Android TV Box

xiaofan

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Able to install tvbanywhere+ on my H96 but can't play any show.

Which H96? There are many different H96 Models out there. I myself have H96 Pro+ S912 box which is pretty good. I also have H96 Max Plus RK3328 4GB/64GB Box which is not as good as the S912 box but still pretty okay. Then there is new H96 Max X2 S905X2 Box which should be decent as well. Of course they are still all generic boxes.

For generic box, they are not compatible with the TV version apk. Mi Box S, NVidia Shield TV, Sony Android TV, StarHub Go Streaming Box are included in the compatible device list.
https://plus.tvbanywhere.com/certified-smart-tv-list.pdf

However you can try the mobile phone version from Google Play Store, not guaranteed to work though.

The mobile phone works on my Tanix TX5 Max.
 
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jase07

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Which H96? There are many different H96 Models out there. I myself have H96 Pro+ S912 box which is pretty good. I also have H96 Max Plus RK3328 4GB/64GB Box which is not as good as the S912 box but still pretty okay. Then there is new H96 Max X2 S905X2 Box which should be decent as well. Of course they are still all generic boxes.

For generic box, they are not compatible with the TV version apk. Mi Box S, NVidia Shield TV, Sony Android TV, StarHub Go Streaming Box are included in the compatible device list.
https://plus.tvbanywhere.com/certified-smart-tv-list.pdf

However you can try the mobile phone version from Google Play Store, not guaranteed to work though.

The mobile phone works on my Tanix TX5 Max.

Hi Xiaofan, what is the other box you will recommend other than TX5 Max? something abit better/higher?
 

xiaofan

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Hi Xiaofan, what is the other box you will recommend other than TX5 Max? something abit better/higher?

Top recommendations:
1) Lower spec but with better FW: Mi Box S

2) Higher spec, king of Android TV boxes: Nvidia Shield TV

3) Other than the two, there are also Apple TV 4K which is good for the Apple eco system.

For generic boxes, right now there are not many boxes which have better value than Tanix TX5 Max. Probably similar spec S905X2 box with a better known name than Tanix: Beelink GT1 Mini.
 
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jase07

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Top recommendations:
1) Lower spec but with better FW: Mi Box S

2) Higher spec, king of Android TV boxes: Nvidia Shield TV

3) Other than the two, there are also Apple TV 4K which is good for the Apple eco system.

For generic boxes, right now there are not many boxes which have better value than Tanix TX5 Max. Probably similar spec S905X2 box with a better known name than Tanix: Beelink GT1 Mini.

ok thanks, better stick with TX5 max for now and wait for future boxes.
 

addats

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So the TVB Anywhere App is VOD. All show currently playing can VOD? If like that quite worth it.

Currently on SH and wanted to switch to Singtel but singtel no 855 Yu Jia
 

bumperbee

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Zidoo device is kind of high end device and the primary use cases are for very for high quality rip of Blu-ray files, therefore they have harddisk interface. They also support the recording feature but this is a secondary feature.

Looking back at your requirement, I am actually not so sure if the recording feature of the Zidoo device actually meets your requirement. I have yet to come across reviews covering this use case in good details. So I have to say I am not sure whether the X9S is a good buy or not.

Ref: you can check out the old review here. But Zidoo keeps updating the FW so it should be better now.
https://www.cnx-software.com/2016/1...ing-video-recording-pip-and-udp-broadcasting/

As for A95X, from what I know from the review, the recording is through screen capture, so do not expect high quality and it may not work with some apps. I will not recommend it for sure.

As for whether Zidoo X9S device is good enough for general streaming application (not Netflix), then the answer should be yes. 2GB/16GB is fine for general streaming application. FYI, Mi Box S is 2GB/8GB and it has a weaker CPU than Zidoo X9S.

Ref: Zidoo X9S review
https://androidpctv.com/review-zidoo-z9s/

Edit : sorry the above review is for better Z9S version but it is also a good reference for X9S.

Hi Xiaofan, found another box, “Beelink Sea I”, the specification are as follows,
1. Realtek 1295 Quad Core Cpu
2. Ram 2Gb Ddr3
3. Storage: eMmc-32Gb
4. Android 6.0
5. Bluetooth 4.0
6. Wifi: 2.4G+5.8G Dual Band
7. Gpu: Arm Mali-T820Mp3
8. Max Extended Capacity: 64G – Don’t understand what is this? Hdd storage?
9. Miracast, Airplay, Smb
10. Rj45 Part: 1000M
11. Removable Harddisk Box
At Aliexpress selling at S$114.23, much cheaper then Zidoo X9s @S$169.92
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bee...400.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.65162e0ehKgWKf
Any idea about this box if compare with Zidoo X9s? Thanks
 

xiaofan

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Hi Xiaofan, found another box, “Beelink Sea I”, the specification are as follows,
1. Realtek 1295 Quad Core Cpu
2. Ram 2Gb Ddr3
3. Storage: eMmc-32Gb
4. Android 6.0
5. Bluetooth 4.0
6. Wifi: 2.4G+5.8G Dual Band
7. Gpu: Arm Mali-T820Mp3
8. Max Extended Capacity: 64G – Don’t understand what is this? Hdd storage?
9. Miracast, Airplay, Smb
10. Rj45 Part: 1000M
11. Removable Harddisk Box
At Aliexpress selling at S$114.23, much cheaper then Zidoo X9s @S$169.92
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Bee...400.html?spm=a2g0s.8937460.0.0.65162e0ehKgWKf
Any idea about this box if compare with Zidoo X9s? Thanks

Yes Beelink SEA 1 has very similar HW specifications as Zidoo X9S. But the catch is that Beelink is considered as a lower tier vendor than Zidoo. X9S will get continuos FW updates by Zidoo. The last FW version for Beelink SEA 1 seems to be 1.06 in 2017. The latest FW for Zidoo X9S is in 2019.

FreakTab has a dedicated forum section for Zidoo X9S.
https://forum.freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/zidoo-aa/x9s

Review of Beelink SEA 1
https://hometheatrelife.com/beelink-sea-i-review/

The author mentioned that Zidoo X9S is better.

So I will say it is better to go with Zidoo X9S than Beelink SEA 1.

Moreover, I believe Beelink SEA 1 is already considered as obsolete as Beelink website does not list it in the product catalog.
http://www.bee-link.com/portal.php?mod=list&catid=8&mobile=2
 
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xiaofan

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So the TVB Anywhere App is VOD. All show currently playing can VOD? If like that quite worth it.

Currently on SH and wanted to switch to Singtel but singtel no 855 Yu Jia

You can ask in the Starhub Cable TV conversion thread to see if there are any real differences. A few people already cut Starhub now that TVB Anywhere+ is available on big screen.

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...ed-cable-tv-fibre-tv-starhub-5792737-163.html

The FAQ says most but not all.

https://plus.tvbanywhere.com/faq.html

Q3) WHEN WILL TV CONTENTS BE UPLOADED?
A3) Most TVB live streaming program is available within a couple hours after broadcasts in Singapore on TVB Anywhere+ VOD, depending on the genre of programs. All programs are subject to final announcement by TVB Anywhere+.
 

deadrick

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Anyone has an Atmos avr and speaker system,

Can find out if mi box s can do Atmos in netflix movies(titles that has Atmos)?
 

kaya14

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Anyone has both a TV box and a chromecast? which is better?

If TV box, what are the "must have" apps? Apart from Netflix and YouTube and Spotify I guess.

Sent from Xiaomi REDMI 4X using GAGT
 

xiaofan

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Anyone has an Atmos avr and speaker system,

Can find out if mi box s can do Atmos in netflix movies(titles that has Atmos)?

No, Mi Box S does not support either Dolby Vision or Dolby Atmos.

Even Nvidia Shield does not support Dolby Vision. It does support Dolby Armos but unfortunately not under Netflix.

You need to get Amazon FireTV Sticks 4K to support Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos, or Apple TV 4K.
 

xiaofan

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Anyone has both a TV box and a chromecast? which is better?

If TV box, what are the "must have" apps? Apart from Netflix and YouTube and Spotify I guess.

Sent from Xiaomi REDMI 4X using GAGT

I have both Chromecast (old 1st generation) and quite a few generic TV boxes. Both are useful.

You can buy Mi Box S which has built-in Chromecast 4k function. That is the best value box you can get for under S$100.

As for the must have apps, it all depends on your needs. For example I do not need Netflix and I do not need Spotify. I use YouTube, Youku (paid the VIP) and QQ Music (paid the VIP), because I am more into Chinese Entertainment.
 
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gkhchay

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Guys - I’m a newbie in Android TV boxes. I was thinking of getting the Mi Box S since it’s got Chromecast built in & it’s 4k. Can I check if I am able to install APKs that can’t be found on Google Playstore on the Mi Box? TIA.
 

xiaofan

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floodgate

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hey guys

can point me in the right direction for my case?

- HDMI output (dont need 4k)
- not interested in streaming apps or gaming
- only for movie or tv episode files (1080p or 2160p)
- either onboard or external storage (USB hdd?)
- some form of remote controller option (usb wireless remote?)


I experimented with LocalCast and chromecast (streaming the file directly from folder in g drive to the chromecast). Results werent good.

also read that nvidia's shield is a good choice for this. but i'm wondering if it's overkill?

tia
 

xiaofan

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hey guys

can point me in the right direction for my case?

- HDMI output (dont need 4k)
- not interested in streaming apps or gaming
- only for movie or tv episode files (1080p or 2160p)
- either onboard or external storage (USB hdd?)
- some form of remote controller option (usb wireless remote?)


I experimented with LocalCast and chromecast (streaming the file directly from folder in g drive to the chromecast). Results werent good.

also read that nvidia's shield is a good choice for this. but i'm wondering if it's overkill?

tia

Nvidia Shield is a very good option. You will not regret. Who knows that you may go into 4K or streaming apps like Netflix or SingTel Cast or things like that in the future?

That being said, since you already have Chromecast, you can also consider cheaper box like Beelink GT1 Mini or Tanix TX5 Max. Both have the S905X2 CPU and both can handle most of the file format for 4k. Between the two, Beelink is a more well known brand and has a better remote. Tanix is cheaper.

https://androidpctv.com/review-beelink-gt1-mini/

https://androidpctv.com/review-tanix-tx5-max/
 
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gregory_choo

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hey guys

can point me in the right direction for my case?

- HDMI output (dont need 4k)
- not interested in streaming apps or gaming
- only for movie or tv episode files (1080p or 2160p)
- either onboard or external storage (USB hdd?)
- some form of remote controller option (usb wireless remote?)


I experimented with LocalCast and chromecast (streaming the file directly from folder in g drive to the chromecast). Results werent good.

also read that nvidia's shield is a good choice for this. but i'm wondering if it's overkill?

tia

Why don't need 4k yet want to play 2160p file? Isn't 4k the same as 2160p?

Chromecast should be good enough. Are you sure you are using it with the correct method ? I suspect that you are using mirrorring, not chromecasting.
 
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floodgate

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thanks i'll check both out.
remote might be a deciding factor. it's for my parents. they're not that great at dealing with more complicated interfaces.

Nvidia Shield is a very good option. You will not regret. Who knows that you may go into 4K or streaming apps like Netflix or SingTel Cast or things like that in the future?

That being said, since you already have Chromecast, you can also consider cheaper box like Beelink GT1 Mini or Tanix TX5 Max. Both have the S905X2 CPU and both can handle most of the file format for 4k. Between the two, Beelink is a more well known brand and has a better remote. Tanix is cheaper.

https://androidpctv.com/review-beelink-gt1-mini/

https://androidpctv.com/review-tanix-tx5-max/
 
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