Hey, you are doing great.. How about the following?
*Smooth UI transitions?
*Startup and shutdown speed?
*Speed in launching and exiting apps?
*Are there firmware updates? Date of latest one, if any? OTA?
*Able to install and use the latest Kodi version or just the pre-installed one? If so, what version?
*Kodi's performance?
*3D gaming? (Time dependent)
*Does the box ship as rooted?
*Bugs or crashes? (This might take some time to show)... Etc.

So far so good..

This post has been edited by voncrane: Jul 12 2016, 01:02 AM

Thanks to voncrane and avfan!

Something that a lot people have overlooked is SOUND!
Most players provide at least 1080p HD, so my next criteria in choosing a box comes down to which player (or home theater system configuration) will allow me to have hd sound passthru (i'm not sure what is the correct term to use).

So two questions:
1. Which player (or what to look for in the specs) that supports this hdsound passthru?

2 Say, I have a Smart TV with a simple but high quality 5.1 stereo system, and brand X TV Box, how do we maximize the Audio quality as output:
- Using 3.5mm to split red+white cable into the stereo system?
- Any other alternative way to hook up?

It might not be the right place for those question, but I'll go ahead and ask it here so you guys can point me to the right source later. In the meantime I am still finding out more and reading this thread as advised by someone earlier.

Thanks guys!

P/S: Voncrane, does your Minix Neo U1 do DTS (while streaming, not with file on system)? And does it do some flickering?
Saw this review and it says it does not play 5.1 while streaming! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mogcXc-umsw

This post has been edited by NotTheOne: Jul 12 2016, 05:30 AM

Play Kodi for few hours, check the heat on the box.... do Antutu test

Yes sir... Will keep researching...

Answered above in bold...

Yes was installing and setting up Kodi and other apps and testing for a few hours... The box was a bit warm... I don't really believe in Antutu test wor...

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Jul 12 2016, 08:49 AM

yes, majority of users do not care much about audio since only tv used, no home theater.

i happen to be one who will insist on the best audio available.

there are basically 3 types of audio - lpcm 2.0 (stereo), dolby/dts 5.1 (digital audio), dolby truehd/dtshdma 5.1/7.1 (hd audio).

there is a fourth type getting popular now - dolby atmos/dts:x - most advanced hd audio on the planet.

"pass thru" means the player will not downgrade any audio type but able to allow all of it to go on to the AVR untouched or whatever amplification device used.

a device that cannot pass thru will downgrade the audio, i.e. dts to lpcm or dtshdma to dts.


your case - smart tv + home theater? does the tv has digital audio output or arc? is your your home theater capable of hd audio? (i assume it can do at least do dd/dts.)

if your tv can do digital output:
player->tv via hdmi for video and audio
tv arc or digital output->home theater for dd/dts 5.1 (u need hdmi or toslink or coaxial for this ), not with red/white rca. read your tv manual.

if yr tv cannot do digital output:
player->AVR (home theater) via hdmi
AVR->tv via hdmi for video
AVR/speakers will give u dd/dts 5.1; if yr AVR has hd audio capability, will give ddtruehd/dtshdma if the files played are such.



thanks for sharing the video. unless i understood the guy wrong, i am appalled!

he's saying minix u1 native player CANNOT do even dd/dts?

he's also saying minix is not paying licensing fee for u1 but is for x8h plus.



it is common devices can pass thru up to dd/dts only.

however, there are some brands that have for years, provided ddtruehd/dtshdma in their models. i have 6 yr, 4 yr old boxes that has it.

some latest boxes now come with dolby atmos and dts:x. e.g.: himedia q10pro/q5pro:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/2807510/+360#bottom

This post has been edited by AVFAN: Jul 12 2016, 11:07 AM

More poison... Must resist...

I recently purchased an OEM TVBox. Suppose to go with HiMedia but it was out of stock hence got a box with one of the forumer here with Kodi addons programmed..makes life a little easier

Android 5.1 Smart TV BOX RK3368 Octa Core 2GB RAM 16GB ROM HDMI2.0 XBMC/KODI


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Z4-Android-5-1-Sma...%3D231757319340

This post has been edited by VeeJay: Jul 12 2016, 11:40 AM

Bold part... That's so true. I've got a decent system and intend to enjoy it to the max... Speaking of media playback, while most have simple audio and video needs... A few of us demand and seek out the best whenever we can. The Minix Neo U1 DOES support DD, DTS, DTS-HD Master and Dolby TrueHd pass-through (be it 5.1/7.1)..Current firmware version is FW008. However, support is enabled using Minix's own Kodi app. So the fella from the video is wrong regarding this... I have played a variety of files from different sources and I'm yet to experience flickering. Video player of choice? Latest Kodi...

To maximize audio quality, its has to be via HDMI all the way, as both the older RCA and optical cables have limitations. Depending on your audio system, you could connect directly to a compatible AVR (which handles either audio/video or both) or to a TV with HDMI-ARC feature hooked up to a supporting home theater. In addition to the Minix Neo U1, there are some HiMedia models and of course the Nvidia Shield running Android TV (not to be mistaken for regular Android OS).




Haha... You've tasted the fruit..Tis only a matter of time till you join the dark side..

This post has been edited by voncrane: Jul 12 2016, 01:43 PM

Flash sale of the mini m8s II with S905X chip and Android 6.0 for RM150+... Tempting...

http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box-mini-pc/pp_...l?lkid=10096495

This post has been edited by blurjoey: Aug 11 2016, 08:39 AM

I have 2 of these on my cart
About to pull the trigger
As I will be giving them away to friends after setting them up

u r a seller lurking here?

I believe I was one of the pioneers during the early days of xbmc even spmc and other variants
Personally I won't use it since I prefer my firetv 1st and second gen or even my ouya
I don't need to sell boxes as I sell broadcast solutions to 1st tier broadcasters

ok, then what is the meaning of this post?

u wanna give away free, is it?

please clarify yourself!

the rule is no sellers allowed to solicit biz in this section, u know that!

Which part of the English language don't you understand.
Giving it away free to my friends - is that a problem with you?
Get back to preschool and learn the basics

fine.

your dishonesty is well understood by readers here.

I think you are one delusional character
Get on the pill

Btw heard plenty of complaint abt the late delivery by them, how long did you've wait for it?

This post has been edited by StevenL: Jul 12 2016, 10:08 PM

I've ordered the Beelink miniMXIII on 28th June. Shipped out on 30th June by Kerry Express Thailand. Received on 11th July but I think would have received it earlier if it wasn't a public holiday.

Just got my minix neo u1. loving it!

bro
pls brief us about ur broadcast solution