gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 I have Apple TV4's that work perfectly but can not stand the freaking ads on YouTube. Looking for an Android TV box so I can load something like YouTube Vanced APK and eliminate YouTube ads. I've had an Nvidia Shield a while back and hated it with a passion. The remote ate batteries for lunch and I had non-stop crashing problems with it. Hate the Fire devices as well. Requirements: Android OS (duh) but a box with a good track record of keeping pace with Android OS updates Remote control must have a mic so I can talk into it when searching YouTube......well, YouTube Vanced Can hook my Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones to it for private listening Must handle 1080p content PERFECTLY (will be playing back media from Emby server).... up to 35Mbps bitrate on the high end. If it can direct play nearly everything, awesome! Pass-through of DTS, DD, etc. (basically, all the audio formats) Superb 802.11AC performance since it will be hooked up via wireless Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerV76 84 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 I have Apple TV4's that work perfectly but can not stand the freaking ads on YouTube. Looking for an Android TV box so I can load something like YouTube Vanced APK and eliminate YouTube ads. I've had an Nvidia Shield a while back and hated it with a passion. The remote ate batteries for lunch and I had non-stop crashing problems with it. Hate the Fire devices as well. Requirements: Android OS (duh) but a box with a good track record of keeping pace with Android OS updates Remote control must have a mic so I can talk into it when searching YouTube......well, YouTube Vanced Can hook my Bluetooth noise cancelling headphones to it for private listening Must handle 1080p content PERFECTLY (will be playing back media from Emby server).... up to 35Mbps bitrate on the high end. If it can direct play nearly everything, awesome! Pass-through of DTS, DD, etc. (basically, all the audio formats) Superb 802.11AC performance since it will be hooked up via wireless Thanks Take a look at the Mi Box. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pog22 50 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) I have both Shield and MiBox, the Shield is worth the extra tbh, handles absolutely everything you could ask it to. I use a Harmony remote with mine Edited January 26, 2019 by colfin22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebr 14948 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 To answer your specific question - the only official alternative would be the Mi. However, doesn't YouTube Red provide you ad-free playback? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Droid 662 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Another vote for Xiaomi Mi Box but keep in mind it doesn't have Amazon Prime Video app. There's another Android TV box out there called Jetstream 4k with similar specs and price of the Mi Box but of iffy provenance. Everything else is the typical generic Android hobbyist boxes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkss12 296 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 The Jetstream 4k, does NOT passthrough the HD audio codecs, or automatic frame rate switching, otherwise it is a basic player. Been awhile since I have used my Xiaomi Mi box on my main system with my AVR, but it is my understanding that the NEW MI boxes do NOT passthrough the HD audio codecs. https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=275083 Any of the budget Android boxes, running LibreELEC or CoreELEC will play everything you throw at it, including HD audio, AND automatic frame rate switching. The Amlogic S905x boxes WILL play YouTube in 1080p, but NO searching with a MIC......... That only leaves the Shield that does everything that you require. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Take a look at the Mi Box. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Will do, thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 I have both Shield and MiBox, the Shield is worth the extra tbh, handles absolutely everything you could ask it to. I use a Harmony remote with mine I had the Shield before and I swear, that thing couldn't go more than a day without me needing to reboot it to fix app launching flakiness and on a full charge, the slim remote wouldn't make it but a week. Hated it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 To answer your specific question - the only official alternative would be the Mi. However, doesn't YouTube Red provide you ad-free playback? Yeah, I think I'm going to give the Mi box a shot, thanks! As for YouTube Red, I'll pass. If it was $2/mo, I'd sign up instantly! I don't watch enough YT to justify $12/mo. I support the few channels I like on there via Patreon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pog22 50 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) I had the Shield before and I swear, that thing couldn't go more than a day without me needing to reboot it to fix app launching flakiness and on a full charge, the slim remote wouldn't make it but a week. Hated it!That is not the norm. You must have got a faulty box or needed a factory reset because the Shield is up there on its own as the best box available. Nothing comes close. You're actually the first person I've ever came across that wasn't happy with it. Did you contact Nvidia support? Edited January 26, 2019 by colfin22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 Another vote for Xiaomi Mi Box but keep in mind it doesn't have Amazon Prime Video app. There's another Android TV box out there called Jetstream 4k with similar specs and price of the Mi Box but of iffy provenance. Everything else is the typical generic Android hobbyist boxes. The only thing I'll be using this box for is Emby and YouTube Vanced so a lack of an Amazon Prime app isn't a detractor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 The Jetstream 4k, does NOT passthrough the HD audio codecs, or automatic frame rate switching, otherwise it is a basic player. Been awhile since I have used my Xiaomi Mi box on my main system with my AVR, but it is my understanding that the NEW MI boxes do NOT passthrough the HD audio codecs. https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=275083 Any of the budget Android boxes, running LibreELEC or CoreELEC will play everything you throw at it, including HD audio, AND automatic frame rate switching. The Amlogic S905x boxes WILL play YouTube in 1080p, but NO searching with a MIC......... That only leaves the Shield that does everything that you require. Read through the Kodi link about the Mi box problems..... that stinks! Maybe I'll keep an eye on updates and see if they address the problems in the near future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gene0915 37 Posted January 26, 2019 Author Share Posted January 26, 2019 That is not the norm. You must have got a faulty box or needed a factory reset because the Shield is up there on its own as the best box available. Nothing comes close. You're actually the first person I've ever came across that wasn't happy with it. Did you contact Nvidia support? I agree that MAYBE I got a lemon but the rechargeable battery in the 2015 remote wouldn't make it a week before it needed charged up again. I didn't play games with it or mess with the buttons non-stop so I couldn't understand what was sapping the battery and this was with lite usage. I hear the newer remotes with those coin batteries suck just as bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pog22 50 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) I agree that MAYBE I got a lemon but the rechargeable battery in the 2015 remote wouldn't make it a week before it needed charged up again. I didn't play games with it or mess with the buttons non-stop so I couldn't understand what was sapping the battery and this was with lite usage. I hear the newer remotes with those coin batteries suck just as bad.I only use the Shield game controllers. I have a Harmony remote and hub that connects using Bluetooth. Note this is another thing that doesn't work well on the Mibox. Xiaomi don't open up the Bluetooth control of the box to allow the Harmony have full control, I have play/pause but cannot power on the box with the Harmony Edited January 26, 2019 by colfin22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CBers 6780 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Wait until @ sees this thread FWIW, I have 3 Shields (2x 2015 & 1x 2017) and wouldn't swap them for anything. The 2015 model remote lasts a good week without charge for me, with the 2017 remote needing new batteries every few months. Other than that, they play everything I play on them, apart from cropped HDR content, which is a bug waiting to be fixed and if you don't have any of that content, then no issue. Never had any crashes, or lock-ups. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spaceboy 2500 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 I have two shields and a mibox. For me the mibox is great for the price although a shield is a good price these days too. I use my mi box as my travel device as it can be powered by a usb 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TylerV76 84 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 (edited) I had the Shield before and I swear, that thing couldn't go more than a day without me needing to reboot it to fix app launching flakiness and on a full charge, the slim remote wouldn't make it but a week. Hated it! That is definitely not the norm. The one in my bedroom has been on/standby for months and has never needed a reboot except during an update. The one in my living room did hang on me once but I found out it was an airplay app I was using that caused major issues. Since removing that its been rock solid. The only complaint I have about the shield is the power supply. The coil whine irritates me but fortunately I can only hear it when I get behind my power conditioner to make adjustments with wires or something. As for the remote, I use harmony hubs because I don't like slim remotes. Edited January 26, 2019 by TylerV76 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mastrmind11 717 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Agree with everyone. I have 3 shields and a mibox and have never had any issue, including the battery issue you reference. My only complaint w/ the mibox is CEC power on/off is broken, which is a real pain. It's not my daily driver but still annoys me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Droid 662 Posted January 26, 2019 Share Posted January 26, 2019 Agree with everyone. I have 3 shields and a mibox and have never had any issue, including the battery issue you reference. My only complaint w/ the mibox is CEC power on/off is broken, which is a real pain. It's not my daily driver but still annoys me. Yeah, my 2017 Shield has been solid with a Harmony Hub and basic Smart Control remote. Mi Box is flaky with CEC for me too. I can turn on the TV by waking the Mi and sleep the Mi by turning off the TV but control doesn't work the other way around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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