Amlogic S805 Quad-core 1.5GHz > ARM Cortex A9 1.6G Dual-core. Should offer better hardware decoding at 1080p resolution. Minix also has an active & dedicated forum for their products in English. Firmwares and or tweaks are easier to get.

But the Q3 is a quad core too.

My bad. .. Got thrown off by a Google search and kept thinking it's the Q6 which is dual core (Mixed up the X & Q). The Q3 is indeed a Quad-core device. Think of it this way, you've been warned against using the Q3 while the Minix has good reviews online. If you've tested both and are satisfied by the initial performance of both boxes, wouldn't it be a safer bet to go with the one with better reviews? Just make sure that whatever iptv service you plan on subscribing later on is supported on the Minix X6 as sometimes they r locked to certain boxes like the Himedia.

Well, I'm not intending to subscribe to any iptv services. Just want it for tvb series and movies. Thats all. I'm kinda in a dilemma as i found alot of reviews - good reviews on the minix x6 but not many for the Q3. However, the shop recommended the Q3 over the x6. Then again, hardware wise, I am confident with the x6 - in terms of reliability.

I have q1 and q16. Got q16 first.

Q16 operations very snappy. External antenna Wi-Fi strong. Metal box runs hot. Box got time displays 24 hrs format can't change to 12 hrs. Element quality bad elements burning out slowly one by one. China version.

Q1 lagging. Internal antenna weak Wi-Fi. Plastic box warm running. International English version.

Q1 ran cloudtv @HD OK no lag during trial period. Tested popcorns also OK, but read some folks got problems. Kodi isengard ran a few times but now won't launch, I didn't troubleshoot.

So, for Q1 if within same room as router, wired or wireless "should" be OK as far as connectivity, and streaming. But it's lagging a bit, and my box kodi isengard not running. I'm using it for internet radio so not a problem. My suggestion for a first box don't buy this.

Now, Q3 CPU is cortex a9 quad core @1.6g, same as Q16. Also external antenna. So speed and connectivity should be comparable. But ram only 1Gb may be problem for some programs. I suspect for cloudtv etc should be OK.

For me, I would get latest box with 2Gb ram, runs lollipop to future proof it a bit. Memory 16Gb is overkill for apps but great for pre-downloads and offline viewing without messing with USB stick/sd cards. Q3 SHOULD be OK if you don't want to spend so much now... but you may need plan on upgrading sooner.

This post has been edited by dwRK: Sep 16 2015, 03:18 PM

Yes it looks like processor spec favors Q3.

IMHO, reliability is luck of the draw. Within warrenty period, you're taken care off. It just needs to last 3 yrs...you'd be buying a new one. I have the first WD TV Live...it's running custom rom, still working...but so lagging and so much new stuff don't work on it...

Logitech has a wireless keyboard with touchpad confirm working.

Remote app Hicontrol or new my box for lollipop also confirm working for my Q1 and Q16.

This post has been edited by dwRK: Sep 14 2015, 12:20 AM

Hi Nicety,

Thanks for your advice, will try your solution tonight.

Btw, is there any specific new firmware version for my box? Or I can update the one recommended in previous postings? My box info is as follow:

Brand: HiMedia
Model number: Q5EN.2000
Android version: 4.4.2
Kernal version: 3.10.0_s40
Build number: HMD-1.0.7 2014-11-25.114531

Thanks in advance for your help.

Regards,
Ah Wah.

Hi to all..

I am new to this HiMedia Player. Hope that someone here can guide me.

I just understand english and malay ONLY, so, i like a suggestion on what software that can be install on my HiMedia device.

Thanks..

107 is not the latest version, always get firmware from the seller or Himedia website. Firmware is zip file, could be easily inject with malware and spyware, pls don't get from unknown source.

Hi Nicety,
Thanks for all your advice. I'm able to watch all the CloudTv channels now. The only problem left is the video aspect ratio is not correct as they are not showing in 16:9 ratio. I guess this is one of the problem that will be resolved by upgrading to 1.0.9 firmware version. Will try the upgrade when free.

If everything were to workout, I might be going to buy another box for my brother.

that means u want only english and malay stuff.

as himedia has certain unique features in chinese, u will not benefit from it.

you may want to check this general android thread to know more about other androids.
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3126605/+580#bottom

16 gb memory is necessary for large apps.

after os, other apps, there is kodi which takes up another >1gb usually.

the remaining 8gb or so is just good for ALL videos in popcorn time.

better to have a bit more than a bit less for future use!

More memory is always good. 16Gb is getting to be mainstream nowadays.

Hi

Go for the set with the bigger memory which is Q16 as lots of stuff from Popcorntime especially concerts and documentaries are more than 3Gb. Q16 is also snappy fast.

Check for vendor with handle Nicety. Very helpful chap.

This... Most people don't seem to understand that installing KODI alone can easily grow to over 1GB, tack on the mandatory space for the OS (say 2GB - 4GB) and other apps, particularly large games and an 8GB ROM won't even have the space to buffer and stream properly.

right...

but it takes a user to explore enough to know what is taking up how much memory.

xbmc used to take up less, i feel. but perhaps as time went by with kodi, i keep dumping repo after repo, it swells to 1.3gb.

after using 4gb and 16gb, i will not recommend anything but 16gb. that takes out the hassle of needing to be thrifty on memory and doing cleanup too often.

my old q5ii dual 4gb can't even handle the kodi stuff i use on the q16 quad 16gb! it also can't handle popcorn time. so, just used for a few small apps and usb playback. but to be fair, this 2 yr old unit served its purpose very well, still in good use, well worth it.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Sep 16 2015, 01:06 AM

I was curious so yesterday, on my 1gb ram, 8gb rom, quad core q1, I got kodi 15.1 to run, install tvaddons, genesis, phoenix, and filmon, tested all ok and watched a movie no problem.

also ran the two popcorns, and watched 15mins of random movies all no problem.

all the major/favorite apks were installed before the tests.

I guess 8gb is the basic minimum to get going with kodi and popcorns. I'd say 16gb is the way to go too.

BTW, I do not advocate getting the q1, I got it to play radios only

hi all sifu,

help needed on my himedia Q1 (m/board stated Q2 v1.4 20130220).

when power on, the power led keep blinking, cannot turn on.
any idea what happen?

Thanks in advance

hi, does anyone knows what is the latest firmware for h8 and where can i download? Any links? Thanks.