Android TV box - connectivity and remote control

[clockworks]

I'm thinking about getting an Android 4k TV box to run Kodi, but I'm unsure about integrating it into my current setup.
I have a Samsung 4k TV, Denon AV receiver and Quad 5.1 speakers, all controlled by a Harmony Smart Control remote - the model with the IR blaster hub and small remote handset.
I don't think my receiver will pass 4k via HDMI, so the video will go straight to the TV, and the audio to the receiver via optical.

I was looking at the Amazon Fire TV box, but the latest 4k version doesn't have an optical output or an infrared remote. Is there a 4k Android box out there that can do optical audio out and IR control?

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

My setup is as follows...
Youview, FireTV stick, Playstation, Apple TV all connect to the TV via HDMI. I then link the amp/surround system to the TV via an HDMI cable for audio passthrough - DTS/5.1 works fine from all the devices. Effectively the TV becomes the media hub. Not sure if this helps? Enabling control over HDMI means the TV remote works with the amp and FireTV stick etc.

However...if you're hoping to view 4k or get DTS via an addon from Kodi you might be disappointed. You'll get 1080p OK, but a 2.0 soundtrack...very few streams are 5.1 and I've never seen a (reliable) 4K stream.

[Eversleigh]

I run a Fire TV through Samsung UE65KU6000 65" which is then into Sonos through and optical. Runs Kodi and 4K Amazon prime perfectly would recommend apart from using it via a Harmony remote, doesn't always turn on the Fire TV correctly however does connect via bluetooth so no IR required.

Edited by Eversleigh on Wednesday 18th January 10:16

[Tuvra]

Dr Doofenshmirtz said:

However...if you're hoping to view 4k or get DTS via an addon from Kodi you might be disappointed. You'll get 1080p OK, but a 2.0 soundtrack...very few streams are 5.1 and I've never seen a (reliable) 4K stream.

That was my thought's, I think we are a long way off having reliable 4k feeds with 5.1 on Kodi.

[clockworks]

I didn't think of using the TV optical out to route the audio. A bit of an oversight on my part, as I currently do this when I'm using the TV's smart features to watch Netflix. I wonder if my TV is capable of passing 5.1 from an HDMI input to the optical output? I can test that with my BT Youview box.

Does the Harmony Smart Control hub control bluetooth devices? I didn't know that either.

If both of the above work OK, that will make things a lot easier - just need to find a decent box with bluetooth. I'm sure I've read somewhere that the latest Amazon Fire TV has dropped bluetooth remote in favour of wifi control.

Point taken about there not being much 4k content out there yet. Maybe I would be better off going for the cheaper Fire Stick or similar for now, looking at 4k again in the future. I assume that the current Fire Stick still uses bluetooth?

[clockworks]

A bit of googling, and I found a setup guide to pair the Harmony Smart Hub to a Fire TV, so that should work OK. The 4k Fire TV does indeed come with a wifi remote, rather than bluetooth like the previous model, but it still has bluetooth on board, and works with the Harmony Hub.

The thing that puts me off using the cheaper Fire Stick is the lack of an ethernet port. I prefer the reliability of using a cable where possible.

[Dr Doofenshmirtz]

I prefer the Fire TV stick because they're just easier to use - and it keeps the wife happy cos she can use it!
You get everything in one neat little package. Sideloading Android apps is easy etc.
You can easily pair other bluetooth controllers to it if you want. But if you've got a decent TV chances are the standard TV remote will control the FireTV stick over HDMI as well - mine does.

[Eversleigh]

I run both the stick and the box, for a setup the box is better. The stick is great and pretty handy if you want to switch it around other locations. They are both good value for money in my opinion.

[Tuvra]

Eversleigh said:

I run both the stick and the box, for a setup the box is better. The stick is great and pretty handy if you want to switch it around other locations. They are both good value for money in my opinion.

I was a strong supporter of the Fire Stick until recently, mine has over heating issues regular now. I have stripped it down and removed all the foam blocks from inside the device but this hasn't sorted the issue. It still overheats and shuts down occasionally

Mine is purely for running Exodus and Sports Mania so haven't taken the plunge to replace it yet. The fact that it works so nicely and feels a much more "legitimate" piece of hardware compared to something like an M8S means If I was to replace it, it would probably be for the 4k Fire TV Box. Wish I'd taken the plunge when it was £49.99 on black Friday now

[AJB88]

Run a FireTV box and Firestick, prefer the box.

[clockworks]

AJB88 said:

Run a FireTV box and Firestick, prefer the box.

What makes the box better for you please?

[Eversleigh]

clockworks said:

AJB88 said:

Run a FireTV box and Firestick, prefer the box.

What makes the box better for you please?

For me was the ethernet port, expandable storage and 4K streaming.

[clockworks]

Thanks, those would swing it for me too

[AJB88]

Yeh all that plus Amazon has updated the GUI for the Firebox but not the Firestick.

[Mark300zx]

If anyone is interested the Nvidia Shield is on offer in Game stores for £99.