Another recommendation thread - Android box that runs NowTV

[Marsbar]

Hi

I have a budget MXQ S85 (s805 based) that runs most things fine. I run xbmc, Netflix and Amazon TV all with no problems; however I tried to run the "Now TV" app (on-demand subscription service provided by UK pay-tv provider Sky) but it fails (with "Error Code 9", which is apparently an "internal player error"), NowTV are extremely unhelpful, they simply point me at their website that states if you buy devices from non-UK suppliers they won't run (because piracy, apparently, although the forums suggest it's more just incompetence on the part of the app developers, and they simply use it as a get-out-of-jail card so they don't have to try to help you).

Anyway, I'm looking at buying a new device because this one doesn't cope very well with Kodi (rather than xbmc) and because it won't play 10-bit x265 (and quite a few files are coming my way in that format); I wondered if anyone could recommend a reasonably-budget device that will still run all the above apps and supports 10-bit x265 files (so something like the s912 chipset?) but also runs NowTV with no issues?

I could just get a NowTV box (which is just a rebranded Roku) but I would ideally like to minimize the number of boxes under my TV, and I don't think even the newer box is capable of doing everything I want.

Thanks!

Edit: I should clarify, it needs to be able to play NowTV streams - my existing box will run NowTV, let me sign in and choose videos to play, but it's only when the programme starts to play that the error occurs...

[Lurker]

Here are a few TV boxes that might be worth looking at.

The Xiaomi Mi Box International Version. This sells for $69-99 in the US and comes bundled with a lot of free streaming content via Sling TV, Hulu etc. It's one of the very few android devices that has the necessary DRM to play Netflix, Hulu, YouTube at 1080p resolutions or higher. I am not sure whether it will support the Now TV app. You could ask them or get somebody to test it for you. This device also includes Google Cast/Chromecast capabilities.

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/-Official-International-Version--XIAOMI-Mi-Box-4K-H-265-Android-Box-371297.html

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=xiaomi+mi+box+review

I also like several of the Beelink android TV boxes such as the M18, MXIII-G II and the R68 II. These models all have decent heatsinks, should hopefully receive regular firmware updates, AV analog video outputs and the cases can be disassembled relatively easily if the need ever arises. The external antennas also improve the WiFi range. I'm not sure whether any of these devices would be compatible with the latest Now TV app.

M18 (S905)

https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chw.net%2Fforo%2Freviews%2F1158423-review-tv-box-beelink-m18-amlogic-s905-el-hermano-mayor-del-mx64.html&edit-text=&act=url

MXIII-G II

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/amlogic-based-tv-players/s912/611106-mxiii-g-ii-tv-box-amlogic-s912-octa-core

R68 II

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/amlogic-based-tv-players/s912/607326-beelink-r68-ii-android-6-0-tv-box

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/amlogic-based-tv-players/s912/612022-beelink-r68-ii-tv-box-amlogic-s912-ram-2g-emmc-32g

The Sunvell T95U - Pro (appealing design) also has a decent heatsink, AV analog output and is easy to disassemble. I'm not sure whether the firmware will get the same level of support as the Beelink devices.

http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-support/amlogic-based-tv-players/s912/598526-sunvell-t95u-pro-android-6-0-tv-box

I do have a Roku HD 2500X and can send you some suggestions on how you could use the Now TV box to stream Kodi videos etc. if that's of any interest. Only the very latest top of the range Rokus support h.265.

[Marsbar]

The Xiaomi Mi Box International Version. This sells for $69-99 in the US and comes bundled with a lot of free streaming content via Sling TV, Hulu etc. It's one of the very few android devices that has the necessary DRM to play Netflix, Hulu, YouTube at 1080p resolutions or higher. I am not sure whether it will support the Now TV app. You could ask them or get somebody to test it for you. This device also includes Google Cast/Chromecast capabilities.

http://www.geekbuying.com/item/-Official-International-Version--XIAOMI-Mi-Box-4K-H-265-Android-Box-371297.html

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=xiaomi+mi+box+review

Oooh, nice. I'd been trying to find an affordable box running Android TV and couldn't. If the MiBox couldn't run NowTV it would at least allow me to cast it from my phone to it (NowTV supports chromecast, albeit that it counts that as an extra device).

It would also have the added advantage of running "proper" Netflix TV, yes? So 5.1 sound and remote control. Hmm. I think I've decided on my xmas present

Thanks for your help

[Lurker]

If you don't mind paying a slightly higher price, you can purchase the Mi Box in the UK. You can also try their helpline in the second link if you have any queries.

https://www.thesolutionshop.co.uk/product/mi-box/

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/c...ipped_from_uk/

There is a lot of information about the Mi Box in this Kodi Forum thread. See post #377 for confirmation of 5.1 sound with Netflix (see post #76 on the AVS Forum thread for details regarding 5.1 sound on other channels).

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=275083

Give us some feedback if you do purchase a unit as it does have some very compelling features such as the HD support for Netflix. Hulu etc., Chromecast compatibility, evolving firmware support etc.

[Marsbar]

The Xiaomi Mi Box International Version. This sells for $69-99 in the US and comes bundled with a lot of free streaming content via Sling TV, Hulu etc. It's one of the very few android devices that has the necessary DRM to play Netflix, Hulu, YouTube at 1080p resolutions or higher. I am not sure whether it will support the Now TV app. You could ask them or get somebody to test it for you. This device also includes Google Cast/Chromecast capabilities.
http://www.geekbuying.com/item/-Offi...ox-371297.html
https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...+mi+box+review

As a followup, I emailed the support link for the UK and they replied confirming that NowTV is not compatible, so I'm still searching.

[Lurker]

Many thanks the update.

Do they mean that the NowTV app is not compatible or that NowTV will not stream via the Google Cast/Chromecast functionality on the Mi Box or both? In terms of playing content from commercial streaming services in the future, the Mi Box should support many more services than the other uncertified devices from Beelink, Zidoo, Sunvell etc. I will be very interested to see the post Christmas reviews of the Mi Box from Walmart/Amazon etc. as it currently appears to be a popular choice.

From what I have read in the Kodi Forum thread, it appears that Xiaomi is working with Amlogic to resolve a few issues which will hopefully result in well supported versions of Kodi/SPMC in the future.

[Marsbar]

Honestly unclear. I got:

NowTV app does not work on the MiBox3 International version

New version if MiBox will be tested in January

I expect the cast ought to work, although no guarantees.

[Lurker]

I wonder which new version of the Mi Box they are talking about. Most of the other devices like the 3C, 3S and 3 Pro seem to be aimed at the Chinese market but an International version could be very interesting. The Mediatek MT8693 based Mi Box 3 Pro has dual A72 and quad A53 cores with an Antutu score of >70000 which is a lot higher than most of the current processors from Amlogic. Rockchip, Allwinner etc.