Let me introduce KODI to you...

[Stretch]

It's the Wifi streaming bit that worries me... I have not had a lot of success with streaming over Wifi. We used to have a media drive on a PC that was connected to our home network and tried streaming over wifi. Too much buffering and audio/video sync issues. Ended up pulling a LAN cable across the house which solved the problem but then the PC needed to be on all the time to access the drive.

 

We now had an external media drive attached to the router that is accessible through Kodi so anybody can access it from anywhere in the house (TV,PC, Mobile etc)

 

Might just replace the Android box as it did what we needed it to do.

All our streaming of over the WiFi. NAS and internet based streaming. I have no issues... But then I'm not streaming 4k...at most 1080..netflix is 720p

[Tuxstir]

It's the Wifi streaming bit that worries me... I have not had a lot of success with streaming over Wifi. We used to have a media drive on a PC that was connected to our home network and tried streaming over wifi. Too much buffering and audio/video sync issues. Ended up pulling a LAN cable across the house which solved the problem but then the PC needed to be on all the time to access the drive. 

 

We now had an external media drive attached to the router that is accessible through Kodi so anybody can access it from anywhere in the house (TV,PC, Mobile etc)

 

Might just replace the Android box as it did what we needed it to do.

 

I have a always on server, which runs normal SAMBA file share that we use for kodi.. over wifi to much android box, and for Standard def formats its fine, but suffer when watching High def, that's when we normally switch over to plex, which has 2 main advantages over Kodi..

the trans-coding happens on the server side, and it uses DLNA share network which also reduces the data load..

 

the disadvantages of Plex is you need a dedicated server and then players, so no stand-alone devices like kodi, connected to a hd, and you need an always on internet connection.

[bertusras]

Very different. With my fire stick I click netflix and watch. With the Chromecast I have to open netflix on my phone and then cast to the chromecast. The biggest issue is when you want to use something like Kodi. I have a HD connected to my router and access the content through Kodi via samba and steam across the network. To do that via Chromecast I have to have my laptop open and fire up VLC and then cast to the chromecast via the laptop. With my fire stick I just open Kodi and watch

 

I've got no experience with a Fire TV Stick so excuse my ignorance, but what happens when you displace the remote?

 

To me there is no difference between using your phone's Netflix app to browse to whatever you want to watch, or using a remote to open the Amazon Netflix app to browse to whatever you want to watch.

 

But, with a Chromecast, anyone on the home network can do it too, or play Showmax, or DSTV, or YouTube, or Google Play Music, heck, even PornHub if that's your vibe. You can also cast any video in Chrome from a computer to your TV as well.

 

I understand your qualm regarding Kodi, but only if it applies to live streams. For any local (networked) content, you can just run a Plex box and use the Plex app on your phone to cast to to whichever TV in the home you want to.

[Stretch]

 

 

the disadvantages of Plex is you need a dedicated server and then players, so no stand-alone devices like kodi, connected to a hd, and you need an always on internet connection.

I have just grappled with this whole thing. In the end... Having my content connected to my router through a portable harddrive and serving them to Kodi via samba was the best option. The real advantage of Plex if the beautiful interface of the app... But not needing a dedicated server trumped that. Of course.... If you want to go full hog.... Then get a Nvidia shield... Which I've been told is fantastic

[Stretch]

 

 

I've got no experience with a Fire TV Stick so excuse my ignorance, but what happens when you displace the remote?

 

To me there is no difference between using your phone's Netflix app to browse to whatever you want to watch, or using a remote to open the Amazon Netflix app to browse to whatever you want to watch.

 

Then I tell my echo to open netflix and play X content...

 

Ok.. In reality I hardly ever use that except to tell her to pause or play. If the remote is lost then we use the phone based remote.. But...I find it a real pain because I don't always have my phone on me... Wherad the remote is always in its allocated spot (most of the time anyway)

[Tuxstir]

I have just grappled with this whole thing. In the end... Having my content connected to my router through a portable harddrive and serving them to Kodi via samba was the best option. The real advantage of Plex if the beautiful interface of the app... But not needing a dedicated server trumped that. Of course.... If you want to go full hog.... Then get a Nvidia shield... Which I've been told is fantastic

 

Nvidia shield.. ouch Android TV box at Console Pricing....

for me just connecting a Hd to the Wifi, as I have 6 drives connected ATM.. so its easy for plex.. however I dont like Plex interface.. I've always Loved the Kodi Confluence Interface

 

Edited April 1, 2019 by The New Me

[Stretch]

Nvidia shield.. ouch Android TV box at Console Pricing....

for me just connecting a Hd to the Wifi, as I have 6 drives connected ATM.. so its easy for plex.. however I dont like Plex interface.. I've always Loved the Kodi Confluence Interface

 

screenshot-01.jpg

If that's your content and you have Swiss army man.. Then we are new best friends [emoji16]

[bertusras]

the disadvantages of Plex is you need [/snip] and you need an always on internet connection.

 

I forgot about that one, that's pretty annoying, but circumventable fortunately.

[Bilimogun]

Cool... also install Mobdro, use the web browser on the box and download the apk from the website https://www.mobdro.com/ and install.  Can also be an option if Kodi not working too well

Great, I have also used mobdro apk download. an effective application for viewing online.

Edited August 5, 2019 by Bilimogun

[mamatha.v]

This is my favourite Kodi addon so far; https://cinemahdapp.net/kodi/