor I have is amazingly light and works great (and supports display over USBC and MicroHDMI - plus power over another USBC port). So I'm sure I'd need to plug in in order to operate these for any extended periods but anyway:
Does anyone have experience with this they can share?
Thanks for any/all help. I'm a dev myself so if the solution to this is a custom rom, I'd be happy to contribute to the solution if anyone's working on one.
I will say: My LG V50 ThinQ USBC to USBC video works really well on my portable monitor... So it may be possible to patch that feature into a pixel kernel.
I will definitely look into it once I have the time, if no one else has any hints/progress on the subject.
I will say "technically"... yes. Practically however, nobody has actually bothered.
Should be just a matter of making sure the kernel is built with support for GUD and setting up a monitor with a GUD interface (such as an rPi with the GUD sdcard).
Pixels do not support native, hardware-accelerated video-out.
Any old dock won't work. Only DisplayLink ones and expect performance to be poor.
LLStarks said:
Pixels do not support native, hardware-accelerated video-out.
Any old dock won't work. Only DisplayLink ones and expect performance to be poor.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not to mention, streaming like Netflix and Hulu won't show. I tried several DisplayLink adapters which claimed HDCP compliance (including this one:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B072FHTZ8V
with the DL6950 chip:
https://www.synaptics.com/products/displaylink-graphics/integrated-chipsets/dl-6000 )
But I could never get any streaming services to work (just black screen once playing started). The rest was acceptable quality (although I wouldn't expect to be able to play games without significant lag and screen tearing). If you find a set up that also works with streaming, please let me know. I'd be very interested in adopting something similar.
***Edit: from DisplayLink's site:
"As the DisplayLink is an app from the Play Store, Android prevents any protected content from video streaming services eg Netflix, Amazon etc, being available to the DisplayLink app. This is an Android restriction to make sure that protected content remains protected and is not available to other applications."
Known issues and limitations with DisplayLink for Android – DisplayLink Support
support.displaylink.com
Maybe there is a root workaround, I don't know.
Didn't even know that. Wow.
I still don't forgive Google for removing Miracast.
I really do like Google Cast but that was really anti-consumer.