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START HERE - Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec 2020) - Printable Version +- Kodi Community Forum (https://forum.kodi.tv) +-- Forum: Discussions (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=222) +--- Forum: Hardware (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=112) +--- Thread: START HERE - Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec 2020) (/showthread.php?tid=252916) Pages:
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START HERE - Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec 2020) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 The Best Of - categorised - media players on the market: - personal opinions after viewing/testing hardware over the last 4+ years. (updated December 2020) Hint: click the BLUE links WARNING ! - All hardware running Kodi will have issues with Atmos audio dropouts with high bitrate Atmos Disney (click) & THD/Atmos audio (click) Bluray Rips - the exception is the Nvidia Shield that has a fix in the Android OS - ExoPlayer (click) - AND on that platform you have to use Plex (click) for playback. WARNING ! - All MINIX remotes are now NOT recommended, unless you want to get really annoyed with broken functionality, see this post (click) A popular, reliable 3rd party remote is the WeChip G20S (click). Plug it's mini USB RF dongle in and it just "works" Also recommended is the G30S. And now there is NEW slicker G40S (click) too. These "S' version remotes have Infra Red Learning, and Air Mouse and Voice search capabilities, see HERE (click) for details. Special Interest 2020 ARM-Mali GPU Comparison Chart (click) 4K HDR10 Kodi only: (all need to be Gigabit Ethernet (1000M) equipped if you want - ultra reliable - home networked - 4K HDR Bluray rips playback) Useful detailed reading >> 4K HDR10 - State of Play thread - important media player limitations (click) Best Plug n Play - 4K HDR + HD audio (inc. Atmos) - Kodi only media player = ODROID N2 (click). Running CoreELEC Kodi (click). It just "works". Also includes an excellent, high quality onboard DAC (click) N2 comes packaged with the best passive heat sink thermal cooling solution I've seen for the price paid. Runner up is the well supported Vero 4K+ running OSMC Kodi, which also supports 1080p 3D Note: currently stable Vero 4K Firmware does not do complete 4K HDR Metadata passthru - such extra support is found using Release Candidate test Firmware (click) Others quality solution are the cheaper AMLogic S905X3 devices like the Gigabit LAN equipped ODROID C4 (click) or Ugoos X3 Cube (click), running CoreELEC. Fastest 4K HDR + HD audio - Kodi Leia only media player = the snappy ODROID N2+, running CoreELEC Kodi Leia. runner up is the Ugoos AM6 Plus (click) Fastest & most powerful 4K HDR + HD audio - Windows Kodi v19 Matrix media player = the latest, 10bit HEVC capable Intel x86_64 + Nvidia or AMD GPU. See this specific thread(click). (this is the combo you want for very demanding, very bling, graphics intensive Skins) Android (TV): Best Google certified - Android TV OS media player, that can also do 4K HDR + HD Audio - Android Kodi = 2019 NVIDIA Shield TV Pro Runner up is the powerful 2019 Amazon Fire TV Cube, that runs Amazon's optimised FireOS, based on Android v9.0. HD audio might be a bit problematic on FireTV devices due to recent Firmware updates. Other (non HD audio) options are the: NEW Google Chromecast (Android TV) dongle running Android TV v10.0, the Android TV Pie 9.0 devices such as Ematic Jetstream 4K Ultra HD (USA only at the moment), the Engel EN1015K (click) (Europe) & the Vodafone TV with TV tuner (Australia only) The Android TV Pie 9.0 - Verizon Stream TV (click) the Air TV Mini (click) or the TiVo Stream 4K (click) is the latest generation of budget AMLogic Chipsets and faster vs the Mi Boxes, Jetstream, Engel and VTV. The new TiVo Stream 4K currently has buggy HDR / DolbyVision. Legit Google Certified - Android TV devices found HERE (click) Android tablet/touchscreen OS: Ugoos with their AM6 and X2 / X3 Cube have the best devices in this category. They also easily Dual Boot Android / CoreELEC Kodi. Beelink with their GT-King linup would be runners up. MINIX might be in contention once they fix bugs with the U22-XJ Firmware. HDMI Stick / Dongle: Kodi & Android Apps in a HDMI Stick / Dongle form factor - the 2018 FireTV Stick 4K. is a clear winner. Has excellent AC WiFi MIMO performance and a very well sorted out, reliable Wireless remote as well. Read about its limitations carefully. Excellent Bang for the Buck. Faster vs a Mi Box. 1080p only then the USD$17.99 2020 Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite(click) is the clear winner. Comparing Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Stick Lite, Fire TV Stick 4K, and Fire TV Cube Device Specs (click) Also there is the NEW 2020 Google Chromecast (Android TV) dongle running Android TV v10.0 Others in a dongle form factor - Verizon Stream TV (click) the Air TV Mini (click) & the TiVo Stream 4K (click) Bang for the Buck: Best 4K SDR/HDR + HD audio = the AMLogic S922X - ODROID N2+ (click) Add a USB mini dongle receiver Wireless remote like the WeChip G20 and you are good to go. Most Kodi only Bang 4K SDR/HDR + HD audio = various Gigabit LAN - AMLogic S905X3 devices running CoreELEC Kodi Leia (click) such as the Ugoos X3 Cube(click) or ODROID C4 (click). The cheap 4GB RAM, Gigabit/1000M - X96 Max Plus (click) and the X96 Air (click) are pretty popular. In the 4K Android Kodi - streaming - space the Amazon FireTV Stick 4K is the winner. ($15 - 480Mbps Ethernet adapter needed) 1080p / 5.1 audio only - the Android Kodi streaming winner is the new 2020 Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite(click), slightly better performance vs the older 4K version. The Stick 3 variant has a slightly better wireless remote with additional Volume, Mute and Power buttons. SDR only: Best 1080p/4K SDR + HD Audio - Kodi only media player = a tie ODROID C4 or a Ugoos X3 Cube. runner(s) the army of cheap AMLogic S905X2 / X3 devices (CoreELEC). The cheap 4GB RAM, Gigabit/1000M - X96 Max Plus (click) and the X96 Air (click) are pretty popular. *** Excluding RPi4 due to poor thermal cooling implementations out of the box, and software for stable Kodi use still being a WIP. 3D: Must have 3D Bluray Rips & HD audio support = basically see this thread (click). Media Players with new 4K HDR tech - Apps - support: Best 4K Amazon Prime Video & Netflix media player (Apps can stream DolbyVison) = Apple TV 4K (DV iTunes & VUDU as well) runner up is the 2018 FireTV Stick 4K, the 2019 Amazon Fire TV Cube and the new 2019 Nvidia Shield TV. NEW in this category is the Google Chromecast (Android TV) dongle running Android TV v10.0 Most powerful Plug n Play media player = Apple TV 4K, which ironically has to use the MrMC App for Kodi type support. Has DolbyVision support for various non Kodi streaming Apps - eg Netflix, iTunes, VUDU. Read the review for limitations. Best 24p 4K HDR Netflix media player (inc. DolbyVision & Atmos) = the Apple TV 4K. It can do Netflix App - auto Frame Rate Matching, the only media player with that capability. Set and Forget. The DIY market: Overall winner = ODROID N2+ Runner(s) up is the Khadas VIM Series (click) & the Ugoos AM6 Plus (click) For 1080p Linux projects = the very well supported - Raspberry RPi 4 Runner up is the ODROID C4. Live Broadcast TV & High Quality deinterlacing: Use devices running a Linux based Kodi variant. ie. LibreELEC, CoreELEC, OSMC - or Windows for best high quality deinterlacing results. The Nvidia Shield, Xiaomi Mi Boxes and Apple TV 4K(MrMC) deinterlacing works properly as well. The Amazon FireTV Sticks have finally fixed deinterlacing with a v6.2.7.3 FW update (click) - works great ! Other Amazon hardware deinterlacing status - Unknown - for anything to do with high quality - Kodi deinterlacing. Virtually all AMLogic Android devices running Android Kodi Leia only output half motion deinterlacing, it's OK, but no good for fast action ball sports type viewing. Android v9.0 Pie and greater Firmware on AML devices seems to have properly working deinterlacing for some devices. 24p Kodi use on Android devices: (only devices that are Kodi refresh rate switching capable) (all devices listed above running OSMC / LibreELEC / CoreELEC / Windows - Kodi can do auto refresh & resolution switching) Best Kodi Android media player = NVIDIA Shield lineup, they also does Kodi Leia auto resolution switching runners(s) up are the Xiaomi Mi Boxes & the excellent Amazon FireTV Sticks & 2019 Fire TV Cube, plus the Ugoos X2 / X3 Cube & AM6 All other cheap Android devices cannot do out of the box - Kodi auto refresh rate switching. PS. The 6 Android media players listed above can also do 5.1 DD+ > DD audio - 24p 720/1080p Netflix with auto refresh switching when using the.. Kodi Leia Netflix Addon HDMI CEC control: (not guaranteed to work for everybody due to TV manufacturers not adhering to CEC standards) (LibreELEC, CoreELEC & OSMC Kodi have a lot of HDMI CEC configurable options vs all others) Best support = Raspberry Pi models and the new 2019 onwards AMLogic chipset CoreELEC Kodi Leia devices. Runner(s) up are the Apple TV 4K, Nvidia Shield and the recent Amazon FireTV devices Avoid Intel, which has virtually no inbuilt CEC support, a Pulse8 HDMI CEC adapter would be needed. Wireless Remote Controls: Clear winner = the 2019 / 2020 Fire TV Stick / Cube remote controls (Stick Lite missing a few buttons). Simply has everything you want with a traditional remote button layout. Mixed bag = 2019 Nvidia Shield (stupidly place Netflix button), Google Android TV dongle (stupidly placed Volume control button), Apple TV 4K (no Mute button plus Trackpad not that easy to use. Needs a Silicon cover) Worst Remotes = early 2017 Nvidia Shield remotes + MINIX T5 & new MINIX backlit remotes (horrible mini pauses to wakeup, plus chews thru batteries) Highly regarded 3rd party USB Mini dongle Wireless remotes = WeChip (or clones) G20S, G30S, G40S and also the old, non backlit MINIX A2 Lite Mini Keyboard remote. WARNING ! Also Avoid the new TiVo Stream 4K that has really badly broken HDMI CEC. It needs a bug busting FW update. CEC bug fixes for the TiVo have already been released (click) The TiVo Stream 4K , 2020 Dynalink Android TV Box and now the new Nokia Streaming Box 8000 all output everything as HDR, all the time which causes problems on 4K HDR TV's when trying to view SDR content. Other new devices to avoid are the MINIX T5 and U22-XJ, see HERE (click) In general old AMLogic chipset devices running the Android OS have had unreliable broken HDMI CEC for a long time. and should be avoided - unless - they are the only HDMI connected device on your TV. The late 2019 and onwards AMLogic chipset devices running CoreELEC (& OSMC) Kodi have CEC bug fixes available for them. Important Notes: Important considerations include.... .. ongoing Firmware (& OS) support, auto refresh/resolution/colorspace switching, hardware quality, included wireless remotes, then finally price. See the Media Player Firmware Updates & Watchlist in this (click) thread. W. ![]() RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 All about - > 3D Excellent 3D rundown by hdmkv, the man who dreams in 3D ![]() (V4) 3D video and formats come in several flavors:
3D HSBS and HTAB videos can be played by almost any media player, even those not advertised to. Almost all 3D-capable displays will be able to join the two halves and render a complete 3D picture. But, it's half resolution of what's found in Blu-rays as you're just getting a total resolution of 960x1080 (with HSBS) or 1920×540 (with HTAB). However, a full 3D Blu-ray is encoded using a technology called MVC (Multiview Video Coding). It has 2x full 1920x1080 frames for each eye. When decoded, then rendered as "frame packing," you will have a total resolution of 1920x2205, with an effective display resolution of 1920x1080 for each eye. 3D Blu-ray players can obviously handle this, but home theater enthusiasts here obviously want Kodi-capable media players that can play MVC MKV's and/or 3D ISO's with full MVC decoding and full frame-packed output, bitstreaming of full HD audio, and flawless playback. Demanding bunch aren't we?! ![]() Kodi 3D media players fall into 5 camps:
Questions? Need recommendations? What are the best full resolution 1080p 3D Kodi media players? Please see this dedicated 3D thread (click). RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 Media Player Firmware Updates & Watchlist: (updated October 2020) What is Firmware ? It's a class of Software that basically provides low-level control of a devices hardware. Serious bugs in this can cause all manner of headaches for the end user. If users are going to spend decent $$$ on a media player, especially one that uses Apps. You want to ensure that there are regular, bug fixing Firmware updates from the device manufacturer / seller. Also it is a VERY good idea to have a well frequented and active English, seller support forum for such device support. The Gold Standard for Firmware & OS updates: In No particular order... The officially LibreELEC, OSMC or CoreELEC supported devices. Firmware (& OS) testing is open to all Kodi users, a testing system is in place before every major LE, OSMC or CE Kodi update. Any major bugs get quickly squashed with minor updates. The support forums are very active with knowledgable developers & users. The LE / OSMC /CE developers optimise the OS, Firmware and Kodi for each hardware device supported. Results speak for themselves. ![]() Apple TV 4/4K - they have a widespread, open to the general public, comprehensive Firmware testing system in place before every major tvOS Firmware update. Any major bugs get quickly squashed with minor updates. Apple have complete control over ATV 4(K) hardware, the OS and the Firmware and it shows in the polish of their end product. ![]() Impressively. Firmware support generally continues on for many years with Apple Hardware. As an example the 7.5+ year old ATV 3 is still getting FW updates. Perversely ATV's cannot direct install Kodi. The highly modded, Kodi Jarvis based, MrMC App is a great alternative, installed from the Apps store. Android devices Firmware updates: For Android TV devices - there is no contest - Nvidia with their expensive Shield TV provides the best ongoing support for 5+ years now. Downsides are that every major Firmware and Google OS update - whilst bringing OS feature improvements also comes with additional annoying bugs that then needs a user self installed Nvidia Shield test Hotfix image to rectify. Restricted Beta Firmware testing takes place with Knowledgable users. Android Kodi devs use the Shield for Android TV - testing and development. Xiaomi - Mi Box - all Mi Boxes are now on a stable Android TV v9.0 Pie update. For the 2016 box - this is Quite remarkable for a cheap Chinese produce product. Restricted Beta Firmware testing takes place with Knowledgable users. FW support and feedback seems to be Facebook driven. 2020 Google Chromecast (Android TV) Dongle - we are expecting decent Firmware support from Google selling their own Android TV product. Ematic - Jetstream 4K Ultra HD - also now updated to a stable Android TV v9.0 Pie OS. Currently a great budget, Google Certified, Netflix approved device, for Android TV OS use available. Amazon Hardware - Amazon modify the Android OS and call it FireOS and generally rely on 3rd parties to provide the Firmware, which they lightly modify and bug bust. Overall results are fine for mainstream non demanding users, however recently even demanding users are getting extra Firmware features like auto Frame Rate Matching. Amazon listen to user feedback - there are regular bug fixing Firmware updates, they are not Android bleeding edge OS releases but focus more on stability. The active AFTVNews (click) website is the place to go for all AFTV gossip. Amazon Hardware updates seem to happen yearly at the moment. Kodi cannot be directly installed from the App Store, but can be easily sideloaded. HiMedia Q5/Q10 Pro & Zidoo X9S - provide ongoing Firmware updates even if they are not Android bleeding edge releases. I believe they are up to Android Nougat 7.1 releases. Focussed on the Android 1080p 3D / UHD - Bluray Rips, HD audio market mainly. Both have English support forums with passionate (3D) users. AMLogic devices: MINIX & WeTek - used to provide very good support for their hardware but this seems to finish after about the 2 year mark. The root cause of this stems from AMLogic not providing ongoing Android Software Development support for the AML chipsets used in devices. The MINIX support forum seems to have mysteriously vanished about 3 months ago. No explanation given by MINIX since it's return. When such support was provided it was great, providing active English support forums with regular Firmware updates. Still great Android Kodi platforms even with old stable Firmware, because they do auto Android Kodi refresh switching, and... Can do Android Kodi Leia DD/DD+ - 24p 1080p Netflix, using the new Kodi Leia Netflix Addon. Android Kodi devs still use these devices for testing and development. Excellent devices for LibreELEC / CoreELEC Kodi. Other cheap AMLogic devices in general: ->>taking into account AMLogic seem to update their Chipsets used every 1 - 2 years. Firmware updates with these devices seem to halt at the 2 year period, which coincides with the best Firmware stability. This may improve from Android Pie onwards due to Google OS improvements to enable easier updates for device manufacturers. Android Pie 9.0 on these is snappy and has great performance for the price paid. Firmware support mostly is with Over the Air updates and English support is left to the community driven Freaktab Forum (click). Even then it's Buyer Beware as some devices will have buggy WiFi and Bluetooth & other features. Again consult the Freaktab website - AMLogic S9xx section for user feedback. AML S9xx series are dirt cheap devices for the excellent community driven 4K HDR HD audio - CoreELEC Kodi OS releases. W. ![]() (Archived)... The Buyer Beware List ! ![]() The (July 2018) Oreo Firmware update for the Xiaomi Mi Box has introduced a number of serious bugs. Click HERE for the Mini Review
The Freaktab website provides a lot of support for installing improved alternate Android Firmware. Newer AMLogic Android Nougat 7.1.1 Boxes have some important bug fixes in Android Firmware. AML S905/S905X/S912 boxes do make excellent 4K LibreELEC Kodi Krypton devices. ![]() The Gotchas - I was unaware of that ! ..... ![]() Known issues across various platforms:
RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - tiho - 2015-12-21 Archived Material: March 2020 update VERY important - Media Player Firmware Updates & Watchlist (click) The Kodi forum will NOT help you at all with device Firmware support. Nor Banned Kodi Addon support. Links to individual Hardware threads for the devices discussed below >>> Click HERE Questions and Answers - Recommended Kodi devices. BIG TIP for Newbies - pick what Kodi media player features are most important to you first, make a list. Eg. 24p, 1080p only or 4K HDR, broadcast TV deinterlacing, DD/AC3, DTS, 7.1 HD Audio & which specific Apps. What TV and audio hardware do you plan on connecting to ? Nearly all Kodi devices in this Q&A post will come with Kodi community, and proper seller and manufacturer after sales support. $$$$ - Show me the Money ! Q. I'm a Newbie on a tight budget using a 1080p TV, I do not need HD Audio and have no audio/video receiver (AVR). I just want to plug in and power up, and run Kodi with minimal fuss. I don't care about anything else ?
Q. Best 1080p/4K Bang for the Buck - Kodi only, HD Audio (bitstreaming) device ? (All running CoreELEC Kodi Leia, unless noted. Easiest to hardest to setup, Wireless MINIX A2 lite remote purchase recommended)
Q. What are the recommended best Bang for the Buck microSDHC cards ? Do not base you decision on sequential speeds, Its Random 4K Read / Write performance that is most important for Kodi everyday usage. The Wirecutter - Best microSD Cards (click) Q. Those AMLogic S9xx boxes look grossly underpowered for 4K HEVC(H265), should I be looking at Intel NUC's. ? Only the very recent Intel Kaby/Gemini Lake and onwards series of NUCs will match the cheap AMLogic S9xx's for video playback (excluding 3D MVC). The NUCs are more powerful for CPU software video decoding , but that's not really that relevant when an ARM Mali GPU is Hardware decoding all video content if running OSMC / CoreELEC Kodi Leia. Q. I basically want a HD Audio capable (inc. Atmos & DTS:X) 4K HDR10 Kodi media player that just works with minimal hassles ? (devices must have working auto refresh & auto 1080p / 4K resolution switching and correct SDR / HDR colorspace output after auto switching) You also want Gigabit Ethernet (1000M) for trouble free High Bitrate 4K HDR home networked streaming.
Speed - Red boxes run faster ! Q. Fastest - Appliance like - pure - Kodi only boxes booting straight into LibreELEC or CoreELEC Kodi or OSMC Kodi
Q. Fastest, most powerful Android TV OS - Kodi streaming box ?
Q. Fastest, most powerful regular Android tablet OS - Kodi streaming box ? Q. Fastest, most powerful, media player on the market - running the Kodi fork - MrMC ?
Q. I want a device that does auto Frame Rate Matching for silky smooth 24p video playback ? Why is Frame Rate Matching a wanted feature anyway ? (click)
Q. What simply upgrade can I do to increase Kodi media player responsiveness ?
What about DIY ? Q. I like to do a bit of DIY and don't mind getting my hands a little bit dirty and learning something in the process ? (all devices running LibreELEC Kodi, unless noted)
Q. I just want a stable, well supported, 1080p Kodi use only, box ?
Q. Most versatile Kodi boxes, that very easily dual boot Android / unofficial Android TV to CoreELEC Kodi: (AMLogic S905D Devices include a single MUX - TV Tuner + SPDIF(Optical)
AAA - Android TV, Apple and Amazon ? Q. Kodi capable boxes that are the most family friendly, with Apps specifically designed for use on TV's, virtually Plug n Play ? (Easiest to use Wireless remote found on FireTV 4K and most Google Certified Android TV devices (click) - Shield's remote is the worst)
Q. What about buying one of those 4K - Android TV's from Sony or Sharp/Philips for Kodi use ?
Q. Best devices that have an option to purchase a Top quality wireless remote control with a Integrated Mini Keyboard
What exactly is Android TV (click) ?
4K HEVC & HDR devices Q. What about devices for SDR 4K HEVC (H265) video playback over HDMI 2.0 to a SDR only capable 4K TV ?
Q. I have a new, expensive 4K TV, which devices give me the best upscaled picture quality ?
Scare the pants off me in 1080p 3D ! Also see the dedicated 3D post below Q. I need to playback my 1080p 3D ISO Bluray Rips in Full HD ? (extra research before purchase needs to be done for Android 3D ISO media players)
Gimme the best Audio ! Q. I need full HD Audio passthrough support including Multichannel (>2.0) PCM output of 16/24bit/192kHz FLAC ? NOTE: all devices using an Android OS have 16bit Multichannel 48/96kHz PCM Audio output limitations (click) Read NVIDIA Shield - Multichannel Hi-Res audio limitations for extra information. ** Be aware HDMI only supports 24bit audio NOT 32bit **
Q. I need Android 5.1 / 7.1 Audio passthrough (inc. Dolby Atmos/TrueHD, DTS:X/HD-Master) when using Kodi Leia ? NOTE: Android devices must meet the Google IEC61937 standard, more details in Welcome to Android MediaCodec standards (make sure "Expert" mode is enabled in Kodi Leia settings - bottom left)
Live Broadcast TV & High Quality deinterlacing Q. I need a device with proper video deinterlacing for Over the Air (OTA) TV streaming from my HD Homerun or PVR server ? Ordered from best deinterlacing picture output quality to the worst. In reality the Intel / AMD, AMLogic (CoreELEC OS), Apple TV 4K and RPi's will be the most reliable.
Q. I need a Android device with a built in TV Tuner that has basic PVR functionality ?
1080p/4K Netflix and Amazon Video streaming Q. I need a Kodi box that can play 1080p or 4K DRM copy protected video streams such as Netflix, Amazon Video etc. ? (lots of traps lie ahead) Audio Limitations:
The Apple TV 4/4K can also do Netflix App - auto Frame Rate Matching (click) - the only media player that can do so. Results are superb ! Amazon Prime App can be sideloaded on to various devices that cannot download it from the Google Playstore. Viewing Paid for movies on numerous hardware platforms is now possible with Movies Anywhere (click) 1080p/4K Android Netflix / Amazon (Prime) Video is only possible on media players boxes that include Widevine L1 & HDCP 1.x/2.2 support in device Firmware. Prime Video also needs Microsoft Playready DRM. Android TV devices also have to be Google Certified Android TV Certified (click) - and also to be Netflix Approved.
Moral of the story with this whole post. It pays to buy something popular - that gets (a) Kodi & device seller forum support and (b) seller and Chipset Manufacturer support for Firmware (especially Android) bug busting updates and upgrades. The LibreELEC / CoreELEC / OSMC guys provide excellent Kodi Linux support. W. ![]() RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - Mike_xbmc - 2015-12-21 (2015-12-21, 05:50)tiho Wrote: What about this : http://www.geekbuying.com/item/GeekBox-Open-Source-Cross-TV-BOX-Android-Ubuntu-Dual-Boot-4K-RK3368-Octa-Core-2G-16G-AC-WIFI-1000M-LAN-BT4-1-HDMI2-0-OTG-358067.html?gclid=CJKQwZmE7MkCFcE_GwodPbMD9A. The first post specifically stated devices based on Rockchip SoCs weren't going to be listed. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 Don't make mistake of buying a cheap Kodi Android device based on fancy tech specs alone. Nor slick marketing that comes with the usual deceptive Newbie reviews. Its a Very very common mistake. The reason Rockchip are not included on the list is because according to Koying, the lead Android Kodi developer here. Rockchip does not use the standard Android API (Application Programming Interface) and use custom Kodi code to even play A/V content. This is not the way forward for the Open Source Kodi project, Android branch. Kodi is gradually being coded to operate primarily using the standard Android Media Codec (amc) interface. Libstagefright has already been given the chop in Kodi Jarvis. Then there is the little matter of Rockchip being unwilling to work with the Kodi developers, even tho they have been given the opportunity to do so. No 24p video sync, and so it goes on. AMLogic are the complete opposite with their open-ness and willingness to help. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - dukester - 2015-12-21 hardly able to consider the minix and wetek "cost effective" amlogic devices considering they sell for 3 times the price of most amlogic devices. Quote:AMLogic devices to keep an eye on would be the very recently released AMLogic S905 series like the new Lollipop equipped MINIX U1. Other S905's will be coming in 2016, from well known reputable manufacturers. Devices that are not rushed to market, like dirt cheap stuff from Asia with lots of Firmware bugs and NO support. isnt that kind of a contradictory statement, the MINIX U1 was one of the first rushed to market s905 boxes and it was borky as can be when if came from the asian factory full of bugs. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - hdmkv - 2015-12-21 @wrxtasy, thanks for taking on responsibility for this thread. Glad to see it get a reboot. Happy to help w/3D; maybe just a short summary w/link to the stickied thread on 3D I maintain would suffice. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 Cheers, maybe PMail me a draft short Summary listing the Ultimate in 3D down to the bog standard. I only really want 24p devices that work or show possible potential like the MVC ones coming in 2016. I'm not looking for massive detail as that is what your thread is for and Hyperlinking is better anyway. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-21 (2015-12-21, 14:51)dukester Wrote: hardly able to consider the minix and wetek "cost effective" amlogic devices considering they sell for 3 times the price of most amlogic devices.Show me a detailed comprehensive review, the likes of what hdmkv produces, testing ALL the features of these cheap S905's from a Knowledgable Kodi user first. I have yet to see any review with the detail required for Kodi users to make an intelligent informed choice. Even basic core Kodi feature testing is usually missing in very lightweight reviews. Then also show me this for any device under consideration: Quote:...the best Kodi devices have a decent, active, knowledgable, respected manufacturer device support forums. Manufacturer experience with previous successful, similarly specced Hardware devices also is very importantAnd I have not even started yet on C++ coders contributing to the Kodi and OpenELEC projects you don't even know about behind the scenes on GitHub. Koying most of the time when coding for Kodi Android is like a one man band and needs all the help he can get. Now please show me how these dirt cheap Asian AMLogic device manufacturers are contributing to the Kodi project ? A bunch of them are actually parasitic leaches, that contribute sweet FA and distribute Banned Kodi add-ons. Quote: the MINIX U1 was one of the first rushed to market s905 boxes and it was borky as can be when if came from the asian factory full of bugs.Look its the same with any Android device, the big thing was they did not advertise shit that did not work and guess what, excellent support and one Firmware update a week since the device was released is very quickly squashing any problems. WeTek had an annoying a 24p bug recently too. It took them 3 days to fix, and then they published that code, which will benefit other S812 AMLogic platforms. This is how you earn respect from the Kodi Open Source community. Such an example is found HERE Sure you can by cheap Android gear that may work more or less the same as more expensive products if you like a bit of DIY. BUT for Newbies you cannot base your judgement on price alone because you will run into Firmware problems, then who are you gonna call ? Any device will not be cost effective at any price unless you can get serious bugs fixed promptly. You can bet the talented guys that could actually help will look the other way as they frankly don't have the time or are employed by some other manufacturer. The Kodi devs. too will rarely get involved with Firmware issues. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-23 Bump as 3D devices rundown added. Thanks to hdmkv ![]() RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - hdmkv - 2015-12-25 Thanks again for giving this topic/thread new life. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - psysfaction - 2015-12-27 Thank you for the good write up. I would add a line in HD-Audio about Atmos and the soon to be released DTS:X. For me this is one of the more exciting things that happened lately for home cinemas. I have been using Atmos and it works well under Openelec with a Braswell Chip. Sadly Atmos will not be possible with the Pi since it does not send the Metadata if it is decoded into PCM streams. RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - noggin - 2015-12-27 (2015-12-27, 03:46)psysfaction Wrote: Sadly Atmos will not be possible with the Pi since it does not send the Metadata if it is decoded into PCM streams. Yes - and I'm not sure there are : a) Open Source Atmos decoders (so the Pi will treat it as 5.1 True HD?) b) A standard to carry decoded 7.1.2 (and 7.1.4?) content over HDMI in PCM format If you have Dolby Atmos and DTS:x content you must use HD Audio bitstreaming. AIUI Intel solutions that support HD Audio bitstreaming work OK with Dolby Atmos, but getting a 3D MVC capable box with HD Audio bitstreaming (without resorting to Windows/Android and external players) is not straightforward. You can get 3D MVC from a Pi 2 with HD Audio decoded (but not Atmos/DTS:x) and you can get 2D from an Intel solution (with HD Audio bitstreamed). Getting 3D with DTS:x or Dolby Atmos is currently tricky. You're probably best off with a Blu-ray player for this at the moment... RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated Dec. 2015) - wrxtasy - 2015-12-28 (2015-12-27, 03:46)psysfaction Wrote: Thank you for the good write up.Added Psy. Cheers. Also added $100 Android DRM Kodi media players section as Android Lollipop / Marshmallow has made quite a difference to Kodi usability on Android media player platforms lately. These Google Android ART OS runtime optimisations, combined with the Lollipop OS have made a big difference to what has come before. I'm an 5.1 Audio / OpenELEC Kodi guy and I never thought I would end up using an Android Lollipop device as my daily media player. Even I'm surprised that I'm saying that. ![]() |