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.

Did you use the same cable?

Hmm, sorry can't test for you cuz I only have a 3TB hard drive and my Minix Neo X7 is no longer with me (in the market for a new device). I'm guessing your hard drive has its own power source? Also try the other USB ports cuz sometimes a particular USB port might be the problem. Running stock or custom rom?

Could be the cable. Heard that on some model, the connector (silver end point) needs to be extra longer.