Question for users of Android TV boxes like Minix, Matricom etc.

[bobbin]

My 4 year old Apacer media player died this week so I purchased a Minix Neo X8-H Plus yesterday. 5500 Baht with a free AirMouse.

The Minix of course plays all the files that the Apacer did but has Wi-Fi as well as the Android OS. It comes with a forked version of Xbmc (now Kodi). This is my first exposure to this software and it ate up a few hours of my time last night when it was unable to install the Config Wizard I had seen referenced on YouTube. Eventually I download Kodi from Google which had a newer version of Config Wizard available and that add-on installed correctly. Now have 2 versions of Xbmc/Kodi. The Kodi website says to uninstall the older version after making sure the new version works. But it seems that it's the old version now working as the add-on appears there but not in Kodi version. I'm reluctant to uninstall the older version as it can't be reinstalled unlike the version from Play Store. Hmm...

I've never been a fan of streaming, preferring to use downloaded files that I can fast-forward etc. Streaming is like real tv. You can't FF.

Internet on my tv is a novelty though. BUT, even on a 50in. tv , web pages are bigger than the screen and it looks like I would want to fit to screen but don't see that option.

Any tips for a new user?

[AJBangkok]

I'd delete both and reinstall from tvaddons.com as that will give you the latest Kodi version with everything preinstalled including your config wizard.

As far as fast forwarding goes it really depends on your internet connection and your setup. If you set up 0 config in the addons then your cache will not be limited which allows for more of the TV show or movie to be downloaded and you can fast forward much easier.

[Forkinhades]

Xbmc kodi, big learning curve and a pain.

Many other better streaming services now.

You can adjust your screen to fit in settings.

[Mooner]

Xbmc kodi, big learning curve and a pain.

Many other better streaming services now.

You can adjust your screen to fit in settings

Yeah i read about Kodi on hear when some posters were knocking other posters for paying for services like ThaiExpat TV and 365sports so i set Kodi up.

IMHO it is ok but it is not a patch on the TETV AND 365! I have Phoenix, Navi X and Vdubt25 and 35mb fibre optics but the streams especially sports are so unreliable.

The links rarely work and arent top quality HD. The movies and TV links are quite good but i prefer to download on TPB.

[Mooner]

Xbmc kodi, big learning curve and a pain.

Many other better streaming services now.

You can adjust your screen to fit in settings.

Could you let me know the better streaming services please?

[userabcd]

Did you try from TVaddons:

FTV filmon and FTVguide (mostly UK streaming content and for me quite stable)

For movies and series, Genesis addon works.

Edited July 9, 2015 by userabcd

[Chicog]

I would wipe the Minix and flash Finless 2.0.

Then install Kodi from kodi.tv

Then register for a free userid at totalxbmc.tv

Then when your userid is approved, install Total Installer

Then install 1BB3's build

Try out IPTV Stalker or the iVue Guide tied to it.

Then, on 15th July, buy a "donation" for NFPS if it suits you ($70 for a year).

Edited July 9, 2015 by Chicog

[Mooner]

Did you try from TVaddons:

FTV filmon and FTVguide (mostly UK streaming content and for me quite stable)

For movies and series, Genesis addon works.

Yes i did. I have Genesis but as i said i prefer downloading as i can watch on boat, bus journeys etc. Filmon is only in SD and no rewind service like ThaiExpat TV.

As i said movies and tv series are best downloaded in MHO but i was hoping to use Kodi for watching sports but not reliable enough and when it is picture quality is lacking unless your watching on a tablet or computer.

I guess you cant complain as its free but for me its not a serious option for a primary home entertainment experience.

[peterb17]

Thank God, I'm just a typical old git end user- haven't a clue what you are going on about.

My minix box just plugged in ( Thai expat TV) and off you go- it's brilliant .

[ikbenhet]

Also install popcorn time. You will like it. !!

[sandrabbit]

if you have a smart tv then just go to the website filmon.tv and then access all their tv channels and I find this works brilliant and if required you can even record the programmes although only in standard definition for free. for movies then putlocker.is is very good but if watching on smart tv make sure you have a mouse or keypad to shut down the popups which are constant every time you click on something.

[LivinLOS]

Xbmc kodi, big learning curve and a pain.

Many other better streaming services now.

You can adjust your screen to fit in settings

Yeah i read about Kodi on hear when some posters were knocking other posters for paying for services like ThaiExpat TV and 365sports so i set Kodi up.

IMHO it is ok but it is not a patch on the TETV AND 365! I have Phoenix, Navi X and Vdubt25 and 35mb fibre optics but the streams especially sports are so unreliable.

The links rarely work and arent top quality HD. The movies and TV links are quite good but i prefer to download on TPB.

For live TV and sports.. Just go the IPTVStalker route.. 600 or so channels of live TV from around the world in good quality streams..

I also download entire series and films in 1080 archived on my network.. Prefer that style of watching than live TV.

Really cannot see anything else I could need or use to be honest.. Maybe getting the EPG to work with IPTVStalker.

[Chicog]

Xbmc kodi, big learning curve and a pain.

Many other better streaming services now.

You can adjust your screen to fit in settings

Yeah i read about Kodi on hear when some posters were knocking other posters for paying for services like ThaiExpat TV and 365sports so i set Kodi up.

IMHO it is ok but it is not a patch on the TETV AND 365! I have Phoenix, Navi X and Vdubt25 and 35mb fibre optics but the streams especially sports are so unreliable.

The links rarely work and arent top quality HD. The movies and TV links are quite good but i prefer to download on TPB.

For live TV and sports.. Just go the IPTVStalker route.. 600 or so channels of live TV from around the world in good quality streams..

I also download entire series and films in 1080 archived on my network.. Prefer that style of watching than live TV.

Really cannot see anything else I could need or use to be honest.. Maybe getting the EPG to work with IPTVStalker.

If you download the community build 1BB3 I mentioned above, it integrates iVue with Stalker for you.

[bobbin]

Thanks for everyone's feedback and info.

Previously, I had heard about the learning curve with XBMC/Kodi and, given my non-interest in streaming, I was content to ignore it. But now this new media player presents streaming as a major feature so I have had to wade in.

I will look into these other options.

[Chicog]

It's really not that hard actually.

And there are plenty of simple how-to videos.

But the reason I like totalxbmc.tv is that those kind souls have spent lots of their time making ready-to-roll builds for anyone to use. Which is why you can just install Kodi and then install a community build.

It's a fairly simple process, but to avoid any conflicts that's why I recommend flashing Finless's ROM (you download it, copy it to a memory card and do the toothpick boot):

Then

(1) Install a barebones Kodi.
(2) Install Total Installer which is documented on their website - piece of piss.

(3) Use Total to install 1BB3. Then change the Skin (which it takes you to); then apply the XML.

Then power off and restart.

Even if that sounds daunting it shouldn't. It's all a step by step process and if you do bugger it up you can start from scratch by simply factory resetting the Minix.

[MaeJoMTB]

I'd delete both and reinstall from tvaddons.com as that will give you the latest Kodi version with everything preinstalled including your config wizard.

As far as fast forwarding goes it really depends on your internet connection and your setup. If you set up 0 config in the addons then your cache will not be limited which allows for more of the TV show or movie to be downloaded and you can fast forward much easier.

Never managed to get anything streaming through XBMC KoDi, TVMC worked right away.

Thanks for the site!

TVMC = KoDi with all the addons already configured and ready to play.

Edited July 9, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[2fishin2]

Download and install the TVMC version of Kodi from TVaddons. It has all the addons installed already. Then customize as you like. Takes less than 10min to do from start to finish. Streaming will only be as good as the source of the stream and your internet. IPTV Stalker is done and going paid. Paying for stolen streams is foolish. Those guys did the free test just to try and hook people into purchasing their service later on. Its stolen and ironic that they are trying to get people to pay for it, plenty of "free" stolen things out their....

Edited July 9, 2015 by 2fishin2

[Chicog]

I'd delete both and reinstall from tvaddons.com as that will give you the latest Kodi version with everything preinstalled including your config wizard.

As far as fast forwarding goes it really depends on your internet connection and your setup. If you set up 0 config in the addons then your cache will not be limited which allows for more of the TV show or movie to be downloaded and you can fast forward much easier.

Never managed to get anything streaming through XBMC KoDi, TVMC worked right away.

Thanks for the site!

TVMC = KoDi with all the addons already configured and ready to play.

Not all of them, that's its weakness.

Great for the beginner who wants to try out Kodi though.

[roban]

Kodi/Xbmc is far away from (new) user friendly.

Initially it was designed for local, but not streaming content.

Until today, it is not even possible to paste/type a stream url somewhere and just play it!

Most streaming addons are clumsy and "remote unfriendly" and the reliability ist far away from good.

Many addons, like IPTV Simple, don't even support buffering/cacheing, so the chances are good, that your stream stalls or stutters.

Don't understand me wrong, I like Kodi and use it on a regular base, but it requires some deeper knowledge and interest in technical things.

Especially, when something don't work as expected..

I personally don't use many streaming addons, I usually stream only live TV (with own playlists, no addon).

For movies and series, I also prefer to dl them and copy them on my NAS/external HDD.

The files are than transferred via SMB/NFS to the Minix.

Ok that's a sort of streaming too, but independent from crappy I-Net connections

PS: If your only interested in playing local content, than copy it to an external HDD, connect it to the Minix and use MX Player.

Simple.

[2fishin2]

Downloading is illegal, thats why Kodi has not built in method of doing it. I watch movies and TV shows everyday without problems. I dont watch much live TV because with the time difference, its a waste of time anyways.

[roban]

Downloading is illegal, thats why Kodi has not built in method of doing it. I watch movies and TV shows everyday without problems. I dont watch much live TV because with the time difference, its a waste of time anyways.

Wrong.

Downloading pirated copies is illegal, but the same goes for streaming pirated material.

I would guess, that almost 90% (or more) of streamed content is illegal (except porn)

But I can perfectly dl shows, movies, sports etc. which were recorded by "Online PVR" services, like OTR or Save TV.

Even some German TV stations offer content for downloading.

Eventually, who cares about pirated copies in the "hub of copies" aka Thailand

However, there are also official streaming-player for Android devices, which have also a recording function for both, music (internet radio) and video content.

[MJKT2014]

I dont watch much live TV because with the time difference, its a waste of time anyways.

Thats where a play on demand service like Thai Expat TV or 365Sport comes in useful. Worth the money if you need it. Some people might not like the content tho.

[mike324]

Can anyone here recommend a andriod tv box or usb tv stick? I'm assuming the bigger box versions are more powerful with on board storage? Whats the difference between two? I would like to watch streaming videos online as well as stream / mirror from my laptop.

Can anything decent be bought for around 1,000 to 1,500 baht? I see that Amazon Fire Stick is around $40 and seems to do a lot of the stuff I would like. There are so many choices out there I don't know what to pick. Thanks

[roban]

Can anything decent be bought for around 1,000 to 1,500 baht?

A decent one, which just works?

No, not here.

But Aliexpress should offer devices in that price range.

But really decent ones, like Minix are ~5000 Baht, but worth the money.

Edited July 10, 2015 by roban

[mike324]

Can anything decent be bought for around 1,000 to 1,500 baht?

A decent one, which just works?

No, not here.

But Aliexpress should offer devices in that price range.

But really decent ones, like Minix are ~5000 Baht, but worth the money.

Can you explain why its worth the 5000 baht? faster? better graphics? Does it make such a impact since streaming online isn't good quality to begin with? Sorry I really have no clue when it comes to these andriod tv boxes / usb sticks yet. I'm only using the firestick as a reference since I saw one at a friends house.

[tezzaaa]

You could just buy a banana pi from China on ebay. I paid 30 quid for mine, installed android, kodi + more eg vpn, iplayer,tv from my home country etc...works like a charm..

The only drawback is at present one needs yo use ethernet but for me it's no probs

[MaeJoMTB]

Can anything decent be bought for around 1,000 to 1,500 baht?

A decent one, which just works?

No, not here.

But Aliexpress should offer devices in that price range.

But really decent ones, like Minix are ~5000 Baht, but worth the money.

Can you explain why its worth the 5000 baht? faster? better graphics? Does it make such a impact since streaming online isn't good quality to begin with? Sorry I really have no clue when it comes to these andriod tv boxes / usb sticks yet. I'm only using the firestick as a reference since I saw one at a friends house.

Nah, all much the same.

More about your internet connection, than the price of your box.

No need for an android box either, your android phone will work (buy the HDMI lead), or your PC (with the windows version of TVMC)

I run TVMC on a PC for my main TV, on a Minix for my bedroom TV, on my Samsung dual core tablet and my cheap phone.

They all work perfectly. Most of the pictures are excellent quality .... streaming not good quality, you really have no clue.

[roban]

Nah, all much the same.

More about your internet connection, than the price of your box.

No need for an android box either, your android phone will work (buy the HDMI lead), or your PC (with the windows version of TVMC)

I agree, for streaming, the most important factor is the quality of your Internet connection.

I owe some cheaper Android boxes (Tronsmart, Geniatech) and a Rikomagic(?) Android Stick.

The Rikomagic stick became always too hot and rebooted several times a day.

The Tronsmart's HDMI connector died within two months (wide spreaded problem) and the firmware had issues with Google Play services.

The Geniatech is just too slow.

Whereas the Minix has far superior build quality (compared to Tronsmart + Co.) and most important, great support from the manufacturer.

Frequent updates and good forum in case of problems.

And with 2 GB of RAM and a Quadcore 2Ghz CPU, Kodi runs as smooth as on my PC, but uses only a few watts of energy.

And not to forget Gigabit Ethernet, even a HEVC h.265 video can be streamed from the NAS without issues.

Try that with a phone over Wifi...(even Blu ray bitrate can be problematic)

Regarding an Android phone..yes it might work somehow for basic use cases, but:

Useable phones with HDMI are much more expensive than a box (most cheaper phones don't have HDMI)

No Ethernet

No fullsize USB (useful for mouse, keyboard, external hdd, cam, Tv-stick, etc)

No optical audio out

No remote

Nearly impossible to charge and use USB/HDMI at the same time.

No frequency switching between 23.97 and 25 Hz, so some videos might stutter (This goes for the cheaper Android boxes too)

I run TVMC on a PC for my main TV, on a Minix for my bedroom TV, on my Samsung dual core tablet and my cheap phone.

......

There are many possible ways, but the best solution nowadays, is a low energy, silent Android box, IMHO

It just works... 24/7..

Edited July 11, 2015 by roban

[jamestip2013]

Yes the posts are right . Androidboxes are a learning curve and can be frustrating to start with. They also are evolving and updating all the time . That means sometimes it takes a while as you have to use different gateways to get what you want.. ie Eurosport to get the tennis.. My anroid box failed as it kept turning OFF.. It could not be fixed even by a friend who has been building computers all his life. What he did was he worked out a way to install Kodi on my computer. and after many fustrations it works well.. So if you are extra savvy or know some one who is extra savvy you don't need an android box. I prefer to use 365 TV for all the sport channels, kodi for movies and British TV. 365 has a 5 day catch up on all sport. 600t a month casual or 500 month paid yearly... 6 sport channels and the catch up means you never miss anything. Whether it be android box or 365 streaming it requires a good internet connection . James

[mike324]

I guess I should look for a quality box. Are all android box able to mirror from the laptop via an app that is install on both devices? Any recommendation of app that is fast and most stable?

I did try downloading TVMC for PC to play with, there is a learning curve but you can find most answers online as the community is quite big.