The Droid TV thread

Vegeta said:
Does DSTV Now NOT have the dimming issue on any device? Because it dimms on any and every device i have including my FireTV, Fire Stick even my Nexus player - Google's native AndroidTV box! I want to get the Mi Box but it just seems like DSTV Now doesn't work properly on any Android box.

Why even have an app if it's broken on everything? Unless it's on purpose
Click to expand...

There is no official DSTV Now app for Android TV boxes. The app we using is for android devices(cellphones/tablets) only.
 
Regarding Dstv Now : No problems using a Chromecast , and from what I have picked up neither from a MyGica Atv 495 Pro or MyGica Atv 1900 Pro.
 
Can any1 recommend a player for me

Apart from the usual i need this:
1.ethernet (for streaming from pc)
2.COAX or Optical SPDIF
 
joshuatree said:
Best Android Box from walk in stores : MyGica ATV 495_Pro / ATV 1900. Available @ Makro, Computer Mania etc.
Click to expand...
Totally disagree if they are running Android and not Android TV. if you have to use a mouse or virtual mouse to do things - the device is a failure in my opinion.

Returned my 495x and got a fire stick. Firstly, the interface is great and Alexa now can control my lights and stuff from the remote just by speaking to it . It cost me less than 495x . I can cast from my phone to TV - something the 495x couldn't. Not sure about the models you proposed.
 
InternetLuddite said:
Totally disagree if they are running Android and not Android TV. if you have to use a mouse or virtual mouse to do things - the device is a failure in my opinion.

Returned my 495x and got a fire stick. Firstly, the interface is great and Alexa now can control my lights and stuff from the remote just by speaking to it . It cost me less than 495x . I can cast from my phone to TV - something the 495x couldn't. Not sure about the models you proposed.
Click to expand...

In fairness he did say walk in store. Not sure if the fire stick is available at any brick and mortar stores in SA
 
InternetLuddite said:
Totally disagree if they are running Android and not Android TV. if you have to use a mouse or virtual mouse to do things - the device is a failure in my opinion.

Returned my 495x and got a fire stick. Firstly, the interface is great and Alexa now can control my lights and stuff from the remote just by speaking to it . It cost me less than 495x . I can cast from my phone to TV - something the 495x couldn't. Not sure about the models you proposed.
Click to expand...

It might work for you, but not for me. The whole idea of using these sticks is a bit daunted.
1. It doesn't have a LAN port so you have Wifi issues. Too many devices in our house make wifi unstable. Even on 5Ghz gets saturated these days.
2. No USB for external media HDD.
3. The remote doesn't have a keyboard so I have to use the irritating on-screen keyboard.
 
SilverNodashi said:
It might work for you, but not for me. The whole idea of using these sticks is a bit daunted.
1. It doesn't have a LAN port so you have Wifi issues. Too many devices in our house make wifi unstable. Even on 5Ghz gets saturated these days.
2. No USB for external media HDD.
3. The remote doesn't have a keyboard so I have to use the irritating on-screen keyboard.
Click to expand...
The mi box has a really cool voice function, so no need for a keyboard. If I must keyboard (such as for DSTV now password) the android TV app on my phone works a charm
 
I had a go at a mygica but the interface was so crap I sold it again.
The shield tv looks good but at that price could a console like a PS4/Xbone be used as a media device?
Primarily to play youtube, netflix and files from a usb drive.
 
kolaval said:
I had a go at a mygica but the interface was so crap I sold it again.
The shield tv looks good but at that price could a console like a PS4/Xbone be used as a media device?
Primarily to play youtube, netflix and files from a usb drive.
Click to expand...
Mi box or the Telkom Lit Box(as long as you don't do complicated thing's)
 
Hi
I have had my MXQ box for over a year with no problems. Last week I tried to go onto Netflix and Chrome and it says no internet connections. So I have tried everything from resetting wifi and date/time, factory reset, but still no joy. Could someone please help. Thanks
 
Guys, don't know if this has come up but what about just hooking up an old laptop or tower to your tv instead of an Android stick or box?

Wouldn't you actually get more functionality barr using wireless mouse/keyboard?
 
Raaz1zn said:
Guys, don't know if this has come up but what about just hooking up an old laptop or tower to your tv instead of an Android stick or box?

Wouldn't you actually get more functionality barr using wireless mouse/keyboard?
Click to expand...

Before I had a Mibox I was using my laptop connected to my TV via HDMI. Everything worked well with no problems with wireless keyboard and mouse was hooked up.
As long you have another laptop to use for your other stuff, all will be good.
 
Raaz1zn said:
Guys, don't know if this has come up but what about just hooking up an old laptop or tower to your tv instead of an Android stick or box?

Wouldn't you actually get more functionality barr using wireless mouse/keyboard?
Click to expand...

My opinion is you do. If you have an old tower / laptop give it a go. I think people are worried about the size of the laptop under the TV, cost, power consumption, remote and interface, compared to the dedicated TV boxes or streamers.

I am using an old Mecer Mini PC. It is small and thin (approx 15cm x 15cm x 2cm), fanless and runs Windows 10. Control is by anything that is at hand (wireless mouse, mini wireless keyboard and mouse, phone (Remote Mouse app). Power consumption 50W. I bought it second hand so cost was less than Android Box. You can check for second hand ones (eBay, Gumtree, Olx etc).

I have put all commonly used apps, website shortcuts (BBC iPlayer, Netflix etc) and the external hard drive folders as Windows start menu tiles for a more convenient interface for everyone else.
 
Raaz1zn said:
Guys, don't know if this has come up but what about just hooking up an old laptop or tower to your tv instead of an Android stick or box?

Wouldn't you actually get more functionality barr using wireless mouse/keyboard?
Click to expand...
Yes, you can do for streaming Netflix, etc. The official app will negotiate media format compatible with your device. However it may cost you higher Internet traffic if CPU/GPU is not capable of playing efficient codecs. And protected data stream require HDMI output, otherwise you will receive SD resoluton maximum.

Situation is changing if you download content manually (Web download, torrents) or stream the content from unknown sources using Kodi with addons. You may end up with unplayable source.

Intel is historically poor with hardware support of such formats like AVC (H.264), HEVC (H.265). It does hybrid decoding, it requires powerful CPU. Will do the job with Sandy bridge desktop CPU and above in most cases, but more demanding HEVC 10-bit and VP9 support is problematic. These formats are becoming more popular, so chosing old PC is not optimal for the task this day. To get full support for all media formats you have to add modern GPU (GT1030 is the cheapest one - R1300). If you add cost of second-hand PC, it will bring cost to R2500 level. For R3500 you can get new PC/laptop with Pentium G46xx which play all these formats in hardware with 5% CPU utilisation.
 
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