android/multimedia box

silverblack said:
The Shield TV is the best android box you can get but not good value if you don't play games on it.
If it's just movie/tv watching etc you would be better with a Fire TV.
Android TV is designed for TVs so you can use a remote and the apps will work with remote.
The generic android boxes come with poor remotes and an OS designed for touchscreens like mobile or tablet.
Click to expand...

Not bothered about that, as I have a powerful learning remote. Hopefully I can get discrete IR codes.

Also with the box I can install the stock android, or android TV version. As long as I can navigate to directory/folder with the stock remote controls IR commands, and play files, that'll be enough. If I want to use it for other Android features, a blutooth micro keyboard/trackpad is about a tenner, so will convert it to a full on powerful smart TV. The unit I have is a audio/video streamer, it's ok but won't play H265 or HVC, or 4K (my TV is 1080p however I guess it could downscale 4K to 1080p)
 
I bought a Alfawise H96 Pro+, 3GB ROM, 64GB storage.

Booted up, but apps crashed within about 10 minutes of use, so thought sod it I'll install Supercelerons ROM. Followed instructions, with the ROM install and OTA update. Been fine since the ROM install.

Takes a while to do that, plus usual fiddling in play store, setting up apps etc. Tried MX player but don't think it works that well (audio is out of sync) the Kodi built is better, so for any video files I click on, I selected Kodi player as default.

Setting up Kodi, that takes a while too with the scanning video/music indexing.

Played a episode of Archer and that is great, play on Imax etc. I don't have much time to try each one, but AAC seems to work too. Audio sync is correct without any fiddling in Kodi, DTS works.

Is there a collection of video files that I can download and test? ie

AAC 2 channel- my old player outputted this ok (PCM received, even though was set to bitstream in media player)
AAC 5.1 - but on this, I had to select PCM because in bitstream I got no audio. My AV processor doesn't decode AAC.
DTS encoded video
DTS encoded PCM
44.1khz, 48khz PCM (to check if bit perfect is working)
H264
H265
H265 HVC
720p,1080p, 4K
And anything else that is typical

Remote isn't great, as reported, however once in Kodi it's fine, although dedicated controls would be good. Hopefully can find IR commands

Need to find a decent launcher, holo looks good I've used it on my tablet and phones, as can customise desktop and apps drawer.

A desktop image randomiser would be great say every 30 minutes cycle through photos
 
Last edited:
installed Kore, so can control Kodi from my phone. Don't need TV to be on, and replacement for the crap bundled remote- just need to find if it hads transport and sub controls

playing back CD encoded music shows 48khz, so there's re-sampling going on. How do I set bit perfect output, for 2 channel PCM from CD 44.1khz?
 
Last edited:
The PSU died on me, got another PSU and it's fine.

are no good get a Minix or one that gives you online support
Click to expand...

Minix version of the same one as mine is £150. In fact mine is better spec, 1GB more RAM, and 64GB storage compared to 16GB on the Minix.

So I don't think the Minix is worth £100 more. Installed Superceleron ROM.
 
Just found out it has two USB ports hidden behind the casing, opened it up, and yup! So got the dremel out, so now have four USB ports! Also removed the top cover so heat from the heatsink will radiate straight up, running cooler.

I've got a Minix Neo U9-H
Click to expand...

I hope it is, at three times the price for lower specced box!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom