Device options advice

[V4mpire 0]

Hi,

 

I'm fairly new to emby, however because of the software on my TV and devices Connected I need to get a different device to enable me to use emby with it.

 

What cheap options in the UK would people recommend, cheaper the better for now, I do have a pc connected to my TV, but it's in the way and now impractical, so looking to replace with a smaller device, I have seen some issues with mkv's on android devices and roku boxes, so would it be better to have a device that has vlc for emby to use to play videos for me?

 

Hope for some good advice.

 

Thanks

[feerlessleadr 173]

are you looking for a device that runs emby server (that will also double as playing back on a TV) or a device to just run an emby application to playback on a TV?

[V4mpire 0]

Just to playback, the server is ran elsewhere

[WilhelmStroker 102]

If you want cheap, either a roku or if you can stomach amazon's UI, a firestick.

[feerlessleadr 173]

ok, thanks. 

 

I'm sure there will be many folks that suggest you use the native emby apps (and with good reason, they are great), I prefer kodi using either the emby for kodi (e4k) or embycon addons. 

 

If you're looking to go cheap, you can probably go with a raspbpi or odroid c2 (or similar amlogic SBC) and install either libreelec (for the raspbi) or coreelec (for the C2 or similar amlogic sbc). then you can run kodi with either (or both) of the emby addons. Pair that with the embuary kodi skin and it is a great emby experience with a high WAF/KAF. 

 

This obviously depends on what type of content you're looking to play. Assuming everything is x264/h264 1080p or below, the above should be fine, but if you're looking to pump out 4k, you'll need to look into more expensive options.

 

Again, just my opinion to go the kodi route vs using a native emby app.  

[V4mpire 0]

I had looked into rasp, but the only setup that was recommended, would cost upwards of £50, bit beyong my budget when can get a ready made device for less, but I don't know much on those devices to enable me to pick the components that are suitable for less and have a working remote aswell, also not concerned for 4k

[feerlessleadr 173]

I had looked into rasp, but the only setup that was recommended, would cost upwards of £50, bit beyong my budget when can get a ready made device for less, but I don't know much on those devices to enable me to pick the components that are suitable for less and have a working remote aswell, also not concerned for 4k

 

I can respect that.

 

I will say however that from coming from using a firestick v1, v2 & 4k (I have use all in the past), you will spend almost as much time pulling your hair out with random weirdness associated with Amazon's android implementation working correctly with either the emby app or kodi (whichever route you choose) vs actually using the stick to play content. 

 

Similarly on the roku, I read recently (I don't have one so this is purely second hand info) that the emby app doesn't stay logged in, so you need to re-login each time you use it (which is a deal breaker for my wife/kids. 

 

My suggestion still would be to wait and save up another 25/50 pounds to buy a device in the next tier above the roku/firestick to avoid a lot of headaches down the road. 

 

Good luck either way!

[V4mpire 0]

What are your thoughts on something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264501701586 they're about £35 on amazon, I also don't even mind an older device that would work, used off ebay for time being, just so can make use of it, just helps to know what would work

[maegibbons 1287]

Hi

 

Generally, the best advice would be to save up and get a Shield. Regarded by myself and a lot of other UK users to be the best available.

 

For bedroom TVs and on the road I use a mix of 4k firesticks and Mi Box 3. Firestick 4k are pretty good and around 35 quid at the moment.

 

I am sure @@clarkss12 will recommend some other cheap Android boxes that can be flashed with Android TV clone firmware.

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[maegibbons 1287]

What are your thoughts on something like this: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264501701586 they're about £35 on amazon, I also don't even mind an older device that would work, used off ebay for time being, just so can make use of it, just helps to know what would work

DONT!

 

It is not Android TV.

 

Look up @@clarkss12 posts. He is a fan of certain cheap Android boxes which are known to work!

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[V4mpire 0]

I wouldn't mind a shield, I just couldn't justify the cost for it as at times with work how little it would get used and its for my bedroom

[feerlessleadr 173]

Your best bet is to figure out what your requirements are (which app will you use, what os,etc.) And go from there.

 

Again, I'm more comfortable with Kodi, so that's where my suggestions will come from.

 

The H6 is a good chipset it looks like for libreelec, but a generic box with that chipset is not always supported out of the box (you'd need to ask on the libreelec forums). Here is a list of allwinmer boards that work out of the box with libreelec:

 

https://forum.libreelec.tv/thread/17565-nightly-images-for-a20-a64-h3-and-h6-boards/

 

I'd also highly encourage you to look through this thread (and ask questions, etc.) If you decide to go the Kodi route, as there is prettyuch am answer for everything in this hardware recommendation thread on the Kodi forum:

 

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916

[V4mpire 0]

My main concern is being able to access and play my video files, including mkv's with subs etc, my TV does netflix and prime video so not concerned for them

 

@maeigibbons what do you mean by its not android tv?

[clarkss12 304]

You may want to take a look at this Mecool box for less than $40 USD.  It comes with a very nice Bluetooth VOICE remote.......

 

I don't have that particular model, but Mecool makes some great affordable devices.  You will have to search freaktab to see if there is an ATV port for it, if it doesn't already have the ATV firmware.  Also, it is Google Certified, so you can use Google cast.  But as with most if not all of these "cheap Chinese" boxes, they are NOT Netflix blessed, so no HD or UHD for Netflix.....

 

https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_009401168475.html?wid=1349303#goodsDetail

 

Youtube video I just searched for.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as45mbu5QS8

 

Also, I do not know if this box has a locked bootloader......  If it is unlocked, you can install other operating systems, such as Linux, LibreELEC and CoreELEC (if there is a port for it)>

Edited February 8, 2020 by clarkss12

[maegibbons 1287]

My main concern is being able to access and play my video files, including mkv's with subs etc, my TV does netflix and prime video so not concerned for them

 

@maeigibbons what do you mean by its not android tv?

"Android TV" is a specific platform designed to work with TV'S. It is different to normal Android OS that you findbon phones. Most cheap boxes have a stock firmware based on 'Android' rather than 'Android TV' OS.

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[maegibbons 1287]

You may want to take a look at this Mecool box for less than $40 USD. It comes with a very nice Bluetooth VOICE remote.......

 

I don't have that particular model, but Mecool makes some great affordable devices. You will have to search freaktab to see if there is an ATV port for it, if it doesn't already have the ATV firmware. Also, it is Google Certified, so you can use Google cast. But as with most if not all of these "cheap Chinese" boxes, they are NOT Netflix blessed, so no HD or UHD for Netflix.....

 

https://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_009401168475.html?wid=1349303#goodsDetail

 

Youtube video I just searched for.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as45mbu5QS8

 

Also, I do not know if this box has a locked bootloader...... If it is unlocked, you can install other operating systems, such as Linux, LibreELEC and CoreELEC (if there is a port for it)>

I had the KM8 which worked pretty well until my wife washed the remote control with the duvet cover!!

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[V4mpire 0]

unfortunately a mecool is out of budget right now and if i get something, would have to be from a uk supplier so easier to sort if any problems, the sellers in the uk for that device charge nearly double

[clarkss12 304]

AndroidTV (Google Certified only)

 

https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidTV/comments/cguehm/androidtv_device_comparison_table/

 

 

cheapest box for coreelec

 

https://discourse.coreelec.org/t/cheapest-device-to-run-coreelec/7525/7

Edited February 8, 2020 by clarkss12

[maegibbons 1287]

unfortunately a mecool is out of budget right now and if i get something, would have to be from a uk supplier so easier to sort if any problems, the sellers in the uk for that device charge nearly double

Best to go with a Firestick 4K.

 

You can always send it Back.

 

Krs

 

Mark

 

Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk

[V4mpire 0]

just my luck to always go for something that has so many options to confuse things

[feerlessleadr 173]

Agree with Mark, worst case, you don't like the experience, and you can swap out for something else.

[V4mpire 0]

I've ordered a firestick 4k, but out of curiosity, is this https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/293352435460 any good for say installing a different os to run as TV box since the android is no good? Since at a later date could do with a more reliable setup for my mum and I could see about customising a device like this, my only thought being it's meant to be 4gb ram and more disk space at a low-ish price or is it too much hassle compared to an amlogic?

[feerlessleadr 173]

See my previous post about that box. If you want to install libreelec on it for Kodi, you'll need to go to the libreelec forums to see if the box is compatible. The Allwinner H6 is compatible with libreelec, but in many cases the firmwares on boxes from China aren't always compatible.

[V4mpire 0]

Ahh I see, guess will have to seek that information out