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[Q] Smart TV Box/Stick, can record too!

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

Dell HDMI android stick

Does anyone have one of these ?
http://www.dell.com/us/business/p/cloud-connect/pdhttp://www.dell.com/us/business/p/cloud-connect/pd
Copied from the page above.
`OverviewTech Specs
Operating System
Android 4.1, Jelly Bean operating system to support triple play (voice, data and video)
Display
Additional power and control offered by MHL
HDMI/MHL equipped video interface
1080p Full-HD resolution support
Processor
Multi-core Cortex-A9 ARM System-on-Chip (SoC)*
Comprehensive integration of processors and hardware engines*
Powerful 2D/3D graphics capability*
Advanced HD video and audio processing capability
Networking
802.11 a/b/g/n dual band wireless
Ports
MHL/HDMI video interface (at launch)
DisplayPort video interface
1x USB mini for peripherals (keyboard/Mouse)
1x Micro USB host port / External power input
1x Micro SD card slot (expandable up to 72GB flash storage)
Connectivity
Bluetooth pairing button
Citrix Receiver*
VMware Horizon View client*
MSFT RDP
Peripherals
Kybd, Mouse, and Strorage via Bluetooth v3
Or 1x USB mini for peripherals (keyboard/Mouse)
Memory1
8GB flash
1 GB RAM
1x Micro SD card slot (expandable up to 72GB flash storage)
Miscellaneous
LED power indicator
Android applications, music, magazines etc.*
Enterprise level securityDevice security*
Operating system & application level security
Desktop & content security*
Management*
Dell Wyse Cloud Client Manager
Enterprise level security enforcement
System management*
Application and content management
User Self-Service Portal
Real-time reporting, alerts & analytics
Chrome for fast, safe, and easy web access`

I do not. Sorry.
Sent from my HTC One using Tapatalk

I have a chromecast... I wonder if this will supply all of the chrome cast functionality plus access to all of the other android apps... $129 is nearly 4 Chromecasts for one of these. Well there now exists an android stick with trusted support behind it.
Not that the other providers didn't provide support, dell is a large company with lits of resources.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MF6CsV8K6CE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The dell marketing seems to be focused on the work environment, and this need to connect a mouse and keyboard.
But yeah, I'd like to know too if it does what Chromecast does. Can I watch movies and cast from my smartphone? Can I mirror display?

I have purchased one of these and using it for entertainment and work. You have to create a Dell Client Connect Manager starter account and setup users there first with rights. Right now I have XBMC running on it plus netflix, hulu, citrix receiver for work and few other apps. Google play store showed apps to be not compatible with this device so I installed 1market store where I can download the same apps as the Play Store.

siratfus said:
The dell marketing seems to be focused on the work environment, and this need to connect a mouse and keyboard.
But yeah, I'd like to know too if it does what Chromecast does. Can I watch movies and cast from my smartphone? Can I mirror display?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You can probably use Cheapcast (https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=at.maui.cheapcast) in order to achieve what you need it to.

I have it too, with netflix the video sometimes pauses, the subtitles go out of sync and never catch up. It comes with Android 4.1.2 and the apps on play store are very limited, you can install more with 1market but some of them will not work.
Also the mouse and actions have some lag, it is not as responsive as my nexus 5 or 7, when you type sometimes it take almost a second to show the letter you typed.
I'm still looking for a way to change the resolution in my [email protected] monitor it doesnt look as windows, it's a little blur.
ohitzjah said:
I have purchased one of these and using it for entertainment and work. You have to create a Dell Client Connect Manager starter account and setup users there first with rights. Right now I have XBMC running on it plus netflix, hulu, citrix receiver for work and few other apps. Google play store showed apps to be not compatible with this device so I installed 1market store where I can download the same apps as the Play Store.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Mine shows only 2.9GB storage, there are 8GB advertised, how many GB has yours?

Has anyone had any luck seeing if there Is a way to get around the first setup so I can use it as a normal android Stick without a Cloud Connect Manager account?
For those that have used the Manager account to get a User set up. Does it become useless after the trial is up or is it not needed once an account is made?

IM0001 said:
Has anyone had any luck seeing if there Is a way to get around the first setup so I can use it as a normal android Stick without a Cloud Connect Manager account?
For those that have used the Manager account to get a User set up. Does it become useless after the trial is up or is it not needed once an account is made?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi,
yes, I just installed another launcher via adb, thats all. google-apps (play) are already installed.
And it looks like you can uninstall the cloud connection manager via settings as well. I did not try it yet.
f

Dell Cloud Connect (HDMI Android) in Hotels
I have a Dell Cloud Connect, which I was hoping would work (as Dell proclaims it will) as a smallportable device to put my work desktop (via RDP) onto the TV in my hotel room - a potentially extremely attractive feature for those of us who travel a lot.
The first hotel I stayed in (San Jose, CA) had a TV with the requisite HDMI ports. I tried it in both but there seemed to be so much installed with the hotel entertainment systems (OnCmmunications and LodgeNet) that the option to choose the Input was unavailable (or had been made deliberately unavailable); I was not able to change the Input. Has anyone else found this? (One word of warning: I am no TV expert so it is possible I was being dumb.)
On return home the Dongle plugged straight into a projector and an HDMI-equipped Monitor with minimal problems. On the monitor and projector all looks a good except for the hassle of Cloud Connect.
In answer to the question above about whether you have to use the paid CloudConnect, Dell has told me "We do have a Starter version that is available. However only the 14-day pilot (pro) edition is what we send out for piloting purposes. We can however convert your pro edition to starter upon completion of the pilot." I believe the Starter Version is free and supports up to something like 15 or 25 devices.

I just got one of these. I've never owned an Android device before. I was considering rooting it. Does anyone have any advice in that regard?

Dell cs-1a13
2016 Thread Resurrection
It is not necessary to signup for Cloud Client Manager(CCM) to configure device if you select skip button during setup. However signing up for CCM does get you a newer build from Dell. My setup has a resolution issue that make all control you usually see on Android not visible. Which make setup a bit tricky. This issue will continue until resolution is setup correctly. To skip CCM setup move mouse to the bottom of the screen to select skip button that may not be visible. You can address resolution issue by opening the Application drawer, hidden in the top right due to resolution issue. Once the appdrawer is open Select AppUpdater to get all stock applications updated. After update device should now have an application named "ResizeScreen" which should address resolution issue. Not sure if this application only appears in new build downloaded as I did not find the application drawer until after I updated build from Dell.
Ensure to enable "Test Touchscreen support" in Developer options in setting to unblock applications you download that are blocked due to dependency on this setting. I was able to gain root with KingoRoot tethered root method, APK method failed. The KingoRoot SuperSU installed forces portrait resolution on all root privilege request, not good for a TV setup. Supersu I downloaded from Google Appstore works right but it seems KingoRoot SuperSu supersedes it. Devices is a little under powered compared to current Android devices, but It may still make a nice little HTPC. CPU is the same as a Samsung GS2. I am trying to figure out how to get recovery working on this device. I am wondering if I can just flash the same recovery as GS2 or will I need to compile recovery specific to this device? Specs below from CPU-Z.
Device
Manufacturer DELL
Model ID CS-1A13
Android Version 4.1.2
Kernel Version 3.0.31
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
SoC (Processor)
Architecture ARM (armv7l)
SoC Model Broadcom BCM28155
SoC Family 2x ARM Cortex-A9 @999 MHz
Frequency 999 MHz / Min: 312 MHz - Max: 999 MHz
Main CPU Cores 2 Cores / 2 Threads
Process 40 nm
CPUID 41.3.7.C09.0
Revision R3P0
Features SWP HALF THUMB FASTMULT VFP EDSP THUMBEE NEON VFPV3
Bogomips 2400.25 MIPS
Display (GPU / LCD)
SoC Manufacturer Broadcom
SoC Model VideoCore IV HW
OpenGL Ver. 2.0
LCD Size 13.8 inches / 35.1 cm
LCD Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
LCD Definition 160 DPI
Memory
RAM 653 MB (1 GB)
Flash 3023 MB

has anyone managed to install an updated android version ie 4.4 or upwards, dell dont have one and it wont run powerpoint

dellcomputers
siratfus said:
The dell marketing seems to be focused on the work environment, and this need to connect a mouse and keyboard.
But yeah, I'd like to know too if it does what Chromecast does. Can I watch movies and cast from my smartphone? Can I mirror display?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The dell marketing seems to be focused on the work environment, and this need to connect a mouse and keyboard.

New to Sticks, need advice on my options please? Audio-centric questions

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

'Best' or 'Favorite' Android Stick & Console Computer Hardware?

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.

BEST CHOICE FOR ANDROID OR LINUX TV-BOX (cheap, updates and community) ?

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/