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Thread: Thoughts on a new box

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    Default Thoughts on a new box

    I am at the stage of pensioning off my trusty M8S.

    My list of must have/do:
    1. Ability to permanently change DNS
    2. Have Android OS NOT Android TV OS. Must work really well with a K400, or similar, wireless keyboard.
    3. Able to run the following apps:
    Advanced Download Manager so that I can download to an external USB drive
    MX Player
    KODI 17 or variant - I do not like the UI on 18!
    A nice launcher that will allow me to get rid of all the g(cr)apps, youtube etc on the home screen and let me place only Apps of my choice on the home screen.
    (EDIT: 4. 2 USB slots - one for the wireless keyboard and the other for the external USB drive.)
    Suggestions please.
    Last edited by Guiseppe; 14-12-19 at 03:17 PM.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."



Look Here ->
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    These get good reviews

    If u want to go on an expedition get a Land Rover, if u want to come home from an expedition get a Landcruiser!

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    I found this spreadsheet absolutely invaluable...


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    Quote Originally Posted by Bigfella237 View Post
    I found this spreadsheet absolutely invaluable...

    I have seen it elsewhere on this forum but couldn't find it. Really pleased.

    The deal breaker, for me, is being able to change the DNS. It seems that in later boxes Google DNS' are hard coded despite the fact that a popup states saved successfully after entering the desired DNS.
    Last edited by Guiseppe; 15-12-19 at 01:01 PM.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    Looking at that spreadsheet seems like the best bang for your buck considering it is 1/4 the price of the top line units.
    I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message...

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    Quote Originally Posted by Guiseppe View Post
    ~ in later boxes Google DNS' are hard coded ~
    Hmm... I didn't know that and I'll be in the market for another box myself shortly.

    So how do we tell if the DNS can be changed or not in the various boxes? Google DNS is no use to me, they block an awful lot of streaming sites.

    Andrew

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    Quote Originally Posted by Bigfella237 View Post
    So how do we tell if the DNS can be changed or not in the various boxes?Andrew
    Unfortunately it seems you cannot tell until it is connected to the TV and try.

    I also tried setting up the router to get around it but that didn't work either.

    I am giving serious thought to building my own TV box using an Odroid N2 and Lineage-OS. I am waiting on some answers to questions on the Odroid forum to confirm it is a possibility.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    Quote Originally Posted by lsemmens View Post
    Looking at that spreadsheet seems like the best bang for your buck considering it is 1/4 the price of the top line units.
    I have sent off a series of questions. I will post the answers.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    I've replaced most of my android box's with AppleTV 4K (with Kodi side-loaded).

    I wouldn't go back to anything else except potentially the NVIDIA Shelf. It's blazing fast and has no issue handling 4K content over wifi.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Guiseppe View Post
    I am at the stage of pensioning off my trusty M8S.


    KODI 17 or variant - I do not like the UI on 18!
    .
    So do what i did, install the confluence skin on it to get the old look back.

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    I use these, don't know about changing DNS as never bothered to try




    this is good as you can fit a 2T 2.5" SSD in it as well.


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    Quote Originally Posted by efab View Post
    I use these, don't know about changing DNS as never bothered to try



    Apart from the DNS how well do these address my requirements in #1?

    EDIT: Just watched and read all the comments. Seems very impressive.
    EDIT 2: Pulled the trigger on the A95X MAX X2.
    Last edited by Guiseppe; 17-12-19 at 03:48 PM.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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    Quote Originally Posted by Guiseppe View Post
    Apart from the DNS how well do these address my requirements in #1?

    EDIT: Just watched and read all the comments. Seems very impressive.
    apart from #1 all others are covered. I don't have any issues with it at all and for IPTV it plays well, depends on your IPTV service and ISP

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    An update on the A95X MAX.

    1. After several attempts I managed to make the DNS change stick.
    2. Using a mini keyboard - the sort of half circular one - works reasonably well, there is no power off button I can find. I haven't tried the K400 yet. May persist with the box's remote - it has a nice feel.
    3. ADM seems to work - I will have to learn my way around Total Commander though.
    KODI 18 installed and running the confluence skin courtesy of apsattv
    The factory launcher is not too bad. The only complaint is the "split circle" icon that I cannot remove.
    4. One USB slot on the back and three on one side. One powers the 1TB USB HDD nicely - the LED is now blue instead of the white I was used to. Hmm.

    Bonus is the SATA drive slot for an internal HDD.
    If Australia is a democracy why, then, is voting compulsory?

    "What has changed between the arrival of the First Fleet and today?"
    "Wearing leg irons is now not required."

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