What's everyone using as a media player (hardware) - General Topics

Currently have a roku stick that I think I'm going to return simply because I know I can do better via android. Just looking for hardware that will do plex/XBMC, support 5.1, 1080p, Ethernet optional but preferred, would like to come with a physical remote and want to be able to root it of coarse. Also, do any of the current devices support CEC? If so, in what capacity? Can I power up the device via CEC or launch apps/etc.? I've been out of the android world for sometime now, so just want you guys suggestions on what to check out.
Thanks all
(Edit) - I ended up ordering a probox2 ex. Looks like it ticks all the boxes, however not sure how the CEC support.

Related

[Q] Any Miracast pc software options?

I recently picked up a Samsung Galaxy Note 2. It supports Allshare Cast, which is essentially Samsung's version of Miracast, but requires an Allshare Cast dongle. I've reached a point where I'm no longer buying a bunch of expensive accessories for a phone I'll probably have for a year or 2.
I also have an iPad 3. Using a program called Airserver, I can mirror my iPad's display onto my media center PC. I thought I would be able to do with with my Note 2 and the Allshare PC software, but the software doesn't support Allshare Cast (and likely never will, since they seem interested in getting people to buy the proprietary dongle). It only supports Allshare Play, which is DLNA and unsuitable since it requires that the recipient device decode the file and won't allow sending everything on my phone to my PC.
Android 4.2 is supposed to integrate Miracast into the OS natively, so I figured I can use this to mirror my phone's display on my PC. However, I can't find any PC software that acts as a Miracast receiver (much like Airserver works for iPhones/iPads). Does anyone know of any Windows software that will act as a Miracast receiver and allow me to mirror my phone's screen on my PC?
Thanks
I too have been looking for exactly this but have yet to find anything. Hopefully someone will come up with a solution soon.
this needs to be possible?? surely this can be done
Gutted.
I was really hoping I could do that for my nexus 4, but I'm fairly sure I won't be able to by any kind of dongle for my old TV
Bump.
I just ordert my nexus 4 and was searching for a windows 7 miracast server but found non.
Acording to Wikipedia its possible
Microsoft does not natively support Miracast in the new released Windows 8 and RT, but Windows software developers can implement Miracast easily, as Wi-Fi Direct is present as of Windows 7[19].
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But I didnt even found a Dev-Thread...
@SiMBol10: The PTV3000 by Netgear might be the dongle you have been looking for
Does somebody know a Software Solution? Maybe a Wi-Fi Direct tool which can mit modulated?!
:fingers-crossed:
greetz
This is something I've been searching for as well now that I have my Nexus 4.
Has anyone figured anything out for this? I really really want to be able to do this, but cannot figure this out at all
It doesn't seem so yet.
the documentation for miracast is terrible for it to be open there isn't a lot of documentation about how to use and implement i was able to find out about android transporter http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=tZFeed5a7Jq6cfqPbAFfBw&bvm=bv.42661473,d.dmQ
and on the miracast wiki page there is a link to software called mirrorop nothing much outside of this though that I could find http://www.mirrorop.com/
i really want to be able to have miracast software/api/sdk implemented into xbmc that will allow me to have airplay and miracast all in one solution
Keland44 said:
the documentation for miracast is terrible for it to be open there isn't a lot of documentation about how to use and implement i was able to find out about android transporter http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=...=tZFeed5a7Jq6cfqPbAFfBw&bvm=bv.42661473,d.dmQ
and on the miracast wiki page there is a link to software called mirrorop nothing much outside of this though that I could find http://www.mirrorop.com/
i really want to be able to have miracast software/api/sdk implemented into xbmc that will allow me to have airplay and miracast all in one solution
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm also looking for library/sdk Miracast information but didn't fount anything interesting so far.
I already have multiple devices that can implement this solution : Popcorn Hour, Freebox (French ISP Media player), Raspberry Pi...
There really is no need to buy another device for this, one of these devices must have the ability to implement this very interesting technology.
If anybody have further information about this, I really am interested.
From what I've gathered, Miracast is merely a certification program (sauce), and not an open standard. The Miracast website itself refers to the possibility of buying the specs, for moneys.
Thus, to develop Miracast thingies legally, you'd have to buy the specs (which, amazingly, costs mere a three-figure sum), submit it to the Wi-Fi Alliance for certification, probably wait a long time, and then you're allowed to publish it. Closed source, most likely.
I'm afraid that you are right. What a pity.
mumpfpuffel said:
From what I've gathered, Miracast is merely a certification program, and not an open standard. The Miracast website itself[ refers to the possibility of buying the specs, for moneys.
Thus, to develop Miracast thingies legally, you'd have to buy the specs (which, amazingly, costs mere a three-figure sum), submit it to the Wi-Fi Alliance for certification, probably wait a long time, and then you're allowed to publish it. Closed source, most likely.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's close, but it's not entirely true. Miracast is pretty much a certification program, but it certifies devices for the "Wi-Fi Display" specification, which does cost money to access for non Wi-Fi Alliance members to access. $199.00 to be exact. How unfortunate I don't think that there is any technical reason why Miracast mirroring software cannot exist for Windows, especially Windows 8, which includes a new Win32 API for Wi-Fi Direct.
Note: I tried to publish source links, but I don't have enough posts All of the information that I have posted is available on the Wi-Fi Alliance's website.
UPDATE: There are copies of the spec floating around on the internet if you look hard. After a quick look over the 150-ish pages of the spec, I'm still not seeing any reason why this could not be implemented in Windows. It's complex for an amateur dev like myself, but I might take a crack at it.
just of today i saw some news of a piece of hardware called DWD-300 from LG, it's not yet available, but it's a dongle you can connect with hdmi to make older hdmi tvs miracast compatible, it's a wifi direct receiver. maybe you can connect it to the pc as well as far as it has got hdmi video input.
seems they are already selling it in south korea for 110 USD.
http://www.ebay.de/itm/LG-Wireless-...828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7fe6caec
maybe the only possible solution as of right now as far as you are running android 4.2.x
mirrorop(DOT)com/receivers
Found this today, not sure how well it would work, but it's worth a shot. Sorry for the link formatting, don't have 10 posts yet.
jag3498 said:
mirrorop(DOT)com/receivers
Found this today, not sure how well it would work, but it's worth a shot. Sorry for the link formatting, don't have 10 posts yet.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- You need to ROOT your device before using this sender.
- This sender CANNOT support audio projection.
Let's stay on topic
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
jezra78 said:
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you completely. When I do a search for this, I frequently only find the posts that I myself have made over the years. I can't stand Apple, but no one seems to be able to tell me what separates an iPhone from everything else, and why it can't be done on anything else. Even it's a "Apple will sue you" issue, you'd think that someone in the android community would tell em to get bent, and make it happen anyway. Several apps claim to do this, but none work as flawlessly as Airplay with Airserver or Reflections. I'm on the Galaxy S4 now, and the wait for someone like this for Android is getting a bit ridiculous.
jezra78 said:
I know LG and other companies have hardware dongles to add mirroring to older TV's, but that's not the question/topic of this thread. The idea is to mirror an Android phone on a PC screen. Unless the dongle can be connected to the PC, no dice.
Let me explain the purpose for this setup. I have an Android phone, a W7Prox64 Media Center that records TV, plays Blu-ray, streams movies/music, plays games, and serves the same functioning as an Apple TV's mirroring feature (I can mirror an iPhone or iPad to my Media Center with a program called AirServer; you just turn on mirroring an a window automatically appears and maximizes with the iDevice's screen. Unfortunately, I also have a family that fails to understand how the input button on a TV works. I don't want a dongle to plug in my TV, because then someone would have to change an input and next thing you know, there I am "fixing" the tv (pressing the input button). I'm looking for something like Air Server, but that also mirrors my Android device. Again, no boxes, no dongles, no extra hardware of any kind. I'm tired of buying tech and having to re-buy it when I change my phone. A PC is capable of doing anything a dongle can do, and I'm not out 80 bucks every year.
I swear, if they make an iPhone with a +5-inch screen, I'm defecting. It's 2013 and this is ridiculous.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Oh yes, it's ON.
http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/3/4391124/windows-8-1-miracast-display-support-hotspot-tethering
Microsoft website offers this software for download at 133MB !!
On the tin says:
The file above contains the Intel® Wireless Display Software for Microsoft Windows 7* (32 bit and 64 bit versions)
I'm downloading and testing this now. Will report back.
EDIT: looks like this is wireless display server software rather than client software.

Point of View HDMI Smart TV Dongle

hi all, i have bought the above smart tv dongle thingy from maplins
http://www.maplin.co.uk/point-of-view-hdmi-smart-tv-dongle-android-4.1-685649
anyone have one of these? im pretty impressed with it, im not too happy with the menu though and id like to customize it a bit.. any ideas on what can be done with this device?
Thanks
First thing to do with this device
I just got one.
First thing I did was install ADW Launcher Ex on it and get rid of the horrible launcher it came with.
Now I have a very fast 42" tablet, with widgets, live wallpapers the lot, no root required.
This thing has loads of potential, but if you read the customer reviews on Maplin you'll see they haven't understood that this is Android and you can customise the heck out of it.
The only thing I've found missing so far is a lock screen in case you don't want others using it while your not there without unplugging it. I also heard it loses datetime if you unplug it, not surprising as it doesn't have an internal clock battery.
It's surprisingly fast, but if you're mouse pointer will lag under heavy load.
Still exploring potential will post back as I find out more.
Ah thanks! I have since rooted and installed different firmware! I found out that it was a re-branded Rikomagic MK802III and installed the latest firmware for that device which is way better. I have XBMC running alongside MX Player Hardware video decoding, all is sweet. I found out all I needed from this guys post. Enjoy
http://www.rikomagic.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=3645
Any one know why Point of View HDMI Smart TV Dongle will not work on my Sony KDL-40V4000 but does work on my logik tv
not really useful for me though
Point of View Android tv dongle screen mirroring
I also have this dongle which is connected to my tv. I also have mine and my Mrs's Android phones which are running kit Kat and another ohms running on jelly bean.
Is there anyway to mirror my or my wife's phone to the dongle add we both have the mirror screen option on or phones?
Answers/help will be appreciated.
Point of View HDMI Smart TV dongle - interface & WD My Passport
Hi,
I have just bought the hdmi dongle and m not very technology savvy. One of the main reasons I got it was to be able to connect my WD My Passport to it to play movies etc. However I can't seem to change the settings on the menu - so when I click on Movies - rather than all my separated folders showing up - instead it shows an icon of my 1500 movies (which includes about 750 clips of my kids). I can't seem to find a way to get it to display the folders, or even a list of the movies rather than the huge icons! Is there a way around this?
Thanks in advance,
Colette

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.

Question Newb (to Pixels) question: Is there any way to support multiple external monitors?

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.

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