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[Q] Can the Xoom act as a monitor through the HDMI port

There's this response here for the Evo
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726304
But I'm curious whether the Xoom with its larger screen size could be used as a monitor - hdmi in (say for a htpc or just to use a debug screen for a server without a real monitor near-by).

Im digging this up because i cant find an answer anywhere else.
Sejanus said:
There's this response here for the Evo
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=726304
But I'm curious whether the Xoom with its larger screen size could be used as a monitor - hdmi in (say for a htpc or just to use a debug screen for a server without a real monitor near-by).
Click to expand...
Click to collapse

I wish it functioned as a second monitor for my Netbook. I have an app on my iPad called AirDisplay which works fine.
Sent from my PC36100 using XDA App

There's this app but the reviews state its pretty awful
https://market.android.com/details?id=com.idisplay.virtualscreen&hl=en

Thanks. I was reading the reviews and they are pretty awful. I'm going to wait for a competitor because I plan on buying a new Netbook so I can get into theming with Android. This would come in super handy on a 10 inch netbook screen!
Too bad Apple gets all the good apps. Thankfully I have have both.

splashtop HD works GREAT when you want to connect to your desktop/laptop, you can stream video + games with no problem.

miektan said:
splashtop HD works GREAT when you want to connect to your desktop/laptop, you can stream video + games with no problem.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's not what we're looking for. That looks like a remote desktop app rather then something that will act as a second monitor.
Thanks though.

$300 Shield or $400 Asus tablet?

For $100 more you get 16gb more internal storage (apps2sd is not much help), and an amazing display with same chipset. Gamepads work fine with Android 4.1 on up. More battery life too.
If the Shield drops another $50 for the holidays, I will lean more back to Shield. Already have several tablets, so Shield would be a better device fit perhaps. Unless I sell some tablets.

I prefer Asus tablet.
Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 4.

Your best question is, do you play PC games or just want to play Android games?

darkjedi said:
Your best question is, do you play PC games or just want to play Android games?
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Maybe not the best question since both can be done on the shield. Also the Shield most likely will still run games better due to its lower native res.
I'm guessing since the tablet will also sport the tegra 4 chipset, won't it be possible to also stream games to it the same way shield does?

pear or apple... eat what you want... they are different mate, shield is for gaming, you can't use it in portrait.. or at least not as easy any device; the tablet well, its a tablet.

I can use a controller for the tablet and it has more storage for games. Still, the Shield is more gamey of course in design.
I wish Best Buy had these or Gamestop had demos.

I have a tablet, phone and the Shield. The shield is the best portable android gaming device in my opinion. Sure it may have cost more than my other two devices but I wanted the best handheld emulator available and this is it.

georaldc said:
Maybe not the best question since both can be done on the shield. Also the Shield most likely will still run games better due to its lower native res.
I'm guessing since the tablet will also sport the tegra 4 chipset, won't it be possible to also stream games to it the same way shield does?
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Click to collapse
It is if you play PC games. Because you can't really easily do that with a tablet. But if you don't game on PC, then just use the tablet with a controller. Me, I *love* the game streaming. I can be on the couch or in bed and play my PC games. How awesome is that?

The shield is a tablet and at the same time it isn't. If you think your going to be doing more tablet specific things that a true tablet would do better then go with the tablet, if how ever you want an android device built for gaming(which is a big difference from a tablet that was converted to play games) and would enjoy a great way to play games on a handheld divice whilst also enjoying most of the perks of a tablet, then get the Sheild.
Tablets:
Pro: Bigger screen, longer batter
Con: can be less portable, not as handy for games, can be cumbersome to handle.
Shield:
Pro: Quick and easy game play, very comfortable for long periods of times. true hardware buttons/joystick.
Con: smaller screen, not as easy to control touch based applications,

You must yield the power of the shield it is as awesome device and i replaced my tablet for just one device to rule them all.

jutley said:
You must yield the power of the shield it is as awesome device and i replaced my tablet for just one device to rule them all.
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yes, I traded in my xoom2 and 3ds to get shield. I figured in two or three years the shield will emulate 3ds games, but then ill have a shield 2 by then.

Any sign of a sleep bleed and throttle fix yet?

rushless said:
Any sign of a sleep bleed and throttle fix yet?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I've been seeing a suggestion of using a live wallpaper that uses gpu resources to keep your shield from downclocking after it wakes up. Haven't tried it out yet though.

That would help the throttle, but reduce battery life and not help the bleed in sleep mode.
Nvidia better be pronto on a fix.

A tablet and a shield are two completely different things. The only thing they have in common is that they both run android. I would suggest having a tablet for productivity and a shield as a gaming device.
A shield is definitely not a tablet replacement, but it can work as a great android desktop/media device if you hook it up to your monitor with a mouse in keyboard.
There is in issue with HDMI lag but Iv not tested this. Probably an update would fix it.

georaldc said:
I've been seeing a suggestion of using a live wallpaper that uses gpu resources to keep your shield from downclocking after it wakes up. Haven't tried it out yet though.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have been playing with a pabndaboard es for a while and all android builds I have used on it run slow as......but when I switch to a live wallpaper it improves. Also on the pandaboard not using a live wallpaper makes android crash.
nielo360 said:
A tablet and a shield are two completely different things. The only thing they have in common is that they both run android. I would suggest having a tablet for productivity and a shield as a gaming device.
A shield is definitely not a tablet replacement, but it can work as a great android desktop/media device if you hook it up to your monitor with a mouse in keyboard.
There is in issue with HDMI lag but Iv not tested this. Probably an update would fix it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It is a tablet replacement IF you only bought the tablet for games like I did.

I have both Shield and Asus Transformer. The Shield is the most revolutionary gaming thing I've seen in a while. I would get the shield, put on some emulators, and you have access to 10,000 games in your hand

What asus tablet is it ?

I see I forgot to mention what I would buy IF i were looking to get one of these two devices. I already have the SHIELD, but I were to make this choice right NOW knowing what I know now.
I would buy the ASUS tablet, as the shield is crap, nvidia is pointing the finger at everyone other then nvidia for every shield problem out there. Have a problem with the geforce drivers needed for shield streaming? Here is nvidia's response "steam needs to fix it". Would you like to make a suggestion for some you would like to see added? Send in a bug report, we will add "new" features based on a bug report for something that is not currently in the software.
Everything works fine other then games on the shield, and the Geforce drivers for shield streaming. If you don't try and play games on the shield it works okay. If you don't install the geforce drivers for shield streaming PC games play great.

chevyowner said:
I see I forgot to mention what I would buy IF i were looking to get one of these two devices. I already have the SHIELD, but I were to make this choice right NOW knowing what I know now.
I would buy the ASUS tablet, as the shield is crap, nvidia is pointing the finger at everyone other then nvidia for every shield problem out there. Have a problem with the geforce drivers needed for shield streaming? Here is nvidia's response "steam needs to fix it". Would you like to make a suggestion for some you would like to see added? Send in a bug report, we will add "new" features based on a bug report for something that is not currently in the software.
Everything works fine other then games on the shield, and the Geforce drivers for shield streaming. If you don't try and play games on the shield it works okay. If you don't install the geforce drivers for shield streaming PC games play great.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sorry to hear about your streaming experience but the Shield is most definitely not crap. Mine streams just fine the few times I have tried it. I use it for android games and emulators. It works fantastically for this. I have owned at least 7 different Android tablets and none of them can play games like the shield can. I currently use a Nexus 10 and a Nexus 7 (2013) both of which are great tablets but cannot play games with them like the Shield. I also have a Rocketfish Miracast receiver and use it stream android games to my TV. The only problem I have with the device is screen resolution (needs to be 1080p) and screen size. I wish the size was a bit bigger but I realize they were trying to match the controller size. The resolution however, they could easily get a 5" 1080p screen. The battery life is very good and the Tegra 4 is blazing fast.

[Q] Buy a Google Chromecast or not.

Hi! my first post so be gentle
I've been thinking of getting a Chromecast Since day one, but certain things have made me so confused so the last months i have been thinking ''Yes Or No''.
So my thoughts have been if i should buy this or a Nexus 7.
As i've been reading lately you can get american Netflix using tunnelbear which sounds really nice! (I'm From Sweden to be exact.)
But how is it doing with the Local Streaming function its still ''banned'' so to say?
¨
How is the streaming quality from Chromecast(Netflix) to the TV?
How is the streaming Quality from Chromecast(Youtube) to the Tv?
Do you think it will be almost the same apps like in Apple tv?
Is there any kind of Browser? such as regular Chrome so i can Read news for example on the tv without mirroring my Chrome tab?
As This is just a beta device, you think they will release a Chromecast 2 any soon or they will just stick to the regular one.
What are the benefits rooting these devices? i got a nexus 4, i have never rooted any android device even if i had about 7 android phones last 3 years. Been scared of the note saying this will void your warranty.
Yes Alot of questions but im really thankfull for all the help!
Best Regards eastlin.

If you really want to "wirelessly cast" your audio viduals, then get the Chromecast, but if you don't mind physically connecting your phone/tablet to your TV, you really only need a SlimPort Micro USB to HDMI Adapter. These cost around the US$20 range and let you connect a HDMI cable to your phone/tablet's micro USB port (you can also invest in the N7 with the savings ).
Hope this helps.

haha, im sitting here dividing... Tablet or CC Done it for about 3 months now cant still decide it sucks.
but CC is allways a nice Gadget, but i want to be able to use it for more than just the few apps there are atm...
Will there be more apps in the future or will they kill the product?

Eastliin said:
Will there be more apps in the future or will they kill the product?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can never be sure...

Ye i will look that Cable adapter up, sounds like something interesting to me atleast
But as you know, Wireless rules.

Android TV-Nexus Player

the first official android tv player has been announced. Interesting specs. Anyone thinking of getting one?
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/15/6982375/google-nexus-player-android-tv-set-top-box-announced
http://www.google.com/nexus/player/
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using XDA Free mobile app

the concept is interesting, but the spec is not

99$? Insta-buy! Just waiting for the pre-order in Germany
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk 2

I have an ADT-1 and thoroughly love it. By far, the best XBMC experience you could ask for, but the device holistically is pretty damn cool too. Going to be ordering 2 of these as well.

what does this have to do with the Nexus 5 section? not wanting to be a forum-nazi, but it's pretty useless in this section.

There is no dedicated android TV forum
Edit found it now. Thread has been moved. Thanks moderator
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

Really cool idea and I'd buy one if I didn't already have a Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Chromecast, a Slimport cable, and a PS3 controller. With all that, the possibilities are vast. If playing a game, I'll use my N5, hook it up to the TV via Slimport, and use my PS3 controller. If watching a show, I'll just cast my screen via Chromecast, with the option of using the Slimport cable.
So since the controller is Bluetooth Smart, I can sync it with my phone and tablet, right? Typical Bluetooth syncing process? A spare controller might be a nice little plus to convince me to buy a (another) little gadget device. Like I said, it's a neat idea but I definitely don't need it.

Quite interesting that it's using a Intel processor. Wonder how that will perform. Also any micro SD slot?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app

jumper62 said:
Quite interesting that it's using a Intel processor. Wonder how that will perform. Also any micro SD slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there's a similar question i got:
does it have a usb host port?
As the specs don't mention one (like the sd-slot) i guess there won't be one, what makes sense if you think about their interest in people streaming stuff from google play...
Amazon blocks usb mass storage and google doesn't even add a port, what also makes usb gamecontrollers unusable...

I'll most likely buy one at some point to replace my Roku, but one of the important apps to me is the WWE Network app, and I highly doubt WWE will care enough about their app to update for compatibility with Android TV any time soon. So, I'll have to hold out until they support Android TV.

There is a mini usb port. External storage?

Sigh. Google, y u hate Ethernet?
Another stationary device that eats up wifi bandwidth to save on a 50 cent Gig-E port. Its just plain dumb.

Is there any official information about European availability?
Does it support HDMI-CEC?

I'll get one to replace the Chromecast in our living room. Will be really nice to have a remote to, for example, pause if I get a call. Try to do that on your phone while casting something..
If it hasn't got HDMI-CEC.. that would just be stupid. Hope it has.
Doesn't bother me that it hasn't got wired Ethernet. My WiFi is excellent and I can easily get +600Mbps real performance on my laptop and +250Mbps on my Nexus 5 so the AC-chip on this will do for all my streaming needs and then some.

Any information yet which formats are supported? Is it like chromecast limited to h264 and aac or can it play mkv files with dvd MPEG streams? (how I store my DVD library currently in plex)
Skickat från min GT-I9505 via Tapatalk

Konstigt said:
I'll get one to replace the Chromecast in our living room. Will be really nice to have a remote to, for example, pause if I get a call. Try to do that on your phone while casting something..
If it hasn't got HDMI-CEC.. that would just be stupid. Hope it has.
Doesn't bother me that it hasn't got wired Ethernet. My WiFi is excellent and I can easily get +600Mbps real performance on my laptop and +250Mbps on my Nexus 5 so the AC-chip on this will do for all my streaming needs and then some.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is that I don't live by myself, and we live in a relatively high density area (~3k to ~4k sq ft houses on 60 ft lots). We have three tablets, two ipod touches, two smartphones, occasionally a laptop or two. I have really good wifi coverage (using ubiquiti APs). But my next door neighbors media room is really close to our master bedroom suite and she uses wireless for everything (which is ridiculous...my old company wired her house...I know she has a lan drop in her media room, lol). So she constantly pegs 1 and 11 in 2.4 GHz. So I use 6 on that side of the house. But I can see at least 4 other APs from my neighbors on 6, and that's just those that broadcast. Our phones are are the only two AC devices we currently have.
It would probably be OK on AC. I have one AC AP and my family room cabinets where my equipment is in is only about 20 feet from the AP through wood cabinet doors. But add in a cheapo GigE port and there is nothing to worry about at all. Again, its a stationary device, no reason to use wifi. I think the issue is that these devices are developed by people who live in rented apartments or in parts of the world where adding a lan drop in a home is cost prohibitive (concrete walls, etc.). It never occurs to them that a huge portion of their target audience has a wired lan in their home.

mrw1215 said:
I'll most likely buy one at some point to replace my Roku, but one of the important apps to me is the WWE Network app, and I highly doubt WWE will care enough about their app to update for compatibility with Android TV any time soon. So, I'll have to hold out until they support Android TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not be supprised, WWE app has been on Fire TV for a while. It should not take much, if any, reconfiguring to add it to the play store for the player.

Just heard about this. Interesting indeed. I am in the UK and have got an Amazon Fire TV on preorder (released 23rd Oct) not sure whether to ditch that pre-order and go for this or keep the AFTV.

No ethernet is a bummer, but I'm still looking forward to it
need to find the perfect Plex box

I'm going to be pre-ordering one tomorrow as soon as they become available for pre-order... If I'm still awake by midnight, might do it then.
The lack of Ethernet port is truly a bummer, but I guess I will try to get another device off my Wi-Fi lol

I hate to say it but I like the Fire TV stick better

I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.

TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you hate to say it, then dont.

If you want the Amazon ecosystem then nexus player isn't the best bet yet. I got a stick as well, and it's remote seems better, but it feels lagging to me

I purchases a fire stick as well but I don't think it has 802.11ac support which is a must for me since it doesnt have an Ethernet port. I streams tons of 15GB content using xbmc. But I'm glad its working for you, how do you consume content if you don't mind me asking? Plex, xbmc with addons like genesis?

TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been on Netflix for a little while now. So, that's not a particularly good example.
Can the Fire TV Stick run XBMC/KODI and play high bitrate 1080p files with DTS smoothly?
I personally don't care about premium content beyond Netflix. I have Amazon Prime and never even watch it.

I actually do have kodi loaded on my stick, and have tested some files with no issues. It's nice. It's not as powerful as the nexus player and more locked down

Returning
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho

I think that's a bit hard. Especially when you think that this device is out since merely two weeks..

ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. I've been using WDTV Live boxes and you don't know the meaning of pain. Lots and lots of issues...
If I were you you, I'd RMA the unit back to Google. Google will send you a brand new one. Don't open it! You'll have a much better chance of selling it on Kijiji as new un-opened.

ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its early days for android l and think you are jumping the gun. The np has just been rooted and expect to see good things develop in the near future. Performance wise it is faster than most of the devices you own. I installed xbmc 13.2 on it with advanced settings and it works ok, not rock solid but reasonable. I will admit Navi-X is rocky, but does work sometimes.

Worst device of the year is a bit far of a reach especially when you are looking at it for XBMC use. On that end it may be a simple thing of its too new of a product.
For the value the fire stick could be a better buy if you are in the US. In canada Prime instant video means nothing, you could probably tinker with your router and work through that but sometimes you just want to be go the simple non hacking route.
Personally i am enjoying the nexus player very much. but if you are looking for xmbc streaming or the amazon eco system then yeah go for the fire tv stick. grab a chrome cast as well for good measure.

ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? This is worrying, I have an ouya and xbmc works great on it, was going to buy a nexus player for downstairs though as fancy one and Wifi is bit flaky on ouya.
Does xbmc not run great on it?

A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.

Will get better
Not only is it new hardware, but it's new software also. I'm sure kodi will eventually run perfect on it and google will patch up android L...

zulu99 said:
A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. It's the community of developers, small and large that makes this OS so great. I don't see much progress in the Fire TV forum and its been out for months.

I think my point was missed. I ordered the NP first day. Love my nexus 5, have a nexus 7 flo installed in my dash which replaced the nexus 7 2012 that was there before it. I run xbmc on all my nexus products without a hitch. Received the NP last Wednesday, as soon as I plugged it in I sideloaded Chainfires tool, installed es explorer and used the official xbmc x86. Right off the get go it seems slow and laggy, it has a few hiccups using addons but no biggy. The biggest issue for me in xbmc is streaming content from 1channel, icefilms and genesis during a 22 minute episode xbmc crashed 4 times and returned me to the launcher. I tried spmc, tvmc, fired tv xbmc, Kodi alpha 1,2,3,4, and now 5 all with multiple configurations they all crash frequently. The remote is cheap and lacks a menu button, 1gb ??,no spdif, no ethernet, no full size usb (although I had no issues with OTG and a hub), Netflix broke so hard I had to do a factory reset, and the chromecast integration is laggy and bug ridden. Might have good potential in the future but as of right now I would much rather use the 25 dollar fire stick. Only tested one game asphalt 8 and the fire tv blew it out of the water. This isnt a debate of the potential of the device or what it might do in the future with roms its about out of box usage with current methods and mods. The ouya lacks in areas but out of the box ran 10x better and especially after with cyanogen. The reality is I received my firetv rooted it loaded xbmc and backups 20 minutes later up and has ran with no issues, received the fire tv stick a bit slower than the box but still set up and running in 20 minutes and no issues. To me thats enough, I have a rma and hate that I waited anxiously for over a month to have the thing ship and destroy any conceived expectations of a good working fire tv contender.

I'm running Kodi on mine streaming even 3D content at high bitrates no problem. I recommend the Helix Beta. Downloadable as an APK at: kodi.tv/download (choose the android beta x86 version).

I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now

volwrath said:
I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. Once I start adding addons, the thing gets unstable pretty quickly - I haven't narrowed down which addons to date.
The Nexus Player is the first production lollipop set top and devs haven't had much time updating for it. Google also has some clear bugs to deal with on the box. Even with those caveats, however, I love the NP. That its easily rooted, has simple support for a ton of peripherals (such as any of my bluetooth ps3 controllers), hard drives, extended storage for games, etc... the list goes on. The ability to sideload and use hundreds of thousands of apps with ease is also a huge bonus while we wait for devs to code leanback interfaces and games.
A relatively open system will *always* be preferable to a closes system in my mind. The Nexus Player is a keeper, even as it is right now for me.

Elrondolio said:
I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. .
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Thanks good to know..I will get rid of all my addons and see if that helps. Once we get the expanded storage thing figured out the NP is going to be a beast.. Its already a phenomenal device