Android TV

[javyn]

Just wondering if anyone has gotten, or is considering an Android TV box.

I just received my Wetek Core (technically it's not Android TV but standard Lollipop with a remote control friendly launcher)

Will report how it works, but spec-wise it looks to be a winner!

https://wetek.com/product/wetek-core

Another good option looks to be the Nvidia Shield, but since I'm not a gamer I opted for the Wetek to save a hundred bucks.

 

[mkenny28]



Just wondering if anyone has gotten, or is considering an Android TV box.

I just received my Wetek Core (technically it's not Android TV but standard Lollipop with a remote control friendly launcher)

Will report how it works, but spec-wise it looks to be a winner!

https://wetek.com/product/wetek-core

Another good option looks to be the Nvidia Shield, but since I'm not a gamer I opted for the Wetek to save a hundred bucks.

That isn't a bad little box for the price but I bought the Shield because it is significantly more powerful. I am a casual gamer and love to play older games via emulator (NES, PS One, etc) which Android excels at. I also have a 4k Setup so HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 was very important to me; the Core seems to be HDMI 1.4 and only capable of 4k @ 24hz and 30hz. Not that it really matter based on how most movies are made anyway. Having said that, Android TV is still not a very fleshed out platform so spending more on the Shield vs the Wetek doesn't make sense unless you game and have gone all in on 4k. At 100 bucks with those specs you would be hard pressed to find a better setup for the money (if it works as advertised). I am always just a bit iffy on unknown processors and other generic guts though.

 

[javyn]

Ah yes, you are right. Also, the Wetek does not do HD audio passthrough. And the Netflix app is only 1080p. I believe the Shield's Nflix is 4k.

For me none of that is an issue though.

I have thought about trying to emulate NES/SNES/Genesis on Android, but never got around to it. It's easy to plug some USB gamepads into my laptop and map the buttons out in whatever software. I'm assuming the Android emulators have caught up with that by now. Besides, I'm too lazy to game much anymore these days. Miracasting (or whatever it is) Temple Run is probably as far as I'll take Android gaming.

Shipping was incredibly fast from Wetek, from Slovenia no less. I received my unit today and I'm still waiting on the Rii i8 mini keyboard I ordered on the same day from Amazon to control it.

edit: Oh yeah, this one has the AMLogic quad core.

 

[mkenny28]



Ah yes, you are right. Also, the Wetek does not do HD audio passthrough. And the Netflix app is only 1080p. I believe the Shield's Nflix is 4k.

For me none of that is an issue though.

I have thought about trying to emulate NES/SNES/Genesis on Android, but never got around to it. It's easy to plug some USB gamepads into my laptop and map the buttons out in whatever software. I'm assuming the Android emulators have caught up with that by now. Besides, I'm too lazy to game much anymore these days. Miracasting (or whatever it is) Temple Run is probably as far as I'll take Android gaming.

Shipping was incredibly fast from Wetek, from Slovenia no less. I received my unit today and I'm still waiting on the Rii i8 mini keyboard I ordered on the same day from Amazon to control it.

Yup the Shield has Netflix 4k and 7.1 HD Audio Pass-through... the only rub with that is no app can currently take advantage of the HD audio pass-through yet. Kodi 16 (Jarvis) Beta can now play DTS-HD titles and pass through the audio but it is buggy whereas Dolby TrueHD completely borks the system (at least my system anyway).

Android emulators have caught up and for the most part are incredibly easy and intuitive to use. Definitely looking forward to reading your thoughts on the Wetek after you have a chance to run it through its paces.

 

[javyn]

I'll definitely give my thoughts on it, but give me a few days. I have a feeling tonight is going to be solely dedicated to scraping and indexing my 2TB media collection.

I'm actually almost as excited to use the controller I ordered as the unit itself!

Review here:

 

[NorCal]

Hmm, this Fred is relevant to my interests.