Current I not yet subsribe Netflix, but do hope the box when using Netflix app can output Dolby Atmos for relevant movie. Those cheapo tv box can do this or not?

MY samsung tv got ARC but not eARC, so if using TV Netflix app probably won't be getting any Atmos audio output to my AV receiver.

Get a Fire Stick 4K. It have all those things you wanted, including Atmos and it's cheap.

Amazon fire tv stick? So I need to plug it onto my av receiver instead of my TV right? Otherwise the stick no audio out connection cannot send the Atmos signal to the AV receiver.

HDMI eARC...hmmm.. basically you first need to concern yourself with if manufacturers of both your TV and AVR implemented em properly. Both need to have HDMI 2.1 ports and support ATMOS out and input from streaming services. These part is key as in some cases, its only supported from 4K UHD Blu-ray players and discs.. Good news though ARC can, however, allow you to receive Dolby Atmos audio from streaming services that use the format, including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Because Netflix and APV embed their Dolby Atmos audio in a DD+ stream, which ARC can handle. So you might be lucky there.

Nope, “cheapo” boxes don’t tend to offer such ATMOS & DV easily. But if you’ve got a decent 4K UHD HDR10 or DV capable TV and AVR? Just use the bundled Netflix app instead.

Me not fan of anything I can’t stick a Gigabit Ethernet cable or USB Type A devices directly to.. Basically, Stick anything? Is an immediate turn off for me. But hey that’s me and my preference.. Also, it’s very heavily Amazon-centric with that FireTV OS. Which means no easy access to Google Play stuff or services. Otherwise, if you just want to stick to strictly Netflix and likes streaming with assured DV & ATMOS support? Guess it’s not bad la.

Yep, one can try sticking directly to the AVR’s input and see how well it works. With any luck, you’ll get gooding passthrough video and the TV handles the post processing well. Otherwise, plugging directly to the TV then ARC/eARC works too.


Blame proprietary tech and software for all these uncertainties. Manufacturers are allowed some space to manipulate stuff... while still legally able to brand as something greater. Which is why I prefer real world usage info over their marketing speaks..

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 7 2020, 08:57 AM

I've been using Mi Box S for Netflix/Kodi. So far it's great

The problem is I'm going to upgrade my soundbar to Samsung HW-Q90R 7.1.4 system which is Dolby Atmos compatible. From what I heard the Netflix app and the Mi Box doesn't really support Atmos.

But from what I read online, if I use Kodi and do audio pass-through, I can get Dolby Atmos audio. Is this true? If it is true, how about a Kodi Netflix add-on. Will it get Atmos too?

Well, congrats on the upgrade..Checked out the HW-Q90R and it's quite gooding as far as quality Sound bars go... Audio support up to Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, then video 4K/60p, 4:4:4, Rec.2020, High Dynamic Range (HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision), 3D and HDCP 2.2.. Basically, throw it all and should be able to handle it. Regarding pass-through, Yes, Kodi will support it and since the sound bar has HDMI inputs, I would suggest connect your HDMI cable to it and enable pass-through in Kodi. With Android, getting ATMOS thru Kodi depends on your player and unfortunately you are correct, the MiBox S does not natively support Dolby ATMOS (as you mentioned, there are some reports of it working thru Kodi Pass-through, but these IIRC are for Bluray rips and not from the Netflix addon...Use your TV's?) or Dolby Vision either. It only supports HDR10 &, DTS and DD(+). So if you've got a DV capable TV and want to max your AV experience? I recommend you upgrade your media player as well.

Lastly and I'm spitballing here, getting proper DV outside streaming platforms is a tricky business. Sure got some floating around but.....compromises.

Whoever needs Dolby vision and Dolby Atmos, can consider Tivo stream 4k as one of the options. This box is a netflix certified box. With the latest firmware, it can stream using netflix and supports Dolby vision and Dolby Atmos. Sells at about rm300+ on the online site.

Also, this is an android TV box ( vs firetv which isn't ). It has chrome cast as well.

2020 Zidoo z9x is what you need to handle local playback.

The box is widevide L1 and supports Dolby vision and Dolby Atmos for local playback.

Streaming from netflix upto 4k is supported but Dolby vision and Dolby Atmos are said will be fixed in the future firmware release.

Price is around 1k there about.

Anything for DV and ATMOS priced around RM1k mark? I strongly advise simply getting the Nvidia Shield instead. What works works and what will be implemented will be implemented.. Nvidia has quality devs to make things happen and given past experience, they won't simply "abandon" your device after say 2 years. Otherwise, yup... Zidoo is a decent brand and the Z9X doesn't seem like a slouch either.. Although that SoC & I can't seem to find official "Netflix Certified" tag on their website...Which is explainable by it running regular Android 9 OS vs ATV OS which is a prerequisite for Netflix to awarding certification.

Edit: Not saying it still can't stream Netflix up to 4K (Cuz Widevine L1), but that it's isn't official and like others, relies heavily on workarounds.. Officially or not. not something most DV & ATMOS device owners should want to concern themselves about. IMO.

This post has been edited by voncrane: Aug 8 2020, 10:47 AM

I would like to buy tv box to install Reolink app (CCTV) & must have wifi.

Can anyone recommend a suitable android TV box or any tv box would do ?

Please buy nvidia TV pro

Hey... Checked out the app and it seems like a fairly standard app. So most regular Android boxes (Cheap or otherwise) should run it just fine. Which box you should get will then depend on your budget and if you have other requirements. If you are willing to share? PM me and I can help test on my device for you.

Although, such CCTV monitoring apps tend to be installed on say our smartphones or tablet. You know, devices that are almost always on us at all time, for quick easy viewing & monitoring. So I’m intrigued, are you interested in setting it up as a stand-alone substitute DVR?

Hi sifus,

Would like to seek for your advise which tvbox to take?

I watch wide range of shows or drama including china, hk, western shows. Currently subscribed to Netflix Msia but feel like the content is dull and bored and thinking to terminate it. The rest of content basically would need to "google" it to watch.

Any suggestion which box to get? Too many choices in the market. Budget wise should be range within RM 600.

Hi, did you own it?

From official site, it looks interesting.

https://www.zidoo.tv/Product/index/model/Z9...FMcQ%3D%3D.html

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Aug 11 2020, 12:03 PM

Hi..and your audio needs? Or just even plain stereo is good enough? Seems, you already know where and how to get the “ehem” stuffs.. That’s good. If you don’t have specific audio or DV/HDR10 visual needs.. Then just settle for a cheaper box should do. Beelink’s GT1 Mini 2 should do just fine.. Check out my review below.. It’s affordable & tiny yet packs a punch..

Yeah... indeed it does.. I’m tempted to just grab a unit and see how it performs..

As pointed out by fellow poster, they will not likely to get official Netflix certification. The strength of the product remains in local file playback.

No, I don't own one. I watched this review and quite fascinated by it's ability, which is actually inherited from the powerful chipset.

Ya me also. Haha!

I no need Netflix, I already have 3 certified Netflix device - TV, Apple TV 4K and also 4K UHD Blu-ray player.

Just interested with it others features.

Thanks for the Youtube review link, will check it out.

After you have watched the review, please comment on this feature mentioned in the review, LLDV.

The reviewer commented and showed that the player is able to "upgrade" a SD quality video to make it to be rendered in DV.

Unless it is simply a dynamic conversion from ( the already present ) HDR data to DV .....

But if HDR is already present in the video, then the quality of HDR rendered video and DV rendered video should not be significantly different, then we should not see much difference in the output quality.

Seeking clarification.

SD normally is SDR, if convert to DV, will be very wrong.

Origin Apple TV 4K also did that, everybody complain, so this option is optional now.

I am absolute don't want SDR convert to HDR/Dolby Vision.

If this option is not optional and cannot disable, then this TV Box is not for me. Haha!

This post has been edited by Andrewtst: Aug 11 2020, 07:02 PM

From the review video, there are 5 options :-

1. HDR10
2. Highest SDR rec 709
3. Highest SDR rec 2020
4. LLDV only
5. Automatic