Goodbye Dstv

[urbanroyal]

I've been using an Amazon Firestick ...loaded Kodi and using the Exodus addon...coupled with Real Debrid...its working great...Amazon sells an International version ..so Amazon Prime Video is readily available as well as YouTube and Netflix..????

[Grebel]

I have the Pi 3b and its ok when im using raspian to surf the net and watch tv through the browser. I would prefer to use the Librelec installation but i have difficulty setting it up because i keep struggling to set up the add-ons. I have seen it work and when it runs properly it streams almost anything without any difficulty. So if anyone is the wiser i wouldnt mind some assistance.

 

 

I already have the Pi but its a Pi B+ V1.2.... Was hoping to load Android but I read that there are some issues with getting it to run without any issues on a Pi3 let alone an older Pi. At this point paying a bit extra for a plug and play setup that does what I am used to may just be easier

[Stretch]

I've been using an Amazon Firestick ...loaded Kodi and using the Exodus addon...coupled with Real Debrid...its working great...Amazon sells an International version ..so Amazon Prime Video is readily available as well as YouTube and Netflix..[emoji106]

Like I said...I can't fault the device... Mines 4 years old and still going like a bomb. I'm waiting for the Amazon cube to come to our shores to upgrade it.

[sawystertrance]

Yes, that seems to be my experience too. I have a Xiaomi phone and am mightily impressed with it so Xiaomi  might have been my call but with only 1 USB port, it's very limited. I get that most operations will be done via the control but I like to have a mouse, keyboard and perhaps a Flash Drive on occasion. Got to think that through.

 

I have no problem installing APKs but I wonder what Google will do about supporting non-certified products. It's revenue for them, after all. 

 

One thing I have read is that may of the higher-end devices come with bloatware which uses resources and at times requires rooting to remove. Painful.

 

I also want flexibility so Firestick, Roku are out for me, leaving Xiaomi , MyGica, X96(many versions of that which I find confusing). Can you think of any other options?

[Grebel]

Yes, that seems to be my experience too. I have a Xiaomi phone and am mightily impressed with it so Xiaomi  might have been my call but with only 1 USB port, it's very limited. I get that most operations will be done via the control but I like to have a mouse, keyboard and perhaps a Flash Drive on occasion. Got to think that through.

 

I have no problem installing APKs but I wonder what Google will do about supporting non-certified products. It's revenue for them, after all. 

 

One thing I have read is that may of the higher-end devices come with bloatware which uses resources and at times requires rooting to remove. Painful.

 

I also want flexibility so Firestick, Roku are out for me, leaving Xiaomi , MyGica, X96(many versions of that which I find confusing). Can you think of any other options?

 

TBH I was happy with my MXQ which I started using in 2016 purely as an experiment to see if I would be able to "manage" with streaming as entertainment instead of torrents etc. I didn't want to be heavily invested in something that may not suit my needs so the MXQ came from Amazon via my sister in law who brought it over from the UK for less than 2 movie tickets with popcorn and coke.

 

It has done duty almost everyday since then and I have not regretted the purchase for a moment. I like the ability to access the PlayStore as well as add 3rd party apps. It does everything except DSTV Now (I tried with a mates account for sport access) but that's not an issue for me as we made a decision to can DSTV a long time ago and I felt like a hypocrite using the app on someone else's account anyway.

 

The Bloatware can usually be removed with a factory/hard reset and then load the apps that you want from the Play Store or elsewhere. Worked on my MXQ. (Kodi was pre loaded with a shyte load of addons that I didn't use and took up a lot of space)

 

Some things that I am looking at in terms of specs are the version of Android that the box is running (6 or higher), the RAM (2Gb or more), available on board storage space (more than 8Gb) and the number of USB ports (At least 2). I have a wireless keyboard with touch pad that I like and also want to be able to plug a flash drive in (My media drive is shared via my router USB port). Not phased about the SD card slot.

 

What I have found so far:

 

MiGica

 

T95MAXH6 Media Player

 

MQX Pro 4k

 

X96 Mini 8Gb

 

Xaomi  (Only 1 USB Port)

 

@Duane_Bosch  posted some info a few months/years ago on one of the threads about streaming/Kodi (I have been trying to find it with no luck) for a mini PC that looked interesting but I was using the MXQ so didn't worry too much at the time.

 

The Nvidia Shield looks to be a nice piece of kit with some great reviews, but you are looking at console type money...

[shaper]

I recently replaced my Pi (B) which was used for the bedroom TV with https://www.takealot.com/x96-mini-16gb-android-tv-media-box-backlit-keyboard/PLID47486883  Been using it for about 2 months, comes pre-installed with Kodi and have added addons as I require as well as apk's.  Also installed stuff from the google play store.  Works well as my MQX which I have on my main TV in the lounge that I bought a few years ago from gearbest.

 

The Pi has been re-purposed as a NAS using OpenMediaVault https://www.openmediavault.org/

[sawystertrance]

I recently replaced my Pi (B) which was used for the bedroom TV with https://www.takealot.com/x96-mini-16gb-android-tv-media-box-backlit-keyboard/PLID47486883  Been using it for about 2 months, comes pre-installed with Kodi and have added addons as I require as well as apk's.  Also installed stuff from the google play store.  Works well as my MQX which I have on my main TV in the lounge that I bought a few years ago from gearbest.

 

The Pi has been re-purposed as a NAS using OpenMediaVault https://www.openmediavault.org/

How much RAM does your MXQ have? I have 1Gb on my box and am sure it causes problems..

[shaper]

How much RAM does your MXQ have? I have 1Gb on my box and am sure it causes problems..

CPU Octa Core 2.0GHz, with 2GB Ram

[Duane_Bosch]

Saw a few on Takealot that I have added to my wishlist but will research some more before I buy (Mygica, Xaiomi MiBox and something else I can't remember offhand)

 

Toyed with the idea of a Pi but that seems like too much work.....

IMO when it comes to these devices it's best not to try and save a few hundred and be clever. Just get the most common device that works out the gate.

 

I've had a pi and a Remix mini and both were COMPLETE CR@P. My Fiance and I both have Mygica's now and we are over the moon.

[sawystertrance]

IMO when it comes to these devices it's best not to try and save a few hundred and be clever. Just get the most common device that works out the gate.

 

I've had a pi and a Remix mini and both were COMPLETE CR@P. My Fiance and I both have Mygica's now and we are over the moon.

..Somehow I knew you'd be lurking around reading this. 

 

Can you please give me the details of your MyGica and where you bought it?

[Duane_Bosch]

..Somehow I knew you'd be lurking around reading this. 

 

Can you please give me the details of your MyGica and where you bought it?

Haha. Why?

 

I bought mine from Computer Mania. Cost was more or less the same as takelot. Around R1700. Don't get the white one. That's only got 1meg of ram. I also bought one of those little kidney shaped keyboard/remotes

 

I struggled to get DSTV now working but scratched around on the internets and found an older APK which then worked.

 

about 90% of my viewing is youtube based. for series and movies i have a skollie netflix logon from my fiance's mother. I also run a thing called livenettv for live sport but I don't really live sport anymore.

[sawystertrance]

Haha. Why?

 

I bought mine from Computer Mania. Cost was more or less the same as takelot. Around R1700. Don't get the white one. That's only got 1meg of ram. I also bought one of those little kidney shaped keyboard/remotes

 

I struggled to get DSTV now working but scratched around on the internets and found an older APK which then worked.

 

about 90% of my viewing is youtube based. for series and movies i have a skollie netflix logon from my fiance's mother. I also run a thing called livenettv for live sport but I don't really live sport anymore.

Thanks. Your skollie Netflix runs OK? You use a VPN?

[Duane_Bosch]

Thanks. Your skollie Netflix runs OK? You use a VPN?

ja works fine. With netflix you get 5 logins. I have one of the logins. I just have to be nice to my mother in law to keep it. Hehe. No VPN. Local Netflix. But the content is getting better all the time.

[shaper]

ja works fine. With netflix you get 5 logins. I have one of the logins. I just have to be nice to my mother in law to keep it. Hehe. No VPN. Local Netflix. But the content is getting better all the time.

Try TvZion, load as an apk https://zionapp.live/

[Grebel]

IMO when it comes to these devices it's best not to try and save a few hundred and be clever. Just get the most common device that works out the gate.

 

I've had a pi and a Remix mini and both were COMPLETE CR@P. My Fiance and I both have Mygica's now and we are over the moon.

 

That's the one I couldn't remember

[stefmeister]

TBH I was happy with my MXQ which I started using in 2016 purely as an experiment to see if I would be able to "manage" with streaming as entertainment instead of torrents etc. I didn't want to be heavily invested in something that may not suit my needs so the MXQ came from Amazon via my sister in law who brought it over from the UK for less than 2 movie tickets with popcorn and coke.

 

It has done duty almost everyday since then and I have not regretted the purchase for a moment. I like the ability to access the PlayStore as well as add 3rd party apps. It does everything except DSTV Now (I tried with a mates account for sport access) but that's not an issue for me as we made a decision to can DSTV a long time ago and I felt like a hypocrite using the app on someone else's account anyway.

 

The Bloatware can usually be removed with a factory/hard reset and then load the apps that you want from the Play Store or elsewhere. Worked on my MXQ. (Kodi was pre loaded with a shyte load of addons that I didn't use and took up a lot of space)

 

Some things that I am looking at in terms of specs are the version of Android that the box is running (6 or higher), the RAM (2Gb or more), available on board storage space (more than 8Gb) and the number of USB ports (At least 2). I have a wireless keyboard with touch pad that I like and also want to be able to plug a flash drive in (My media drive is shared via my router USB port). Not phased about the SD card slot.

 

What I have found so far:

 

MiGica

 

T95MAXH6 Media Player

 

MQX Pro 4k

 

X96 Mini 8Gb

 

Xaomi  (Only 1 USB Port)

 

@Duane_Bosch  posted some info a few months/years ago on one of the threads about streaming/Kodi (I have been trying to find it with no luck) for a mini PC that looked interesting but I was using the MXQ so didn't worry too much at the time.

 

The Nvidia Shield looks to be a nice piece of kit with some great reviews, but you are looking at console type money...

 

Got the Nvidia shield. Works great, although I've probably spent a total of 10 min playing games. Not a gamer.

Needed the extra USB connections for HDD and USB DAC output.

Also, a wired LAN connection is a must imho. Wireless will always have some issues down the line and I don't have the patience to deal with that. It's also nice to access network drives.