So am going to do some testing. We already have a FORMULER Z11 used for less than $100. And we have a Fire Stick TV 4k max for less than $100. Plus we have a Fire Cube 2 for less than $100.
Just ordered a 2017 shield with remote and with a gaming controller.
Overall goal is to see which device can stream well, and save to local USB, and save to NAS (SMB) location. And make it easy for the end user. Am going to try TIVIMATE, and SPARKLE and MOL3, and KODI (with NEXTPVR in the network on a PC).
Would like to get to the point of recommending a less than $100 device (or system of devices), that can work well for folks wanting to upgrade from $50 ONN or FIRE STICKS without jumping to $200 for some of the premium new devices.
When you come up with great value for under $100, please advise. There are so many options which include trying to figure out what’s the BEST option for the next few years with the potential Amazon and GOOG blocking apps. My 3 Fire TV Cubes 2nd Gen are perfectly fine but It would be fun to tinker with something different.
Problem is that when Google really does start blocking (nobody knows if and when) some of these boxes may be obsolete. I’m going to keep on using my ONN Pro until something actually happens
Would like to hear about the formula you have the right idea that’s why I put off buying a new device and tv per say google has always been shady I like to get an Android only device Google needs to stand up fight and be competitive not sulk and fall for those pia ads what you think of buzz
Buzz and UGOOS are really good. Anything that can work well with TIVIMATE is a good hardware platform. Those both are generic enough where you can put a launcher like WOLF on them. Can not find any used BUZZ or UGOOS devices, so new prices are very high.
Praying that in a week when I get the 2017 Nvidia Shield (bought a two year warranty on it) that it is a better bargain. Will see.
Formuler you can not put your own launcher on it. You have to use theirs. But it’s just like Fire TV, that it requires a mapped button to launch your own launcher. So yes you can put a launcher on formuler but have to map buttons to use it.
Formuler also has the MOL3 software that acts like TIVIMATE in many ways. MOL3 may be more reliable for things like recording. But you have to fight the learning curve on the MOL3, and it’s painful. You may end up using both softwares on the FORMULER but only doing recording with MOL3, while watching live TV with the TIVIMATE.
Lastly the FORMULER has an NTFS USB 3 port to plug into. And a 1 gig ethernet port. And they are fully useful by all software.
Are you just avoiding the ONN Pro due to future proofing fears? I really like my ONN Pro almost as much as the Shield Pro, but I enjoy fooling around with new boxes. Does anyone have information on the new faster processors coming out of China? Are they actually faster? Any advice on which of the myriad of boxes is best/cheapest to get? I am looking for something faster than the ONN Pro with at least 3 gbs of RAM. Any advice?
My Onn 4k Pro, Google CCWTV, and Firesticks can all record to and playback from a Hard drive connected to my Flint 2 router, set up as SMB, using Tivimate
It looks like more storage is what’s needed as we saw with mobile phones - it was fine with 8GB on streaming boxes then moved on to 16GB, followed by 32GB - now we need even more.
To continue this debate - I would add the ease of adding high speed storage would be a factor to consider
Have you aggressively tested the recording? Firesticks would be using wifi 5ghz and TIVIMATE can easy fail after two hours to a remote router. Having a Ethernet connection should be mandatory for looking at devices. Does that SMB stay awake and connected ?
It’s not easy to make storage work in any android OS system. That’s why most default to external NAS SMB systems. Have seen attached USB just disappear for no reason right in the middle of recording. What is with that on android OS? Have seen files crash and their was no way they are at the file size limits. Is it the file size? Is it the ethernet or wifi connection going to sleep? Seriously it’s all platform dependant it seems. Most end up just using NVIDIA SHIELD for $200 and calling it fixed.
Never a moments hiccup on the 2019 Shield Pro. Even was able to set up Samsung 256 EVO SSD and split it to 50GBs for internal and the rest for external.
Not sure if it’s Android os or device manufacturer issues.
NVIDIA SHIELD is Android tv / google tv.
My friend has 1TB nvme ssd m.2 hooked upto his Formuler Z11 pro max for recording, no issues - modified Android os
Buzz boxes come with similar options adding storage
Shield is good if you’re a gamer, overkill and overpriced for just streaming. Onn4k Pro and Plus easily contend. Don’t fall into the Shield fanboy nonsense, it’s been going on for years.
Watch for used deals and don’t believe the hype that an Onn Pro is anywhere near as good as a 2019 Shield Pro. I sold my used one for just $80 USD the AI upscaling alone is amazing as well as the very in depth configuration options. I love a great picture and the Shield Pro is certainly capable of delivering just that.
