if u r used to Realtek like acryan, u will find realtek video softer but smoother, good for the eyes. U may find androids deliver harder but more colorful video. audio, I like acryan a little more, cleaner sound, than my Himedia android for dts n dtshdma.

I read minix is a good one, very good for XBMC. but I think it does not pass thru hd audio, will downgrade dtshdma to core dts only. If so, not so good if u hv a good ht system.

China clampdown is on non legit ipTV or those abusing radio license. u can still get some "more legit" ones. I do not see more sites being taken down, so that may be it for now.

I mean my android playback video is hard in that it is sharper, so sharp that my eyes dun like it in the beginning. After awhile n adjusting the TV, it's fine. It also depends on what files u play mostly. I am referring to 1080p n bdmv files. Low grade files will not matter much, little difference.

i dun hv minix... but actual users incl voncrane will be able to help u out.
audio delay... u mean video n audio do not sync during media playback? i hv not experienced this on both my old acryans and newer himedias.

I'm using the Minix Neo X7, decided not to upgrade to the X8-H yet cuz my current setup works perfectly for me. Waiting on more powerful specs. For new buyers, you should go for the upgraded box as the X8-h technically does all the X7 can and more, plus its more future proof in terms of OS upgrades. For best real life experiences on the X8-H, I suggest you join the official Minix forum and forums like freaktab. There you'll find more users, official and custom mods to tweak your device just the way you want it. The Minix team work directly with xbmc and so have superior support where xbmc is concerned. Feel free to ask me if you want anything tested on the X7.

Video quality is excellent for me directly connected via HDMI to my plasma TV. Planning to buy an led TV soon, so hoping for even better picture quality (Knocks on wood). Before this, I was using a Noontec A9 android box, so I can't comment on comparison to a Realtek based player. I can personally confirm full support for 3D SBS movies & WD MyBook 3TB which I'm using. Others have reported support for even 4TB hard disks.Usually if the external hard disk has its own power supply, it should work. I primarily watch English movies, TV Series & Live TV and so can't comment on Chinese content but since its powered by android, there are apps out there including Netflix, HULU, XBMC, Cloudtv, Monster Pro etc that should be satisfactory for you. My XBMC setup is heavily tweaked to pull hundreds of live English TV channels worldwide, in addition to various addons that provide instant streaming of full movies and seasons of TV shows, even old ones. I recently just finished watching all seasons of "Fresh Prince of Bel Air". So there's literally an endless supply of free English content.

hahahha me too, bought from them as well last week. even bought an hdtv app subscription for one month to try out

Actually it depends on your needs. Some (Like me  ) prefer all in once shot. So less headache.

You also can buy our own desire AB and subs on other seller.

Very subjective 

Here's the thing, currently the Neo U1 is still being "tested" and frankly I'd rather recommend its older brother pending further performance confirmations (firmware is still being tweaked). Why? I've personally used the Neo X8-H Plus and can vouch for its capabilities. Playing 3D files being no issue. However, in light of Minix's history, the Neo U1 should at a minimum, theoretically do all that the X8-H Plus did plus slightly more (due to better hardware). So for future-proofing, maybe go for the U1. Remember to come leave a personal review here for others to profit...

looking forward to it. 2/8gb with sata hdd bay.

To my opinion, 3D is totally useless and target gullible customers to jack up product price. I don't feel sad if it dies away.

When I watch movies,  I want to see the whole scene including the background everything, as movie is a drama, a story telling which the whole scene acted in front of you, not just the 3D objects. That is how we appreciate art work like paintings of Monet, Picasso and etc. You don't just focus on the flower and ignore the pond, leaves and other details.

after reading nearly 50pages in this 72 pages thread I like to know which of the android boxes can run iflix and Kodi realibly? Netflix optional, but iflix and Kodi is a must.

This will be an upgrade to my Matricom Midnight g2 that now cannot run Kodi (only the preinstalled XBMC) as there are no more support.

I have been looking at himedia but the seller told me no support for iflix. Mibox have very small storage (although i do like the ac wifi)

Budget around RM500, if you can suggest realiable seller i will be

yes, himedia CANNOT run iflix.

no much comment on what other boxes can or cannot.

will be good to hear more about this.

btw, iflix is all SD, nothing HD.

no.

himedia can run netflix but only in sd, whatever package u pay.

astro-on-the-go and hypptv everywhere - they used to work, but no more, been blocked.

yes, it is sad that some of these good apps no longer work.

i now get netlfix hd/uhd and iflix on my smart android tv. newest 4k smart tv's are certified by many parties, can do a few more things than generic box androids.

Get the amazon fire tv~

It's more of a preference thingy.. I don't mind getting my hands dirty.. Tech-wise... Even regular android boxes, phones, etc needs third party apps to be sideloaded once in awhile, as certain "lovely" apps cannot be found within Google's Play Store... Sideloading on the Nvidia Shield TV running Android TV is easy.. Just download apk, transfer wirelessly, file explorer.. Install..

Makes sense. However do note that some third party apps (e.g. Videoder) have inbuilt auto-update features, which means you'll only have to sideload once and later versions will be done on the box. Another thing is, since you wouldn't want to change TV boxes, make sure to get one with a stable firmware + hardware that meets your needs. Future ROM support is also important.