Need advice on cutting cable cost.

[Scorp]

It is back in stock today. If you are looking for a set top box for xbmc and other android apps on your tv, I think this is the one to buy. I am ordering one now. Will let you all know what I think after I get it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...ZMC5JZKRVSGO6W

Here is more info about it:
The G-Box Midnight Q by Matricom brings high performance HD streaming from the internet and local media to your TV. The powerful quad core S802 processor with the Mali-450 3D graphics engine provides stellar performance for high definition video playback. XBMC runs smoothly with 1080p hardware decoding from local media and your favorite XBMC streaming add-ons. More Features than Roku and Apple TV Combined Looking for more than just a simple streaming box? The Q does it all. Running the full Android 4.4.4 OS gives you the ability to run virtually any Android app on your TV. Streaming just happens to be only one of the many things that the Q is really great at. Automatic Online Updating: Over-the-air updating ensures the latest software and brings the newest updates and bug fixes for Android and XBMC to your device seamlessly. G-Box Midnight Q Specifications: * Amlogic S802 CPU * Mali450 Octo Core High Performance 3D GPU * 2GB RAM (DDR3) * 16GB Total Internal Storage * USB Storage Extendable (Flash Drives/HDD) * SD Storage Extendable (Up to 64GB!) * 802.11a/b/g/n internal Dual Band Wifi * HDMI v1.4 video output * 10/100 Ethernet Port * Optical SPDIF Digital Audio Output * Composite Audio/Video Out * 2x USB 2.0 Ports * Android 4.4.x KitKat installed * Supports Wireless USB Keyboard/Mouse * Google Play Store installed G-Box Midnight Q Support: This device is manufacturerd by Matricom and features a 1yr extensive device warranty. Support is available online by Matricom and through the G-Box community.

[Scorp]

Okay I got the Matricom GboxQ today. I must say I am very impressed there are a few bugs to tweak out but XBMC runs flawlessly. I am going to order 2 more boxes for the kids room and shutting off cable when I get them. I highly recommend this box!!!!

[ragedogg69]

That is good news. When the Gbox was first released, it was such a mess that people were putting a modified firmware from a Pivos box just to make it usable. Matricom became notorious for just taking that box from China, stamping their logo on it and sending it out without support for the first few months.

Glad one of these Chinese importers is finally stepping up.

[ragedogg69]

If you loved Mash Up, there appears to be a replacement shaping up: http://www.tvaddons.ag/phoenix-live-streams/

[Scorp]

Thanks for the heads up.

[ragedogg69]

DO NOT UPDATE TO KODI YET. Not all add ons have updated to work with Kodi yet. It is a nightmare to get my skin back to how it was. Wait for everyone to sort this shit out.

[Ceej]

Looks we are cutting cable and going the Hulu/Netflix/Cox internet route.

Damn wedding!

[ModSocks]

Im doing the same this year. I need to buy another car and the only way imma be able to afford it is if i cut my DirecTV out.

I've tried Hulu....i think it sucks. Netflix is nice. I was thinking about going with Amazon Prime/Netflix, though i've never used Amazon Prime.

So my questions are: Is Amazon Prime like Netflix, or do i have to pay to view movies after i've already paid the membership? Is Amazon a good compliment to Netflix, as in, do they have a completely different movie library?

Are you guys still able to watch live football? If so, how? What about local channels?

Basically....what's the best, cheapest way to go?

[Stewie]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Im doing the same this year. I need to buy another car and the only way imma be able to afford it is if i cut my DirecTV out.

I've tried Hulu....i think it sucks. Netflix is nice. I was thinking about going with Amazon Prime/Netflix, though i've never used Amazon Prime.

So my questions are: Is Amazon Prime like Netflix, or do i have to pay to view movies after i've already paid the membership? Is Amazon a good compliment to Netflix, as in, do they have a completely different movie library?

Are you guys still able to watch live football? If so, how? What about local channels?

Basically....what's the best, cheapest way to go?

I just dumped Amazon Prime. It may be a good deal for you, but when I signed up it was $79/year and most of their TV content was included. Now, they charge $1.99/episode for things that are free on NetFlix and Amazon jumped its fee to $99/year. I can pay for a lot of shipping for $99.

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by Stewie

I just dumped Amazon Prime. It may be a good deal for you, but when I signed up it was $79/year and most of their TV content was included. Now, they charge for $1.99/episode for things that are free on NetFlix and Amazon jumped its free to $99/year.

Ok. Thanks. Yeah, that's dookie. Paying a fee on top of a fee is not what im looking for.

[ragedogg69]

Originally Posted by Stewie

I just dumped Amazon Prime. It may be a good deal for you, but when I signed up it was $79/year and most of their TV content was included. Now, they charge $1.99/episode for things that are free on NetFlix and Amazon jumped its fee to $99/year. I can pay for a lot of shipping for $99.

Those are not part of Amazon Prime Instant Video, those are part of Amazon digital distribution. You can pay for those $1.99 episode whether you have Amazon Prime or not. It is really confusing that Amazon does not separate the two better. However, I think they want this confusion to have you spend more money.

As far as XBMC or (sigh) Kodi, it is all about the add ons. You can have a much more expansive library of content than Netflix with Genesis. Even HD quality, but it all depends on what links are still active. Obviously more trial and error than a legit video service. The last time I subbed to Netflix I was really disappointed with the lack of content when compared to Genesis.

As far as sports, SportsDevil and Phoenix will get you streams, but they will be low quality with the exception of the Pac-12 Network. If you can borrows a friends login for WatchESPN, you are in much better shape for live sports. Especially in HD quality.

Detoxing, my honest opinion is to get an Amazon Fire TV.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...IL3DSMGWOQQXES
Use the Amazon Utility app
https://sites.google.com/site/amazonfiretvutilityapp/
to side load your choice of version of XBMC:
http://spmc.semperpax.com/ or
http://www.tvaddons.ag/tvmc-android/
Subscribe to Amazon Prime instant video or Netflix if you want and enjoy TV.

Personally, I mainly use torrents to view my TV Shows and movies because I get them sooner than when they air and usually higher quality.
However this requires a separate computer to download to.

[ModSocks]

FYI, i have no idea what XMBC is, how Internet TV works or what to even expect. 100% novice. So novice that reading the posts in this thread makes my head spin a bit.

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

FYI, i have no idea what XMBC is, how Internet TV works or what to even expect. 100% novice. So novice that reading the posts in this thread makes my head spin a bit.

XBMC is not a streaming service. It is a media player that works with all kinds of media files. It works great when paired with a media distribution method. *cough* bittorrent *cough*

[ModSocks]

Originally Posted by ReynardMuldrake

XBMC is not a streaming service. It is a media player that works with all kinds of media files. It works great when paired with a media distribution method. *cough* bittorrent *cough*

I just finished googling it...so im clear....it's just a media player....and you have to download different extensions and they somehow work within the player....and different addons allow you to view programming?

What's the quality like?

[ReynardMuldrake]

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I just finished googling it...so im clear....it's just a media player....and you have to download different extensions and they somehow work within the player....and different addons allow you to view programming?

What's the quality like?

It doesn't really have quality on its own, it's dependent on the quality of whatever media files it's using.

It's basically a "front-end" for movies and TV shows with background themes, plot summary, movie posters, etc. It makes regular media files look like Netflix.