it is true that if too new, it won't support certain things. kodi, should not be a problem.
the problem will be astro-on-the-go, hypptv everywhere, and some local iptv.
becos they can't catchup with the newer hardware and android versions.

took a look at the specs of this U1.
quad 2gb/16gb lollipop 5.1.1; 4k uhd - good.

@voncrane - do you know why minix simply will not have hd audio pass thru?
i want to try a minix at next chance but this "no hd audio" puts me off - i have lots of hd audio stuff to play with my home theater.

if u mean those illegit but payable axtro, should be ok.

for local legit iflix, myiptv, etc., could be tricky as some have reported they don't work on new devices. i m not sure, so, do ask the seller(s) to confirm.

hd audio - i mean hd audio playback on usb, e.g. bdmv files with dtshdma or dd atmos. what happens is if a device can't do pass thru to the avr to process, it will downgrade to core dts/dd. normal streamed audio is basic audio, no problem.

the u1 specs are equivalent to my himedia q16 - that's why it is good! except it can't do hd audio.
not only 40-45gb bdmv files but 10-15gb mkv files now come with dtshdma audio. will be good when minix fix this deficiency.

spdif - this is for coxial or toslink connection, can't handle hd audio.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 18 2015, 08:23 PM

some response to yr question must been written at least a dozen times in this thread, but every week or so, the same question surfaces.

this is the mother of all quests for many!

to save money, i guess. as i think it makes no sense to find an equivalent but pay more, yes?!

what in yr mind is "more"?

if u want more int'l news, more english movies, more mandarin, answer is yes.

if u want more canto and more live sports in hd, no.

and i mean stable, reliable streams, not those come and go without warning.

streaming typically carries basic 2.0 audio, alto some streams can be in dd5.1. hd audio takes a lot of bandwidth, not there yet for most streams.

yes, dune, acryan, wdlive and the likes were tops at that time. they all can take bdmv, dtshdma with 4-5 yr old firmwares. i still hv 2 of those working, wonderful devices. i have since moved on to android boxes. the main diff is new andoridboxes can stream online, playback usb faster than the old media players, and can handle 3d, 4k,dd atmos too.

i have used himedia for >2 yrs now.

older q5ii supports up to bdmv, dtshdma, ddtruehd.



1 yr old q16 supports 3d, 4k, dd atmos as well.

i have tested 4k files, good. dd atmos - as my audio system is not atmos, i only get ddtruehd... but i am quite sure the firmware handles it, have seen the changelog.

i do not know if all current models handle all of that, so best to check with seller.

https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3201002/+1000
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3677149/+260

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 26 2015, 10:58 PM

from what i read and personal experience, himedia q16 is definitely an all round winner - for video codecs, hd audio handling, memory, networking. with one bonus - chinese features and additional china apps.

just a pity it sold so well that there is no more stock locally.

Oh no!
That criterion is extremely impt.
Unless u already know androids, boxes and have the knowledge and expertise.
If newbie, u will need help to pre install, maintain and add new stuff.
These boxes are software driven, not like axtro or dvd boxes that are hardware driven.

Some of us here can deal with any new android box or phone or tablet.
But that took time, patience, curiosity and practice.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 28 2015, 04:17 PM

if u read this thread in full, u will find recommendations by various people.

some models may be old, not relevant anymore but do take note of the brands, check the current models.

BUT... do pay attention to what poor things users say about what they have bought.

there are traps u can walk into unknowingly if u r new to this kind of device incl no help to update firmwares.

if u read this thread in full, then ask questions in sellers' threads, read what other users say, u may come to a decision quickly. however, if the brand/model u have in mind is not discussed much, it means it is not that popular here.
https://forum.lowyat.net/HomeElectronics&Wares
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3677149/+260

also:

1. is easy, almost all of them can do. only diff is some can handle hd audio, some cannot.
3. only china made devices have additional chinese interface besides english.
4. rm400 today is not the same as 1 yr ago due to weak rm; that price will get u the lower grade ones - older chip, older os, small memory. such a device, i think it is ok as entry level to learn, use basic apps... but u might soon run into memory issues quickly if u learn to use it well.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 28 2015, 05:59 PM

"smooth"...

**
2mbps - bare basics, simple sd streams.
5mbps - all sd streams, some hd streams possible
10mbps - almost all streams, incl hd
>30mbps - all streams, incl hd

** assuming:
.. yr broadband speed is stable, at or close to max, and unthrottled, no wifi congestion (if using wifi)
.. the streams are smooth, i.e. good links, good seeds, no geoblocks, no isp throttling

this is a true and fair statement.

we have seen good live sports stuff at:

kodi iptv stalker - good live soccer channels, it eventually paid iptv.
kodi phoenix tv - good live epl links, now no more.
navi-x - lots of world cup 2014 channels but none of them worked 100%.
tvapp - a couple of live sports channels - went paid iptv.



popular live sports are big $$$, hard to get free telecasts. may get temp but will no last.

the only one that is more permanent but has only selected matches/cups are found in china cctv5+hd. china is less restrictive about blocking their cctv channels. cctv channels incl cctv5+ hd can easily be obtained.

kodi is very much a western app.

a big app, can have 1-2gb of addons.

but limited asian stuff.

a couple of cctv channels can be found if u look hard enough - they are not popular in kodi.

becos tons of china channels can be found with other apps.

cctv - you can get all of them, most of them in HD.

and live china provincial and city tv stations.

and movies, tv shows.

all in mandarin.

hong kong and taiwan tv channels are less easy to get.

some of these apps are proprietory to the box manufacturer, they don't work on other boxes.

some of them work only in china as they are geoblocked, need subscription too.

i cannot reveal the details as too much publicity will get these apps being blocked very quickly.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 29 2015, 10:56 PM

i m sure that device will fit yr needs.

router... best to use ethernet as wifi is dependent on many factors.

ethernet or wifi, junk that old orange crap, get an ASUS.

20m... is actual distance 20m/66ft? that's far...

wifi - if u live in a house and not cluttered with visible or hidden metal, a low end asus router can handle well up to 50' on 2.4ghz. if >60 ft, u will need a higher end one.

if u live in a highrise congested with wifi users, u will probably need a more costly dual band one with 5ghz as well. but 5ghz will not work very well for >60ft.

so, u may need to do some cable job to get the best performance.

powerline adaptor... sd content maybe ok... i am skeptical for hd content.

just don't end up spending more money!

can't do.

orig router 1 yr warranty only. you buy yrself or from them after that.

same with hypptv stb.

only modem is life warranty - as long as u use unifi.

i upgraded a few months ago.

no new router, no new stb.

other than modem, u diy, pay yrself.

voncrane can advise u better on minix for specifics.

but androids being androids, i will say it is not that difficult but...

be ready to spend time to learn and play with it.

it is not like an astro decoder or dvd player.

it needs work!

if u r using an android phone, it helps as it is much the same - as far as the streaming features go.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 30 2015, 06:01 PM

then i have good news for you!

after playing with androidbox for a few months, it'll be a piece of cake to buy and use an android phone.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 30 2015, 06:05 PM

thanks for comments.

i have read some very different comments but i never had the need as my wifi streaming does the job.

one thing - when you say powerline works for HD, do you mean playback or online streaming or both?
for both hd video and hd audio?

ok, got you. thanks!

at this time, my average router can handle 40-50gb bdmv over wifi with samba.

if future 100gb 4k files need something else, i'll explore the powerline option.

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Dec 31 2015, 11:37 AM

yes, i have the same experience like you.

that's why never had the need to explore anything else.

my asus router+q16 androidbox+samba works well up to 55ft even with bdmv files.