[Axxel6307]

- 5 years with Kodi hardware is a very very long time. Nothing is future proofed. If you don't want to burn a bunch of money on Hardware that becomes quickly outdated, only buy Hardware that:
a) You can afford to upgrade every two years in the $50-$200 price range.
b) A powerful Intel NUC machine that can Software decode everything if it does not have the required Hardware decode capabilities.

- If you want Kodi and Android Apps like Netflix, Hulu etc. on the one box you are going to have to stick with an Android device. And for zippy Kodi performance with that you are going to have to pay $$ for something like a Android market segment leader like the nVIDIA Shield.

- If you want an Appliance like Kodi device with very minimal maintenance then you go down the OpenELEC / OSMC / LibreELEC route. These are zippy fast minimal Linux OS's that run Kodi over the top.

In order of price running OpenELEC / OSMC / LibreELEC with good online support:
- RPi3
- WeTek Core
- Chromebox
- Intel Braswell box or Intel NUC's.

The RPi3 and the Core can also be controlled via the TV's remote control if it supports HDMI CEC. The Core already has a RF Wireless remote control. The Chromebox and Intel Boxes do not have integrated HDMI CEC. But these Intel Boxes can be controlled via Bluetooth remotes like a PS3 one or you can use a FLIRC programmable usb dongle with any spare IR remote you have lying around in the house.

I'm leaning toward an android box. Of course the nvidea shield looks awesome but too pricey for me.

It doesn't need to be lighting fast, but at least a bit faster than the fire tv, and a bigger HD. The fire tv 8gb hd fills up quick. I want at least double that. I forgot to add I need bluetooth capability or some type of way to use it with a headset when the wife goes to sleep and I need to use the headphones.