In my experience.. Netflix wouldn't push an update that borks their app on a specific/certified device.. Why? cuz that device is exactly the same all over the world. At most, with some slight software variations and or tweaks pertaining to geo-loc.. What might happen is the TV manufacturer pushes out a buggy update, that messes with the Netflix app. I've read of several instances that happened with buggy Android TV OS powered TVs.. On the other hand, my 2014 Samsung TV running the outdated/abandoned SmartHub OS still gets Netflix app updates from Netflix and runs perfectly all day every day. Which is why, If I had to buy a TV today.. I'd avoid those like a plague.. Go with either Samsung's Tizen or LG's WebOS.

Are you referring to primarily Chinese content on YouTube? Dramas and the like? Unfortunately, those aren't my target content.. I do know that for $40 per month, YouTube TV does allow access to EPL matches..

unfortunately u r rite, most of the content is vod
but YouTube also started to have alot of live streaming, I watch mostly egame

yes, Chinese vod n variety, but I don't watch too... I'm banana
40usd? damn tat is alot of money...

If that day comes, then time to subscribe to VPN service 😅

Even a country like SG will have difficulty banning these illegal streaming boxes. Just look at UK and other EU nations which until today are unable to stop their citizens from streaming illegal contents from these boxes. What you say is true, some smart folks in malaysia like their counterparts in China will find ways to get around it. One example as i pointed out above. 😁

These people failed to understand that the box is just a device, Android boxes banned, no issue there's PC to stream too.

I'm sure the consumers can outsmart the authority.

Android boxes fuel content piracy

PETALING JAYA: Singapore’s proposal to ban media streaming boxes should be followed by Malaysia, say local industry players.

Dimsum chief marketing officer Lam Swee Kim (pic) said the move was to curb content piracy.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019...PKVsId2SmzIr.99

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This post has been edited by eltaria: Jan 30 2019, 10:36 AM

does HTPC and Raspberry Pi is categorized as TV Box?
If yes then people can easily used those to load their illegal streaming services

Nope. In their eyes, only Android boxes are the culprits. How convenient. Pfft.
However, I don't deny it's those illegal IPTV providers which give bad name to Android boxes community. Android ecosystem is so easy to tweak and whatnot, no surprise why they use Android boxes instead of other devices.

Hi All, first time buying an Android Box. Have read the last 30 pages or so and seem like the most recommended is the Minex Neo U9 or Shield. Read couple of online reviews, youtube review and checked out the prices in Lazada.

Most probably will go more Minex since is 50% cheaper than a Shield. Will a Minex serve my primary needs below?

Primary Needs
1. Playback H.264/265 at 50/60FPS encoded video. One of the main reason i'm buying as my current SmartTV built in player can only play upto 30fps movies.

2. youtube and vimeo app

3. gaming for small kids. Will addon a gamepad, if so, does it makes sense to invest in Shield? Any gamepad recommendation that works well with minex?

4. Nice interface (ala netflix style) to browse my movie collection (via Wifi instead of direct USB). Can we set the Kodi to auto start upon boot? so that it behaves more like a kodi box instead of a andriod box.

tqtqtq

android box is technically just an android phone using tv as their display...


and since astro go is android phone apps...using legit astro go account it shouldn't be problem anyway...

Well, I didn't mention Astro Go is illegal or will have issue.
Anyway, unfortunately the people out there will have this assumption - Android boxes = Illegal IPTVs.

Another news for this recent hot topic.

Android boxes cheap and easy to navigate, say users

PETALING JAYA: Android boxes, which allow for online streaming from legal and illegal sites on the Internet, are popular among Malaysian households as the offerings are cheap and easy to use.

Also known as set-top box, these devices can stream the latest movies, documentaries and live TV channels, including news, to the TV for free or with a small subscription, legally or illegally.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019...sQZ411Q4kDb6.99

i hv used both minix u9 and shield. but now only shield since i hv sold my u9.
minix can do those u mentioned
1.can play most codec. even those DD, using mx player with custom codec.
2. can download from apps store
3. can play kids games, but i never try with gamepad. high end games will lags. any bluetooth gamepad should work. minix got one of the best firmware support last time.
4. can use kodi for nice interface for movies and set as default launcher

all ur requirement can use u9. shield would be overkill.

but please bear in mind, shield is running android TV os, while minix using full android os.

Which one will be better, Android TV OS or stock Android OS? I'm thinking of Shield or other devices which are using Android TV OS in the future.

thanks. kodi default launcher is a setting in minex that came together or need install 3rd party? i was googling about auto boot to kodi and came across needing to install apk for OnbootKodi app.

btw sideloading apk on minex doesn't require rooting right?

miss out this point.. but i reckon for the immediate 1-2 years .. the Android OS will be better as i get the same access level to apps as my phone. When Android TV caught up.. then is time to change hardware liao...

if you have budget for Shield, then go for Shield.
Netflix 4k in STB is better than in TV

its depend on ur usage. if ur usage going to involve lots of native apps. better using minix since its full android os. some apps, even after sideload, not working very well.
but if u only use android TV apps,, then shield. the UI on the android tv os much better integration with the remote/controller.
mine mostly use netflix, youtube, games ( on shields platform) and some apps that available on the android TV os ( specific apps for android TV os)


forgot to mentioned, last time when i using minix u9, i flash custom firmware that enabled it running android TV os, so after i like the UI interface etc, then only i bought the shield. ( to make sure my investment is worth it , lol)

u need to install kodi, then on the minix settings for the launcher, put kodi as ur launcher. so everytime boot up, it will always open kodi. inside kodi, u can put ur apps shortcode if u want to .. like chrome or youtube. eg. booting up.. open kodi, then select chrome@youtube icon, then it will open those apps.


android tv OS right now is oreo, which same as android phone. the problem with the android TV os is that, not much manufacturer want to update it. unless those big name like shield and mi box. about those TV manufacturer that came android tv os, like Sony, i not really sure.

Budget is not really an issue for me, of course I am not looking for an expensive device here. I do have a benchmark for myself.
I will prefer apps compatibility at any time if given a choice.

Thanks for the advice. Looks like my heart still leans towards full Android OS.
OK, hoping for a better device next year, not looking for an upgrade this year.

I really like how neat Android TV OS is. I guess beggars can't be choosers.

i thought Kodi came preinstalled in U9..? if not mistakaen v17.1. but when i was watching those unboxing/setup youtube on minex, upon boot it allows choosing Minex default tiles launcher or the android phone-like launcher. no kodi launcher despite kodi already preinstalled.

It is Minix by the way, not Minex.