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I'm not seeing how this is any different to the plethora of existing Android based players other than the 3G model, which given our current mobile pricing I don't believe is going to see large scale streaming?
 
Rather wait for a device that runs Android TV os
 
I also don't quite see how this is unique. Samsung SmartTVs app also do similar things (Netflix/Hulu/Youtube comes standard on it) , even the Altech Node , which is also most likely running some sort of android flavor in the background caters for applications in a similar fashion (Youtube+Browser apps already on it) ... Altech just needs to wake up and add some more apps there.

Also isn't this kind of what the Chromecast is doing ? It simply "casts" your android apps from your phone/tablet onto the tv, which implies you can stream anything with an app this way?
 
morkhans said:
I'm not seeing how this is any different to the plethora of existing Android based players other than the 3G model, which given our current mobile pricing I don't believe is going to see large scale streaming?
Click to expand...

Post a link or two to some of those Android players and I'll try to highlight the differences? Broadly, I think the major difference they're aiming for is putting out controller and screen mirroring apps for as many smartphone platforms as they can manage.
 
Jan said:
Post a link or two to some of those Android players and I'll try to highlight the differences? Broadly, I think the major difference they're aiming for is putting out controller and screen mirroring apps for as many smartphone platforms as they can manage.
Click to expand...

http://www.dbg.co.za/product_info.php?cPath=108_109&products_id=1023
http://www.amazon.com/Upgrade-Version-Octa-Core-Miracast-Streaming/dp/B00M933WUQ

Would have posted avsupply link, but they seem to be out of stock.

The thing is unless they are pouring huge effort into additional custom development and bundling the whole thing as a shrink wrapped solution it's no different to me than buying one of the many available models and installing whatever 3rd party Android apps from the play store (that will take care of the screen mirroring etc.).
 
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diabolus said:
I also don't quite see how this is unique. Samsung SmartTVs app also do similar things (Netflix/Hulu/Youtube comes standard on it) , even the Altech Node , which is also most likely running some sort of android flavor in the background caters for applications in a similar fashion (Youtube+Browser apps already on it) ... Altech just needs to wake up and add some more apps there.
Click to expand...

The Node does run Android, but I just don't see it letting you stream from a competing service.

Every smart TV interface I've used (other than Sony's) feels like I'm using Windows 3.1, and they don't all have access to the same apps.

I've also had issues with smart TVs not being able to play back certain file formats (MKV), or not supporting certain filesystems.

diabolus said:
Also isn't this kind of what the Chromecast is doing ? It simply "casts" your android apps from your phone/tablet onto the tv, which implies you can stream anything with an app this way?
Click to expand...

Nope. Here's a list of supported Google Cast apps: https://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html (even if it were, that would mean that you would have to have an Android phone for this to work.)

Google does have the Nexus Player now, though. If only it would come to SA...
 
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The cost of this is nuts... LOL looking a little more... I was at school with Co-founder
 
morkhans said:
The thing is unless they are pouring huge effort into additional custom development and bundling the whole thing as a shrink wrapped solution it's no different to me than buying one of the many available models and installing whatever 3rd party Android apps from the play store (that will take care of the screen mirroring etc.).
Click to expand...

I get that. What they are going for is supporting more than just Android mobile devices, as far as I can tell. I.e. Though the box might be Android-based, their mobile apps will run on many platforms.

(Looking at the links you provided seems to confirm that: few of these generic boxes seem to support anything but Android mobile devices with their own apps.)
 
Jan said:
I get that. What they are going for is supporting more than just Android mobile devices, as far as I can tell. I.e. Though the box might be Android-based, their mobile apps will run on many platforms.

(Looking at the links you provided seems to confirm that: few of these generic boxes seem to support anything but Android mobile devices with their own apps.)
Click to expand...

Their niche seems to be rather the apps connecting to the player rather than the player itself. But that makes it a very hefty entry price to get device-agnosticity. They might get more support/funding if they swing the same apps and a plugin to say XBMC (which can run on ATV,Android,Windows,Mac,RaspPi). Unless they want to pull and apple and control the hardware and software environments
 
Honestly, any version of Android that isn't Lollipop (Android TV) is really horrible to use on a TV.

Put Android TV on there and I'll back this project, otherwise it's just another droid box.
 
Jan said:
The Node does run Android, but I just don't see it letting you stream from a competing service.

Every smart TV interface I've used (other than Sony's) feels like I'm using Windows 3.1, and they don't all have access to the same apps.

I've also had issues with smart TVs not being able to play back certain file formats (MKV), or not supporting certain filesystems.



Nope. Here's a list of supported Google Cast apps: https://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/apps.html (even if it were, that would mean that you would have to have an Android phone for this to work.)

Google does have the Nexus Player now, though. If only it would come to SA...
Click to expand...

I have an apple TV and a Samsung Smart TV. I can confirm that with Plex installed on the smart TV, I have no problem playing back MKV files.

i'm not bothered about an interface being windows metro or windows 3.1, as long as it works.

this company wants to enter an already saturated market with a 3g capability which is not feasible in the south African market.

also note that Samsung has stated at CES that they want to concentrate on smart TV's....so keep an eye on that.
 
crackersa said:
I have an apple TV and a Samsung Smart TV. I can confirm that with Plex installed on the smart TV, I have no problem playing back MKV files.
Click to expand...

That's because Plex is doing the transcoding for you. You need to be fairly tech-savvy to get a set-up like that working (i.e. be able to figure out how to install and configure Plex Server).

crackersa said:
i'm not bothered about an interface being windows metro or windows 3.1, as long as it works.
Click to expand...

Let me restate then. What I mean by "like Windows 3.1" is that it runs like sludge and is tedious to use.

this company wants to enter an already saturated market with a 3g capability which is not feasible in the south African market.
Click to expand...

Here we agree. It is going to be interesting to see if they've set themselves enough apart to make a good go of it.
 
Dev and parts don't come cheap it would seem...I like the idea...I run a samsung smart on US with netflix,hulu, pandora and such. But needs something else to stream the BBC programs and some sporting sites that does not have native apps (need to get my S14 on)...This might be it depending on what the price ends up being. Closer to 1K would be ideal..
 
Well good on them though seeing from the comments they might have an already existing huge supply to fight with for the market
 
I am sorry but this device is already obsolete, look at what china is doing now, The Atom Z3736F (2.6ghz quad core x64 based) changed the game completely, and for just over a R1000 you can get a full x86 based media center with Windows 8.1 , that means you can stream things like Hulu without paying extra for access to the android version, and if you install Openelec on it the possibilities are endless...

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/PIPO...Z3736F-Windows-8-1-with-Bing/32266506413.html

Or if you want something smaller:
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/32GB...ntel-Atom-Z3735F-Windows-8-1/32245958338.html
 
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