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Pick the Right Kodi Box (UPDATED FEB 2015)
(2015-08-12, 12:19)nickr Wrote: NASes generally serve via standard protocols like CIFS (previously called SMB) and NFS. Kodi supports those protocols, no matter what operating system kodi is running on. Kodi has it's own internal implementations of those protocols, and therefore isn't OS dependent for support for NASes.

This clarifies very nicely! Thank you!
(2015-08-11, 05:24)wrxtasy Wrote: The MINIX NEO X6 would be the preferred device if you just want a nice integrated HEVC Kodi / Android player.

Why this one over the Wetek? Just curious...thanks again for your help!! Smile I feel like I'm close to FINALLY making a decision!
(2015-08-10, 15:37)wrxtasy Wrote: Any of these....

MINIX: (All Android)
NEO X6 (AMlogic S805) = 1080p + HEVC
NEO X8 Plus (AMlogic S802) = 1080p / 4K
NEO X8-H Plus (AMlogic S812) = 1080p / 4K + HEVC

http://www.minix.com.hk/Products.htm
http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/25/a...-and-s812/

I've been in the market for a box around $150 as well. We'd use it only streaming kodi and off the web, no storage. I've been looking at the Minix options but my wife (easy to blame Big Grin) would prefer something with windows because of familiarity.

I came across this;
http://www.directcanada.com/products/?sk...cture=ACER

What stumps me is only a 16gb SSD with Windows 7. Am I going to get decent performance out of this? I would add some ram but thinking I may need to swap in a lager SSD...

Thanks everyone for the help!
(2015-08-12, 14:38)Skrell Wrote:
(2015-08-11, 05:24)wrxtasy Wrote: The MINIX NEO X6 would be the preferred device if you just want a nice integrated HEVC Kodi / Android player.

Why this one over the Wetek? Just curious...thanks again for your help!! Smile I feel like I'm close to FINALLY making a decision!
NEO X6 = 1080p HEVC but I have yet to see a version of OpenELEC for it. Kodi Android will run fine tho. 4 core AMlogic S805, newer SoC.

Wetek Play = can dual boot Android and OpenELEC but no HEVC and it will be slower running Kodi Android due to it older dual core AML8726-MX. I've seen user reviews of Android on this platform. It definitely not as fast and smooth as OpenELEC.



Just as a general observation, a lot of users get seduced by a nice box and a slick remote control plus a flashy marketing website.
If you can hide a dirt cheap device behind a TV or behind a smoked glass TV cabinet door, looks of the box cease to be a concern. Especially if you don't need a WIFI antenna and use Ethernet.
This is how I use my ODROID-C1+

Going the cheap capable box route you can then spend money on the awesome, very IR sensitive FLIRC, programmable usb IR receiver and get yourself a slick remote control of your own choice.
You can then get the ultimate in Kodi control by using FLIRC programmed very easily as a full Kodi keyboard that is mapped to a remote control. It really is a excellent combo. Flexible and plug and play between Kodi devices as well.
http://kodi.wiki/view/Flirc

There also happens to be a very good feel good background story regarding the development of this wee beastie.
FLIRC is the best little usb device I've ever bought. Smile

(2015-08-12, 15:56)UpNorth Wrote: I've been in the market for a box around $150 as well. We'd use it only streaming kodi and off the web, no storage. I've been looking at the Minix options but my wife (easy to blame Big Grin) would prefer something with windows because of familiarity.
This is what you need, its got Chromebox internals and runs Windows plus you wife will likely love its cute looks:
HP Stream Mini - 2957U/2GB/32GB $180 inc Windows

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=213874

It will run rings around the device you are contemplating and makes a very fine Kodi player indeed.

(2015-08-12, 16:50)wrxtasy Wrote:
(2015-08-12, 15:56)UpNorth Wrote: I've been in the market for a box around $150 as well. We'd use it only streaming kodi and off the web, no storage. I've been looking at the Minix options but my wife (easy to blame Big Grin) would prefer something with windows because of familiarity.
This is what you need, its got Chromebox internals and runs Windows plus you wife will likely love its cute looks:
HP Stream Mini - 2957U/2GB/32GB $180 inc Windows

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=213874

It will run rings around the device you are contemplating and makes a very fine Kodi player indeed.

Thank you! I've had my eye on that previously. In Canada, it's been consistently priced at $250+ but googled it after I read your post and found it at $200 with 1 left in stock. Impeccable timing Rofl
@wrxtasy:
Have you seen this? http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-supp...eo-x6-s805
Im knew and confused. I was looking through this to decide what device I need. I want to run Kodi. I have a Ruko3 already. What is the difference between a Asus Chrombox, MatricomGbox mx2 and mk808b.
(2015-08-13, 05:06)Skrell Wrote: @wrxtasy:
Have you seen this? http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-supp...eo-x6-s805
Yes aware of that NEO-X6 release, that is why I have stated it is not working. No updates for three months now either. I bet I know what is wrong too, the correct linux Kernel and modified Kodi code has to be used. Smile
(2015-08-13, 05:12)jus1975 Wrote: Im knew and confused. I was looking through this to decide what device I need. I want to run Kodi. I have a Ruko3 already. What is the difference between a Asus Chromebox, MatricomGbox mx2 and mk808b.
Your actually asking the wrong question. A better one is what are your Audio and Video Playback requirements ?
What budget ?
Otherwise we are just going to say get the Chromebox because it will do everything but 1080p HEVC hardware decoding and Android Apps.

(2015-08-10, 15:37)wrxtasy Wrote: Any of these....

MINIX: (All Android)
NEO X6 (AMlogic S805) = 1080p + HEVC
NEO X8 Plus (AMlogic S802) = 1080p / 4K
NEO X8-H Plus (AMlogic S812) = 1080p / 4K + HEVC

http://www.minix.com.hk/Products.htm
http://www.cnx-software.com/2014/04/25/a...-and-s812/

Can I get your thoughts on the NEO X6 vs NEO X8-H Plus ?
Hi Guys, It's my first post here and I've tried to read as much as I can on Kodi since I first stumbled across it 2 weeks ago.

I am honestly confused which way to take, I would like to have a box that can handle 4k video for future proofing, I just want to run KODI to watch TV and movies.

My current TV is only 1080p but I will upgrade to 4k next year and would like to use the same device then.

I looked at the following devices,

Quantum Byte Fanless Windows® Mini Desktop PC with Windows 8.1, Intel Baytrail-T (Quad-core) Z3735F up to 1.83GHz, 2GB RAM+32GB storage

HP Stream 200-010 Mini Desktop

Matricom G-Box Q Quad/Octo Core XBMC/Kodi Android TV Box [2GB/16GB/4K]

Acer Chromebox DT.Z07AA.002; CXI-I38GKM Desktop

any help is much appreciated, I'm very new to Kodi.
If you need Giga Ethernet and 4K HEVC at up to 30fps then get the X8-H Plus. Its a bit faster than the X6 too.
Giga Ethernet is not really needed tho just for a Kodi player.
However you get the superior quality Minix A2 Lite Air Fly Mouse too if you purchase the correct package with the X8-H+. Some sellers, if you look hard also include the IR remote control as well.
http://www.minix.com.hk/Products/NEO-A2-Lite.html

There is not much 4K HEVC content about at all so the 1080p HEVC X6 is perfectly acceptable. The AMlogic S805 in that is a nice SoC. It only has the IR remote control included. You will need an Air Mouse to use Android Apps properly. The A2 Lite Air Mouse is about $25-30. See Minix's website for X6 details:
http://www.minix.com.hk/Products/MINIX-N...ID-TV.html

Broadcast TV Deinterlacing quality is excellent with these AMlogic SoC devices too.
MINIX also produce their own tweaked stable version of XBMC, that works well.

So add up the cost for both, with the Air Mouse factored in. Both devices will run Kodi on Android just fine. Smile

(2015-08-13, 20:06)slair76116 Wrote: I am honestly confused which way to take, I would like to have a box that can handle 4k video for future proofing, I just want to run KODI to watch TV and movies.

My current TV is only 1080p but I will upgrade to 4k next year and would like to use the same device then.
Hi slair76116, first of all I suggest you read FAQ: what hardware to get for 4K to understand that presently 4K is not a simple matter at all. In the future 4K HVEC 10-bit is poised to become popular (4K TV / Blu-Ray / Netflix) and currently the only box supporting it is the NVIDIA Shield Android TV which has a couple caveats (does not support 23.976fps nor HD Audio Bitstreaming). Since currently there is little 4K content, if you can wait until the hardware/firmware matures that's your best course of action to be future proof.

In the meantime a cheap Raspberry Pi 2 / Chromebox will suffice for most of the 1080p video content out there Wink
Hey guys thanks for your advice.

From all that I can read, it seems I should wait for 4K content and gear.

I was thinking of going with what wrxtasy suggested and buying a Minix NEO X8-H Plus when I came across this Smile

http://www.instabox.tv/products/instabox-a8/

All I want is the best KODI experience TV movie watching. as I said before I only saw Kodi for the first time a few weeks before, total noob here Smile

any advice is much appreciated thanks yall
(2015-08-13, 20:33)wrxtasy Wrote: If you need Giga Ethernet ......

THANK YOU AGAIN! You have finally given me the momentum i need to get one of these boxes!!
In the future if i decide i really want a box that easily runs OpenElec what would you recommend ?
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