Google approved media player box

[Zatek]

Looks like I will have to buy a new media player box as my gica is a legacy device and my DSTV doesn't want to work as it is not google certified.

 

Any recommendations on a new media player box that has an network port and is google certified?

[Kallie.]

Have a look at the Xiaomi Mi Box. Great little device and one of the few I could find that is Google Approved to get DSTVnow working.

 

It doesn’t have an Ethernet port but a usb Ethernet dongle does the job for me.

 

https://www.makro.co.za/electronics-computers/audio-video/audio-components/audio-components/xiaomi-mi-box-s-updated-version-free-hdmi-cable-tv-box-android-to-watch-dstv-now-netflix-showmax-youtube-kodi-and-more/p/aced363c-001f-4757-b075-5d56b6333a25?gclid=CjwKCAjw4NrpBRBsEiwAUcLcDCN7Yej4JxY2CkfeFIcZk6-UdIHc3s6rTk2sJ99LP_ZX8Darxb6vTxoCgSMQAvD_BwE

[Slowbee]

It doesn’t have an Ethernet port but a usb Ethernet dongle does the job for me.

What is this sorcery of which you speak ?

 

Does it work with any USB port ?

[Rocket-Boy]

https://www.smartkit.co.za/product/ematic-android-tv-box-agt419/

 

This is the one you want. Its a proper Android TV box with all of the approvals and certifications.

The chipset and software are really important on Android boxes because most of them get abandoned for updates quite quickly. Ematic is no fly by night and they support their devices with updates for a long time.

 

I have two Android media players that are useless now because they cant be updated and the apps require a newer Android version to run.

 

This one has ethernet etc and supports google assistant from the remote.

[Rocket-Boy]

What is this sorcery of which you speak ?

 

Does it work with any USB port ?

Do you mean like a pc or mac, or just any android device?

If you mean pc or mac then yes they work just fine but are limited to the USB port speed.

Android can be a bit more messy because they need to be supported by the OS version.

[Vetplant]

It doesn’t have an Ethernet port but a usb Ethernet dongle does the job for me.

 

 

What is this sorcery of which you speak ?

 

Does it work with any USB port ?

 

 

Do you mean like a pc or mac, or just any android device?

If you mean pc or mac then yes they work just fine but are limited to the USB port speed.

Android can be a bit more messy because they need to be supported by the OS version.

Think Slowbee was asking whether it is a LAN Cable tot USB converter.

 

We all know you get a Wifi USB Dongle, but Kallie mentioned an Ethernet to USB dongle, which is also new to me.

[Vetplant]

Think Slowbee was asking whether it is a LAN Cable tot USB converter.

 

We all know you get a Wifi USB Dongle, but Kallie mentioned an Ethernet to USB dongle, which is also new to me.

well I have just been schooled, you do get these converters:

 

https://www.takealot.com/usb-3-0-to-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet/PLID52093967?gclid=CjwKCAjwg-DpBRBbEiwAEV1_-FKyscpdfDUQzlf3rq6hRzZHkbHJiiRJeNiyGEIzTu1DYhgAqIomYhoCDo0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

[Slowbee]

well I have just been schooled, you do get these converters:

 

https://www.takealot.com/usb-3-0-to-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet/PLID52093967?gclid=CjwKCAjwg-DpBRBbEiwAEV1_-FKyscpdfDUQzlf3rq6hRzZHkbHJiiRJeNiyGEIzTu1DYhgAqIomYhoCDo0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

This changes EVERYTHING!!!

[Shebeen]

if you really want DSTV on an android box, then this is probably the best way to go

 

https://mediabox.co.za/

 

local crowd, they will DEFINITELY have dstv support going forward

[Slowbee]

So currently we have an OLD PC linked to the telly.

 

We use an air mouse to control the PC and use the TV screen as the monitor. (we actually don't  watch TV, we use the TV as a screen for netflix and you tube)

 

This way we can google search, have multiple screens open when we are searching for stuff.

 

Will this little media box do the same ?

[Eddy Gordo]

As far as I know, the media box makes the tv a smart tv so to say. 

A pc connected to a tv is well, just a pc with an XXL monitor, which I love

[madbradd]

I had a Mediabox which was upgraded to a Mediabox 4k Ranger. Pretty unimpressed to say the least. I don't have experience with any others, but I certainly couldn't recommend the Mediabox.

 

https://www.takealot.com/mediabox-mbx4-4k-media-player/PLID47126226

[Zatek]

I was happy with my gica until DSTV stop working. Rather look for an google approved device than custom apk to get programs to work.

 

Looks like Xiaomi is leading. Would have liked 2 usb ports or memory card.

[Kallie.]

well I have just been schooled, you do get these converters:

 

https://www.takealot.com/usb-3-0-to-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet/PLID52093967?gclid=CjwKCAjwg-DpBRBbEiwAEV1_-FKyscpdfDUQzlf3rq6hRzZHkbHJiiRJeNiyGEIzTu1DYhgAqIomYhoCDo0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Yip I use the USB to Ethernet converter, I’ve got a d-link and some other random generic one and they both seem to work fine on the Xiaomi device. I’ll confirm exact make / models a bit later.

[Kallie.]

I was happy with my gica until DSTV stop working. Rather look for an google approved device than custom apk to get programs to work.

 

Looks like Xiaomi is leading. Would have liked 2 usb ports or memory card.

Perhaps a USB hub will work for this? Not tried it yet on these devices

[Vetplant]

It doesn’t have an Ethernet port but a usb Ethernet dongle does the job for me.

 

https://www.makro.co.za/electronics-computers/audio-video/audio-components/audio-components/xiaomi-mi-box-s-updated-version-free-hdmi-cable-tv-box-android-to-watch-dstv-now-netflix-showmax-youtube-kodi-and-more/p/aced363c-001f-4757-b075-5d56b6333a25?gclid=CjwKCAjw4NrpBRBsEiwAUcLcDCN7Yej4JxY2CkfeFIcZk6-UdIHc3s6rTk2sJ99LP_ZX8Darxb6vTxoCgSMQAvD_BwE

 

 

What is this sorcery of which you speak ?

 

Does it work with any USB port ?

 

 

well I have just been schooled, you do get these converters:

 

https://www.takealot.com/usb-3-0-to-10-100-1000-mbps-gigabit-ethernet/PLID52093967?gclid=CjwKCAjwg-DpBRBbEiwAEV1_-FKyscpdfDUQzlf3rq6hRzZHkbHJiiRJeNiyGEIzTu1DYhgAqIomYhoCDo0QAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Talk about scorcery, you can Transmit your HDMI video feed over LAN Cable, which is surely much cheaper to get in LOOOOONG lengths compared to HDMI cables:

 

https://www.cesdeals.com/product/hdmi-extender-30m-transmitter-tx-rx-hdmi-to-rj45-converter-by-cat5e-6-cable-305371

 

Disclaimer: I have no idea if this works though, just came across it now.