(2013-12-26, 05:45)wizin Wrote: Hello Gents, pretty much a noob
Currently using Roku 2 with Plex and hate the loading please wait... on some vids so was checking out XBMC
I have it installed on PC but I prefer it with traditional remote and don't really enjoy Android app etc as a substitute
Now, was browsing thrpugh different hardware for XBMC, so would like your advice
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00CH643A8/ref=a...opbotca-20
OR
http://dynamic.focalprice.com/EH0160B/MX...rrency=CAD
or
http://products.ncix.com/detail/pivos-xi...5-1051.htm
OR None of the above
Can you kindly recommend, prefer out of the box solution - mainly for my content and netflix
Only amazon link worked for me. If you want netflix you either have to go android or windows solution for an HTPC. If you want it on Android, you will need a wireless trackpad of some sort. I use a mini keyboard/trackpad thingy $15 off ebay. Since they have not made a remote friendly netflix app yet. It's been getting better each past release but still you will need the trackpad.
So if you want Android, the MX2 or any of the clones is a good option IMO. If you read this thread and other places, some people have issues with buffering and playing certain content. I have no issues with my content except 1 out of every 5 tv shows one time during that 1, there will be a 2 second freeze on video, audio still plays then it catches up and plays fine. It hasn't happened on any movie yet. Not sure if encoding differences for TV vs Movies.
Also, as of right now, XBMC will not do 1080p on the mx2 devices. Limitation on the chip set or xbmc or something. Matricom supposedly has a 1080p working version but hasn't released it yet. So android will be in 1080p but xbmc will be in 720p.
Some issues that don't affect me, VOB files don't play smoothly in XBMC, they do in external players. But matricom will not release their source code as of yet (davilla has been informed) and only their special version works on 1.1.6 current firmware. So we can't bug fix in the 12.2 xbmc external player issue that code has been released to fix or even compile 12.3 for it, which I believe fixes it, since they are using somethign special for 1.1.6.
So you have to ask yourself, do you want the hassle of potentially not everything working or just get a cheap Acer Intel little box. My dad just got one like $200. OpenElec, no netflix or you can put Windows on and do the netflix thing. The only thing it doesn't have is built in bluetooth and can't play back 3d videos. Everything else is smooth.
So myself, I have the mx2, he has 1 mx2 downstairs and one of the cheap acer boxes upstairs. He likes the acer better. And he doesn't need netflix upstairs cause his TV is a smart one.