HTPC running good renderer can beat the oppo...

A simple analogy would be like comparing OLED vs VA/IPS...whilst cheaper boxes are like TN

They all can display the pictures... just that some has more oomph than others... but I always advice if you can't tell the difference then it doesn't matter...

And value for money is in the eye of the beholder... 
FYI... I send my android box hdmi signal to my oppo for further processing... the oppo is so much better ... and tbh I probably won't build a dedicated HTPC, but if I'm building one for general use I might as well make sure it does home theater too... I'm also considering a 43" 4K TV as my monitor... so what the hell... just do it (HTPC) ... hahaha

40" for monitor... it not the size matter anymore
the most important factor for 4k... it able to double ur workspace.

so what is oppo? fruit box??

I do agree on this. 4K is not very noticeable unless it is size 60" and above.

But lucky release of HDR. HDR wise do make big differences on visual.

Those saying 4K for monitor give big working space is kind of not in reality usage, even in 43" you still hardly seen the wording in Windows, you need to upscale to at least 125% or better 150% for a proper not eye stretching view, but in 150% scale already make the work space not much different as in 1440p resolution.

Need some skills. Haha!

But if put in bedroom, I think 43 to 49" is enough.

Hall I prefer 60" to 65".

By the way here is TV Box thread not TV. I think should stop here discussion on TV. Haha!

Isn;t kodi is too complicated for old folks. 

steamyx 4mbps more or less maybe sufficient. But due to its not a fiber broadband, guess better to test it first.

user friendly, guess depend on the UI design and how well your parents able to absorb or not.

based on bitrate... a 1080p stream required 1.4mbps to 3.4mbps.

i guess 4mbps is minimum if u share the internet...
---

tipys for ur parents, (chinese only guide)
1. if u parent only read chinese, change the language!

2. if ur tv box support voice remote, change the speech recognition to china mandrain... (i banana, so i tested on cantonese oni)
- very important for voice search
- use phone for voice recognition hv higher success rate

3. youtube hv alot free china tv series and varity show... minimum 720p
- 10years cannot finish watch

As what i know majority of the channel / movies link from the addon are located on US continent. Due to distance, routing, and no CDN to Asian, that is all suffer from buffering issues.

No need PM... 100% legal channel.
all belong to broadcast station.

1. Some TV Series all region locked.
2. Many NEW TV Series are free while other need 3months to 1year to unlock. (especially licensed to astro/local tv channel).
3. If Eng Sub TV series is locked. Tipsy: Look for Non-Sub version... eg Nirvana in Fire.
4. Most Eng Sub are not hardsub, u need to enabled youtube subtitles.
I have 20-30 subscribed channel, so i only list some.
u all if interest jus subscribe the following list

1. 欢迎订阅 -浙江卫视【奔跑吧】官方频道
-> China Running Man

2. KBS World TV
-> Korea (End Sub). Not many series and most new content are locked

3. 中国浙江卫视官方频道 Zhejiang TV Official Channel - 欢迎订阅
-> China Singing Competitions

4. 优优独播剧场——YoYo Television Series Exclusive
-> China TV Series (Eng Sub)

5. 优优经典剧场——YoYo Television Series Classic
-> China TV Series (Eng Sub)

6. 偶像剧场 Huasi.tv Idol & Romance
-> China TV Series

7. 华策影视官方频道 China Huace Film & TV Official Channel
-> China TV Series
-> The deer and the cauldron 2014

8. 华语经典剧场
-> China TV Series (Eng Sub)
-> The Legend of Kublai Khan

9. 大劇獨播
-> China TV Series

10. 大劇獨播—唐人影視官方頻道
-> China TV Series

11. 江苏卫视官方频道China JiangsuTV Official Channel
-> China Singing Competitions

12. 湖南卫视芒果TV官方频道 China HunanTV Official Channel
-> China Mix of Content
-> MUST Subscribe

SPECIAL: MOM Favorite
民視戲劇館
-> Taiwanese Hokkien TV Series (Eng Sub)

Note: As of current YouTube app on Android TV have limited feature...
eg cannot add ur watchlist to playlist!
but u can solve this using ur youtube app on your phone or using webpage.
Enjoy