Unblock TV Discussion Thread II [consolidated]

[gregory_choo]

Dad just bought this box even though I advised him not to do so as elderly not so simple to use haiz. True enough he doesn't know how to use the box. I also not sure, only know got the unblock TV app for channels. Anyone can suggest how to watch EPL on it?

It is very easy to use. You have to learn from your father.

 

[butterbarter]

If I have a netflix account, can Netflix app be installed on Unblock Tech Ubox Gen6/UPro to stream 4K video? Note I want to use my own netflix account, but instead of casting netflix video from my phone, I want to watch it in 4K using a Tv box (in this case, Ubox/Upro).

Also, I noticed UNBLOCK TECH website has both Ubox and Upro. What's the difference other than the Android version?

 

[xiaofan]

If I have a netflix account, can Netflix app be installed on Unblock Tech Ubox Gen6/UPro to stream 4K video? Note I want to use my own netflix account, but instead of casting netflix video from my phone, I want to watch it in 4K using a Tv box (in this case, Ubox/Upro).

Also, I noticed UNBLOCK TECH website has both Ubox and Upro. What's the difference other than the Android version?

Forget about Netflix 4k on any UBox, including latest Ubox Pro 2. You can only get 480p on non certified device. There are hacks to get 720p on some devices but not sure about UPro 2.

You are buying the wrong box if you need Netflix.

If you need Netflix 4k, the cheapest box is either Mi Box S or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. Mi Box S has an edge that it supports Chromecast. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has an edge that it supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Chromecast Ultra is another possibility but it is more expensive.

UPro 2 and Upro has faster CPU (Allwinner H6) than Ubox 4 (Allwinner H3). UPro 2 and UPro are similar in terms of specifications (H6 CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 7.0), main difference is that UPro 2 is rooted with China Tunnel installed for China Geo blocked content. Ubox 4 is older device which has H3 CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB Storage, and runs Android 5.1.

 

[butterbarter]

Thanks for the awesomely comprehensive response.

Think for Netflix, I'll probably go for a Roku Streaming Stick+ or Amazon Fire Stick 4K.

The UPro2 specs says it is able to output 4K, which is great. Does it have 4K content in the first place? Thanks.

Forget about Netflix 4k on any UBox, including latest Ubox Pro 2. You can only get 480p on non certified device. There are hacks to get 720p on some devices but not sure about UPro 2.

You are buying the wrong box if you need Netflix.

If you need Netflix 4k, the cheapest box is either Mi Box S or Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K. Mi Box S has an edge that it supports Chromecast. Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K has an edge that it supports Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Chromecast Ultra is another possibility but it is more expensive.

UPro 2 and Upro has faster CPU (Allwinner H6) than Ubox 4 (Allwinner H5). UPro 2 and UPro are similar in terms of specifications (H6 CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage, Android 7.0), main difference is that UPro 2 is rooted with China Tunnel installed for China Geo blocked content. Ubox 4 is older device which has H5 CPU, 1GB RAM, 16GB Storage, and runs Android 5.1.

 

[johnsonheng]

Thanks for the awesomely comprehensive response.

Think for Netflix, I'll probably go for a Roku Streaming Stick+ or Amazon Fire Stick 4K.

The UPro2 specs says it is able to output 4K, which is great. Does it have 4K content in the first place? Thanks.

so which is the best.

 

[xiaofan]

Thanks for the awesomely comprehensive response.

Think for Netflix, I'll probably go for a Roku Streaming Stick+ or Amazon Fire Stick 4K.

The UPro2 specs says it is able to output 4K, which is great. Does it have 4K content in the first place? Thanks.

4k for local media playing, similar to other generic Android TV boxes. There are also some limited 4k content as well from Chinese apps like Tecent Video TV 云视听极光, Youku TV 酷喵影视 and iQiyi TV 银河奇异果.

 

[xiaofan]

so which is the best.

Purely for Netflix 4k, all three (Mi Box S, Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Roku Streaming Stick Plus) can be usable and all are below US$100. Amazon Fire TV stick 4k is the best because it has support for Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. Chromecast Ultra dongle can be considered as well but it costs more than Mi Box S yet has less functions than Mi Box S.

For more local apps support (Starhub Go, Toggle, SingTel Cast, etc), better to have Chromecast function so Mi Box S is the best.

I will not recommend Roku for use in Singapore.

In US, Roku Streaming Stick Plus> Amazon Fire TV Stick 4k > Mi Box S

In Singapore, I will say it is the reverse.
Mi Box S > Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K > Roku Streaming Stick Plus.

Ref: you do not even see Mi Box S in the list for the following more US centric review
https://www.techradar.com/news/television/apple-tv-vs-amazon-fire-tv-vs-roku-vs-chromecast

If you want better performance and are willing to pay more, you can consider Apple TV 4K and Nvidia Shield TV.

 

[tituman]

Starhub has probably blocked all the free DNS supply in UBox apps. Can somebody advise me in manually changing the DNS to IPV6, is it the same by just inputting the numbers or is there a need for complicating input before the numbers? Please advise? Tks. Is there any difference between the IPV4 VS IPV6?

 

[chopra]

m1 user. unblock keeps hanging tonight. last night was ok

 

[tituman]

m1 user. unblock keeps hanging tonight. last night was ok

After few tries, I finally managed to input a new DNS address and its working fully now. Phew....

 

[chopra]

After few tries, I finally managed to input a new DNS address and its working fully now. Phew....

where to input new dns?

 

[ferocity]

Snagged myself a Evpad 3 pro(2gb+16gb) from lazada. Listed price $169 but i paid around $95 after using up my remaining liveup credits and a $8 discount voucher. Its not local set but no matter since can use all the same.

Used the box for a couple of days and so far, cant say i am impressed. Firstly, lets start with the bad.

-Even with 2 gb ram, there is abit of sluggishness when navigating the evpad UI.

-Next, the 3 proprietary apps, Mars live/vod/catchup, takes 5-7 seconds just to startup and load into the app itself.

-Give you all the channels in the world also pointless if they dont work. I went through all the channels in the livetv app and around 1/3 of them are currently down. Also, for those channels that do work, when i was testing during evening timing, some of the HK and TW channels take much longer to load or they are constantly lagging and rebuffering. Pretty much the same issues plaguing UB box.
(Add: I tried some of these "down" channels in the dead of the night at 3am and surprise surprise, alot of them are actually working. Will need to do more testing and monitoring in the following days.)

-Not a good box for sports and EPL in particular. They dont have BT sports and Sky sports(british, not the south asian channel of same name). They do have astro channels but thats about it for EPL coverage in english.

For the good points(not alot i found so far)

-Most of the times, switching channels is blazing fast. Takes around 1 second for channel to load.

-Picture quality of channels is acceptable. Most channels are between 480p to 720p. Small amount of channels are lower than 480p but i think its mostly because those channels are not broadcasted in HD quality in their native source. More or less the same case with UB box.

-Vast amount of channels for those who like to channel surf. Have channels from india, thailand, vietnam, pinoy, indonesia and even cambodia.

-Unlike UB livetv app which has a category for adult channels, evpad has built a separate, password protected app for adult content. So no chance for kids to accidentally or intentionally access them. But note that evpad only has 3 live taiwanese adult channels. The rest of the channels are simply videos played on 24 hr loop.

So far, i would rate the box 4/10 and a disappointment. I used to own a UB gen 4 and while the evpad 3 is not worse, its also not much better. I have not played around much with the Mars vod and playback apps so far. I will be testing astro channels to watch epl matches during the coming wkend and maybe i will come back with more feedback after.

 

[RyanJ]

Does ubox allow surround sound passthrough ?

 

[xiaofan]

Does ubox allow surround sound passthrough ?

Most of the new generic Andrpid TV boxes should support Dolby DD and DTS 5.1 pass through.

Ref: the following article says Ubox can do audio pass through. Not so sure about Dolby DD+/Dolby True HD/Dolby Atmos pass through though.
http://www.afghanica.org/如何使用安博盒子/

 

[stam]

My UB kena blocked already, cannot watch live TV, who else also same?

Posted with My iPhone X HardwareZone Forums app

 

[gregory_choo]

My UB kena blocked already, cannot watch live TV, who else also same?

Posted with My iPhone X HardwareZone Forums app

Change to google dns to unblock

 

[Oyabun]

Google how to change DNS. Majority just type 192.168.1.1 in your web browser will bring u to the router menu. Than instead the default Get DNS automatically, you select manual entry. Primary 8.8.8.8 Secondary 8.8.4.4

Sent from Vivo 1725 using GAGT

 

[Oyabun]

Some people need to spoonfeed. Uncle happy tonight so post it. Use Google DNS to bypass all the telecos. If u want try cloudflare put 1.1.1.1 instead.

Sent from Vivo 1725 using GAGT

 

[RyanJ]

Most of the new generic Andrpid TV boxes should support Dolby DD and DTS 5.1 pass through.

Ref: the following article says Ubox can do audio pass through. Not so sure about Dolby DD+/Dolby True HD/Dolby Atmos pass through though.
http://www.afghanica.org/如何使用安博盒子/

Doesn't seem to work. Tried audio_codec or audio_hdmi with audio passthrough on the Android setting, VLC app with a multichannel video clip and 5.1 kenna downsampled to AVR.

Tried same clip on VLC app on Nvidia shield and it passes through all audio channels nicely to AVR.

 

[xiaofan]

Doesn't seem to work. Tried audio_codec or audio_hdmi with audio passthrough on the Android setting, VLC app with a multichannel video clip and 5.1 kenna downsampled to AVR.

Tried same clip on VLC app on Nvidia shield and it passes through all audio channels nicely to AVR.

Haha, you have Nvidia Shield TV, then why are you looking at Ubox which is very low spec HW compared to Nvidia Shield TV? In fact the HW of Upro 2 is lower than my Tanix TX6 4GB/32GB H6 CPU which cost me RMB 260 (S$52, latest cost is even lower) plus GST and sea shipping fee from Taobao, same H6 CPU but UPro 2 only has 1GB memory and 16GB storage.

Ubox main value is the live TV service UBTV, definitely not targeting good quality AV experiences the Nvidia Shield TV will give you. In fact the S$70-80 Mi Box S will beat all Ubox in terms of Audio Video experiences, let alone the S$200++ Nvidia Shield TV.

That being said, VLC may be the wrong player to use. Try Kodi instead.