2016-11-07, 23:52
Hey guys,
i've read the important stickies but i'd love your help narrowing my choices down to just a few.
I've been using a HTPC for the last 10 years, always running XBMC as my media player but now i'd like to switch to an android box and put my 2 hard drives into a NAS.
what i have:
- Panasonic 55" 1080p 3D TV
- Denon 5.1 AVR 1713 (3.0 speaker setup)
- Logitech Harmony One
what i need:
- HD audio passthru to my AVR
- Ethernet port so i can stream from my nas and to get the android box online (instead of using wifi)
- Kodi
- FullHD Youtube
- Amazon Prime Video FullHD
- I want to be able to use my logitech harmony (at least for simple things like controlling kodi)
- dynamic refresh rate switching, no stuttering...
what else do i want:
- use an internet browser to surf every now and then on the TV
- have access to android play store (for apps and simple games, not games that require the Shield)
- a nice user interface like the FireTV or Shield. i don't want to see an android smartphone like screen with app icons. everything should be made for a TV. The UI of the Minix Neo U1, the HiMedia Q10, Zidoo X9S, Matricom g-box q2 are also fine. If there are some kind of "android tv launchers" then perhaps any android box could change its UI into a TV like design.
what i don't want/need (don't mind if it brings the extra features though):
- a device only running openelec/libreelec
- 4K capability (4K HEVC, HDMI 2.0)
- MVC/frame-packed 3D iso (i only have standard FullHD mkvs, 3D top/bottom and side-by-side which any player should be able to handle, right?)
- TV tuner
Devices i've considered so far are or at least which fit most of the requirements above are:
- Nvidia Shield (too expensive i'm afraid, but i'm not considering the costs yet. I want to know what my options are in the first place).
Taken from the "start here" sticky:
"No 4K or 1080p Amazon Prime video streaming officially supported, but a Sony TV Amazon App can be sideloaded to give 1080p and 2.0 Audio for Prime streaming. How long this lasts until cracked down on by Amazon is anyone's guess."
But it also says (in the "good news section"):
"Amazon Instant Video App (Android TV OS - Sony TV App) - now confirmed with 1080p playback on the nVIDIA Shield, audio reported as 5.1 as well"
- Amazon FireTV 2
- WeTek Core, WeTek Hub
- Minix Neo U1
- Zidoo X8
- Matricom g-box q2 also? (didn't check out a full review yet on the matricom)
Is there any device that I'm forgetting or that i can cross off here?
By the way, i have no problems sideloading, rooting (if necessary) or doing any other kind of extra work as i'm used to doing that with my smartphones in the past years. I enjoy customizing devices and feel somewhat imprisoned if i can't change certain aspects.
I'm greatful for any help guys and girls!
greetz,
vercetti.
i've read the important stickies but i'd love your help narrowing my choices down to just a few.
I've been using a HTPC for the last 10 years, always running XBMC as my media player but now i'd like to switch to an android box and put my 2 hard drives into a NAS.
what i have:
- Panasonic 55" 1080p 3D TV
- Denon 5.1 AVR 1713 (3.0 speaker setup)
- Logitech Harmony One
what i need:
- HD audio passthru to my AVR
- Ethernet port so i can stream from my nas and to get the android box online (instead of using wifi)
- Kodi
- FullHD Youtube
- Amazon Prime Video FullHD
- I want to be able to use my logitech harmony (at least for simple things like controlling kodi)
- dynamic refresh rate switching, no stuttering...
what else do i want:
- use an internet browser to surf every now and then on the TV
- have access to android play store (for apps and simple games, not games that require the Shield)
- a nice user interface like the FireTV or Shield. i don't want to see an android smartphone like screen with app icons. everything should be made for a TV. The UI of the Minix Neo U1, the HiMedia Q10, Zidoo X9S, Matricom g-box q2 are also fine. If there are some kind of "android tv launchers" then perhaps any android box could change its UI into a TV like design.
what i don't want/need (don't mind if it brings the extra features though):
- a device only running openelec/libreelec
- 4K capability (4K HEVC, HDMI 2.0)
- MVC/frame-packed 3D iso (i only have standard FullHD mkvs, 3D top/bottom and side-by-side which any player should be able to handle, right?)
- TV tuner
Devices i've considered so far are or at least which fit most of the requirements above are:
- Nvidia Shield (too expensive i'm afraid, but i'm not considering the costs yet. I want to know what my options are in the first place).
Taken from the "start here" sticky:
"No 4K or 1080p Amazon Prime video streaming officially supported, but a Sony TV Amazon App can be sideloaded to give 1080p and 2.0 Audio for Prime streaming. How long this lasts until cracked down on by Amazon is anyone's guess."
But it also says (in the "good news section"):
"Amazon Instant Video App (Android TV OS - Sony TV App) - now confirmed with 1080p playback on the nVIDIA Shield, audio reported as 5.1 as well"
- Amazon FireTV 2
- WeTek Core, WeTek Hub
- Minix Neo U1
- Zidoo X8
- Matricom g-box q2 also? (didn't check out a full review yet on the matricom)
Is there any device that I'm forgetting or that i can cross off here?
By the way, i have no problems sideloading, rooting (if necessary) or doing any other kind of extra work as i'm used to doing that with my smartphones in the past years. I enjoy customizing devices and feel somewhat imprisoned if i can't change certain aspects.
I'm greatful for any help guys and girls!
greetz,
vercetti.