Android TV Box

xiaofan

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xiaofan

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I just tried it myself on Tanix TX6 to replace the stock Alice UX Launcher, not bad as it supports drag and drop of icons. You can make it like a tablet interface. You need a mouse to use the ADW Launcher 2 effectively though.

Just with the remote ADW Launcher 2 can be used but I guess I am too used to a mouse myself.

Other than ADW Launcher 2, the reviewer also mentioned Evie Launcher which seems to be okay as well since it supports Drag and Drop of icons. But ADW Launcher 2 seems to be better.

I tested the two launchers on Tanix TX6 with Alice UX. It should be the same for Tanix TX5 Max.

All in all I think I will still stick the stock Alice UX as it is not too bad either and you can get used to it pretty easily.

Compared to the Alice UX on Tanix TX5 Max, the one in TX6 has the notification bar and Status bar. But the notifications bar is not working now because you can not click it to have access the notifications. It can be annoying.

My generic box like the H96 Pro+ S912 Box and the R69 RK3229 Box have working notifications bar and status bar. They can be useful sometimes. Tanix is working on fixing the features in TX6.

BTW, Dangbei and Shafa have their simple launcher (当贝桌面 and 沙发桌面) as well which can be useful for very low end boxes with 1GB of RAM.
 
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storm913

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Anyone know why my toggle cast from phone to mibox s won't work, but casting to my other chrome cast standalone will work? Any workaround?
 

xiaofan

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windwaver

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Anyone know why my toggle cast from phone to mibox s won't work, but casting to my other chrome cast standalone will work? Any workaround?

There is a report of problems with Toggle as well in the Xiaomi TV Box thread. You can try the method mentioned by Gregory Choo in Page 32 of that thread.

Ref:
https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...-discussion-ii-[consolidated]-5537957-32.html

I find toggle very incompatible but luckily it works great with my new TX5 Max box :)
 

xiaofan

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I find toggle very incompatible but luckily it works great with my new TX5 Max box :)

Yes Toggle works on most of my generic boxes including Tanix TX5 Max and TX6, even though both are rooted. Still there are reported problems as well with generic boxes. So no guarantee. And I only tested the live TV channels but not things like HBO since I do not have subscription for HBO.

Toggle official FAQ has the listed of supported device.
https://www.toggle.sg/en/faq

Another problematic app is Starhub Go. It can not be installed on Android TV OS device like Mi Box S and Nvidia Shield TV. It may or may not function on generic Android TV boxes. On some of my boxes they seem to work but again no guarantee.

Still casting through Chromecast dongle should work for both Toggle and Starhub Go.

SingTel TV Go and SingTel Cast can be installed on Android TV OS device like Mi Box S or Nvidia Shield TV. They will not work on rooted box as the two Singtel apps will detect root upon startup. Again both will work with Chromecast dongles.

All these apps are designed for Mobile and support casting to TV. If they work on the box, it is a bonus, if not, get a Chromecast dongle. With the exception of Toggle, the built-in Chromecast of Mi Box S is said to be working in general.

Worst app is TVB Anywhere SG, it is mobile only. So far I do not know of any TV boxes or HDMI dock working with the latest version of this app.

For TVB Anywhere SG, so far the best alternative for TV is Starhub Go Select pack, you can cast from phone, or you can use Starhub Go Streaming Box.
 
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xiaofan

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1) TV Box SOC Comparison: S905X2 versus other SOCs.

https://androidpctv.com/comparative-amlogic-s905x2-s905y2/

We perform several performance tests with the Amlogic S905X2 and S905Y2 SoC’s, we make a VS against Socs Rockchip RK3328, RK3399, Nvidia Tegra X1, Realtek RTD1296, Amlogic S912, S905X (with its equivalent S905L), HiSilicon Hi3798CV200 and the Allwinner H6.

Note: RTD1295/1296 are used in Zidoo box and other media players. HiSilcon Hi3798 is also widely used in IPTV boxes and some media players.

2) MT8695 is pretty good, just a bit below S905X2 but only Amazon Fire TV stick 4k is using it.
https://androidpctv.com/comparative-mediatek-mt8695/
 
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shank118

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You can take reference from here. Looks like your LG Oled TV can do most of the things you want with the built-in video player, including local/NAS media playing with Dolby Atmos.

https://forums.hardwarezone.com.sg/...s-supporting-dolby-true-hd-atmos-6026351.html

The problem there is the HDMI ARC limits the Dolby Atmos to the lossy Dolby DD+ encoding and not the lossless Dolby True HD.

Maybe your new LG 2019 OLED TV has the better HDMI 2.1 and eARC to have the lossless Dolby TrueHD delivery of Dolby Atmos.
https://www.whathifi.com/advice/lg-2019-tvs-8k-4k-oled-lcd-everything-you-need-to-know

With the built-in Airplay 2 support, you should be able to use your iOS device to cast to your TV as well for apps like Starhub Go or SingTel Cast.

Thanks for the follow up message, xiaofan. Yes I've been reading on the ARC limitation. Unfortunately, my TV is last year's model, and it doesn't have eARC. I guess it's alright. I'll make do with the lossy encoding.
 

xiaofan

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Android TV Box Buying Guide for reference from AndroidPCTV.com

https://androidpctv.com/comparison-best-android-tv-mini-pc-buy-tv-box-android/#BEST_ANDROID_TV_2019

Nvidia Shield TV
Mi Box S
(Apple TV 4k, not Android)
Amazon Fire TV 3rd gen and Fire TV Stick 4k

Beelink GT1 Mini
A95X Max ( not recommended, better buy Tanix TX5 Max)
X96 Max and X96 Mini for low end (not recommended, better buy Tanix TX3 Max and TX3 Mini)

Mecool KIII Pro and KI Pro if you need a hybrid box with TV Tuner

Zidoo X8, X10 and X9S, Himedia Q10 and Q30, if you are into higher end media player.

Minix NEO U9-H

Google ChromeCast and ChromeCast Ultra.
 
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xiaofan

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https://www.cnx-software.com/2019/04/24/rk3588-8k-arm-cortex-a76-a55-soc-rockchip-roadmap-2020/

8K Android TV Box in 2020 with RK3588? I guess it will be a real niche and if there are no strong software support (like official Android TV OS and Netflix 4k certification) it will be just like RK3399, not popular in Android TV box at all, only popular in maker boards.

RK3530 is interesting with quad core A55, competitor to upcoming S905X3. Now we know why Amlogic needs to come out with S905X3 so fast after the success of S905X2.
 
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xiaofan

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Android TV box seller fined in landmark copyright infringement case

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...11473652?cid=telegram_cna_social_28112017_cna

The court case applies to those so-called preloaded box like Unblock Tech Ubox. Android TV boxes like Mi Box S does not come with any illegal apps so there should be no impact.

Quoting from the news article.
These devices do not contain any decoders, but have apps that allow users to stream copyrighted programmes such as English Premier League matches.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...d-in-landmark-copyright-infringement-11473652
 

Henry Ng

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The court case applies to those so-called preloaded box like Unblock Tech Ubox. Android TV boxes like Mi Box S does not come with any illegal apps so there should be no impact.

Quoting from the news article.
These devices do not contain any decoders, but have apps that allow users to stream copyrighted programmes such as English Premier League matches.
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/new...d-in-landmark-copyright-infringement-11473652

Is red bean android TV box legal?
 

C_boliao

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Has anyone been using Cartoon HD apk on their phone?

Mine has stopped loading while at home few nights ago,. I'm using Starhub BTW...

I suspect sh has blocked this app.. Any idea how to rectify it?

Thanks
 

Paul Lee

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The court case applies to those so-called preloaded box like Unblock Tech Ubox. Android TV boxes like Mi Box S does not come with any illegal apps so there should be no impact.

Those of us who have some basic understanding of Android Box will know the difference.

Unfortunately, the average man in the street may not and will probably just think that all Android TV boxes are illegal.

The headline scream 'Android TV box seller fined in landmark copyright infringement case'. And so it will be easy for them to conclude that Android TV Box is illegal.
 
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