[casatech]

I am looking for a new Kodi box. In the past have used all sorts from home built PC's running Ubuntu, Android boxes T95z plus has worked really well. I would like a Linux based solution as I would also like to run an SQL server so I can update the library once and the other boxes just read the update. The boxes will be connected to a NAS (uses NASLite)
Have been thinking about these boxes, any comments;
Zotac ZBOX CI327 nano
Gigabyte GB-BXBT-2807
Jetway JBC400W
CuBox Pulse 
RPi3 
I like the hexagonal styling of the T95Z, so has anyone run Linux on one.

[wrxtasy]

If that T95plus packs an AMLogic S912 Chipset you do not realise the power that can be unleashed with an optimised, bug busted Linux OS like LibreELEC Krypton or CoreELEC Leia.

You do not need a new device, simply buy a Class 10 UHS-1 Samsung EVO microSDHC card and flash LibreELEC Krypton or CoreELEC Leia to it:

LibreELEC (click)

CoreELEC (click)

Then simply Share a Kodi Library via UPnP:
https://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Share_libr...using_UPnP

You might want to investigate Entware as well:
https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/what-is...ll-it/1149
https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/entware...er/1092/14

[casatech]

Brilliant many thanks.
Let you know how it all goes in the new year.

[Klojum]

Brilliant many thanks.

Please be aware of forum rule 2.2.2 : https://kodi.wiki/view/Official:Forum_ru..._for_money

I've already removed the URL of your business from your signature as in your contact info, a website that looks fully abandoned and its major content being unavailable. At least, the website is not working web browsers running under Linux.

Choosing a different username would also be recommended as per forum rules

[jarosujo]

If that T95plus packs an AMLogic S912 Chipset you do not realise the power that can be unleashed with an optimised, bug busted Linux OS like LibreELEC Krypton or CoreELEC Leia.

You do not need a new device, simply buy a Class 10 UHS-1 Samsung EVO microSDHC card and flash LibreELEC Krypton or CoreELEC Leia to it:

LibreELEC (click)CoreELEC (click)

Then simply Share a Kodi Library via UPnP:
https://kodi.wiki/view/HOW-TO:Share_libr...using_UPnP

You might want to investigate Entware as well:
https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/what-is...ll-it/1149
https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/entware...er/1092/14

 I am currently using Minix U1 + LibreELEC (Kodi 17.6) Is there any reason to upgrade to CoreELEC ? Proper image for me would be CoreELEC-S905.arm-8.95.5.tar right ? 
Thanx a lot.

[snoopyjoe]

Just my 2 cents but the Intel based chipset boxes handle hardware acceleration better than the S912 and S905. I have an old Tronsmart Telos/Meta S905 with CoreELEC and it will play Netflix and Amazon in 1080p with Inputstream but starts to buffer shortly after. My Intel Apollo NUC with a N4200 chip running LibreELEC streams DRM content in 1080p with no problems at all. I will say CoreELEC on the S905/S912 has come a long way and is super solid. Like @jarosujo said, make sure you buy a SanDisk or Samsung class10 UHS microSD.

[wrxtasy]

Just my 2 cents but the Intel based chipset boxes handle hardware acceleration better than the S912 and S905. I have an old Tronsmart Telos/Meta S905 with CoreELEC and it will play Netflix and Amazon in 1080p with Inputstream but starts to buffer shortly after. My Intel Apollo NUC with a N4200 chip running LibreELEC streams DRM content in 1080p with no problems at all. I will say CoreELEC on the S905/S912 has come a long way and is super solid. Like @jarosujo said, make sure you buy a SanDisk or Samsung class10 UHS microSD.

I think you are a bit confused (hint press "O" on the Keyboard to see exactly what type of video decoding is occurring)

LibreELEC / CoreELEC Kodi Leia when using the DRM copy protected Netflix and Amazon Prime Addons - specifically uses ffmpeg - CPU Software decoding. Not hardware video decoding.
So I'm not surprised at all that an Intel NUC can easily handle that sort of 1080p Netflix Addon - CPU software decoding workload.

Kodi Leia appears to have gone backwards in it's ffmpeg CPU software decoding performance when used on mobile chipset ARM platforms vs previous Kodi releases.
And really you only need that for those very specific Addons with ARM LE / CE Kodi. Everything else is Hardware video decoded.

EDIT - I believe I have found the error in ffmeg packaging - ARM NEON is not being compiled properly.

Any ARM Android box with Widevine L1 DRM can use Android Kodi Leia - Hardware video decoding with the Leia Netflix Addon and output 1080p properly.

[snoopyjoe]

Sorry @wrxtasy is right. I meant to say software acceleration not hardware acceleration.

[samzike]

Very helpful thread,
I am a huge fan of Kodi and i recently bout Kodi box from here: https://www.techradar.com/news/best-kodi...ming-boxes

[casatech]

Just bought a new  T95Z Plus complete with 3Gb and 32Gb rom. So will keep everyone update here with how I get on using it with Linux.