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Child Item

Recommend an Android Box that runs XBMC - [No copyrighted material]

iba

Guys/Girls,

Would be graetful for recommendations for an Android box that runs XBMC.

Would be grateful to know things like which firmware is best, which processor i.e. quad core or dual core

Any other info. that you boardies think is imporatnt would also be appreciated.

Regards

Iba

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Blade

Moyglish wrote: »

Did I do OK guys?

Did you read the reviews? Some suggesting it's not a genuine MX2 and that it's slow or locking up, others saying it didn't come pre-loaded with xbmc (not really a problem). Guess you'll only know when you use it for a while!

Moyglish

Thanks for all help guys, really appreciate all the feedback!

Right, so I've went ahead and ordered one of these - MX2 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean XBMC Streaming Box. Dual Core A9, Dual Mali-400

I hope I've made the right choice anyhow!

For the price it seemed like a no-brainer - £46.72

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Android-Jelly-Bean-Streaming-Mali-400/dp/B00CZC8BOS/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1402337303&sr=8-2&keywords=mx2+android+xbmc

Looks like it already has XMBC installed, and as it's being fulfilled by Amazon if there's any problems, I should be OK with regards to returns etc..

Only thing that's bugging me though is that it says it's an MX2 but it looks like a MX?

Did I do OK guys?

michael999999

Blade wrote: »

Allyall is your man for that Let us know how you get on with it after the updated ROM, how it handles HD etc.

HD is fine straight out of the box on the standard ROM.

rayfitzharris

Check out the ouya, comes with xbmc in its store. Or you can easily install the latest build direct from its browser.

Plays everything I've thrown at it. Dts passthrough is a bit hit and miss. But it can easily do the decoding and send the audio as multichannel to the amp. Works great.

It's remote is a bit crap but you can use any bluetooth remote, ps3 Xbox etc..

And it runs the xbmc ui buttery smooth

Blade

michael999999 wrote: »

Do you know of a good ROM I could add?

Allyall is your man for that

Let us know how you get on with it after the updated ROM, how it handles HD etc.

michael999999

Blade wrote: »

There's not much specs mentioned on that site except that it's a dual core, so probably an old model and well overpriced at that. For a similar price of 155 you can get the new Minix X8-H with remote here in Ireland (www.smarttvbox.ie) or around 130 from the UK. As Allyall mentioned above, you could probably get the MX2 from China for around 35 Euro (+maybe VAT) but it would require a new ROM to make it a solid little machine which should do the job fine.

I'm gettint the MX2 and airmouse for 70 delivered from China Inc vat. No xbmc add ons out of the box though. I added all them myself.

Do you know of a good ROM I could add?

Customs seem to catch them every time now.

Blade

Moyglish wrote: »

From what I've been reading I think I've narrowed it down to two boxes.

Either the MX2 or the Minix X8-H

I've been looking at these also - http://dreamboxxbmcireland.com/products/ - can anyone recommend or give feedback?

There's not much specs mentioned on that site except that it's a dual core, so probably an old model and well overpriced at that. For a similar price of 155 you can get the new Minix X8-H with remote here in Ireland (www.smarttvbox.ie) or around 130 from the UK. As Allyall mentioned above, you could probably get the MX2 from China for around 35 Euro (+maybe VAT) but it would require a new ROM to make it a solid little machine which should do the job fine.

bazzz

Moyglish wrote: »

Thanks iba, I just might do that!

I'm sure I'll be fine using XMBC, it looks grand, very straight forward.

It's just the actual installing it onto a box that worries me - I've never even rooted a phone before and I'd be afraid of bricking it.

I might as well just pay the extra and get one from an Irish seller so and potentially save myself a lot of hassle.

What would you recommend between the MX2 or the Minix X8-H or a M8 MX?

I'm eager to pull the trigger and order one this evening :pac:

The Minix X8-H comes with the Gotham version of Minix XBMC which is tweaked to run well on the Minix devices.But it's very easy to install whatever version of XBMC you want/suits you.Lots of the sellers will install a few third party Addons before they ship it to you.

iba

Moyglish wrote: »

Thanks iba, I just might do that!

I'm sure I'll be fine using XMBC, it looks grand, very straight forward.

It's just the actual installing it onto a box that worries me - I've never even rooted a phone before and I'd be afraid of bricking it.

I might as well just pay the extra and get one from an Irish seller so and potentially save myself a lot of hassle.

What would you recommend between the MX2 or the Minix X8-H or a M8 MX?

I'm eager to pull the trigger and order one this evening :pac:

I don't know about those boxes. I have an MK908II which I bought from geekbuying.com

And installing XBMC on it is so easy - it is just like using an Android phone and downloading apps from the store.

timetogo

Got my X7 from Amazon. It had XBMC installed as standard. I think it's part of the build. The XBMC is labelled Minix XBMC.

daytob

check amazon before you order from irish sellers, some come preloaded with xmbc installed and could be for a fraction of the cost

see here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Android-Jelly-Bean-Streaming-Mali-400/dp/B00CZC8BOS/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1402338654&sr=8-13&keywords=android

Moyglish

Thanks iba, I just might do that!

I'm sure I'll be fine using XMBC, it looks grand, very straight forward.

It's just the actual installing it onto a box that worries me - I've never even rooted a phone before and I'd be afraid of bricking it.

I might as well just pay the extra and get one from an Irish seller so and potentially save myself a lot of hassle.

What would you recommend between the MX2 or the Minix X8-H or a M8 MX?

I'm eager to pull the trigger and order one this evening :pac:

iba

Moyglish wrote: »

Right guys, if you had to choose between the MX2 or the Minix X8-H or a M8 MX (someone recommended this and said they're better than the MX2?) which would you go for and why?

Would I be better getting them from an Irish seller that has them pre-loaded so there's no messing about?

Or if I was to go get one from eBay/China do they require much work to get them up and running, like does XMBC come pre-installed on them?

I wouldn't mind saving a few pound but if it's going to create hours of hassle downloading files and spending nights trawling through forums then maybe I'd be better off just spending it bit more and having it done for me.

Installing XBMC is very easy.

Perhaps you might find it benificial to install it on your PC or Laptop to get a feel for it.

griffdaddy

timetogo wrote: »

You can plug proper hard drives into the android boxes. The one I have also works with Logitech cameras.
Regarding its speed, my box boots faster than my Windows PC. As for playing video it plays that at exactly the same speed as the PC.

Have you seen them in action? I've no problem using a PC where it's needed. My android box has replaced my PC under the TV and I haven't missed the PC at all. (I do have a normal PC for work though, it'd be a totally different situation if that was my only PC).

Yeah I've had the MK808 in the past and use a K-R42 at the moment so I'm well familiar with them. For just playing local video they work okay, when I want to do something serious like stream a match though I just plug the laptop in via HDMI. It just handles AceStream and Sopcast way better as well as 1080p streaming from XBMC etc. There's no issues with outputting 5.1 or anything on the laptop either, but I have plenty of problems trying to get DTS to pass through on the Android boxes. Don't get me wrong, I love my Android box, but I wouldn't be dropping €150 on one when I could almost get a proper (smallform) pc for the same price with better storage, reliability etc.

Moyglish

Right guys, if you had to choose between the MX2 or the Minix X8-H or a M8 MX (someone recommended this and said they're better than the MX2?) which would you go for and why?

Would I be better getting them from an Irish seller that has them pre-loaded so there's no messing about?

Or if I was to go get one from eBay/China do they require much work to get them up and running, like does XMBC come pre-installed on them?

I wouldn't mind saving a few pound but if it's going to create hours of hassle downloading files and spending nights trawling through forums then maybe I'd be better off just spending it bit more and having it done for me.

Moyglish

zerks wrote: »

I have one of those MX2 boxes,they are childs play to root & mine cost less than half what's being charged in that link you posted.They are great to mess around with & installing what you want.Youtube is great for how-to videos plus I owe a massive thanks to Allyall from this thread who gave me loads of advice & links.

Thanks for that Zerks!

So they do require rooting then? They don't come with XMBC pre-installed do they? I'll definitely check out some YouTube vids anhow.

griffdaddy wrote: »

If you're getting into €150 territory you should probably start looking at dedicated windows nettop pcs. They'll do a lot more things a lot more reliably and save you a lot of faffing about with roms and custom xbmc builds.

Griffdaddy, I'm not exactly looking to spend €150, just those two boxes I mentioned cost that from Irish sellers I was looking at. If I can spend less, then all the better!

I'm sure a dedicated PC would be a better job, but to be honest, I just want something handy I can plug into the TV and off you go, thanks for the advice though, appreciate it

timetogo

griffdaddy wrote: »

Basically it'll do everything the Android box can but just much better. You could plug in proper portable hard drives etc. at the back without needing externally powered usb hubs and so on. Everything would be much faster as well and there'd be no driver issues with webcams or anything.

You can plug proper hard drives into the android boxes. The one I have also works with Logitech cameras.
Regarding its speed, my box boots faster than my Windows PC. As for playing video it plays that at exactly the same speed as the PC.

Have you seen them in action? I've no problem using a PC where it's needed. My android box has replaced my PC under the TV and I haven't missed the PC at all. (I do have a normal PC for work though, it'd be a totally different situation if that was my only PC).

timetogo

griffdaddy wrote: »

If you're getting into €150 territory you should probably start looking at dedicated windows nettop pcs. They'll do a lot more things a lot more reliably and save you a lot of faffing about with roms and custom xbmc builds.

I used to have a nettop PC. On PC I had was Atom based (cost about €220 without Windows, maybe they're cheaper now) and didn't play video as well as the Minix X7 I have now. The Minix cost me €120.

Earlier this year I replaced the Atom with a proper PC but the cost of that (if I was paying for it) would have been about €350. It did do more but 99% of what I used it (watching video) for the Minix does now.

You may need an external HDD on an Android box if you're not streaming everything from the internet, so that does bump the cost up a bit.

You can faff around with ROMs and special XBMC builds or you can use the build that comes out of the box. The entire messing about that I've done with the Minix is to set it up for my WiFi connection. There's a little bit of config on XBMC to make it talk to your phone but that config is identical on a Windows / Linux PC.

Then there's the cost of running it. I typed the power consumption into ElectricIrelands website.
If the device is running 24X7 (mine is) then it's €7.62 per year in electricity.
If your HTPC is running 24X7 and uses 30W then it's €45.72 per year.

But then again I suppose a PC should last 3 or 4 years easily enough. I don't know how long the Minix will last for. I suppose if video formats never change then it should last for years.

griffdaddy

BenThere wrote: »

I'd actually be interested in something like that as a project. Something like the Acer Revo RL80-UR22 which is circa €300 from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Nettop-1-5GHz-Integrated-Graphics/dp/B00HNQWTR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402324290&sr=8-1&keywords=Acer+Revo+RL80-UR22

Apart from running MS Office type apps etc what can a HTPC like this do in relation to streaming online and local content that a good Android box can't?

Ben

One of those came up on eBuyer for about €150 delivered just before Christmas. It had all components preinstalled except with no OS. I tried everything under the sun to get them to deliver, including Parcel Motel etc. They just wouldn't deliver to Ireland or Northern Ireland for me.

Basically it'll do everything the Android box can but just much better. You could plug in proper portable hard drives etc. at the back without needing externally powered usb hubs and so on. Everything would be much faster as well and there'd be no driver issues with webcams or anything.

BenEadir

griffdaddy wrote: »

If you're getting into €150 territory you should probably start looking at dedicated windows nettop pcs.

I'd actually be interested in something like that as a project. Something like the Acer Revo RL80-UR22 which is circa €300 from http://www.amazon.co.uk/Acer-Nettop-1-5GHz-Integrated-Graphics/dp/B00HNQWTR6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402324290&sr=8-1&keywords=Acer+Revo+RL80-UR22

Apart from running MS Office type apps etc what can a HTPC like this do in relation to streaming online and local content that a good Android box can't?

Ben

griffdaddy

If you're getting into €150 territory you should probably start looking at dedicated windows nettop pcs. They'll do a lot more things a lot more reliably and save you a lot of faffing about with roms and custom xbmc builds.

Cantona's Collars

Moyglish wrote: »

Hi guys,

I'm a total n00b when it comes to Android smart TV boxes, so please excuse the questions and my ignorance!

I think I'm ready to take the plunge and get a box!

From what I've been reading I think I've narrowed it down to two boxes.

Either the MX2 or the Minix X8-H

From what I gather the Minix is a quad core and the MX2 is a dual core? I would have thought that the quad-core would automatically be better, however I've been reading some stuff that a dual core is best for streaming movies etc.. whereas the quad core is more suited to gaming?

I just want a fairly straight forward box that would be able to play most files, AVI, DIVX, MK4 etc.. along with streaming good quality HD content.

There's a few Irish sellers selling these boxes for around €150, however I could probably get the box from the UK or China for a bit cheaper, would it be worth paying a bit extra to get the box from an Irish seller whereby XBMC is pre-installed etc?

I'm not a total technophobe but I wouldn't relish the thought at having to root or mod the device and spend hours looking up online how to do so, plus with the added fear of bricking the device itself..

What would be the best option whereby I can get something that's essentially ready to go out of the box, plug and play so to speak?

I'd like to get one for my parents and a few for friends and family - does it take much effort to get the RTE player and the likes of TV3 and TG4 etc.. up on these?

I've been looking at these also - http://dreamboxxbmcireland.com/products/ - can anyone recommend or give feedback?

Sorry again for all the questions, new to all of this and I just want to make sure I make the right purchase and get something stable that doesn't crash and updates automatically so the less fiddling I have to do with it, the better!

I've read all the posts on this thread thus far - very helpful! Still trying to decide between the MX2 and the Minix X8-H or if anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears!

Thanks everyone.

I have one of those MX2 boxes,they are childs play to root & mine cost less than half what's being charged in that link you posted.They are great to mess around with & installing what you want.Youtube is great for how-to videos plus I owe a massive thanks to Allyall from this thread who gave me loads of advice & links.

Moyglish

Hi guys,

I'm a total n00b when it comes to Android smart TV boxes, so please excuse the questions and my ignorance!

I think I'm ready to take the plunge and get a box!

From what I've been reading I think I've narrowed it down to two boxes.

Either the MX2 or the Minix X8-H

From what I gather the Minix is a quad core and the MX2 is a dual core? I would have thought that the quad-core would automatically be better, however I've been reading some stuff that a dual core is best for streaming movies etc.. whereas the quad core is more suited to gaming?

I just want a fairly straight forward box that would be able to play most files, AVI, DIVX, MK4 etc.. along with streaming good quality HD content.

There's a few Irish sellers selling these boxes for around €150, however I could probably get the box from the UK or China for a bit cheaper, would it be worth paying a bit extra to get the box from an Irish seller whereby XBMC is pre-installed etc?

I'm not a total technophobe but I wouldn't relish the thought at having to root or mod the device and spend hours looking up online how to do so, plus with the added fear of bricking the device itself..

What would be the best option whereby I can get something that's essentially ready to go out of the box, plug and play so to speak?

I'd like to get one for my parents and a few for friends and family - does it take much effort to get the RTE player and the likes of TV3 and TG4 etc.. up on these?

I've been looking at these also - http://dreamboxxbmcireland.com/products/ - can anyone recommend or give feedback?

Sorry again for all the questions, new to all of this and I just want to make sure I make the right purchase and get something stable that doesn't crash and updates automatically so the less fiddling I have to do with it, the better!

I've read all the posts on this thread thus far - very helpful! Still trying to decide between the MX2 and the Minix X8-H or if anyone has any other suggestions, I'm all ears!

Thanks everyone.

kriters8

Nowadays, the MINIX has released the latest x8-h,I think it is the best device for tv.

johnnykilo

I've been doing a good bit of research on these boxes, I think I'm finally going to take the plunge and buy one this week in time for the World Cup.

I know everyone has their own opinion but is the general consensus that the Minix Neo's are the best box? Is the X5 is better for TV, while the X7 is better for gaming (I'll only be using this as a TV box). Are there newer versions of the X5, there seems to be a good bit of a difference in price on Adverts.ie, ranging from €90 - €140, I think it may be due to some of the dearer ones including an air mouse but I just want to confirm that there aren't multiple Neo X5 versions. Thanks in advance!

michael999999

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

mx2 is that the best budget box?

what does "20 pieces / lot" mean?

Get an air mouse with it, there a brilliant piece of gear!

I got my MX box and airmouse for about 70 delivered Inc customs and an post charges.

Allyall

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

mx2 is that the best budget box?

what does "20 pieces / lot" mean?

If they sell for €30 - 20 pieces / lot = You can only buy 20 pieces from that particular link @ €30 per box - Lot Price = €600. Usually if you go to that link owners store, they sell them individually for ~ €5 more than the lot price per box.

Hard to say what is the "Best" box even at a low price, so many have the same guts etc.. But with a good ROM, and for that price, it gets my vote.

tomdempsey200

mx2 is that the best budget box?

what does "20 pieces / lot" mean?

Allyall

tomdempsey200 wrote: »

do you have a link for that allyall

Scroll down a bit
Also on TaoBao and other sites.

tomdempsey200

Allyall wrote: »

For < €36 delivered.

do you have a link for that allyall