No budget? Here are a few popular models:

*Minix Neo U1
*HiMedia Q10 Pro
*Nvidia Shield TV

Perhaps you can upload a sample snippet or 2 of the files and I can test playback on the Neo U1. Alternatively, there are youtube videos showing the above boxes performance.. Watch a few..

Please use the search feature.. There have been a few recommendations..

Neo U1 set to 100%
Using HT/TV (HDMI-CEC) remote to adjust volume up and down.. Zero issues.

Clearly you don't use the browser/Kodi frequently.. A keyboard comes in handy for entering web addresses, etc.

Minix Neo U1...

And where would you be getting said live sports from?

Apps abilities to run in the background depends on the app itself having such ability and more importantly, the firmware. Majority of these boxes almost always have a built-in task killer and some firmware/kernel can be quite aggressive in killing apps. Meaning you are out of luck and have to resort to other means. Try KeepRunning, and it doesn't seem to require root.

As for the iFlix issue, its an either it works on your box or it doesn't at this time. Up to iFlix to update it to work on your box. In the past, one was able to run older versions of the iflix app, but recently they've pushed out an update and using an older version to connect to their servers...results in the app requesting (forced) for the update. Tons of android devices out there, hard for their devs to keep track and can't really blame em as the app's originally designed and maintained for small screens.

Yes.. It's been a Box issue. Some manufacturers (I.e. Minix) actually work hard on making their firmwares as compatible as possible to the numerous media apps.. At minimum, the stable ones, rather than drive by type apps.

Minix Neo U1 owner here.. Before I recommend it.
Have you searched this thread for reviews of the Neo U1? I and a few have left our opinions.
BTW, what are your main concerns?

Precisely, unlike most easily moddable phones and tablets, where with root, DPI and even device type amongst others, can be faked... Doing such on the typical box running what's summarily an android tablet with the android OS being output via HDMI or similar. I was happy when the Android TV OS was released and while it should replace what most use today.. Its adoption and growth rate isn't as anticipated. Time will tell.

Kinda funny, cuz due to how the Android OS works, most are more concerned about apps running in the background, using up the battery, than having one running constantly.. Well, with TV boxes, battery life isn't a factor..

Yes.. Plus I guarantee that some newbie will still come into the new thread and ask that dreaded question...
"I'm new, pls recommend me an Android box to watch live tv, tv shows and movies"....Oh yeah, and as if that's not enough.... "Full HD yeah".....

Hey, it's only 203 pages.. good that others have chipped in on how I feel about a new thread.. However, I understand that at some point it becomes inevitable.. Till then...

This post has been edited by voncrane: Dec 28 2016, 05:03 PM

There's a saying "cheap no good..good no cheap"... Applies here as stable firmwares cost a lot more than hastily cooked ones.

Doubt it's a rogue app.. Check your home network..

Hey... Please take down those those images... Public forum remember...!

Edit: you already did..

This post has been edited by voncrane: Dec 29 2016, 10:45 PM

We still can't rule out a home network issue and I take it that, running an Ethernet cable is not desirable based on the location. Could be, that location is considered a non-optimal area from your router. Example, there's a particular spot at my place (outskirts of the router's reach) where an iPad can retain a wifi connection but can't connect to the internet.... and after awhile, it will disconnect itself or I'm forced to manually disconnect it.. if I attempt manually connecting back to the network, it simply refuses, despite listing the same network as a selectable choice. Now, if I move closer to or stay in the same room as the router, this iPad suffers no such issues and will stay connected 24/7. On the other hand, internet works perfectly when using a Nexus tablet or smartphones in the same problematic location as the iPad.

So in a way, it could be the box or it's simply too far away from the router and suffers from too much interference. Issue persists while using the 2.4ghz network?

This post has been edited by voncrane: Dec 30 2016, 01:32 PM

This post has been edited by voncrane: Dec 30 2016, 04:32 PM

Interesting...


On the other hand... 2017's almost here..

This post has been edited by voncrane: Dec 31 2016, 11:52 PM

Haha... Good one...

Same here... Specs alone does not cut it.. IMO, main criteria as follows;
*A global and highly stable firmware... Not region-locked.
*Proper support directly from the manufacturer.
*Adequate unofficial support from the global community... Safe root and unroot, custom kernels, ROMs, tweaks, etc.
*Current and future Kodi support.. Official recognition by the Kodi foundation. This is cuz I'm a heavy Kodi user.
*Solid build quality with the ability to properly dissipate heat. Running cool for hours.
*Well integrated hardware and software.
*Full support of common Video & HD Audio formats.. Hardware decoding, pass through, etc.

Only after the above boxes are checked, do I consider other issues such as budget, power consumption, logistics, UI, start/shutdown speeds, RAM management, etc.

This is the best box... Let us know what you think.

Visit the Garage Sales section... Take your pick from sellers in there.

yup... Exodus, while great.. isn't perfect.

Haven't had to use Alluc in awhile..

Cost, performance, reliability, support, warranty, performance of certain apps... to name a few.

Thanks for the detailed review. A few quick questions;
*Does it support Audio Passthrough... which formats?... I'm also assuming with its CPU-GPU combo, hardware decoding is norm.
*Gaming controller(s) used or supported? Wired or Wireless?

This post has been edited by voncrane: Jan 5 2017, 01:11 PM

Long Live The King!! Awaiting real-world usage.. So far, looks like Nvidia delivers once again.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Jan 5 2017, 01:40 PM

Depends on your equipment.. Actually for non-power users without the proper audio-visual hardware, the Nvidia shield 1 or 2 is definitely overkill. Think of it this way, some ppl can or only require their cars to drive to 120Km/h (0-100 in 15 secs) max, others want to see 320km/h (0-100 in 4 secs) and still be able to take corners, all without achieving lift off..

Tons of YouTube videos showing performance... that's real world data right there.

Yep.. Dem still got royal blood..

Sure, why not... 0-100 KM/h in 2 secs flat.. turbo kicks in at 250,000rpm...

haha... You sir has won the internet today. I believe this does indeed answer that question perfectly; Borrowing experiences from May 2015, no box produced in 2017 and well into 2018, will top it. The Nvidia Shield TV V2 is the bestest box in the world.