Android TV

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C@sparis

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Goodday

Looking at some android TV boxes. I have zero knowledge in this field. Any suggestions as to make I should be looking at?

Already came accross the following:
Xstreamer
Mygica
Nvidia shield.
All seems relatively good, with the nvidia shield standing out by far.

Budget +- R2000-00
Any suggestions or advise?

Many thanks
 
I have a Magica and it does pretty well. For 4k content it needs to go over the physical ethernet connection and not the wifi as there obv. isnt enough bandwidth on the wifi -not even ac (despite what it is advertised at).

Xbmc/plex works 100%
 
I have a Mygica with a 5 TB USB plugged into the device as a media server in my house and would highly recommend it above all else (4xCPU 8xGPU version)

Mygica

Pro's:
It comes with root access all you need to do is install SuperSU or such and your a for away.
The XBMC (Kodi) on it was compiled for the device and runs better than Kodi from app store.
Full Google Play support allows you to install any supplementary Android apps you would like to enhance your media center.
Supports full DLNA/uPNP and even Airplay streaming so you can stream to other devices in your home be it PS3/PC/iPhone/Android

Cons:
I don't know if its my selection of apps or the launcher I am using but once in a while the main screen lags, Not enough to be a deal breaker but enough times to make you aware of it.
The Mygica has a tendency to go into suspend mode when you on the launcher screen breaking streaming.
Its still running Android Kitkat and only the bigger ones have Lollipop
Click to expand...

I see some people mention Remix OS/Mini in here:
From what I have seen on the net stay clear unless you want the PC experience on your TV more than media centre as video lags when streaming. I am getting a Remic Mini end of April (25th) so would give a proper update on that regard.
 
Nvidia Shield if you have the cash to splash
FireTV or Nexus Player

Nexus Player is not the most universally praised device but I quite like mine and it should be vastly cheaper than the Shield. Oh and it's a Nexus so latest builds & 3rd party developer support.
 
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i stsarted using my MX again this weekend. fsuckn brilliant piece of kit. think I paid R600 for it last year. built in wifi. Bluetooth as well I think. im using a harmony remote that needs some tweaks but does everything else.

I almost bought a PI, remix pc. glad I remembered about the android tv. might have to hardline it into my little switch. when videos are watched over the internet the wifi connection suffers. then you get buffering.
 
So, the Minister of finance & Homeland affairs has approved the budget so I placed an order with TakeAlot and will be getting a Remix Mini this week.

Will update on the streaming/Kodi experience and update on how it compares to the MyGica.
 
Update 1: Remix Mini

So I got the device here in the office (can not believe it got here so quick).

Overall its very responsive, App store Kodi play's 1080p avi/mkv stored on USB HD with no lag Streaming Youtube and Netflix at 480 and 720p no issues. What I did find is VLC does not work, it does not scale at all and video playback is like watching a JPG's. Youtube at 1080p have some issues same with playing 8gig Blueray rips.

Overall, if you stick to 1080p movies and 720p streaming you have a neat little media center that can double as a mail reader for the living room. Only thing it lacks is a proper remote to be used as a media server so if you want to fork out say R900 Remix Mini + R600 for a Rii Air mouse you have the best of both worlds for the living room.
 
Vegeta said:
But aren't you then in Nexus Player, Roku, FireTV etc territory.
Click to expand...

Sure but:

Nexus = R2000 (1 Gig ram 8gig store) PowerVR 64bit x86 CPU
FireTV = R2999 (2 Gig ram 8 Gig store) MediaTek 32bit ARM
Remix = R900 (2 Gig ram 16 Gig Store) Cortex A53 64Bit ARM
ROKU 3 = R2800 (No internal storage pure media)
Mygica = R1900 (1Gig ram 8 gig store) Cortex A9 CPU

Looking at OP's budget I would say the Remix Mini is not a bad little device for its price with the added feature of being used as a light desktop I would say it fits media service/smart TV job quite well.

Edit: My recommendation would be Mygica 1st Remix Mini second followed by Nexus and then Nvidia Shield.

For the money I dont think the Shield is worth it at all. In fact I would get an Xbox One way before looking at the shield.
 
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Does the Remix support Miracast? As in can you cast your phone to it?
 
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