Ask Oppo: streaming media players

"boredalways" (boredalway666)
04/12/2018 at 18:40 • Filed to: Ask Oppo, Media players

So my Firestick has a tendency to either lockup or crash out the blue while watching anything (PSVue, Prime movie or show, WatchESPN, etc.). Now I know today Amazon is offering the stick and the diamond shaped FireTV 4k on sale, but I know what I’m getting with one of them.

Instead, I’m seriously considering an Android box instead like this one:

I want more freedom, even if I decide to never root the box. Plus I’m sick of the petty fight between Amazon and Google (YouTube not on FireTV, can’t buy Google products on Amazon and Amazon products from Google, blah blah blah).

Thoughts? Other suggestions (Android-based only)?

DISCUSSION (24)

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 18:49

I use Roku’s and like them for sure. No platform bias

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 18:53

I’m a fan of my Chromecast.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 18:54

I have a Roku at home that works very well for me.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 18:59

I would have a roku if I didn’t have a smart TV.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 19:16

I switched from Fire over to Roku about a year ago and have been happy.

boredalways > DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By
04/12/2018 at 19:32

Roku’s OS is Linux-based instead of Android (dem apps make life easy). Otherwise I would seriously consider it.

ZHP Sparky, the 5th > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 19:32

We have a Roku (currently our second) and have been pretty happy. It is a few years old and is getting slow though.

Like you I’ve been curious about other options – particularly in building a HTPC type deal with a NUC (not a super hardcore gaming device that is super expensive, older more basic options seem decently cheap) – but what I’m learning is that while it might be a pretty fun little personal project to whip it together not sure if the end result will be significantly better than buying an off the shelf product like a Roku.

Curious about devices like the android based one you linked though, will have to look in to it!

boredalways > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
04/12/2018 at 19:32

Roku’s OS is Linux-based instead of Android (dem apps make life easy). Otherwise I would seriously consider it.

boredalways > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
04/12/2018 at 19:33

Roku’s OS is Linux-based instead of Android (dem apps make life easy). Otherwise I would seriously consider it.

boredalways > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
04/12/2018 at 19:34

Roku’s OS is Linux-based instead of Android (dem apps make life easy). Otherwise I would seriously consider it.

boredalways > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
04/12/2018 at 19:40

Can you install normal Play Store apps on Chromecast and they work without issue?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 19:42

Is there something wrong with Linux? Are you planning to modify the OS somehow?

boredalways > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent
04/12/2018 at 19:44

Nothing wrong with Linux, but I do like the option of modifying the OS to my tastes.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 20:21

You don’t install anything onto the Chromecast. You control it using your phone and the apps are all installed on the phone and tell the Chromecast what to stream and from where.

boredalways > TheTurbochargedSquirrel
04/12/2018 at 20:48

Oh...go on.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 20:53

This is the part where I would normally tell you it’s a cheap streaming box so it’d be best to pick your battles and spend your time enjoying the shows and movies you are watching instead of messing with the OS, but I spent hours installing and messing with custom firmware on a $30 Netgear range extender because it didn’t do what I wanted so... Hobestly I wouldn’t trust any of these Android TV boxes to do much without a lot of work on your end to get them dialed in the way you like. If you’re going to put in the effort anyway, something like a Raspberry Pi that is totally open and running something like Kodi is what I would do.

boredalways > FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com
04/12/2018 at 21:31

Aw dammit you’re messin’ with my emotions now. An Android box that can handle H.265/HDR10, just like a Chromecast Ultra and a Raspberry Pi, and play PlayStation Vue, Imsa.TV, my VPN, and Kodi!?

Plus all the love for Roku, too!

I’m more comfortable with Android, but now I’m going to have to take some time and think about this.

And research, of course.

functionoverfashion > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 21:40

I have a Roku and an Intel Compute Stick on my TV, and a Chromebox in the kitchen attached to a screen.

All three have their pros and cons.

- The Roku is controlled with a phone app, which is nice. It makes searching easy. It allows me to pause something (if my kids are watching) from anywhere in the house. It has easy access to all the major streaming services.

- The Intel Stick is a full-on Windows machine that looks like a chromecast or fire stick. Now, you’re not going to run Adobe Premiere on this thing, but it gives you all the freedom you’d get from a Windows device. For me, it allows me to use a VPN and then watch things like, in-market baseball games, or anything on Eurosport (World Cup skiing, ERC, Dakar, Olympics).

- The chromebox is like a chromebook but you need to provide a screen. It also has multiple USB ports and an SD card reader. We use it in the kitchen and can also connect that to the VPN for the above reasons. It works perfectly, and in fact, we created a separate email account for it, and started using that for collecting all our recipes etc. and for reference while cooking. Chrome OS is starting to support Android apps, but it depends on the device. Our old chromebox doesn’t do it, but my newer chromebook (asus c302a) does. Quick aside - I can control the Roku from the chromebook.

I’m guessing those Android boxes are similar in hardware to my chromebox, minus the flimsy Chrome OS. It’s fast and simple, but limited.

His Stigness > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 22:01

Well the Nvidia Shield is probably the best streaming box that can everything but Apple. Plus it uses hardware transcoding so you can run Plex off of it and it works very well. I have a huge Plex library running of my Shield and it works beautifully. And it’s so nice being able to have Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, and Google all in one place.

Other benefits is you can sync it with your Harmony remote.

The Shield uses Android TV, and Nvidia is constantly updating it. It has new features like Google Assistant. And in other smart home things, you can get a Samsung SmartThings USB hub that plugs into the Shield and is much cheaper than a regular hub.

boredalways > His Stigness
04/12/2018 at 23:15

The Nvidia Shield is everything I want, all at the wrong price point.

FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 23:22

Don’t be afraid to try something out if it is from a reputable seller that has a good return policy. And don’t be afraid to return it if it doesn’t do what you need. It’s so hard to figure out the user experience even with online reviews. Just be sure if it is an Amazon Marketplace seller or something like that to check out their policies.

FWIW if you have one of the original Fire sticks they are pretty clunky now. If you try an Android box and decide to go back the latest generation may run your apps better. Also Amazon doesn’t always run these deals, but they come back often enough.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 23:23

Basically you turn on your TV, open an app such as Netflix or YouTube on your phone (very few video apps are unsupported at this point), pick what you want to watch, and then hit cast and it will start streaming to your TV. You get controls on your phone but it’s streaming through the Chromecast and not the phone so you are able to do whatever you want to with the phone while your video continues to stream to your TV. It also works with a lot of audio apps as well.

His Stigness > boredalways
04/12/2018 at 23:26

I figured as much.

But I’ve done my civic duty.

DucST3-Red-1Liter-Standing-By > boredalways
04/13/2018 at 10:33

whats apps do you want that aren’t on roku?