Noob MEdia player question

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silkman

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I'm new to media players and have been advised to get a mede8er for my new projector setup.
Does the mede8er "record" from dstv to its hdd?
Is mede8er a good choice to go for someone who mainly watches stuff of a hdd?
Thanks for the help.
 
Not sure about the recording option, but wondering why you don't go the XBMC route ?

I've used a few media streamers in my life and once I tried XBMC, I don't really want to go back to a streamer. Always up to date, support, customizable, plays everything and many more features. Granted - more expensive at the start to set up, but fantastic afterwads
 
With a projector setup, I would build a HTPC with XBMC install. Pretty cheap to build these days as well.
 
Tremayne said:
With a projector setup, I would build a HTPC with XBMC install. Pretty cheap to build these days as well.
Click to expand...

Sorry to sound dumb..but what is this? I'm not too clued up AT ALL on hardware issues.
 
The projector is, well, a projector ...

XBMC is the name of the software that does the same - and more - than your media streamer. It sits on Windows / Linux / Android etc and you point it to your media and you're away. It's just prettier, more customizable and does more. Some units run it (ie the above) or you build a little PC to run it.
 
so I basically need a pc (or DroidTV) next to the DSTV that will connect to the AV Receiver?
 
Correct.

Though, I don't about the PVR side on XBMC. It's a small cube, so not very intrusive. They then buy a GFX card with HDMI and a remote control/IR reciever, and that's it. You can slot 4+ HDDs direct into it as well.

This is what most people have.

HP-ProLiant-MicroServer_5.jpg
 
Dolby said:
That thing does looks good!

So Android is the OS and XBMC just runs from it?
I see a slightly older XBMC - upgradable?
Click to expand...

Yes, the DroidTV MX runs android but you can either load Linux onto the machine yourself or purchase the MX IPTV box which already has Linux preloaded. I think that the hardware is identical. I enjoy the flexibility of android and being able to load apps but the MX IPTV is more of a dedicated XBMC device if that is your main interest. The DroidTV MX usually comes customised with the latest XBMC Gotham installed (I'm not sure about the MX IPTV box - just confirm with AVSupply). This is a really simple and affordable option (R1200) if you want to have XBMC on your TV. You really don't need much knowledge about XBMC or computers to get started. Both devices come preloaded so it's just a matter of connecting the power and video cables and you are ready to start streaming. The DroidTV MX also works really nicely together with an air mouse which can be used to swipe and drag across your TV screen!
http://www.avsupply.co.za/product_info.php/iptv-xbmc-box-p-640

EDIT: Here are some videos that show the setup and capabilities of the DroidTV MX ...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbzk3sVLW48
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiOPMt71XW0
 
Last edited:
silkman said:
Does the mede8er "record" from dstv to its hdd?
Click to expand...

None of the Mede8ers can record from any source.

silkman said:
Is mede8er a good choice to go for someone who mainly watches stuff of a hdd?
Click to expand...

Mede8ers are a very capable media player for watching local media from internal HDD, external HDD or over a wired or wireless network. It doesn't support any kind of online streaming though.


The biggest pro for me is that the company is local (Woodemead JHB) and when i had an issue with player, the support is some of the best i have ever experienced in South Africa. Also the firmwares are still being updated on regular basis. The UI and remote function very well, an I have yet to find media it can't play.

Con is that it hasn't got a very powerful CPU. It performs like a DVD/Blu ray player.

But overall I am very happy. I actually have 2 of them. One for lounge, and one for bedroom.
 
Dolby said:
Correct.

Though, I don't about the PVR side on XBMC. It's a small cube, so not very intrusive. They then buy a GFX card with HDMI and a remote control/IR reciever, and that's it. You can slot 4+ HDDs direct into it as well.

This is what most people have.

View attachment 129585
Click to expand...

This is what I have. Not a single day's regret. You buy the Microserver, slap in a cheap GT210 with audio outputting via HDMI, install XBMC, and you're set. You can easily upgrade the storage capacity to your needs.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions guys.
I'm contacting avshop today.


Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
 
BLIXEMPIE said:
This is what I have. Not a single day's regret. You buy the Microserver, slap in a cheap GT210 with audio outputting via HDMI, install XBMC, and you're set. You can easily upgrade the storage capacity to your needs.
Click to expand...

Yup - could just do with a bit more oomph when running Windows 7. Otherwise I love mine
 
Ok spoke to avshop.
Looks like the DroidTV will suit my needs perfectly. I don't think the mede8er is a choice if the Droid :
-is cheaper
- can do the same as mede8er and more
 
@silkman: The DroidTV is the cheapest most flexible option currently to watch practically any content that you desire on your TV. If you think you might want to ditch DSTV at some stage, this is the best all-in-one box for the job!

All you need to do is remove it from the box, connect up the video cable and the power adapter, power it on and it should find your WiFi and you should be ready to start streaming from XBMC. You could spend a lot more money on an HTPC with similar or slightly better capabilities but it will involve a lot of work to set it up correctly and you will need to purchase a lot of additional components such as a graphics card, WiFi adapter, remote control, Windows software if required etc. The DroidTV comes preloaded with android, Netflix, Hulu Plus, YouTube, XBMC, a browser, access to thousands of apps via the Google Play Store, a remote control etc. all in the box.

The same product is being sold on Amazon in the US under the brand name Matricom G-Box Midnight MX2. Apparently more than 500000 units have already been purchased from Amazon and other online sources. The reviews are generally very favourable. A number of companies offering a wide range of different XBMC customisations have also appeared to cater to the needs of the rapidly expanding market of "cable cutters" - customers who have disconnected cable TV and are now using the internet to stream their content.

Amazon US reviews ...
http://www.amazon.com/G-Box-Midnigh...qid=1404485119&sr=8-1&keywords=G-Box+Midnight
Amazon UK reviews ...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/G-Box-Midni...qid=1404485185&sr=8-1&keywords=G-Box+Midnight
Article confrming G-Box Midnight MX2 as the top selling android settop box ...
http://www.sbwire.com/press-release...m8-tv-box-running-android-and-xbmc-390304.htm
 
Can you download and save content using a DroidTv as opposed to just streaming it?
 
Are you referring to downloading via torrents, newsgroups, Sickbeard, Couch Potato? I have only used the DroidTV to stream from 1Channel, ProjectFreeTV, Netflix and Hulu Plus so far but it does have access to the Google Play store so I think that you should be able to find suitable apps to do what you want. Hopefully AVSupply or some of the other users with more experience will be able to comment further.
 
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