Greetings everybody! Long time user here, almost first post. So glad the XBM-Kodi, the Kodi community is thriving!
So after 7 mostly wonderful years with Kodi it is time for me to dump Windows in favor of a better OS for HTPCing. The goal is to build or buy a “KodiBox” that I can just install and basically forget about. Just use it and be entertained! I operate my current HTPC with an IR remote, primarily. It is one of the nicer Sony universal remotes.
Requirements for my KodiBox are:
- Uses Android TV
- IR remote control support, does not have to be built-in
- “Flawless” support for premium streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu
- Set-top box experience, fast or instant boot times
Not required but would be really great:
- HD audio output including Dolby TrueHD/DTS equivalent of DTHD
- USB support so I can attach a hard drive if I need to (for backup media when Internet goes down)
I may be wrong on some points, but here is what I have found out on various devices:
- Xiaomi Mi Box
+ Best box for the price
+ Works with Netflix HD and other HD streaming services
+ Has a remote
– Has a bluetooth remote not IR (I think)
– Can not confirm if it outputs HD audio such as Dolby TrueHD
- Raspberry Pi 3 Model B
+ Cheap, small, and fanless
+ Runs off of a USB port
– IR Remote support?
– Requires licenses for MPEG2 and VC-1 (is this really a problem?)
– Does not output HD audio…or does it? I can not confirm
- Wetek Play 2
+ Supports PVR and has a TV Tuner
+ Has a remote
– Remote looks like wireless or bluetooth
– Does not output HD audioAlso, I want to avoid any devices that may require a lot of troubleshooting, or workarounds to alleviate a bug. I do not intend on having a device that has to be restarted once a day/week/month because Netflix breaks or something. The end goal, of course, is a reliable “set-top box” that plays Netflix and Kodi and does not use Windows!!
Thanks everybody!