Android Gbox Midnight MX2

[007]

Been eyeing this for awhile now.

Besides the different remote, can somebody tell me what the difference is between these two options?

$97
G-Box Midnight MX2 Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Dual Core XBMC Streaming Mini HTPC TV Box Player
http://www.amazon.com/G-Box-Midnight...s=midnight+mx2

$104
Matricom G-Box MX2 Dual Core XBMC Android 4.2 TV Box + Special Edition XBMC [NEWEST VERSION]
http://www.amazon.com/Matricom-G-Box...s=midnight+mx2

The cheaper one seems to be the older one but I really don't see the difference specs wise other than the keyboard remote.

[NewChief]

Fish can probably tell you. I have the first and like it.

[007]

Yeah, I sent him a PM. Hope to hear from him soon. Really want to know all of the tweaks too.

[Fish]

Those 2 are the same versions. I'm not sure why they do that on Amazon, but I've seen it before. The version with the beefed up remote with keyboard is a good deal if you want a cheap remote with full keyboard. You can get other bluetooth remotes for it too. Most are $15-30. Some of the nicer ones have a little trackpad you can use to browse with.

Yeah, this box is pretty awesome once it's tweaked out. Here's some good resources for you:

http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/xbmc-a...night-mx2.html

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php...x+midnight+mx2
(This link began when it first came out, so the beginning of the thread deals with some of the issues that have since been resolved.

I've heard from pretty much everyone that the first thing you should do is a factory restore. That fixes any bloatware and performance issues.

There's a newer version of Netflix you can get(I believe the link is in the first link above), that will let you view Netflix in HD.

If you just want XBMC and don't need the Android OS, you can also load Linux on it that will just run XBMC. But you're giving all resources to XBMC so it runs like a beast.

[007]

Originally Posted by Fish

Those 2 are the same versions. I'm not sure why they do that on Amazon, but I've seen it before. The version with the beefed up remote with keyboard is a good deal if you want a cheap remote with full keyboard. You can get other bluetooth remotes for it too. Most are $15-30. Some of the nicer ones have a little trackpad you can use to browse with.

Yeah, this box is pretty awesome once it's tweaked out. Here's some good resources for you:

http://www.xbmchub.com/forums/xbmc-a...night-mx2.html

http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php...x+midnight+mx2
(This link began when it first came out, so the beginning of the thread deals with some of the issues that have since been resolved.

I've heard from pretty much everyone that the first thing you should do is a factory restore. That fixes any bloatware and performance issues.

There's a newer version of Netflix you can get(I believe the link is in the first link above), that will let you view Netflix in HD.

If you just want XBMC and don't need the Android OS, you can also load Linux on it that will just run XBMC. But you're giving all resources to XBMC so it runs like a beast.

thanks. I had a feeling it was the exact same thing. From what I have been reading in the comments section, that keyboard remote is a real dud in that you have to constantly reconnect it so I just went with the standard remote for 10 bucks less. I'll let you know how it all works out. Really looking forward to messing with it.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Guru

thanks. I had a feeling it was the exact same thing. From what I have been reading in the comments section, that keyboard remote is a real dud in that you have to constantly reconnect it so I just went with the standard remote for 10 bucks less. I'll let you know how it all works out. Really looking forward to messing with it.

If you end up wanting a more full featured remote (though the apps on iphones/ipads work great, btw, once you get them set up), I went with this one. I really like it:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel.../ref=pd_cp_e_3

[NewChief]

And I think I still want to factory restore mine. I'm tempted to wipe android altogether and install linux/xbmc since I rarely use the android crap on it (though I might try clash of clans on it this weekend just to see how it plays).

[007]

Originally Posted by NewChief

If you end up wanting a more full featured remote (though the apps on iphones/ipads work great, btw, once you get them set up), I went with this one. I really like it:

http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Wirel.../ref=pd_cp_e_3

Awesome. I already own that exact model. Got from Best Buy around Christmas for $20

[007]

Originally Posted by NewChief

And I think I still want to factory restore mine. I'm tempted to wipe android altogether and install linux/xbmc since I rarely use the android crap on it (though I might try clash of clans on it this weekend just to see how it plays).

I'll probably keep android on it just so my kids can play a few of the games on the big screen. Including emulators. Love the fact that I can use a PS3 controller with it wirelessly with the sixaxis app.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Guru

Awesome. I already own that exact model. Got from Best Buy around Christmas for $20

Cool. It connects fine right out of the box, so you won't have to find drivers or anything (though shift key doesn't work sometimes).

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by Guru

I'll probably keep android on it just so my kids can play a few of the games on the big screen. Including emulators. Love the fact that I can use a PS3 controller with it wirelessly with the sixaxis app.

If I was invested in the android ecosystem, I might get more use out of it. We're all apple currently, though, other than this gbox. I know it's not difficult and most apps work fine between the two, but I just never feel like screwing around with the android stuff.

[unlurking]

Originally Posted by NewChief

And I think I still want to factory restore mine. I'm tempted to wipe android altogether and install linux/xbmc since I rarely use the android crap on it (though I might try clash of clans on it this weekend just to see how it plays).

Returned 2 of these POS gbox's that wouldn't work after a factory restore. Have a handful of RPi's to play with instead. Much more fun.

[NewChief]

Originally Posted by unlurking

Returned 2 of these POS gbox's that wouldn't work after a factory restore. Have a handful of RPi's to play with instead. Much more fun.

The main thing I've found with my Gbox is that the more simple/streamlined I keep it, the better it works. I was having the most problems with mine when I was putting various skins and apps into it and trying to tweak it constantly. I wiped most of the shit and went back to how it basically shipped, and it works pretty well (though it does still crash occasionally midmovie, I think when it runs out of RAM).

[Fish]

Originally Posted by unlurking

Returned 2 of these POS gbox's that wouldn't work after a factory restore. Have a handful of RPi's to play with instead. Much more fun.

These boxes require tinkering to get running correctly. It's not going to be a perfect experience out of the box. It can be incredibly frustrating if you're new to this type of setup. You will get pissed off at some point. And you'll likely have to factory restore and start over at least once before you get it the way you want.

But... once you get it setup correctly, it's pretty incredible. You'll literally have any movie or TV show available, plus much more. Seeing the finished product working in all its glory will blow your socks off, and it makes it worth the effort. And if you get stuck along the way, there's a huge amount of help available online.

[007]

Originally Posted by Fish

These boxes require tinkering to get running correctly. It's not going to be a perfect experience out of the box. It can be incredibly frustrating if you're new to this type of setup. You will get pissed off at some point. And you'll likely have to factory restore and start over at least once before you get it the way you want.

But... once you get it setup correctly, it's pretty incredible. You'll literally have any movie or TV show available, plus much more. Seeing the finished product working in all its glory will blow your socks off, and it makes it worth the effort. And if you get stuck along the way, there's a huge amount of help available online.

I've been messing with icefilms and 1channel on my PC. Is there anyway to make it easier to find shows and get quicker access to them then having to search for it then favorite it, finde the episode then search through all the links to find one that works?