Android TV boxes
 

Has anyone used them?

Which Android boxes are the best and what do you have to look for when you are shopping for one?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I've heard this one is pretty good.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Most of what's in this thread will be relevant still

http://britishexpats.com/forum/maple...art-tv-846729/

Still use mine, also still have Rogers too, a reduced package, I like the PvR and footy in HD

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I have a custom built one, I called Telus to shut my cable down and even though i would have to pay $10 for every month i had left i still said shut it down so they offered me reduced package incl PVR at $5 per month.
Love my Raspberry Pi with Kodi on it & i still have Telus Video on demand and a smaller channel package with 50gbp internet.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Yeah this one seems to have very good reviews. Do you know if it comes 'programmed' if you buy it online?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I basically use local app to watch TV using my Android device "JagoBD"

Re: Android TV boxes
 

One thing ive found with any of these TV boxes is that even if WI Fi capable they really need to be hard wired to the internet. I tried the Wi Fi option and it was always buffering so i called Telus and hand a phone/Internet socket installed next to my TV and it works great. Couple of friends tried the Wi Fi option to connect it and they had the same issue, constantly buffering because the Wi Fi isnt fast enough, even mine at 50 gb isnt fast enough from a router in the next room.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

That I don't know, sorry.

There's a pretty good review of different boxes here that might be of use (generally) to get an idea of what each is capable of.

The Best Fully Loaded Kodi / XBMC Streaming Media Boxes

There's even a forum on how to utilise Kodi (which that one comes loaded with already). http://forum.kodi.tv/

:)

Re: Android TV boxes
 

If you have a laptop just download Kodi onto it and plug into telly with HDMI cable. You wont need an Android box.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I use Ethernet now, it works much better than wifi

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Not sure that Kodi gives anything that normal internet doesn't - but I'm open to persuasion.

However, TV with HDMI input is our first issue. None of our three has them. Currently, any 'need' to watch on TV screen is done by thumb drive via the PS3.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

It puts every thing in once for a start especially when you get the library feature working. HD live 3pm football for a start every week. I'd be lost without it. It does seem mind boggling at first but it is quite easy when you get your head round it.

I also have an Android box but don't use it as much now cos my old laptop with Kodi works much better.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Not sure what you mean by that.
Last week, for example, there were midweek matches starting at 3.45 UK time and 4.00. Saturday's are usually fixed times but Sunday's often vary.

Today I sat down for Sunderland v Arsenal assuming the usual 1.30uk time, cursed at Sportsnet for changing to Baseball and then discovered it was 2.05 KO. :rofl:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Yeah I considered that option too but the problem is that if the laptop is in use for something else then you cant watch TV through it. And it looks like the Android boxes don't cost a lot of money if you buy online so I'd rather get something that is dedicated for the purpose. The only potential issue is that if setting it up needs any technical DIY work then I will be stuck cuz my knowledge of such things is extremely minimal :lol:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

As far as set up is concerned it's plug n play

When u start up its just a case of trial and error. If it freezes just unplug and plug in again while the kettle boils and your good to go again.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I've been using Kodi on a laptop for a while. I have the laptop sitting on a coffee table connected with a 6 ft HDMI cable. It looks a bit messy. I'd prefer to have a dedicated Kodi box that I could use with a remote. I'll use the laptop for now though. With an android box is it possible to upgrade Kodi? How does it work with a remote? If I had enough time I'd get a raspberry pi and set it up.

I added the vdeo add-ons and go to filmontv and watch live UK TV from there. The trouble is I usually watch it in the evening's here but it's early hours in the UK and there's not a lot of prime time stuff at that time. I think you need an account with FilmOn to record shows. Has anyone done this?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I record and view Filmon on my Windows computers ranging from XP to Windows 10.
The Filmon Player retains my favourite channels without having an account, never buffers and no adverts.
It also includes a recorder/scheduler for recording on the hard drive for up to 4 hours.
It can be hard to find the player to download on Filmon's website. If you go to FILMON TV FREE LIVE TV MOVIES AND SOCIAL TELEVISION Have a look at the page and if you click the rectangle (which has two green tick marks, Apple, Windows, Android etc icons) you will find the viewer's downloadable file to install the player. In the Windows version the recordings are saved as .ts files and will playback in the viewer. Note in this free version it's SD not HD.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Yes my Kodi is the Jarvis version. Why dont you download BBC iplayer, ITV? I think you need to get a decent VPN/DnS. I use Unotelly which works with everything.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

PMed u.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Thanks. That works pretty well. Do you think it's worth paying for the HD version?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I use Filmon all the time here. Due to the time difference to UK I pay about £6.50 a month for which I get 11 hours of recording. I have my favourite channels set and just tick which programmes i want to record. Once recorded and downloaded then delete the programme from your Filmon menu and the time is available to use again. A quirk of Filmon is that although the free streaming is SD, downloaded recordings are in HD. Cannot recommend it highly enough, especially as a lot of the stuff we like to watch has small audiences and so never makes it onto the torrents.
I did stream the London Marathon yesterday 'cos the timing was good. Watched over 3 hours worth with no buffering at all.:thumbup:
As I stream so little, I would not pay for the HD stream , the odd one I do stream is OK in SD for me.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Just to add. The BBC 10 o'clock news is on at 5.00am here - middle of the night for me, but I record it and watch it whilst having breakfast.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Doesn't that mean leaving your computer open all night?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

No, I set up my recordings then shut down. My programmes are held on the Filmon servers so next morning, just log onto Filmon and download those shown as recorded. Simples!:rofl:
Oh, and so long as i pay my monthly dues, Filmon will keep them as long as i want. In practice the longest I kept a programme was a week when I was on holiday and had no internet access. just downloaded when I got home.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Ah, gottit. Thanks. :thumbup:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

If watch through the BBC iplayer on their website you can watch with HD, in fact any of their programmes. Download Hola to watch from Canada.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

You've not had any of the "issues" everyone and their dog has been warning about regarding Hola?

Re: Android TV boxes
 

What is minimum Internet speed requirement for streaming without lag/buffer

Re: Android TV boxes
 

We struggled when we had Telus at 12 Mbs (or whatever the units are - now Shaw- around 110Mbs

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I imagine 110Mbps will be quite expensive.
I will test 12Mbps and increase from there until I find sweet spot

Re: Android TV boxes
 

seriously, is it actually 110mbps?

Have you done the 'ookla speed check' at different times of the day to see what you are actually getting ?

I have BELL fibre to the home which is 25mbps, no issues

Re: Android TV boxes
 

We were paying about $200 for the satellite /internet package then ditched Telus and pay $90 for the Internet with Shaw so money saved :thumbup:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

We have 300 mbps, I think it's about $100 but they send work the bill.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Oink... I hate you! ;)
Not sure why don't is tiny but I'm drinking so I don't care:lol:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

don't? don't is tiny? :confused:

What on earth was the pre-edited version like? :rofl:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

:lol: Font
And that was the problem, it was teeny weeny in the preview. So small I didn't correct it. It could have been the alcohol though:unsure:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

Wouldn't that have made the font appear twice rather than small? :lol:

Re: Android TV boxes
 

The costs aren't especially onerous where I live. Tack on 13% HST of course.

Re: Android TV boxes
 

I had Telus 100mbps but dropped it to 50mbps which is plenty fast enough to stream. When i have buffering issues its the feed im streaming from, i just choose a different one and away it goes. Normally only an issue with older movies/TV shows.

Oh poop i forgot to watch game of thrones last night lol

Re: Android TV boxes
 

But keep in mind that with TekSavvy you have to pay for the installation as well as buy your own router from the very limited selection of routers they have as their system does not support a lot of good priced routers available in the market.