Android TV Box

moomat

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Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #1

These handy little gadgets turn any tv with a hdmi connection into a smart tv!

http://www.geekbuying.com/item…13213.html

You'll need a wifi with at least 3mb download to stream tv content well. Basically it's a little android computer and you will be able to put any android app on it including content streamers like RTE Player and other less legal apps that have all the latest movies/shows/live tv channels if that's what you're into :bandit:

Delivery from the website in the link takes about 4-6 weeks. You'll also need a wireless mouse to control it, €10 in PC world.

Any questions just ask!

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #2

Nice! was going to put a Raspberyy Pi in the MH might opt for this instead.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #3

I believe they're very good too. I like that there's a huge amount of support for Android and so many people developing stuff for them.
We have an android box at home and its amazing what it's capable of.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #4

Yeah Android all the way

I see they have a Quad core one, think I'll go for it. Is the power USB? I see it's 5 volt.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #5

The one I posted is the most basic version, €70-€80 will get you a top of the range box. I've had the basic box streaming big movies 10 metres from the router with no bother; for normal use it's fine. If you're going to tweak and mess around with the box then the quad core would probably be better.
Yes, the power supply is 5v. I think if you have a tv with usb it may power it but there's a wall adapter in the box anyway. There's also a hdmi cable in the box.
The website is the official distributor for Tronsmart so it's all good gear.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #6

Install XBMC on it and the world is at your fingertips! search google for XBMC Android and all will be revealed

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #7

Roku all the way in this house!

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 18.02.2014 · #8

is it the same as droidbox?
can it be flashed like skybox?

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #9

I put xmbc on my pc to try it first but my download speed was too poor to make it work right

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #10

I have been told download speed is an issue with them.
There seems to be a lot available on it but also a lot of menu options to go through to find what you are looking for.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #11

With the xmbc you add what you want to the various sections such as music,video,pictures etc the best version I have seen so far is it on an apple tv box although my friend in work has built one using a raspberry pi.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #12

You do have the facility in XBMC to download and then watch what you want rather then stream it for immediate viewing. Its not the easiest thing in the world to set up but it is worth the effort. I run it on an Apple 2 TV and whilst my broadband link is only 3mb and providing the schools aren't on holiday (broadband dies when the kids are off) I can stream okay or download and watch at a later date with no issues.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #13

Quote by mark

is it the same as droidbox?
can it be flashed like skybox?

Yes same idea as a Droidbox and can be flashed with a custom ROM if required.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #14

I haven't encountered any speed issues with these boxes at all. I've 120Mb broadband and with the box upstairs, router downstairs I'm still getting around 25Mb.
I did have an issue but it was related to the router. Get the Speedtest app and run a speedtest. If you are getting faster uploads than downloads you may need to chnage your QoS settings in your router. It's really straightforward and just involves giving streaming priority. Have a look here

XBMC is great, with the NAVI-X add on you can access nearly every TV channel in the world. XBMC does however require alot more messing around and my own dad just can't get his head around it. There's some other apps you can get where content is only a click away and he finds that much better.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #15

Quote by broms

Install XBMC on it and the world is at your fingertips! search google for XBMC Android and all will be revealed

Was going to go for XMBC on the Raspberry PI, going with Android now I know about this

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #16

Quote by moomat

These handy little gadgets turn any tv with a hdmi connection into a smart tv!

http://www.geekbuying.com/item…13213.html

Where are they delivered from? China?

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #17

Thinking this one http://www.geekbuying.com/item…16975.html would be better for the Motorhome perhaps?

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #18

This is well worth a read before you buy anything http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Devices

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #19

Installed XBMC on my Droid phone, works a treat. Installed it on PC and it won't get any addons, disabled firewall etc to test, wondering is my ISP blocking it.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #20

Quote by Ally

Thinking this one http://www.geekbuying.com/item…16975.html would be better for the Motorhome perhaps?

I'm not familar with that box but looks pretty similar to these ones that I've set up. http://www.geekbuying.com/item…18432.html

I think the main difference is that the box you linked to has an intergrated hdmi connection, all the spec looks the same.

The boxes come from Singapore. I didn't get hit with VAT but it is possible. Also if you order more than €150 worth (I think), you can be hit with duty in ROI.

Check out some of the wireless mice, keyboards while you're on the site. Like this and this. I have the second one, it's a bit fidgety but having volume control, touch pad and qwerty keyboard is great. It's no bigger than a small slice of bread.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #21

Quote by Ally

Installed XBMC on my Droid phone, works a treat. Installed it on PC and it won't get any addons, disabled firewall etc to test, wondering is my ISP blocking it.

I don't think the ISP would block getting add ons. I'll send you on some repos in zip format so you can go setting>get add ons>install from zip and then find them on your local drive. That might work.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #22

This is a Pay as you go Sky service. At €9.99 it's exceptional value for the hardware, its a repackaged Roku box. There was a months subscription included with the box but not sure if that's still going considering they have the other bundle offers.

https://shop.nowtv.com/?DCMP=P…ational_17

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #23

Got them installed, thanks!

A lot of broken ones but I'll have a look round for more.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #24

.... and all of a sudden it starts working.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #25

Its a whole new world out there

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #26

I was looking at it but the menu options in this link put me off. There is no way the wife would be bothered to go through this process.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #27

It is a bit fiddly but once you get the hang of it, it is not to bad. Going great here on my broadband, 2.3 meg!

Now why didn't I have this installed before.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #28

I was reading about my skybox and see I can connect via wifi to a 3G connection so might try it in the Motorhome. It doesn't seem to use much data for codes.
Power supply is via transformer too.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #29

Was thinking on the Skybox but we decided not to as there is enough TV with freesat, only so many hours in the day.

The Droid box will be great for me in the MH as it's a computer so no more need for the laptop hopefully and get films when needed. Wonder can they take a keyboard like the Pi.

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #30

Probably a Bluetooth one will connect

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 19.02.2014 · #31

Quote by the fat controller

Probably a Bluetooth one will connect

Found some with a keyboard. Had a look on fleabay, so many Droid Boxes!

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 27.02.2014 · #32

Droidbox arrived today, amazing bit of kit!

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 28.05.2014 · #33

More to this...........

Since using the Droid Box and wanting to use it in the MH, which was doable but not handy with power sources etc.

John (FC) mentioned the MHL cable which I didn't know about.

MHL cable connects phones without an HDMI output, from their USB point and converts it to HDMI.

We now have XBMC on an Android phone, streaming from Three network (all you can eat data) and connected to the HDMI on the TV from the phone. This way the only power source that is needed is a 12volt mini usb charging the same as the phone (it also charges the phone)

XBMC on the TV in the MH (via HDMI from phone) let's you watch........... well anything you want really

- latest movies - programs etc etc

As said previously it is not the most easiest thing to use but once you get the hang of it, it is excellent.

All great fun for us Geeks

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 28.05.2014 · #34

Happy days,
Gone are the days of the VHS

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Re: Android TV Box

· Posted: 29.05.2014 · #35

I have also found that the tv in the house has a USB which will power the cable, need to test that in the mh as it means no extra power points if it works

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