Video Which hardware to buy for using Kodi / XBMC On TV ?

raksrules

raksrules

Elite
I am totally ignorant about Kodi / XMBC and just tried once before and found too complicated for me unfortunately. But I am willing to put some time again in this. Now before I go about purchasing some cheap hardware to use it, I will install it on my Laptop and see what all I can do. Once I am comfortable, I will do on whatever hardware I buy.
My aim is to have something connected to the TV and I can use some sort of remote to access the Kodi Interface on TV.
On craiglist here, I see many people selling as they claim "jailbroken amazon fire stick with Kodi installed". I don't want to just buy something like that and want to do stuff myself.
Any suggestions on what to buy for getting Kodi installed and eventually using remote to control it. Remote is most important so my wife also can use it.
I currently have Roku 3 and Chromecast but I reckon I cannot use any of these.
I believe a HDMI android stick may work with those air mouse and stuff but not sure which to get.

Any help appreciated.

Also if possible, please give some links to learn more about kodi and how to install repos and addons to view say tv shows, movies, live tv etc. If this is asking too much or breaks forum rules, please do not answer.
 
I am no media center expert but been using Tronsmart MK808B Plus (bought from GeekBuying for 28 US$ 6 months back). It works very well for my Kodi needs. There is also the added benefit of its Amlogic S805 processor able to decode x265 format files.

I have coupled it with few accessories (mini HDMI to HDMI converter, 3 meter quality HDMI cable, Logitech C310 HD Webcam, USB RJ45 adapter, Belkin powered 7 port USB hub, Rii Mini 8 Airmouse Keyboard, Logitech wireless mouse, USB Keyboard) to make my android TV experience more fluent and smoother, though.
 
So I saw a youtube video and installed Kodi on my windows laptop to see what it is all about. Added some repos the video mentioned, fusion, xfinity, metalkettle and such. I was able to stream TV shows and movies as well. Now I am going to explore more on this.
For hardware, I know my roku doesn't support kodi so that is out of question, so may be I will get Fire stick if and when a deal comes for it. Because I see fire stick as very popular for Kodi. But yes I am open to android boxes and such as well, just that they should not suck.
 
Android TV stick. It'll come preinstalled with Kodi. You can use your mobile phone as remote by using RKremoteapp. Else you can attach a wireless mouse. You can connect a BT headset with it also.
 
The MK808Bplus doesn't come with a remote if that is a constraint. You can buy remotes separately though. Total price shouldn't exceed ~ 45 dollars. Kodi works great but Android in general has some limitations to it on the 4k front etc. Try Kodi TVMC edition, gets some default addons installed and no need to worry about adding other repos.
 
theres nothing to install with respect to raspberry pi ... you basically just download openelec on a minisd card , connect it and done, after it you just boot straight into kodi whenever you switch it on .
plus your android phone or tablet can work as a remote , even my 6 year does it ...
 
I use one of the NUC's from this years sale for Kodi. Paired with a k400r keyboard, now looking for a MCE remote.
 
kippu said:
theres nothing to install with respect to raspberry pi ... you basically just download openelec on a minisd card , connect it and done, after it you just boot straight into kodi whenever you switch it on .
plus your android phone or tablet can work as a remote , even my 6 year does it ...
Click to expand...
Which android app do you use as remote?
 
As of now waiting for Fire stick to go on some sale. Android sticks also checking. Have read that the MK808B Plus is best as of now.
 
Ok so I finally got the Amazon Fire TV Stick for $25 (got $15 discount from a website) and installed Kodi on it. In fact I have not even checked anything else on the fire stick at all. I also installed Firestarter which enables me to directly start kodi rather than going through numerous sub menus.

I am super overwhelmed over the amount of content available on Kodi. You get EVERYTHING, I mean everything, be it TV shows, Movies, Bollywood, Live Indian TV (limited channels) and yeah Porn too. For people who want to start on Kodi, I would anytime suggest going with pre built setups. I have installed SpinzTV setup and it is pretty good and works well. I have additionally installed few Indian / Desi addons and ccloud has lot of Indian TV channels too and almost all work all the time and in HD quality.

As of now I am still exploring, I am still not cutting my paid Indian sling TV channels as my wife cannot really operate Kodi and moreover in Kodi we cannot watch old shows and such. So convenience in terms of sling TV is something I have to keep it for.

But yes Kodi does have disadvantages too if you are not patient, streams not working and giving random errors, entire addon not working and such things.
 
Last edited:
Back
Top