Damned! Ordered on 11/5 and today it arrived. This the fastest by far the delivery by GB at no additional cost

Eidted : Update on User Experience

Pros
The wifi chip is very impressive, I get abt 90% of speed compared to Q16 Quad (10-12 metres fro router)
The device is quick to load up and shut downs
Interface is ok, pretty basic
Allows Passthrough to 5.1
Plays most movie files except 4k as I don't have a 4k TV
Works well on Njoi

Cons
No Kodi, so install 17 and add-on one by one
Remote sucks big time
No On/Off button
Need to install Netflix, HuLu, Sportify etc

Remarks
I noticed that whatever backup I've done via Ares in Jarvis, when I tried restoring it in Krypton, it does work. This same experience occurs on other boxes such Nexbox A95X, Beelink MXiii ii and even Q5 Pro... Am I doing it wrongly?

Overall I'd give this box a 7/10

This post has been edited by GuyM: May 20 2017, 03:50 PM


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That IS fast

any X96 user here? the price very interesting with S905X (2G RAM+16GB)

ya, this can vary from user to user.

the trouble is many new users do not know if they REALLY want this and that or not?!

it is compounded by a previous experience with another kind of box/player if any.

several times, i have read the user said the picture quality of the new box is not as good as his 7 year old ac ryan or wdlive for playback.

if one has not used acryan or wdlive, one cannot compare, will not know.


someone like me who has used acryan and insist on hd audio playback will never buy a cheap box.

whereas someone who has never used any box, has a small tv and do not need good audio should be happy enough with most boxes.

but spending a bit more can provide the assurance that it will serve current and future (3 years) needs well.

so, the onus is on the buyer to read, ask questions and run with it!

got a question...just watched on astro awani regarding android tv being illegal...is this true?

Use hammer to nail furniture...legal

Use hammer to kill someone...illegal

I'm sure you have one, so your hammer...legal or illegal?

Android TV...developed by Google.

Android box...comparable to Android phone...isn't it? Just without telco, mobility features, etc...

This post has been edited by dwRK: May 15 2017, 12:39 PM

update on my Vensmile U1...

Found a silly AC3 bug I think. Aida64 reported available AC3 codec, but no sound when using native player, MX player, VLC, etc. Even when using AC3 Player also no sound. Antutu video tester says OK but that is a wrong result. Only Kodi played with sound. Install custom codec for MX player, now only Kodi & MX plays my files properly. Very strange.

I previously reported some PQ banding...apparently that's an issue only when using browser for lcd calibration. No banding observed with video playback and UI operation.

Gotten used to the UI, really like the status bar & multitasking. Only pet peeve is only one master volume for all sound (media, notification, mouse click)

So far still happy with the box.

dwRK already did the honors..

Yasss... I want the 2017 version so bad.. But till my current A/V hardware are fully upgraded to take decent advantage of it, I'm unable to convince myself to grab one. C'mon OLED TVs, get within a favorable price range.

Yup...

Using legal means such as the Astro Go app is legal.. Using other ehem means.. well.. dwRK to the rescue again..

Please this is bolehland, don't give those we know any such excuses.. Next thing you know we might be asked to register to buy hammers..

On the AC3 issue, Reads like it's resorted to software decoding vs hardware decoding.. Kodi & MX Player are good with that... Kodi, once installed, comes "pre-packed".. MX Player, in an effort to remain lean, requires the additional codec to be installed (when required as in your case).. A master volume for everything wouldn't bother me though as mine's set to high and all volume control is done via the HT/TV's remote. The Vensmile U1 would probably far better if it gets the Remix OS 3.0 update.. Hopefully that happens.. Else, you happy.. No biggie..

Tried HW+, HW and SW...no go... MX player codec didn't work...but Xda's is working... that's why so strange...

Kodi 17... I'm using HW decode & it's working...so it's even stranger... lol... anyway will play with it some more...

This post has been edited by dwRK: May 16 2017, 06:53 AM

Weird...

I just received and tried mine yesterday. It's extremelly tiny compared to the last I have. I bought Q8 RK328 last two years ago for Rm340 (supposed to be future proof seller says but the reset button broke so I can't start anymore) and this one costs so much less. No power and off button - x96 but so far it doesn't restart arbitrally.

A week ago I had to return decooler m something which is supposedly the same spec but awful as it starts up less than half the time (like two out of nine times). I had to return it within the week. decooler is imported and has rather bad reviews.
x96 slightly better - I bought from lazada with local six months warranty.
Was thinking of mi box but at half the memory, it's difficult to justify spending at least fify percent more...

[CODE]

Thank you. Yes for me the native player is more stable. I have himedia q5 and use their basic app to play my file. Sometimes it gave me an error it stop working. User interface with air mouse also not my thingy. I don't whether it was my bad luck with android box. My android cant activate WiFi, forced to swith back old play store app. If I upgrade to New, the play store stop working and it will effect other apps too especially YouTube.

Now the box felt more slower. I don't think it because I not clean the unnecessary file because I did not download and install much..I also still using my phone jelly bean android without any problem. Im assuming now the android box that I use have a bad firmware.

From you all experience, which brand of box have a good support from developer and stable firmware?

Yes.. Sounds like the firmware is going haywire.. Try a factory reset first and confirm that you have the latest available firmware for it.. If you haven't done so already.. As for which brands have better support.. Go back to page one and read a bit.. Especially post #3.. However, must read the entire page to understand..

TLDR: Minix, Nvidia, HiMedia, MiBox, Wetek, Beelink, etc.

himedia q5... i will respond in himedia thread:
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/1849024/+2480

Noobie here. Just got my mini M8S II after doing my research and reading around. It seems is one of the recommended budget category, which i'm in for.
will test it tonight, hopefully not much of an issue. Still waiting for airmouse




update:
- stock kodi 16 preinstalled. uninstalled and update to 17.1 with no problems
- comes pre rooted
- so far experience has been good
- Minix a2 lite mouse works well
- didn't hang in few hours
- overall, damn satisfied with it. Suits me as I'm looking for a budget box for a few hours of use every day

This post has been edited by kucingfight: May 21 2017, 12:07 AM

Should be good for normal use if you are connected to LAN and if wifi, within 5m rang otherwise it may suffer slow connection unless the wifi chip has been upgraded

I disable the wifi on my TV box, and connects to router via LAN cable.

Would that make any difference?

Running via cable offers better transfer than wifi (assuming gigabit port) and much lower problem unless cable quality or cable too long till signal horribly degrades issue.

Running via WiFi is easier as u don't need cables however u need to factor in interference​, channels and diff speed / distance factor of 2.4ghz vs 5ghz.

Check your requirements, study your hardware and environment and u shall have the best case for your application

This post has been edited by pluginbaby: May 17 2017, 08:20 PM

Also set your DNS to google at router

Seem smooth. I already got it. Shipping was fast thought. HDTV working well now.