I want another player - for Kodi and occasional simple games.
I have the FTV and although I'm happy with the performance, I don't like the inability to root (inc. custom recovery etc) and to use external storage.
Any alternative suggestion at a nearby price? Or is FTV the only way to go at that price mark?
Id wait now, unless you're desperate.
There may be some android tv boxes coming out soon which may be better than the fire tv or amazon might have a sale.
Amazon might cut a tenner out of the price of FTV, but I really want to have the ability to root and not to be afraid that my box will one day be locked forever.
The minix X8 looks tempting
papars said:
Amazon might cut a tenner out of the price of FTV, but I really want to have the ability to root and not to be afraid that my box will one day be locked forever.
The minix X8 looks tempting
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Click to collapse
do this. search on ebay for new sealed firetv's. ask the sellers to send you the serial number. Pick up a rooted one. Once rooted you are golden. I essentially got an extra rooted new one in my bunker for future use or I may hook it up in the bedroom in future. I'm glad I picked up an extra rooted one when I could.
The biggest thing you will loose when getting out of an architecture from amazon is the native apps like Netflix, bbc etc. I would stick with amazon ftv and find a rooted one. I'm sure if you look hard you will find yourself a rooted one If you disable the updates you should be fine.
Your suggestion is valid but I'm in europe and not really in need for netflix.
The price for sealed older FTVs seems somewhat high and by reading articles I see that even the SN wont warranty a rootable box.
In the meantime I will try to h/w root my box and see what comes out of this.
I recently shelfed my Fire Tv for the same reason. I have to many streaming boxes kind of a habit of mine (Fire Tv, Google Adt1, Ouya, Madcatz Mojo, Tronsmart Draco). Fire Tv still has the best commercial content but the hardware is getting outdated for games and the OS is way to restrictive. AndroidTV devices are still open to root and side loading but the commercial content is lacking has a great interface. On the opposite end is the Mojo and Draco with raw Android out of the box. They allow root without risk to warranty. I have gone with the Draco for now as it is very fast, Antutu test out at almost 60,000 with Power VR graphics. Madcatz has great quality and controller.
There are allot of consoles coming in the next few months, Razer Forge, Snail Games Obox, Nvidia Shied, Roku 4, Apple TV, others. You will be able to take your pick. My opinion for what its worth
Pure xbmc, get a rasp pi 2. Fast, cheap and simple with openelec And no amazon os to deal with. My living room fire tv has been relegated to the drawer since getting one.
I have raspberry pi first gen. It works ok and decoding is great but is sloooooow as death.
I've replaced it with AFT and I don't want to go back.
pi 2 could be faster but the cost of getting it operational (case, psu, remote etc) is near the cost of a commercial box. I will check out the options listed in above posts.
papars said:
I have raspberry pi first gen. It works ok and decoding is great but is sloooooow as death.
I've replaced it with AFT and I don't want to go back.
pi 2 could be faster but the cost of getting it operational (case, psu, remote etc) is near the cost of a commercial box. I will check out the options listed in above posts.
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Click to collapse
i've moved my fire TV to a bedroom and have been running 2 s802 m8n china boxes and if you dont care about android and games.. openelec is flawless on it for me, full CEC control, refresh rate changing, etc etc.. best 75$ i've spent so far.. after using these for a while you really notice how much better openelec runs than kodi on android.
nhumber said:
i've moved my fire TV to a bedroom and have been running 2 s802 m8n china boxes and if you dont care about android and games.. openelec is flawless on it for me, full CEC control, refresh rate changing, etc etc.. best 75$ i've spent so far.. after using these for a while you really notice how much better openelec runs than kodi on android.
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Click to collapse
Openelec is an operating system which runs the XBMC/Kodi program the same way that Android is an operating system that runs XBMC/Kodi. The only difference is that Openelec is a minimal operating system that uses just enough to run XBMC/Kodi, while Android is a full operating system able to run several programs. A couple years ago when XBMC came to Android it sucked and I quit using it after about a week, but it has came along way since and my Openelec system running Kodi cannot compare to my Fire TV running Kodi.
papars said:
I have raspberry pi first gen. It works ok and decoding is great but is sloooooow as death.
I've replaced it with AFT and I don't want to go back.
pi 2 could be faster but the cost of getting it operational (case, psu, remote etc) is near the cost of a commercial box. I will check out the options listed in above posts.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have to chime in here. With some smart shopping ill bet you could get all you need for 60 or less. My rpi is still the most consistent , reliable kodi device but like you, i thought it was too slow (even running off usb 3.0)
But ive heard good things about rpi 2 just running it on a class 4 sd card. My advice--dont use a case, its not needed unless theres reason to think itll get damaged. My tv remote works fine with it and this might not matter cuz if you have b+ you should have a lot of the stuff u want or need. I heard you might want to upgrade the power supply. I bought one for the b+ that worked great for 8 bucks on ebay. If i didnt care about netflix thatd be the way imight go. Of course that could change in the upcoming months.
porkenhimer said:
Openelec is an operating system which runs the XBMC/Kodi program the same way that Android is an operating system that runs XBMC/Kodi. The only difference is that Openelec is a minimal operating system that uses just enough to run XBMC/Kodi, while Android is a full operating system able to run several programs. A couple years ago when XBMC came to Android it sucked and I quit using it after about a week, but it has came along way since and my Openelec system running Kodi cannot compare to my Fire TV running Kodi.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
thanks, im aware of the setups, had a firetv since day one.. had fedora installed on it at one point even, what im saying is that Kodi for linux (openelec in my case) is much more stable than kodi for android or maybe its just linux stability vs android stability.. i dunno. but you dont get hangs or freezes like you can sometimes get with the android boxes, i also said the main things that are better with openelec than with kodi on the fireTV are fulling working CEC control, refresh rate changing since im kind of an videophile and watching any movie on the fireTV results in less than perfect playback, and HD audio support is also another nice feature you cant get on a fireTV.
porkenhimer said:
Openelec is an operating system which runs the XBMC/Kodi program the same way that Android is an operating system that runs XBMC/Kodi. The only difference is that Openelec is a minimal operating system that uses just enough to run XBMC/Kodi, while Android is a full operating system able to run several programs. A couple years ago when XBMC came to Android it sucked and I quit using it after about a week, but it has came along way since and my Openelec system running Kodi cannot compare to my Fire TV running Kodi.
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Click to collapse
Depend on the hw that your OE is running on, got myself an Asus Chromebox that costs slightly more than the Fire TV when it was on sale last Black Friday, it runs like a dream.
As for running Kodi/XBMC on FireTV vs generic Android box vs OpenElec/Xbmcbuntu/Linux + XBMC I'd say it doesn't matter any longer. I've run all 3 ways, and it used to make a difference. A cheap booksize miniPC running OpenElec or Xbmcbuntu was much better than any Android based solution for a variety of reasons. That just isn't the case any longer. Of course if you have better hardware things like menus or the time it takes to start streaming a show will be a bit quicker, but otherwise you can get a solid stable Kodi/XBMC environment on any of these.
Back to the original question, personally I'd hold out until some of the Google Android TV boxes (not generic Android boxes) start shipping. Not because I think they will be better than GATV boxes, but because there should be a better selection of options and one might be a better fit than your two AFTV choices. Either way, it's hard to beat AFTV and I expect similar results from GATV boxes. Side-loading isn't as easy as just installing from the app store, but there are options that have all the plug-ins ready to go. Unlike other setups, you don't have to figure out which remote to use or how to get it configured (yes, I know some generic Android boxes come setup for XBMC and even have their own customized XBMC, I have one).
In short, I used to have a mix of generic Android boxes and mini HTPCs running OpenElec/XBMCbuntu. Now I have AFTV boxes in daily use and two Rokus that are almost never used. For the price point, ease of use, stability and extra functionality above and beyond Kodi the AFTV and presumably GATV boxes just make more sense.
One last thing I almost forgot - the space limitation on the AFTV is a huge drawback. Until (unless) Amazon releases an update to let us use USB drives for apps and data this could be a big issue. If for some reason you absolutely require plenty of disk space, perhaps you don't have network storage and need all your media on the device itself, then AFTV may not be an option.
GATV might have the same lock as amazon regarding custom updates / root.
I would like to escape the proprietary ecosystem opposed by amazon and google if possible to avoid possible lockouts in the near future.
I like the amazon box, is fast and easy to use with its remote. I use a NAS for my media but I would like to have root and extra storage option on it.
The mojo looks like a good option, I might go for this.
I've been using a Fire TV Stick for about a week now, after you sideload Kodi (and then use your Amazon account to install Kodi on another device, so you trick the FireTV into showing Kodi in your Recent apps on the home screen) I don't think you can beat the bang for the buck.
I'm about to order the Minix X8-H Plus. This thing seems a lot better than the AFTV! I have a 256gb SD card lying around, so I can't wait to throw it in this thing. It has 2gb RAM, 2.0ghz Quad-Core Processor, SD slot, three USB 2.0 ports, gigabit ethernet, 16gb eMMC, 4K2K UHD video playback, Octo-Core Mali-450 GPU, Dual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 4K H.265 / HEVC Hardware Decoding Support.
It looks like they're going for around $150-$160. Check it out:
http://www.minix.com.hk/Products/NEO-X8-H-Plus-Android-TV.html
papars said:
Your suggestion is valid but I'm in europe and not really in need for netflix.
The price for sealed older FTVs seems somewhat high and by reading articles I see that even the SN wont warranty a rootable box.
In the meantime I will try to h/w root my box and see what comes out of this.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I just got a firetv from ebay and its rootable. I've done about 28 mods and haven't seen one with series 305 which are the incorrect ones.
shutterslaps said:
I'm about to order the Minix X8-H Plus. This thing seems a lot better than the AFTV! I have a 256gb SD card lying around, so I can't wait to throw it in this thing. It has 2gb RAM, 2.0ghz Quad-Core Processor, SD slot, three USB 2.0 ports, gigabit ethernet, 16gb eMMC, 4K2K UHD video playback, Octo-Core Mali-450 GPU, Dual-Band Wi-Fi 802.11ac and 4K H.265 / HEVC Hardware Decoding Support.
It looks like they're going for around $150-$160. Check it out:
http://www.minix.com.hk/Products/NEO-X8-H-Plus-Android-TV.html
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thats a sweet box for sure.. I am not too sure its a fair comparison though.. My AFTV cost me $80 and came with a remote. The $145 standalone box is more than twice as much if you get a controller. My Android MiniPC's (older) have been disappointing when trying to run Kodi etc.. which led me to the snappy performance of AFTV.. This box looks to have all the power you could need. Should be fun to have
This note on the webpage should be noted as well - The NEO X8-H Plus only supports standard definition Netflix. Netflix 1080p HD and 4K UHD resolution are not available on any MINIX NEO Series devices
I have been watching the Razer Forge TV box as well it looks to be a beast for $99
I just saw this on another forum:
....You are limited to 24, 50 and 60Hz Output refresh rates with AMlogic and Rockchip devices. 60Hz only on the Amazon Fire TV + Stick and even the new NVIDIA Shield believe it or not. Although Frame rate switching is a built in feature of the new Android 5.0 Lollipop OS
In Kodi 15.0 Isengard – Beta 2 - they have a new option:
Refresh rate switching and 4K Playback on Android - One of the limitations of the Android platforms always was that it wasn’t capable of switching your screen to the same refresh-rate as the current playing video. This could cause a slight video stutter occasionally as video frames had to be duplicated to keep audio in sync. Since Android 5.0 there’s at least a way to set the preferred refresh-rate of the video output that could solve several of these problems.
Can I assume that the AFTV still doesn't support (hardware limitation) 23.976/24fps or has it been or can it be added?
If not mines going straight back - I'll just refuse delivery - as all my files are 23.976fps which my WDTV Live plays fine and has done for the last 5 years.
I can't stand the stutter when playback of source material is different from the encoded frame rate.
Fingers crossed... the AFTV looked perfect apart from that LITTLE problem....
Strange thing is there are hardly any posts about this - so either people don't notice the stutter or are putting up with it. Very strange.
24fps videos will stutter on the FTV, output is either 50hz or 60hz. Many people won't notice or modern TV will somewhat compensate. I think it is terrible. As u mentioned, starting android 5, it is possible in theory. I doubt that amazon will update from KK to LP
shaksbeer said:
24fps videos will stutter on the FTV, output is either 50hz or 60hz. Many people won't notice or modern TV will somewhat compensate. I think it is terrible. As u mentioned, starting android 5, it is possible in theory. I doubt that amazon will update from KK to LP
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Click to collapse
The Fire TV does not run KitKat, it runs Jellybean. Hopefully the will update to KitKat soon.
porkenhimer said:
The Fire TV does not run KitKat, it runs Jellybean. Hopefully the will update to KitKat soon.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
correct, sorry for that.
But good news, Android 5 is coming! https://developer.amazon.com/public...10/Announcing-the-Fire-OS-5-Developer-Preview
Hopes up ?!
Her'e's the relevant part of the article:
"June 19, 2015
Mike Hines
Annoucements, Fire Tablets
Starting today, developers have the opportunity to participate in a Developer Preview of Fire OS 5, the next generation Android-based operating system that powers Fire tablets, Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick. And because Fire OS 5 is based on Android Lollipop, we can make this update while preserving even more compatibility with existing Android apps than ever before. This means that even more of your apps should work on Fire devices with no additional engineering effort. "
So does this mean if it gets OS 5 based on Lollipop, that the 24fps frame rate playback will be an option or is it impossible due to the hardware limitations of the chip used in the Amazon Fire TV?
System on Chip (SoC) Platform Qualcomm Snapdragon ARMv7
CPU Qualcomm Quad Core Krait 300, up to 1.7 GHz, 2MB L2 Cache (APQ8064)
GPU Qualcomm Adreno 320, 400 MHz
PS I have the AFTV sitting here next to me all nicely wrapped up (delivered to my neighbour so couldn't refuse delivery) - but if 24fps is going to be supported I will hold onto it! If not it's going back on Monday. :0
shaksbeer said:
correct, sorry for that.
But good news, Android 5 is coming! https://developer.amazon.com/public...10/Announcing-the-Fire-OS-5-Developer-Preview
Hopes up ?!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Not good news at all. The Fire TV is still running Fire OS 3 and the Fire Tabets have been running Android 4.4 for 8 months, so if thats any indication, it will be a very very long time before the Fire TV is running Android Lollipop. The Fire TV has continued to run Jellybean for 8 months while the Fire tablet has been running KitKat, so expect the same after Lollipop is released for the tablets. Around a year after the Fire Tablet gets Fire OS 5 then the Fire TV should be getting it. Even the Fire Phone has been running KitKat for two months. Its clear that Amazon sees the Fire Tablet and Fire Phone as being more important that the fire TV, which is understandable, because they are mobile and can be used anywhere. I think thats the same reason why Apple said the Apple TV was just a hobby, cause it can be used in your home or a hotel room, while the iphone and ipad could be used everywhere. So like I said, if the past is an indication, which in most cases is, the Fire TV being upgraded to Fire OS 5 is a long way off.
Hello,
I have regular full android 5.1 on my (2015) Shield TV Pro, I know what I am doing but with all the different updates that have came out since I bought my shield tv and rooted it with full android. It is confusing as to how I can get the new android 7 nougat? Please if someone could explain to me how I do it and where I can get the files I need? Also if rooting is possible and if it is possible to have FULL android 7 nougat like I currently have with full android 5.1 Lollipop. To me it seems so much easier and more intuitive to use the FULL version of androids and then almost all apps in the app store work no problem no having to go around and find ways to install programs/games you want that aren't in the app store or won't work since its a different type of android. THANK YOU!
I guess you'll have to wait untill nVIDIA get 'round to actually releasing the Nougat Sources for the 2015/17 Pro version. At the moment only the 2017 (16Gb) Source / Recoveries (IIRC) are currently available.
okay
Ichijoe said:
I guess you'll have to wait untill nVIDIA get 'round to actually releasing the Nougat Sources for the 2015/17 Pro version. At the moment only the 2017 (16Gb) Source / Recoveries (IIRC) are currently available.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? They are released? That is strange I wonder why they released the 16gb version last week but the 500gb version isn't available at all? Weird well I just have a regular 1080p TV and I use headphones...and play any games on my PC (master race)...so I don't even know what possible new features I would need? What are the main new features ? Again Thanks
My only guess is that the Shield Pro 2017, has not been released yet for whatever reason. Much like the suspension that everyone was going to get the Update back on the 16th (of January). The release date of the Pro (January 30th 2017), must have also been wrong. Or I must have been living under a Rock, or the Press just got tired of writing about it. 'Cause I must have missed it otherwise.
As for the Difference those are generally reserved for the Shield Slim (i.e. 2017 16Gb) which is smaller, and has had a number of cuts. (IR Port, MicroUSB, and MicroSD Port). They also replaced the Gamepad, and Remote. Of which only the new Gamepad is to me of interest.
Otherwise the new Software stuff inludes Amazon Prime Video (al-la FireTV), and Steam Big Screen (Mirroring). Which I gather you'd still need a fairly useless Mastergrade Masterrace PC for minimum GTX 650 in order to use. Like I'm gonna let the PC run and play games on my tv, as if I could! When I could and will otherwise be forced to by SWMBO sit at the Computer instead.
Q Plus Smart TV Box Android 9.0 Allwinner H6 4GB/32GB 6K Lettore WiFi G7E7
good morning, I ask you because you are my last resort ". I bought the TV box in question attracted by the strong discount, once I got home I immediately realized the rip-off, Netflix does not go and does not look like an Android TV but a normal Android. another thing I don't like at all is that it has root enabled without an app to handle it strange and dangerous. come to the point, isn't there a rom to place on it? I searched but I can't find anything. at what point, something that is not Android is fine, but parallel or even different projects!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.it/ulk/itm/312643980534
mac89cam said:
Q Plus Smart TV Box Android 9.0 Allwinner H6 4GB/32GB 6K Lettore WiFi G7E7
good morning, I ask you because you are my last resort ". I bought the TV box in question attracted by the strong discount, once I got home I immediately realized the rip-off, Netflix does not go and does not look like an Android TV but a normal Android. another thing I don't like at all is that it has root enabled without an app to handle it strange and dangerous. come to the point, isn't there a rom to place on it? I searched but I can't find anything. at what point, something that is not Android is fine, but parallel or even different projects!
https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.it/ulk/itm/312643980534
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I found out that the device is compatible with the #trable project! is there any #gsi that i could put on? and which TWR should I wear?
The cheap "4K Android TV" series from Walmart, built by Funai but branded as Philips, is extremely affordable and seems to be unlocked. Has anyone had any luck getting these to run alternative firmware (Lineage?) or even stock Android TV?
Mine is extremely buggy (forgets the date/time, causing HBO and other streaming apps to crash, etc) and extremely slow. Many times apps never fully exit, eating up the limited RAM available. Newer apps refuse to install from the Play Store (even though I'm able to force install them by downloading the APK) which tells me there's some sort of poorly-coded identification going on.
I was able to figure out some hardware specs:
It reports the board/device as "freesia" and the hardware/platform as "maxim" - the quad-core ARM Cortex A53 chip runs at 1400mhz (rev r0p4) and it has 1.5GB RAM and 4GB internal storage. The built-in graphics report as Mali T820 (ARM) (vulkan integrated gpu 1358996kb) running at 1920x1080.
I've updated it as far as the factory updates will go to Android 9 Pie.
I'm new to doing much with Android but I write software for a living so pretty comfortable hacking this thing if people can give me a few pointers!
Rooting a Funai Philips Android TV
I've got a 65-inch 4K Funai/Philips Android TV. Is this TV rootable or flashable? The OS is so laggy on this device it makes it almost unbearable to use. Opening specific screens takes seconds because of all the quirky animations. I'd much rather...
forum.xda-developers.com
The above has users who have unlocked fastboot etc, and have achieved root through the OTA firmware
Thanks. Do you know what it would take to go beyond that? I asked on the Lineage subreddit but they basically have rules against talking about anything but official builds, so it's kind of a catch 22.
andsat said:
Thanks. Do you know what it would take to go beyond that? I asked on the Lineage subreddit but they basically have rules against talking about anything but official builds, so it's kind of a catch 22.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
To be honest? ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Lineage for TVs seems far fetched,
You’d need to find a person who’d spend their time to build a rom for your TV.
Don’t know much about ROM development
It's already been done for other devices. Here's one for Raspberry Pi https://konstakang.com/devices/rpi4/LineageOS18-ATV/
how does one get/obtain the ota firmware ? I still have an unupdated bootloader unlocked 75 inch model and would like to do some stuff with it. i have been waiting to connect it to the internet because i didn't want to be lock into or out of anything until i was ready.