AVFAN... sorry bud, you walked right into this type of questions... You are up...

opsss sorry bro if u have to deal with noobies like me

i will respond...

hi, i am commenting based on my experience with a few types of androids and media players, don't know all of them.

others, please comment too!


yr case.. it is easy for a few things, hard for others. so. u may have to rethink a bit...

.. 10mbps is fine for SD and "some" HD provided it is dedicated. if u have others users taling up the bandwidth, may not get HD. also, 10mbps fluctautes and is not stable all the time. lastly, wifi is not as good s ethernet, more so if u are using stock router which tends to underperform.

.. lives sports, incl EPL... that is the MOST difficult one. these are big $ event, u can't get free reliably. if u can, those sponsors, broadcasters and iptv operators will close shop. if u look hard enough, there will be some SD channels showing some of them.

.. english stuff is easy, chinese (mandarin) is easy. hk/canto - hard to get free and reliably. i suggest u do not think in terms of aztro supersports and wahlaitoi - these are aztro proprietory, they spend a fortune to block pirates and raiders.

.. ahem iptiv - these, u need to pm and deal with sellers. as they are illegit, there is no quarantee of service, u pay upfront. i really don't know if they are any good for long term.

.. budget rm500 will get you 1gb/8gb android. 2gb/16gb will cost rm600-rm1k. the diff is mainly the memory - bigger memory let u do more apps, less need to remove, erase files all the time.

.. ubox 4k... there are like a hundred brands out there. the difference is really the popularity meaning there are many users who can share and help u in forums like this. another diff is who and where u buy from - some sellers will pre-install some good stuff for you, ready to play; some will send u an empty box, u DIY all the way. for beginner, there is a lot to learn, so best to buy from a seller who can help or there is a website u can get help.

the most popular brands according to the comments in this and related threads are: minix, himedia and mibox. a last one, nvidia shield should be good but price is highest. search the threads, read, ask questions, u will be on yr way to getting one!
https://forum.lowyat.net/HomeElectronics&WaresGarageSales

a final word - boxes like these are not meant to replace aztro or hypptv. they offer diff and alternative things. it takes a quite bit of learning and patience to make it work well. not recommended for elderly people or people who have no interest in IT, gadgets and devices.

HI GUYS !
could you suggest a suitable controller for the Nvidia shield?

The Xbox 360 controller works fine; either wired or wireless. It's plug & play and can coexist with the original Shield controller for multi-player games... Alternatively, there's the PS4 DS controller, though this requires rooting and the Sixaxis app (paid app) to work.

thanks for the recommendations and details... really useful!

it seem for ubox it's quite hard to find some related information reviews on a particular brand and not many forumers selling it as well. i also read it somewhere on google that it might be some MLM what your take on this?

if i were to go with Minix Neo U1 - is this a good start for me for my 1st android box? i taken into account all the points u got back to me ... so hopefully i can still at least watch some EPL live matches at least in SD and in english commentary? haha

bottomline - buy something popular where u can get help from seller or other users!

Yeah, there are tons of android boxes out there and many are mass-produced cheaply, without any planned future support in place or real features in mind. Some do not even list a manufacturer and yet, the box is right in front of you.. So its always advisable to stick with the most popular brands, at least that way, you are assured some bug fixes or at least decent performance & forum support. Yes, its not so good business for the less than popular brands, but till they step up, I'll just call it as it is.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Mar 15 2016, 11:47 AM

for minix is it able to play netflix 4k contents ? or its still limited to only those devices stated at Netflix supported list ?

NO device that doesn't pass Netflix's certification will get anything beyond 480p.. The reason? Netflix has to test every device seeking access. Once approved, those devices can access as high a resolution as the hardware can handle. Under those criteria, it should come as no surprise that the list of supported products is made up of recognizable brands.

So yeah, no Netflix 4K for Minix devices, etc.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Mar 15 2016, 06:55 PM

Okie... so its either netflix approved devices or an HTPC still juggling on my options

Nope, just an approved 4k device.. Even HTPCs and regular PCs are throttled.. At most, you'll only get 1080p; be it via browsers or the netflix app. The easiest way to get around this, is getting a Netflix 4K certified TV and using the official app on it. That way, you are free to buy whichever external media box your heart fancies..

No, in my case Neo X8-H plus fails to play 4K Netflix content. But my Samsung TV does. Not so many box player certified by Netflix.

If you plan to change your tv, make sure it's Netflix certified.

this is the same advice i would give to anyone buying a new TV 50" or higher - think 4k comes only in 50 or larger TV.

the living proof is if Netflix can deliver 4K to a TV with >25mbps, it surely means anyone who invest enough and are tech competent can do the same, be it aztro, hippotv, aflix or aheim tv!

and if the app can do dd/dts arc for the tv, that's even better.

i think the time will come and fast. if the local vendors refuse to catch up, the foreign ones will take over the TV entertainment scenario here.

i already notice popular china apps now come with more and more "super hd", "bluray" videos. i think within the next year, some of them will go 4k.

whoever doesn't catch up but rely on obsolete tech to milk consumers will eventually be eliminated.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Mar 15 2016, 08:01 PM

On top of the original Shield controller for playing games, mine came free with their remote.

Anyway, I still use a wireless mouse / keyboard combo. Sometimes the mouse does not scroll properly at Shield's main menu. I have to use the keyboard arrow keys to scroll and navigate to the apps below and then press Enter key.

bro, a side question.. do you use a internet plug converter to power your shield ? i'm hoping for a chance that either end is a USB header

What's an internet plug converter?

I powered it with the given power adaptor.

gahhh.. typo "International" power plug converter.. since its obviously gonna be fitted with a US power plug right