To all who are interested in performance feedback of the Minix Neo X8-H Plus, feel free to drop by here and ask. Updated to latest firmware (Clean install). So far so good, setting up Kodi, apps etc. Fast, smooth and responsive UI. Tvapp.so doesn't work on it though, apparently the developer blocked access from popular TV boxes (works on my Nexus tablet). I'm working on a work around for that. Latest Kodi works effortlessly on it and able to pass through all sounds via spdif cable to the HT, like AC3, DD, DTS, DTS-HD & DTS-HD MA. Files with 7.1 DTS-HD/DTS-HD MA plays but audio gets down-mixed to 5.1. No proper receiver to confirm the down-mixing, but other users from the official forum say so. Possible future fixes in the works. Loving the CEC feature on it, less remotes on the table for control.
Confirmed apps working so far.
*Hypptv Everywhere (Tablet version)
*Showbox
*Mobdro
*Popcorn Time
*Movie HD
*iFlix.
 

1. By clean install, I meant that if the box isn't running the latest 006A firmware (20150708), best option for optimum results is to flash the firmware using USB flash tool included in the firmware downloaded. This will do a full wipe and give you a clean box. Subsequent firmware upgrades can then be done using the official OTA tool included in the firmware.
2. Apps aren't pre-installed but very easy to get. HyppTV Everywhere (tablet), iflix, Mobdro, Showbox, Popcorn Time, Movie HD
3. Hmmm, join the official Minix forum, customize Kodi to your liking, maybe get a keyboard+touchpad type remote or keyboard+mouse combo. I'm using the A2 lite mouse. Be careful though, over there on the forum, you have to read and search first before asking or creating a bug report, make posts in the right sections or it gets deleted (Yeah, they r strict like that). Know the capabilities of your box and don't throw tantrums if it can't do what you want it to do, like teleport you to the moon or something . Enjoy your box.

Just an update to my mini-review of the Neo X8-H Plus. I am ignoring the custom-built Kodi_Minix version pre-installed in the box and have been primarily using the latest Kodi 15.0 “Isengard" with Aeon Nox theme, live TV and about 15 video addons. Thought I might have to tweak the advancedsettings.xml to adjust for certain video or audio playback and online buffering issues, etc, but there's no need to, as everything chugs smoothly on. Highest movie bitrate/quality test (a 45GB .iso file), playback was smooth as expected. Same with fast-forward, jump-back, chapters switching etc. Next up would be running the heavier Aeon MQ5 skin which caught my eye.