Best Set-top box/ Media PLayer

N

nadeem_k

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2009
Messages
802
Reaction score
13
Location
Sandton
Hi Guys,

I know this question has been asked before but I see that some are quite old.

I am looking for options for a media streaming device.

My criteria are:
  • Netflix
  • Supersport
  • Showmax
  • DSTV Now

I currently use a PS3 so it doesn't meet the full requirement list. I looked at Android boxes and they seem to be very under speced. I hoped to spend around R1000
 
nadeem_k said:
I looked at Android boxes and they seem to be very under speced. I hoped to spend around R1000
Click to expand...

Those two sentences conflict. You cannot get a highly specced Android box for R1000 (unless of course you get some second hand amazing deal).

You don't have many options honestly, the Multichoice services you use have non existent support for casting (http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/811280-DSTV-Now-On-Apple-TV and http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/815690-Is-it-possible-to-cast-the-DSTV-Now-app).

You'll need an Android box of some sort but even then you may have issues (and I personally find the mobile interface on a TV terribly clunky to use).

I would have recommended a Chromecast but not for the Multichoice stuff (except Showmax which works fine on it).
 
DrJohnZoidberg said:
Those two sentences conflict. You cannot get a highly specced Android box for R1000 (unless of course you get some second hand amazing deal).

You don't have many options honestly, the Multichoice services you use have non existent support for casting (http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/811280-DSTV-Now-On-Apple-TV and http://mybroadband.co.za/vb/showthread.php/815690-Is-it-possible-to-cast-the-DSTV-Now-app).

You'll need an Android box of some sort but even then you may have issues (and I personally find the mobile interface on a TV terribly clunky to use).

I would have recommended a Chromecast but not for the Multichoice stuff (except Showmax which works fine on it).
Click to expand...

The issue for me with Chromecast is that fact that you need a phone/tablet to stream which makes it a bit of a pain
 
if you want to stay under a 1000rand go with a raspberry pi3.. install kodi/osmc and use the chrome app via webgl for your dstvnow/showmax/ etc or you can side load chromium.. there are some available apps for netflix, but nothing officially supported.. there is 1also a very early version of andriod tv for the raspberry pi3 but there is no play store as yet.. if you can find the dstv apps off of play store you can side load them..

http://lifehacker.com/install-android-tv-on-a-raspberry-pi-and-sideload-apps-1781766773
 
If you have an old PC lying around I would spend R1000 getting it up and running. I just had to get an HDMI graphics card, psu and a keyboard with touch pad which came to around R1000. Even something like this http://carbonite.co.za/f43/bang-buck-system-139120/ but you gotta get a cheap graphics card as well.

Every box, stick, smart TV and media device I have used has serious limitations and a pc doesn't.

With DSTV stuff you gonna need someones premium subscription to get access which I guess you know.
 
How does the MXQ Pro 4K S905 compare to the MyGica ATV585? I see you can load Kodi on either of them
 
nadeem_k said:
How does the MXQ Pro 4K S905 compare to the MyGica ATV585? I see you can load Kodi on either of them
Click to expand...

If you are going that route it is better off to stick with the android tv OS especially if google play is already installed.. much better chance of all your required dstv apps and netflix working without issue.. there is no apps for dstv stuff on kodi unless this has changed since last i checked and you will be stuck having to get chrome to work on kodi via webgl or sideloading chromium..
 
WAslayer said:
If you are going that route it is better off to stick with the android tv OS especially if google play is already installed.. much better chance of all your required dstv apps and netflix working without issue.. there is no apps for dstv stuff on kodi unless this has changed since last i checked and you will be stuck having to get chrome to work on kodi via webgl or sideloading chromium..
Click to expand...

But could I not load Kodi on top of android tv? Also would the specs on the boxes I mentioned by good enough?
 
nadeem_k said:
But could I not load Kodi on top of android tv? Also would the specs on the boxes I mentioned by good enough?
Click to expand...

Those boxes are very outdated and anything with MXQ in it's name packs up after a month, serious overheating issues on several of the MXQ models, that's why they are so cheap. DSTV Now, Supersport also doesn't work on it and Showmax also not unless you modify the DRM settings in the build.prop.
 
nadeem_k said:
Ok so what do you suggest
Click to expand...

For a first time Android Media Player I would recommend this device
Quite cheap(even the Plus version) and it can play all the latest video formats like 10-bit h264, 10-bit h265, VP9, 4K.
Around 4 weekdays DHL shipping.
Register with Paypal free return shipping, if you have a problem, Paypal pays the return shipping and you have no worries.
https://www.paypal.com/za/webapps/mpp/refunded-returns
https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...G-with-BT4-0-support/1710008_32750590406.html
 
Got the mygica atv 585. Kodi seems to work. The Supersport app downloads but the live stream doesn't. Any suggestions?
 
f0Iygu7gXHVM said:
Maybe you can import one from china.

This one is recommended quite often on /g/
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/MXQ-...e-H-265-Hardware-Decoding---Black-361629.html
Click to expand...

Stay away from any MXQ devices.
They usually have overheating issues and no software support.

This is much better and has full 4K 10-bit H264, 10-bit H265 & VP9 hardware decoding in Kodi.
Netflix, Showmax, Kodi all work great.
DSTV Now still doesn't work I think but that's Multichoice's app problem as they don't want to fix non touch Lollipop support at the moment. I don't know if the latest app from 13 Oct might work.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...G-with-BT4-0-support/1710008_32750590406.html
Works out about R639.
 
xbmcfan said:
Stay away from any MXQ devices.
They usually have overheating issues and no software support.

This is much better and has full 4K 10-bit H264, 10-bit H265 & VP9 hardware decoding in Kodi.
Netflix, Showmax, Kodi all work great.
DSTV Now still doesn't work I think but that's Multichoice's app problem as they don't want to fix non touch Lollipop support at the moment. I don't know if the latest app from 13 Oct might work.

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/pr...G-with-BT4-0-support/1710008_32750590406.html
Works out about R639.
Click to expand...

Thanks. Looks pretty cool. just not sure about importing it... The other option is getting a rasberry Pi and installing Android TV?
 
nadeem_k said:
Thanks. Looks pretty cool. just not sure about importing it... The other option is getting a rasberry Pi and installing Android TV?
Click to expand...
Make sure you have R4k for a license from ICASA. The guys are getting nailed for importing these boxes (all thanks to Multichoice)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X