I'm currently using the Minix Neo X7 and it's a beast.. Runs smoothly with firmware upgrades + forum support. If you can wait a couple more months, Minix will be releasing the X8 .. Though the X7 is perfectly fine as it even supports 4TB external hard drive.

You can get it from Deal Extreme. I got it from a guy selling it off lowyat forum here but i can't seem to find his thread which should be active, so still scout around.

1. Being an android box, it plays a lot of media formats i use like avi, mp4, mkv etc. There are tons of apps you can install to watch live tv or stream tv shows and movies... An example would be CloudTV for live streaming of English, Chinese, Indian channels. You can check the app out on their website CloudTV, you'll have to pay per month ($5) to access their premium channels but good thing is, you can try the premium channels for free for 24 hours, then decide if to purchase or not. I'm English and so can't help with HK series but i'm sure android has apps for that. Alternatively, you can run XBMC on the device, install plug-ins from third party repositories to get tons of Chinese channels for free.

2. Minix provided an android app which can be used to not only fully control the box but can also be used to play control 3D games on your TV. Wireless keyboards and Mouse are suported via usb dongle or bluetooth.

3. Yes to playing from my External HDD and also DLNA support from my PC, Note 3 and Nexus 10. It also supports screen mirroring except by samsung devices. Though that doesn't matter as i can easily push pics or video files via DLNA from the gallery app. Media files can also be pushed wirelessly from IOS & OSx devices as well if that's your thing.

4. Cost is within your price range.

I'm using Unifi 5Mbps package and this works for me & streams HD though i'm considering upgrading to 10Mbps simply for faster torrenting . If you are an android user, then you'll understand what to expect from this box. Frankly it does all i want and even more.

Very unlikely cuz XBMC is a free and open source (GPL) software media player and entertainment hub. Development is ongoing, at least for now.

Haha.... No worries, just take it easy. We were all noobs once. Just when choosing a box, make sure it has an active forum support and a legit quad core processor for smooth performance. Might cost you slightly more but you'll enjoy it more.

Yes & No. It really depends on your taste and what hardware you buy. Buy crappy hardware? Get crappy android media experience. Also, you MUST understand that setting up & using will NOT be as easy as switching on a Hypptv or Astro box & pressing buttons on the remote. Android OS is powerful yet super easy to customize, not for the weak. Personally, my android setup works better than any satellite service. Read before you commit.

Try reflashing its firmware if you can. Else, claim a replacement.

The key word here is "LIVE". That completely depends on your network speed and actually finding a source to stream from, especially if you are seeking full 1080P. The most i was able to get during the past live world cup matches was around 720P and that was for some matches where i could find the source, average was 480P, looked okay on my tablet and up-scaling on the TV. However, you can definitely stream 1080P recorded matches. Since you don't know much about streaming stuff (paid or free) and want live HD, you are better off sticking with ASTRO and waiting for Google Android TV. I'm currently using the Minix Neo X7.

Please at least read the thread for suggestions and user experience before asking. Almost every week, there's a post just like yours. Every box has advantages and disadvantages, so what works perfectly for me, might be hell for another. Forums, Google search reviews and YouTube are your pals.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 15 2014, 01:19 AM

Yes, this is indeed a forum to discuss, or wasn't my reply a discussion? I'm aware I didn't give you the direct answer you were expecting, but surely you have to realize I'm trying to save you from repeating the same mistake you made by buying your current media box. Last i checked, when it comes to spending money, one can't have too much information on a product. Here's a direct answer then, I'm using a Minix Neo X7 and by my standards, its "easy to use", handles "streaming" thru xbmc, torrents, watching movies from USB thumb drive or external hard disk, supports playing .mkv files, 3D games with a PS3 controller via usb or wireless via Bluetooth + Sixaxis Controller app, among other functions.
You see, the above satisfies me cause when i say easy to use, i don't mean switch on, click one icon and voila magically everything works, which might be what you are looking for. My version of "easy to use" involves, being able to safely root or unroot at will, customize each and every aspect of the box, add or remove features as I see fit, flash custom roms etc. This satisfies me cuz i'm willing to put in the work to make the box better. If your needs matches my needs, then by all means, go grab the X7, but bear in mind, there are other boxes that also outperform it, e.g. the Neo X8-H. I considered upgrading but decided its not worth it since my system still works satisfactorily. There's the Amazon Fire TV with a nice easy to use UI but cuz its a heavily customized android firmware, it requires more knowledge of how android works to "re-customize". Trust me, we all have been searching for the ultimate media box, but there is none atm.

Haha... That's a lot of media players. I used to have the Noontec A9, sold it off after getting the X7. I know its a dream la to think about purchasing that one box that rules them all, but got to hope right... Media players are just like other forms of technology, manufacturers can't bring themselves to design the very best cuz after then, there's nthg to sell, equals no growing profit. Quite ambitious of you for hoping to hang on to your current box for the next 2 years I don't think i can..
Hey, if approached what features would you want in the "ultimate" media player?

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 15 2014, 08:28 PM

Spot on. Unless a pal comes over and takes my current box off me, I intend to stick to it till a truly worthwhile upgrade shows up.

Since totally noob, please read first before buy, if buy first and device don't work up to expectation? There are tons of howto videos and others reviewing different android boxes on youtube. A bit difficult to just recommend one particular box as earlier posts will tell you.

Here we go again...

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 17 2014, 09:58 PM

Minix Neo X7 user here. Feel free to ask performance related questions. However, better you check out the updated Neo X8-H with Amlogic S802-H CPU, rather than X7's Rockchip version for future proofing..etc.

Okay, need to understand that the x7 and possibly all minix boxes are not your typical "chinese" boxes that are sold with IPTV services. Its just a "vanilla-type" android firmware loaded on a hardware and customized to hook up to your tv. Now to directly answer your questions.
*VIP5 is enough as its what i've been using but i'm contemplating upgrading to VIP10 or higher for faster downloads.
* Yes it plays .mkv files stored locally on the box or off a flash or external hard drive.
*Doesn't come with any channels but you can install subscription based apps like Netflix, Hulu, and IPTV apks like CloudTV, IDST Monster Pro etc. There are free android apps in the Google Playstore that you can also install to watch local and some international channels but expect poor pq as those apps were designed for the smaller screen size of a mobile phone and not your TV.
*I personally use and prefer XBMC for watching pretty much everything including live local and international TV. Using a customized m3u list that XBMC reads at start up to stream live TV (around 480P & above res) including TV1 - TV9, TVi, 1News, Muzik Aktif, RTM Parliamen, Discovery channel HD, Aljazeera HD, CNN HD, BBC News HD, Animal Channel HD, Travel Channel, Nat Geo... etc.
*The X7 runs YouTube. I prefer using the XBMC YouTube app instead of the default Google released YouTube app for watching YouTube videos, cuz it lists and displays videos better and I can set the addon to stream 720P/1080P (when available) by default.

You r welcome. Configuring XBMC.. Hmmm.. That really depends on your messing with tech skills level. But its really super easy once you get the hang of it. Plus, since XBMC is a very popular open software, in addition to XBMC and Minix's official forum, there are lots of forums like /k, freaktab, xda-devs, etc). More good news is that, most of the time, you can actually get step by step configuration tips and tricks from YouTube or tech blogs. I'm still advising you grab the newer X8 or X8-H especially if its within your budget for longer future support. You know how it is with OEMs and pushing out android updates.

Not X8-H user. Check background processes, try reducing the game's display quality settings and get a ps3 controller. Should work through USB by default, root ur device & install the Sixaxis app for smooth wireless control.

What avfan says. You won't need your condo's TV connection since there's very good quality included in your streamyx or unifi package. Also, for smooth streaming, I wouldnt advice having lesser speeds than 4mbps. The local channels m3u playlist I'm using is created from one posted earlier in this thread, foreign channels updated from here.

Edited*

This post has been edited by voncrane: Sep 12 2014, 08:09 AM

Thanks for sharing. Maybe you can further help the karaoke lovers out there by mentioning the box's name, model number and possibly where it can be purchased. Enjoy ur device.

Summary: An android TV box is basically a phone/tablet packed into a box shape and software tweaked to allow HDMI out connection. For more details, go back a few pages.