Android TV boxes, worth it?

[tedmus]

BigsimonY said:

can i not just add the kobi xbmc down load to my Hudl 2 and watch the same content on my tv via hdmi cable?

I would think so yes.

[tedmus]

A900ss said:

Check your broadband provider as well.

Since moving to BT infinity, my box doesn't work anymore.

Something to do with "Smart Start" I think though don't quote me on it, just something I've seen elsewhere.

http://www.pcliverpool.co.uk/bt-home-hub-xbmc-kodi...

[A900ss]

tedmus said:

A900ss said:

Check your broadband provider as well.

Since moving to BT infinity, my box doesn't work anymore.

Something to do with "Smart Start" I think though don't quote me on it, just something I've seen elsewhere.

http://www.pcliverpool.co.uk/bt-home-hub-xbmc-kodi...

I'll give that a go, thanks.

[Justayellowbadge]

Discussion of kit is fine, please don't go into sources unless they are legitimately free to air or public domain.

Ta.

[MissChief]

Do

Justayellowbadge said:

Discussion of kit is fine, please don't go into sources unless they are legitimately free to air or public domain.

Ta.

Does anyone seriously believe people buy these boxes to watch BBC iPlayer or YouTube only?

[ZesPak]

MissChief said:

Does anyone seriously believe people buy these boxes to watch BBC iPlayer or YouTube only?

Does it matter? Does anyone believe you buy a Jaguar F-type to stick to the speed limit? Does that then mean we're going to start suggesting roads where you can seriously overspeed with little chance of being caught?

[MissChief]

ZesPak said:

MissChief said:

Does anyone seriously believe people buy these boxes to watch BBC iPlayer or YouTube only?

Does it matter? Does anyone believe you buy a Jaguar F-type to stick to the speed limit? Does that then mean we're going to start suggesting roads where you can seriously overspeed with little chance of being caught?

So you're implying that it's OK to gain access to something which is normally chargeable, for free because you don't like paying the prices Sky charge? Hmm, I don't like the fact I can't afford an F-Type. Can I steal one?

[ZesPak]

MissChief said:

So you're implying that it's OK to gain access to something which is normally chargeable, for free because you don't like paying the prices Sky charge? Hmm, I don't like the fact I can't afford an F-Type. Can I steal one?

Sorry, I think we're on the same line here. JAYB said not to point to illegal sources and you seemed to counter him. I was agreeing with him.

[Zoon]

Get a fire TV stick and install Kodi.

[littlebasher]

I bought a couple of these http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_124593.html

Were £22 delivered - okay, took a couple of weeks to arrive but can't fault them tbh

Fast, reliable and discrete....plug in a wireless mouse (or in my case one of these http://www.gearbest.com/mice-keyboards/pp_152936.h... and bobs your uncle

[J4CKO]

MissChief said:

Do

Justayellowbadge said:

Discussion of kit is fine, please don't go into sources unless they are legitimately free to air or public domain.

Ta.

Does anyone seriously believe people buy these boxes to watch BBC iPlayer or YouTube only?

I do !

Nothing nefarious, just have one in my garage and another in my man shed for music duties but getting some good suggestions as to how versatile they are....

[Forever Alone]

I've got one. Sports is iffy, always seems to stutter and be of low quality. It's okay for programs but latest movies are horrendous on mine. They've literally been filmed from a camcorder in the cinema.

If anyone could point me in the way of finding better quality, please PM me!

[djt100]

Try it first with a cheap box and see if you get on with it.
I've just bought one of these to do just that, plug it in, connect to wifi and your reasdy to go. So far very impressed. and all for £25. Whats not to like. My Skt sub in £60 a month!.

http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_193367.h...

[phil_cardiff]

Forever Alone said:

I've got one. Sports is iffy, always seems to stutter and be of low quality. It's okay for programs but latest movies are horrendous on mine. They've literally been filmed from a camcorder in the cinema.

If anyone could point me in the way of finding better quality, please PM me!

Are you wireless or wired? Going wired eliminated any buffering etc for me.

Have found very few good quality films that are in the cinema currently. Anything on blu-ray is out there in HD though.

[AmiableChimp]

Was having a poke around and found some TV series I used to watch as a kid.

I am not sure whether to revisit Manimal, Automan and Hardcastle & McCormick in case it ruins my rose-tinted memories of them

[dave_s13]

phil_cardiff said:

Have found very few good quality films that are in the cinema currently. Anything on blu-ray is out there in HD though.

This is the rule of thumb really. If it's out at the cinema any streamed or other source will be a cam rip, and be a load of carp. Only stuff already out on BD will be top quality.

I got an Amazon fire stick last week. Sideload TVMC and as a media streaming device it's really good. Only use it in the bedroom TV so not sure how well it delivers surround sound through an amp but should be ok.

There's also a good (an legit) TV app on it for watching live freesat content plus iPlayer, 4OD, demand 5.

The streaming services are shakey at best. Sky sports are very low def and not worth bothering with looks like there are standalone apps that could be better though.

On the whole though, for 35 quid, they are an excellent gadget for streaming media you already have stored somewhere.

Edited by dave_s13 on Friday 7th August 15:14

[phil_cardiff]

dave_s13 said:

phil_cardiff said:

Have found very few good quality films that are in the cinema currently. Anything on blu-ray is out there in HD though.

This is the rule of thumb really. If it's out at the cinema any streamed or other source will be a cam rip, and be a load of carp. Only stuff already out on BD will be top quality.

I got an Amazon fire stick last week. Sideload TVMC and as a media streaming device it's really good. Only use it in the bedroom TV so not sure how well it delivers surround sound through an amp but should be ok.

There's also a good (an legit) TV app on it for watching live freesat content plus iPlayert

The streaming services are shakey at best. Sky sports are very low def and not worth bothering with looks like there are standalone apps that could be better though.

On the whole though, for 35 quid, they are an excellent gadget for streaming media you already have stored somewhere.

My experience differs slightly. I have the latest Mad Max film in HD available and the streams of sports are SD but ok.

[dave_s13]

It' not an absolute rule.

I think that some films are released as screeners for awards judgement purposes and they get leaked onto the net as whilst the film is still playing at the cinema.

[IIIRestorerIII]

AmiableChimp said:

Was having a poke around and found some TV series I used to watch as a kid.

I am not sure whether to revisit Manimal, Automan and Hardcastle & McCormick in case it ruins my rose-tinted memories of them

I had the same when I saw a re-run of Button Moon on an ITV Special weekend a couple of years back. It all seemed so real as a kid!

Back on topic Amazon are doing the Fire box with £20 off today. I have the stick and use it more than the Sky box now!

[jjr1]

I got rid of my Apple TV2 with Kodi and upgraded to a Matricom this week and the difference is night and day.

Video is now playing instantly and with no buffering.

I can also highly recommend the Zeus addon for Kodi. Picture quality is fantastic !