Best CPU & GPU for Video Playback + Netflix/YT Streaming

[HyeVltg3]

Thinking of jumping on my first TV Box, was thinking of getting a MiniPC, but every one I find is way above the budget of <200 (Canadian, very interested in the PIPO X7, but sadly cant buy, Paypal issues, dont ask).

Ones I've found and able to purchase.
CPU:
S802
S805 (? heard about it, have yet to find it)
RK3288
ARM Cortex A15/A7

GPU:
Mali-450
Mali-T764
Octa

Going out on a limb here and hoping that most of the boxes have the same components just re-branded differently? So I saw no point of listing individual brand names or listing the other main components, seems all the ones that include the above chips already come with components I need.

I'm looking for a Box that can play movies off a USB drive/stick at least at 720p or 1080p outputting to a 40"
(mostly MP4/MKV, foreign ones have subs so looking for boxes that require the least amount of re-encoding.)
Looking to also make use of my Netflix sub, but was reading about a weird bug with people only getting 480p or lower res on Netflix Streaming...Is that still an issue?
I'm really not interested in games, but I dont mind discovering neat apps.
The box will be used on my second tv that is no where near my consoles so I (sadly) only watch cable tv on and thats never fun. Just need it for the Movies and Netflix for when the family comes over for dinner or for when I want to just laze about on the sofa binge-ing on Netflix and movies.

Some help in choosing the right box for my simple needs would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.

[ChrisG8]

As far as I know, none of the Android mini PCs discussed here can receive Netflix in HD. Netflix requires approval for HD content and who knows if or when that will happen. There may be some method to spoof Netflix but I wouldn't count on that to last. I don't think any are worth using with Amazon Prime or HBO Go either, probably other mainstream streaming services are limited or don't work period. As far as CPU, Amlogic S812 or Rockchip RK3288, a matter of opinion or which one is best for one's specific needs. You should be able to find options within your budget.

I don't know about the Windows 8.1 mini PCs yet but I am going to guess those will quickly be preferred to these Android versions for many of us.

[sawbones999]

My vote goes for rk3288. Here brand does matter because cheap ones use different components for Wi-Fi/Bluetooth, also cheap ones use slower emmc and flash. Cheap ones get firmware update few and far between.

Any of the major brands should be good, not the budget ones.

No HD Netflix. I have an android tv box that does HD Netflix but it's Google's developer box ADT-1. Don't know of any others certified level 1 drm. Maybe Amazon fire tv or nexus tv, but hardware wise and video playback wise the rk3288 spanks all of those. I have a UBOX R89, use the ADT-1 for Netflix and just to mess around because it was free. It's not nearly as capable a my rk3288 for things like xbmc. Not HDMI 2, no 4k, 1080p only 30fps(this is the ADT-1 I'm describing).

Cheers,
-SB

[ChrisG8]

Sure, the approved boxes, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, ADT-1, and official Android TV are able to play Netflx HD and play it really well if you are in an area that gets Netflix SuperHD. I think September 2013 is when it became available here in Litte Rock with Comcast but I don't know if it is available in all markets or all ISPs yet. It isn't available with the unoffical Android mini PCs which makes all a terrible choice if Netflix is important.

[sawbones999]

One option might be to get something like an R89 and also get something cheaper which does HD Netflix like a roku. That would be well under $200.

Cheers,
-SB

[HyeVltg3]

As far as I know, none of the Android mini PCs discussed here can receive Netflix in HD. Netflix requires approval for HD content and who knows if or when that will happen.

Was really hoping it was just an Update/Fix/patch thing, this is depressing news.

Any of the major brands should be good, not the budget ones.

Thats another problem, what exactly are the trusted / major brands? to me its just tomato, toe-mah-toe.

Sure, the approved boxes, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV, ADT-1, and official Android TV are able to play Netflix HD

Thank you for the list, will look at their prices.

One option might be to get something like an R89 and also get something cheaper which does HD Netflix like a roku. That would be well under $200.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I read everywhere that the Roku is gimped beyond belief here in Canada, they've removed and disabled so many channels when you're using the Canadian Roku, I have no news if its the same issue if you use a US Roku here, could be IP Region related and heard VPNs dont help.


If Netflix really isnt that important, what could be rated as having really good AV Playback for Movies and Episodes?

[sawbones999]

Tronsmart Orion r28, beelink r89, ubox r89, nagrace hph, ugoos, open hour chameleon

Trusted rk3288 vendors.

Once your get one of those and get started with xbmc you can install add-ons and you will be able to stream just about any tv show or movie ever made. Even premium movie channels like Showtime and HBO, live sports from all over the world, pay per views, etc. Most are free, but if you feel guilty about not paying there are subscription services.

Cheers,
-SB

[HyeVltg3]

Tronsmart Orion r28, beelink r89, ubox r89, nagrace hph, ugoos, open hour chameleon

Trusted rk3288 vendors.

Once your get one of those and get started with xbmc you can install add-ons and you will be able to stream just about any tv show or movie ever made. Even premium movie channels like Showtime and HBO, live sports from all over the world, pay per views, etc. Most are free, but if you feel guilty about not paying there are subscription services.

Cheers,
-SB

Sweet thank you, Been sitting pressing refresh all day (just left to grab late dinner)
I really wanted the trusted Brand names list. its easy to find a review, but hard to find a list of reputable manfs.

[sawbones999]

Sweet thank you, Been sitting pressing refresh all day (just left to grab late dinner)
I really wanted the trusted Brand names list. its easy to find a review, but hard to find a list of reputable manfs.

All of these manufacturers basically sell the same board with minor changes. You can pretty much use the same ROM on any of them, but you might lose IR remote on one, or the power LED might not work. Something like that.

Cheers,
-SB

[ChrisG8]

Tronsmart Orion r28, beelink r89, ubox r89, nagrace hph, ugoos, open hour chameleon

Trusted rk3288 vendors.

Once your get one of those and get started with xbmc you can install add-ons and you will be able to stream just about any tv show or movie ever made. Even premium movie channels like Showtime and HBO, live sports from all over the world, pay per views, etc. Most are free, but if you feel guilty about not paying there are subscription services.

Cheers,
-SB

The subscriptions services are really good and a great value in my opinion but I would never use one of these boxes for any of the mainstream subscription services I use, Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus and next month Amazon Prime Instant Video when I drop two of the three I use now. As a mini PC, I like these boxes really well, good value and with help from this community will run useful apps and web browsers well enough. If you are saying pay for the subscription services but don't use them, use XBMC instead, pretty odd suggestion.

[sawbones999]

The subscriptions services are really good and a great value in my opinion but I would never use one of these boxes for any of the mainstream subscription services I use, Netflix, HBO GO, Hulu Plus and next month Amazon Prime Instant Video when I drop two of the three I use now. As a mini PC, I like these boxes really well, good value and with help from this community will run useful apps and web browsers well enough. If you are saying pay for the subscription services but don't use them, use XBMC instead, pretty odd suggestion.

Yeah the pay services are ok. Like the ones that allow cable channels like usatvnow. The video playback on rk3288 is amazing because there are hardware decoders for most formats. Me and my son compared two 1080p Blu-Ray rips we downloaded between the computer with vlc and power DVD with all the HD plugins to my r89, streaming on network share and it was really noticeable how much crisper they looked on the r89.

Made power DVD and vlc look pixely in comparison.

We're streaming "The Interview" in 1080p right now using the genesis add-on and it looks and sounds great. Free, too :-)

Cheers,
-SB