Pick the Right Kodi Box (UPDATED FEB 2015)
Rule One: - Don't try and do everything on the one device at this stage, there are too many compromises.
The NVIDIA Shield is nearly there once a few remaining issues are sorted out and the Kodi devs write code to support HD Audio passthrough. It also needs better deinterlacing of TV content at this stage as well. The NVIDIA Shield will be the device to rule them all once its nearly bug free. Its the only device currently with HDMI 2.0 that can output 4K at up to 60Hz

Rule Two: - The Most popular cost effective, 1080p - Kodi only devices here on the forums...are still...
The Chromebox and RPi2 that work the best with Kodi and have the greatest ongoing support and are easy to use with say OpenELEC or OSMC. Honourable mentions also go to the AMLogic - MK808bPlus (HEVC), the HardKernel ODROID C1+(HEVC) and the Wetek Play, all running OpenELEC. MINIX NEO - Android gear also, like the X6 (1080p HEVC) X8H-Plus (4K HEVC)

All these devices do 23.976fps(24p) video output with refresh rate switching. Intel Braswell devices like the ASRock Beebox should also rate a mention for their OpenELEC / Linux / 4K HEVC capabilities, plus the Kodi devs. are using this platform for development.

Rule Three: - Closed Firmware devices like the NVIDIA Shield, Fire TV's/Stick, Google Nexus Player and the upcoming Wetek 4K Core are the only ones that play HD paid DRM streaming content from Netflix, Amazon etc. All others play content from these services at a max resolution of 720x480p. Also the devices mentioned provide nicely integrated remote control support to navigate Netflix itself. The Fire TV's/Stick and Google Nexus Player DO NOT do 24p video output with Kodi refresh rate switching however. They also don't deinterlace Live TV very well.

Rule Four: - Nearly all of the Android / clone boxes coming out of Asia should be considered rubbish as there is no Firmware support given after purchase, and important Kodi features like properly synced 23.976/59.94Hz video output and dynamic refresh rate switching is missing. No HD Netflix either.
You would only buy one of these cheap boxes, for Kodi use, to reflash the Firmware and run an unofficial version of OpenELEC on it. Some can however do dual boot Android / OpenELEC if you like a bit of DIY.

And now the Golden Rule, the most important of all. Buy a device that will have ongoing Firmware support direct from a manufacturer that actually knows what they are doing, ones you can TRUST. These come from Intel, Zotac, HP, Google, NVIDIA, MINIX, Wetek, HardKernel and the Raspberry Pi Foundation.



Messages In This Thread
[No subject] - by ion_man - 2011-02-15, 13:48
[No subject] - by bmcclure937 - 2011-02-15, 17:34
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-15, 17:42
[No subject] - by Beer40oz - 2011-02-15, 17:49
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-15, 23:21
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-15, 23:25
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 00:21
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-16, 00:36
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 01:29
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-16, 01:48
[No subject] - by Knighthammer - 2011-02-16, 02:11
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 02:43
[No subject] - by spartan711 - 2011-02-16, 02:57
[No subject] - by xecutionx - 2011-02-16, 03:53
[No subject] - by XxTRAINEExX - 2011-02-16, 04:19
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 05:44
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 05:45
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 05:47
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-16, 06:07
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 10:03
[No subject] - by spartan711 - 2011-02-16, 10:29
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-16, 10:35
[No subject] - by topfs2 - 2011-02-16, 10:48
[No subject] - by Nasa - 2011-02-16, 16:07
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-16, 16:17
[No subject] - by xecutionx - 2011-02-16, 22:02
[No subject] - by gabbott - 2011-02-16, 22:23
[No subject] - by wsume99 - 2011-02-16, 22:25
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-16, 22:50
[No subject] - by xecutionx - 2011-02-16, 23:01
[No subject] - by bmcclure937 - 2011-02-16, 23:09
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 00:30
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 00:31
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 00:33
[No subject] - by Geeba - 2011-02-17, 00:45
[No subject] - by EarnheadJ - 2011-02-17, 03:36
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-17, 04:52
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 05:41
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 05:46
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-17, 05:48
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-17, 16:38
[No subject] - by XxTRAINEExX - 2011-02-18, 06:38
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-18, 07:19
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-18, 07:50
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-18, 18:01
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-18, 18:51
[No subject] - by bmcclure937 - 2011-02-18, 19:12
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-18, 19:15
[No subject] - by htpc guy - 2011-02-18, 19:48
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-18, 19:57
[No subject] - by wsume99 - 2011-02-18, 20:56
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-18, 22:14
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-18, 22:19
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-02-18, 22:55
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-18, 23:21
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-18, 23:42
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-18, 23:45
[No subject] - by spartan711 - 2011-02-19, 00:27
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-19, 00:39
[No subject] - by Dumb ? - 2011-02-19, 04:45
[No subject] - by maddog808 - 2011-02-19, 05:34
[No subject] - by maxinc - 2011-02-19, 09:06
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-23, 13:40
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-23, 16:58
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-23, 17:07
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-23, 17:13
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-23, 17:31
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-23, 17:33
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-02-23, 17:36
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-23, 17:48
[No subject] - by wsume99 - 2011-02-23, 17:56
[No subject] - by Chris! - 2011-02-25, 20:26
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-25, 20:45
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-26, 00:06
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-02-26, 00:07
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-02-26, 00:09
[No subject] - by Juno - 2011-03-03, 19:21
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-03-04, 01:19
[No subject] - by seanch87 - 2011-03-11, 16:26
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-03-11, 21:02
[No subject] - by Juno - 2011-03-14, 11:24
[No subject] - by T800 - 2011-03-14, 11:29
[No subject] - by bmcclure937 - 2011-03-14, 13:35
[No subject] - by T800 - 2011-03-14, 16:19
[No subject] - by gnif - 2011-04-10, 18:17
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-04-12, 09:29
[No subject] - by Choque - 2011-04-12, 09:43
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-04-12, 09:46
[No subject] - by xecutionx - 2011-04-12, 09:54
[No subject] - by Choque - 2011-04-12, 09:55
[No subject] - by ion_man - 2011-04-14, 13:34
2nd build - by flymods - 2011-04-19, 23:04
[No subject] - by Choque - 2011-04-20, 05:43
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-04-20, 16:21
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-04-20, 16:26
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-04-20, 16:52
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-04-20, 16:55
[No subject] - by nemek - 2011-04-20, 16:55
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-04-20, 17:19
[No subject] - by rbrohman - 2011-04-24, 19:00
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-04-24, 19:03
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-04-24, 21:34
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-04-24, 22:00
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-04-25, 00:02
unraid - by flymods - 2011-05-08, 23:08
[No subject] - by maxinc - 2011-05-09, 07:10
Unraid Plus License - by maddog808 - 2011-05-09, 07:21
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-05-09, 12:45
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-09, 15:19
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-05-09, 15:38
[No subject] - by olympia - 2011-05-09, 15:56
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-09, 16:14
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-09, 16:15
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-05-09, 16:27
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-09, 16:54
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-09, 17:01
[No subject] - by IAmNotAUser - 2011-05-09, 17:09
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-10, 02:27
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-10, 05:07
[No subject] - by flymods - 2011-05-10, 05:37
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-10, 06:14
NAS recommendations - by dopethrone - 2011-05-14, 04:04
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-05-14, 04:12
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-14, 04:43
[No subject] - by dopethrone - 2011-05-14, 06:45
[No subject] - by jwlb - 2011-05-14, 11:56
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-14, 16:11
[No subject] - by dopethrone - 2011-05-15, 00:26
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-05-15, 00:38
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-05-15, 01:10
[No subject] - by dopethrone - 2011-05-15, 01:15
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-05-15, 01:17
[No subject] - by bodhi - 2011-05-19, 11:43
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-05-19, 18:40
[No subject] - by mtense - 2011-05-23, 18:44
Latest Dell Zino HD PC's - by puulima - 2011-06-12, 05:05
[No subject] - by nemek - 2011-06-12, 09:05
64 vs 32 bit version of Windows? - by puulima - 2011-06-12, 16:43
[No subject] - by nemek - 2011-06-13, 09:44
[No subject] - by Gunserotti - 2011-06-23, 15:31
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-06-23, 15:46
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-06-24, 12:42
[No subject] - by Gunserotti - 2011-06-29, 08:03
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-06-29, 08:10
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-06-29, 08:46
[No subject] - by QLink - 2011-06-29, 09:37
[No subject] - by QLink - 2011-06-29, 09:40
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-06-29, 15:27
[No subject] - by poofyhairguy - 2011-06-29, 22:37
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-06-29, 22:40
[No subject] - by Gurney - 2011-06-30, 09:48
[No subject] - by phatgeek - 2011-07-05, 11:37
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-07-05, 15:47
[No subject] - by reta - 2011-07-09, 14:51
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-07-09, 17:02
[No subject] - by reta - 2011-07-09, 17:20
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-07-09, 17:23
[No subject] - by zwat - 2011-07-19, 01:13
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-07-19, 02:45
Poofy, please advise: - by nchall - 2011-07-20, 19:20
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-07-20, 19:45
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-07-20, 19:49
[No subject] - by nchall - 2011-07-20, 20:42
[No subject] - by ARCHA1C - 2011-08-05, 17:29
[No subject] - by ARCHA1C - 2011-08-05, 17:34
[No subject] - by LB06 - 2011-08-12, 17:36
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-08-12, 18:20
[No subject] - by LB06 - 2011-08-13, 00:04
[No subject] - by loady - 2011-09-09, 23:18
Please advise - by Peter42 - 2011-09-12, 20:39
[No subject] - by seand - 2011-09-12, 21:11
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-09-12, 21:20
[No subject] - by seand - 2011-09-12, 21:24
But is it enough for real 3D? - by Peter42 - 2011-09-12, 21:48
But can it do full 1080p 3D? - by Peter42 - 2011-09-12, 22:06
[No subject] - by seand - 2011-09-12, 23:00
Dedicated backup option W/unRAID - by CpTHOOK - 2011-10-10, 04:32
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-10-10, 17:31
[No subject] - by CpTHOOK - 2011-10-10, 17:41
[No subject] - by robla64 - 2011-10-23, 03:30
[No subject] - by bluray - 2011-10-23, 04:16
[No subject] - by robla64 - 2011-10-23, 19:00
[No subject] - by bluray - 2011-10-23, 19:55
[No subject] - by eskro - 2011-10-23, 23:34
[No subject] - by shateredsoul - 2011-10-26, 21:48
[No subject] - by Superorb - 2011-10-26, 22:03
[No subject] - by shateredsoul - 2011-10-26, 23:22
[No subject] - by jackh - 2011-10-26, 23:34
[No subject] - by shateredsoul - 2011-10-27, 17:17
[No subject] - by johnny87au - 2011-12-28, 11:04
FireTVs - by jac55 - 2015-01-30, 19:48
; - by jac55 - 2015-01-30, 21:18
RE: Advice on Kodi Boxes - by poofyhairguy - 2015-01-31, 07:19
Raspberry Pi - by KoopaTroopa - 2015-02-03, 04:50
RE - by poofyhairguy - 2015-02-03, 18:51
RE: RE - by bym007 - 2015-02-03, 19:41
RE: Pick the Right Kodi Box (UPDATED FEB 2015) - by wrxtasy - 2015-10-05, 05:40
Pick the Right Kodi Box - by Carousel - 2015-10-22, 11:35
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