Thanks for the tips n advice.

Just curious... What apps / games that needs to be sideloaded on the Shield? So far I find everything is there. Unless I'm missing something...

They are called "ehem" apps.. Seems like you don't need em else you'd know for sure..

Ah... Ok. I'll pretend that I needed to google what ehem means.

Anyway, I believe those apps are mostly streaming related. At the moment, nobody comes close to Netflix quality... Or are they of good quality in which case I'm behind time...

Hi jchue73, not all the games/apps in normal play store are available in android tv play store. But Android tv are getting steam since last year, so the available apps/games are getting more n more.

Glad to hear that u havent come across any apps/games that not in the store, bcos that's mean u don't need them yet or will never need them ...

Btw, how's ur Nvidia Shield TV ? Have u try 3D movie playback ?

This post has been edited by stormaker: Mar 9 2016, 05:29 PM

Yes, but they aren't designed to combat Netflix.. Take live TV for instance, Netflix does not do that.. All I have to say is that some look mighty fine at 1080p.. Ehem.. Ehem..

there are plenty of these ahems/ehems.

it's definitely good to have a few.

makes buying a box a lot more worthwhile.

Sorry if I generalised a bit in my earlier reply. In truth, I'm still trying to catch up. Lots of things I am not aware of and things to discover. Lets just say I'm like 3 years behind and that's quite a lot. I guess it helps that I don't game also.

In time I'll probably find myself needing those apps.

I find it's ok for the limited time I'm using it but the full HTPC is still more flexible. I guess I need to get used to it and perhaps discover more apps to help me achieve what I want.

I don't have a 3D LCD to test but I do have 3D Bluray ISOs. They play find in 2D. It does not give you simulated 3D or attempt to play 3D like what you get on a real 3D supported Bluray player or with TMT on my HTPC.

I am still trying to see why Dolby DTS does not bitstream to my soundbar when using Kodi.

Picture quality is quite good but I somehow detect a very slight judder on fast panning scenes. Perhaps that's my old LCD TV not able to keep up.

LOL ok. Still learning.

BTW, any LIVE sports channels to suggest that can replace the ones on Astro?

No worry, i myself still learning, in fact u are light years ahead of me since u already own the best android tv box on earth but i have yet to own any ...

Thanks for ur review bro ....

What's the connection between your soundbar, TV & Shield box? Most TVs can not passthrough certain formats over either HDMI or Optical connection. If using KODI, check the passthrough settings.

Pay a visit to the KODI thread.. An example would be cCloud addon.

Wow.

My broadband speed.
30mbps unifi

will use ethernet or wifi?
wifi since tv and unifi located at opposite each other in the hall.

want only english or only canto or only mandarin or...?
only english

want eng subs, chinese subs, whatever subs...?
eng sub

want movies or tv shows or live tv, what languages... give examples.
tv show. Examples are those tv series, cooking/house show( for my wife and mom), and maybe documentaries/learning for my kids

must have live sports incl all epl?
yes.

can accept sd or only want hd?
only hd

want hd audio (dtshdma, dd truehd) pass thru for yr home theater?
no idea.

want legit iptv like netflix, iflix, astro on the go, hypptv everywhere?
Yes I guess.

want ahem iptv , i.e. aztro and the like?
yes. No idea how to get but will learn.

your knowledge level with androids?
very limited and noob. Im not a tech savvy guy.

.. budget - min and maximum
No limit.

Other notes:
Im very new in this android box thing. Doesnt even understand some term you guys use here.
i just want to terminate my RM141/month astro which is other than it sport channels, others are crap. Keep replay same thing especially movies.RM1700 peryear for this astro crap is no joke.
The box I expect to be not so hard to configure and handle. I one of the guys who doesnt keep up with the tech. I buy samsung smart tv but only know use for youtubing and play movies from my external.
The box should have good support group.
can play torrent is a plus.

Such box exist lol? Thank you!

my comments:

.. 30mbps is very good; wifi is not a problem in yr case.
.. if u are only interested in eng, that is easy as most stuff available around the globe is eng, mandarin being #2.
.. live sports (esp in hd) will be a problem - these telecasts are big $, hard to get reliably for free.
.. hd only may be a problem - there are some tv channels that are easy to find in sd but not in hd for free.
.. yr hypptv from unifi... if not in use, use it - some shows are worth it.
.. ahem iptv - these are illegit stuff which we try not to discuss in public but u can pm the sellers.
.. yr smart tv has android built in. it can do more than youtube and browser. learn and try to put some more apps inside. the android in the tv works the same way as in an android box. diff is the memory, easy of handling and navigation. netflix works better on a certified smart tv than an uncertified box.
.. buying a standalone box has its benefits - can do more, can share knowledge with other users, get pre-installed stuff and help from seller.
.. take note - there is no box that will replace aztro. aztro is holding on to the biz with 2 things - proprietory live sports and canto channels. if u must hv either or both, it is going to be hard. but if u can live with pieces of alternatives, they are available.

overall, from yr description, i would suggest u:

1. use hypptv, get supersports channels (not as complete as those in aztro, though)
2. play around with the android in yr current tv - get help from a friend or neighbor, put in sa few apps and see if u like them.
3. check out netflix hd for yr tv; at rm42 pm, it is something u can consider - alto local contents rather limited, u get movies, tv shows, documentaries, kids stuff and food/cooking series - on demand only.
4. contact box sellers and ask for model suggestions, explore. i will not suggest any brand or model since for yr requirements, most will fit. just that if buying, do not buy the cheapest one. buy a higher end one - 2gb/16gb quad/octacore, lollipop 5.x - among the best available at this time.


hope above is useful, others will comment too.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Mar 10 2016, 10:42 AM

LOL I had the chance and got the Shield because I malas want to find and chase around trying to solve problems because things don't work or incompatible. When you get older, you get lazier too. There's a saying, buy cheap and you buy twice. Also, with the wife on the TV, it can get very stressful if things don't work.

What is this cCloud thingy? Need to find time and go through Kodi.

Shield to Soundbar to TV

All with HDMI cable.

Anyone use homeplug like diagram below?

I want to connect router to 2 rooms in house. The shops sell either twin pack and single pack. If i get both twin and single pack, can single unit (receiver) automtically link to the transmitter or need some configuration?






Twin pack has both transmitter and receiver :



This post has been edited by thingamagic: Mar 10 2016, 06:55 PM

i think u r better off asking questions about homeplugs in broadband section.

more experts there on the general subject.

https://forum.lowyat.net/NetworksandBroadband

uhm....it has to work in pairs no?
1 for input from modem/router and another 1 output to your device.

I tried using the one transmitter / receiver homeplug before and was unsuccessful because my house has 3 phase wiring. Check first. Single phase will work fine. 3 phase would be 50 50 from my experience.

This from the KODI 3D WIKI

From the KODi pages under Audio Output

On the Android side, go to Settings, and select the right Audio Output. This varies with the firmware OS, but usually would be around the choices of PCM, HDMI and SPDIF.