Recommend a Media Box

[wengwaz]

Hello All,

I need to replace my ACRyan HD2 Playon! (kaput finally!). I need a media box that can decode the most media format these days can buy. There are so many brands out there .. and the diferent CPUs/GPUs ... mind-boggling I don't know to trust the ones from grand-mother's land or not; so any help here is really appreciated.

 

[comcrepe]

Can try Nivida Shield if you have the budget. Else, the Amazon Fire Stick will work.

 

[Blacktoxic]

If your focus is decoding, get a plex server with a powerful cpu. Use an old PC or something. Then the nvidia shield is the obvious choice.

 

[RyanJ]

Depends on what else you want that media device to do

Nvidia Shield Pro would be more hassle free than a windows 10 PC. But it is not a PC replacement

And Disneyplus has yet to release a proper Windows app and still stuck with limited HD and stereo on PC browser anyway.

 

[RyanJ]

New toy has arrived

To replace my old Shield

 

[XiaoFu99]

if you intend to do eARC audio pass through, I suggest get nvidia shield for an assurance of compatibility.

if not, any Amlogic S905X3 processor with 2GB ram should be fine.


Read HWZ Forum Rules!

 

[keongzai1981]

Hello All,

I need to replace my ACRyan HD2 Playon! (kaput finally!). I need a media box that can decode the most media format these days can buy. There are so many brands out there .. and the diferent CPUs/GPUs ... mind-boggling I don't know to trust the ones from grand-mother's land or not; so any help here is really appreciated.

Mecook KM6 is strong and is google certified

 

[Peach Tea]

Zidoo also not bad

 

[badsector]

shield tv . . . .

 

[RyanJ]

Both Netflix & Prime Video Certified Android TV Streaming Players

https://www.androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/netflix-amazon-atv-certified
So there is Google certification ( chromecast/google assistant/some DRM certs etc), Netflix certification, and Prime video certification, and maybe Disneyplus will flex their muscles and come up with a future certification

 

[Windowlover]

Hello All,

I need to replace my ACRyan HD2 Playon! (kaput finally!). I need a media box that can decode the most media format these days can buy. There are so many brands out there .. and the diferent CPUs/GPUs ... mind-boggling I don't know to trust the ones from grand-mother's land or not; so any help here is really appreciated.

I use Minix mini player, not bad as it is small and easy to place in cabinet also..

 

[MasK]

New toy has arrived

To replace my old Shield

Curious.. did your old Shield die? Did you feel any difference with this new model?
My first gen still working great since 2015. Being updated pretty regularly..

 

[RyanJ]

Curious.. did your old Shield die? Did you feel any difference with this new model?
My first gen still working great since 2015. Being updated pretty regularly..

Mine still working fine actually.

Wanted the Atmos on Netflix , and only the newer version has the MS12 dolby multistream decoder

 

[patryn33]

Both Netflix & Prime Video Certified Android TV Streaming Players

https://www.androidtv-guide.com/streaming-gaming/netflix-amazon-atv-certified
So there is Google certification ( chromecast/google assistant/some DRM certs etc), Netflix certification, and Prime video certification, and maybe Disneyplus will flex their muscles and come up with a future certification

Certification is an attempt to ensure quality. However most cases SW changes after product release don’t require recertification.
even they choose to keep all items, don’t think they go back to check since this library just keep growing.
https://netflixtechblog.com/nts-real-time-streaming-for-test-automation-7cb000e933a1

 

[MasK]

Mine still working fine actually.

Wanted the Atmos on Netflix , and only the newer version has the MS12 dolby multistream decoder

I don't watch Netflix, but I do play Atmos files via Kodi. My receiver does state Atmos during playback. So I guess I'm good to go or do you think i'll need an upgrade?

 

[Jurchen King]

Mecook KM6 is strong and is google certified

But it is not Netflix certified, so cannot download Netflix from store. If TS does not subscribe to Netflix, then it's fine.

BTW, is Amlogic S905X4 currently the best SoC for media player?

 

[patryn33]

But it is not Netflix certified, so cannot download Netflix from store. If TS does not subscribe to Netflix, then it's fine.

BTW, is Amlogic S905X4 currently the best SoC for media player?

Looks like even one can side install, Netflix does not give "us" HD or 4K.
https://androidtvnews.com/netflix-android-tv/

 

[RyanJ]

I don't watch Netflix, but I do play Atmos files via Kodi. My receiver does state Atmos during playback. So I guess I'm good to go or do you think i'll need an upgrade?

If so then likely ok.

I always suspect the Atmos thinggy for Netflix/Disney app insisting on using that newer Dolby chip might be a ... financial decision. Since Kodi could use software to play Atmos on older machines.

Certification is an attempt to ensure quality. However most cases SW changes after product release don’t require recertification.
even they choose to keep all items, don’t think they go back to check since this library just keep growing.
https://netflixtechblog.com/nts-real-time-streaming-for-test-automation-7cb000e933a1

Boss I am not very tech savvy so I just go for the certified and proven ones. I dun want to try and sekali this 4k cannot that sound cannot etc and look back buyer remorse and buy again.

 

[patryn33]

Dolby does not make hardware. They do software and license their decoders to makers.

 

[Trees]

Zidoo Z9X is a better media player, but no Google play store.