Which android tv box/stick?

[WallyGeorge]

It doesn't seem to matter though because the OP seems determined to make Android work.

You are correct that rokus are good choices for netflix type streaming. I should have clarified that I already own two older rokus, two blu-rays with netflix type features, and one owned the WDTV and the sony equivalent (forgot its name).

We cut directv about a year ago, so I'm just at the point where were running out of stuff to watch on the streaming services. Im hoping that with web access, we can find more browser based programming to watch.

I might just need to get a HTPC for this, as it sounds like the android sticks have issues.

[sholling]

I think many here are suggesting Roku because that is all they know. I have experience with WDTV Live, Roku, Boxee, Slingbox, xbmc, and many htpc setups.

Don't assume. I have experience with the Roku, WDTV Live, Boxee, HTPC, and others and nothing else offers the breath of channels offered by the Roku. The WDTV Live is a pretty good (only the most popular channels) internet video player and a middling good (no DTSHD-MA, only vanilla DTS) network media player but it's not a best of breed for either. It's like like a Swiss Army Knife with lots of tools but like a Swiss Army Knife none of the tools are as good as specialized products. The Roku rules internet streaming and either a HTPC or the now discontinued NeoTV550 rule network streaming. That said the WDTV Live is a very good compromise if you don't need state of the art. On the other hand a WDTV Live is a great compromise between an internet streaing video player and a network media player - as long as you don't need anything it doesn't offer.

It doesn't seem to matter though because the OP seems determined to make Android work.

[WallyGeorge]

For those with android sticks, how easy is it to watch online videos? Would like flash capability for sites like comedy central, mlb, etc.

Thanks for all the responses!

[Darryl Licht]

WDTV Live meets all your criteria...

See for yourself:

WDTV online services here:http://wdc.com/en/products/products.aspx?id=330

I think many here are suggesting Roku because that is all they know. I have experience with WDTV Live, Roku, Boxee, Slingbox, xbmc, and many htpc setups.

Unless you want to completely ditch the cable or satellite service WDTV is THE way to go. Not to mention you get a GREAT company standing behind your product. Western Digital is constantly updating and adding more apps and channels.

If you are ditching the cable or satellite and going 100% Internet TV, then Roku offers more channels for now... However Roku's have been plagued with firmware update issues. A few have already commented on that here and a quick Google will confirm,

[kelvin232]

+1 roku
+1 chromecast

[uzigalil]

+1 Roku

[sholling]

Android dongles just aren't a good solution yet, and while there is no perfect solution IMO you're far better off picking up a Roku 3 (review and comparision) for streaming videos from the internet, or a Western Digital TV live for streaming content from your PC, or both.

[sl0re10]

I have tried most media boxes at either my own home or clients locations.

My advice, especially since you want to play movies from a HDD is to not look at anything except the Western Digital TV Live series.

The WD TVLIVE supports more video and audio formats than any other media box I've had or worked with. It isn't locked down with DRM CRAP! It just works!

Roku supports only MKV and MP4... WDTV supports AVI, MKV, MP4, MPEG, VOB, Xvid, MOV, and RMVB,

Its two markets. Media player or Internet TV.

Rokus are good at internet tv. But I have not played with the wdtv; it may also be for all I know.

[sl0re10]

Do Roku's support either hard-wired USB, or Wireless USB dongle keyboards with the new ones, yet? I have locked my Roku up multiple times using Roku keyboard apps on all of my phones one time or another.

Have not tried so I don't know but I'd add some of the Androids do not in a de facto way. The keyboard works but if you surf the web the device slows down due to memory leaks... so IMO it doesn't really support the KB since the use for it is broken.

[Darryl Licht]

I have tried most media boxes at either my own home or clients locations.

My advice, especially since you want to play movies from a HDD is to not look at anything except the Western Digital TV Live series.

The WD TVLIVE supports more video and audio formats than any other media box I've had or worked with. It isn't locked down with DRM CRAP! It just works!

Roku supports only MKV and MP4... WDTV supports AVI, MKV, MP4, MPEG, VOB, Xvid, MOV, and RMVB,

[the86d]

...
Roku man. Just get a Roku...

Do Roku's support either hard-wired USB, or Wireless USB dongle keyboards with the new ones, yet? I have locked my Roku up multiple times using Roku keyboard apps on all of my phones one time or another.

[sl0re10]

I've tried many (5 I think) such devices including a the current Sony unit on the market. No luck with any getting Netflix and Hulu to run reliably on any one (including the Sony). .. and I'm a computer guy; I tried roms and other tweaks.

The aps flake out, or there is a memory leak problem on the unit, or or or... and then to top it off; there is often a screen refresh problem on these sticks. The frames per sec just can't get fast enough that a shows look right when using flash. With some the screen refresh falls over to mpeg 4 also. Ironically, one of my earliest (most outdated) pads didn't have the mpeg 4 problem since they used a DVD chipset to help with graphics (so mpeg 4 video looks great... but I need to use a PC to transcode the video... not ideal).

Roku man. Just get a Roku.

You can even set up your own channel for free... google it. If you really need a functionality added it is possible to do it.

[the86d]

I have a MK808B for testing (as I didn't want another ROKU due to bad updates in the past that either screwed up WiFi, or hardwired Ethernet, depending on the update), but I need to find a keyboard/mouse combo that works from over 7 feet away, and the wireless on this really sucks, and every reboot you have to manually enable a hardwired USB NIC if you chose that route. I have tried a Bluetooth keyboard, and tried 2 other Wireless USB dongle-style to no avail, while wired keyboards and mice work WONDERFULLY. Netflix's Android app isn't very good with a keyboard, or a remote as a rule, unless proprietary...

The XDA forum might be useful, and helped me find a pseudo-functional ROM for what I have, well at least better than any stock ROM by the US vendor/China-MFR: http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=2070

I am still looking myself, and don't want another Roku...

[Brianguy]

just installed the latest overclocked fin rom on my cx-919. did a couple test movies on netflix and they played just fine. for $60 somethin bucks this thing is pretty cool. i use the logitech k400 keyboard/mouse but i hear you can also use a droid phone or tablet to control it. i have not tried hooking up an external usb drive yet

[rjpsb1]

Check out Google's ChromeCast. $35. Not quite an Apple TV but it'll get there. The nice thing is Google will roll out updates as they're ready.

The android sticks vary greatly in quality and support. You get what you pay for there.