Recommendations for media box

[Claymore]

I need to get a media box. I've tried two from Mantality, and both were out-of-box faulty in one way or another, and both were rooted.

Requirements:

• Android 5 or 6
• Must be able to run DSTV Now (which checks for rooting, grrr)
• Preferably 2GB RAM

Suggestions?

 

[Deleted member 83147]

Mi Box

 

[falcrum]

Mi Box

Make sure to get the international version. I didn't check properly and ordered the Chinese one...

 

[Corbin]

old PC/laptop with Kodi. future proof imo.

 

[Thor]

Plex

 

[LCBXX]

Windows Based: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/Tron...Gen-8-Graphics-2G-32G-2-4Ghz-5Ghz-351938.html
Only prob is it cannot to HEVC 10-Bit. Normal HEVC works fine
Android based: http://www.geekbuying.com/item/-Off...IAOMI-Mi-Box-4K-H-265-Android-Box-371297.html
Handles all current video codecs with the exception of DTS MA and Dolby True-HD, and is one of the very very few Android boxes that are Netflix certified.

I have the Ara X5 and the flexibility that comes with Windows 10 makes it a no brainer for me over the Xiaomi.

 

[MickZA]

Nagrace NT-N8 RK3229 - http://www.nagrace.com/Products/NT-N8-RK3229

Very happy with mine, can't vouch for DSTV Now but it runs the latest Showmax app which my old MXQ wouldn't due to "root issues". Mine arrived with Android 5 but is now flashed to 6.0.1.

 

[Claymore]

Mi Box

That looks pretty decent. Any idea where one can get them locally? (Preferably in-store).

 

[The_Mowgs]

Plex

Is that plex you mentioned a android media box?

 

[Arzy]

Is that plex you mentioned a android media box?

Media server software, you have to download what you want to watch.

 

[R13...]

Media server software, you have to download what you want to watch.

Did you miss the sarcasm?

 

[Arzy]

Did you miss the sarcasm?

Must have, it's early still, I'll catch up

 

[Creag]

Must have, it's early still, I'll catch up

Thor posts for postcount mostly.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

I've got 2 Zidoo x9s that work great. The x10 is due out soon and will have an internal rather than external sata bay.

Showmax didn't like Zidoo, kept saying it was rooted when it wasn't. I run Kodi with Exodus, Alluc and Youtube add-on's. I sideloaded ShowBox. Cut the cable with DSTV so can't tell if DSTV Now works.

One of the boxes has a 1Tb SATA drive plugged into the external SATA port. All my media goes onto that and the box also acts as a NAS (using OpenWRT/Samba that comes with the firmware). This leaves the USB3 port open for use. One of the two USB2 ports has the dongal for an air mouse. I also removed the lan cables and use the 5Ghz wireless.

The launcher is very basic and works very well with the basic remote that comes with the device. But a keyboard and touchpad/air mouse are a must one you start searching or using the browser.

Not the cheapest box, but well made. Has Android 6, 2xUSB2, 1xUSB3, HDMI In, HDMI Out, dual wireless, lan, BT and external SATA. Frequent updates although OTA tend to take a long time to become available. Easy to do a manual update.

 

[Soul Assassin]

That looks pretty decent. Any idea where one can get them locally? (Preferably in-store).

Xiaomi Mi Box 4K Android 6.0 Media Player

Address:
Shop L12D Lower Level
Bedford Centre
Smith & Bradford Road
Bedfordview, Johannesburg
South Africa

 

[Claymore]

Xiaomi Mi Box 4K Android 6.0 Media Player

Address:
Shop L12D Lower Level
Bedford Centre
Smith & Bradford Road
Bedfordview, Johannesburg
South Africa

Thanks. Look out of stock though.

 

[Soul Assassin]

Thanks. Look out of stock though.

Maybe they have in store stock and online stock, give them a call and ask if they have any in store.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Wow you don't get much for all that money they want you to pay. Not even a second USB port. They are less than R900 from HK atm.

 

[Claymore]

Hah. Turns our that Hide My Root actually works on my current media box...so maybe the whole question is moot.

 

[Dairyfarmer]

Glad it works on your device.