[nico1375]

Hello

I'm looking for and android box with XBMC pre-installed (or installable).
I see many different boxes, but it seems difficult to get one with and SPDIF output.

Reason is I use a video projector (HDMI input) and regarding the sound I have digital inputs (coax and optical) but no HDMI input in my sound system.

I was going for a pivos because amongst other reasons they sponsor XBMC, but it seems to only offer 1 HDMI out.

Anyone knows a box that could meet my requirements?

Thanks

[DrowningApe]

I gave and got this. I haven't looked back. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003L14WB8...-1&pi=SL75

[Rolew]

I use the "Smart TV box" linked at J1nx site:
http://www.j1nx.nl/shop/
SPDIF works. Compatible with G-box. I recommend J1nx Linux version rather than Android (too glitchy).

[nico1375]

I gave and got this. I haven't looked back. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003L14WB8...-1&pi=SL75

Thanks. But I'd like to avoid adding new electronic hardware at home...

---

I use the "Smart TV box" linked at J1nx site:
http://www.j1nx.nl/shop/
SPDIF works. Compatible with G-box. I recommend J1nx Linux version rather than Android (too glitchy).

might do it indeed
looks like an atv2 or these are just misleading pics?

[Rolew]

This is a "G-box mightnight clone", with amlogic chipset (HW support).
I was not very impressed with Android, but J1nx Linux distribution is smooth on this.
Support 1080p so I don't think this one has much in common with atv2, although I'm not very familiar with atv2. AND has coax SPDIF.

Bought from DX for about $80 (follow the link at J1nx). Took a while to get it, but worth waiting for.

[stokd]

I got the G-Box Midnight (currently $84 on Amazon) because it had the SPDIF port and decent hardware; i'm fairly happy with my purchase so far. If you choose that option, note that the SPDIF connector is odd. Assuming you have a digital coax RCA cable, you'll need to buy a Female RCA -> mono 3.5mm jack like this one http://www.amazon.com/Cables-40633-Femal...B000O7H2VE

[nico1375]

This is a "G-box mightnight clone", with amlogic chipset (HW support).
I was not very impressed with Android, but J1nx Linux distribution is smooth on this.
Support 1080p so I don't think this one has much in common with atv2, although I'm not very familiar with atv2. AND has coax SPDIF.

Bought from DX for about $80 (follow the link at J1nx). Took a while to get it, but worth waiting for.

The linux distribution is easy to get running? xbmc can play 1080p with HW acceleration on this box?
It's difficult indeed because of many clones, subtle differences, volontary oscurantism from manufacturers...
It's a single core processor, right?

I got the G-Box Midnight (currently $84 on Amazon) because it had the SPDIF port and decent hardware; i'm fairly happy with my purchase so far. If you choose that option, note that the SPDIF connector is odd. Assuming you have a digital coax RCA cable, you'll need to buy a Female RCA -> mono 3.5mm jack like this one http://www.amazon.com/Cables-40633-Femal...B000O7H2VE

And 1080p playing is ok or not?
Thanks for the tip regarding the spdif adapter. But isn't is a mini toslink?

[stokd]

The G-Box SPDIF port is not optical. As I said, it's an odd connector.

Getting Linux to run is simple. (1) Copy the Linux firmware to an SD card, (2) Boot the device in recovery mode (with a toothpick in the AV slot) (3) install the firmware and reboot.

There are some quirks to the Linux build that may/may not be fixed soon: (1) lack of mouse support, (2) I have to manually mount my external USB hard drive, (3) The filesystem, including SD Card, is read only and you cannot write a large Thumbnails folder directly to the G-Box due to the 1GB memory limitation, however you can get around that by putting a USB thumb drive, labeled "USERDATA", in and it will use that for the updated Userdata folder.

It "plays" 1080p videos, by that I mean it decodes them, but the unit scales the output to a 720p signal. I'm not sure why that is the case, or if it will change in the future, but there are some modifications listed at the G-Box forums you can make to the firmware build that will allow for 1080p output: http://androidtvbox.us/topic/maximum-res...mi-output/ . I haven't tried those modifications, as I am fine with the current setup, but that may be a deal breaker for some as it currently stands. A new firmware is supposedly coming out this week, we'll see if that changes the native G-Box resolution or not. I just submitted a question about this at the forum page I linked.

[Rolew]

There are some quirks to the Linux build that may/may not be fixed soon: (1) lack of mouse support, (2) I have to manually mount my external USB hard drive, (3) The filesystem, including SD Card, is read only and you cannot write a large Thumbnails folder directly to the G-Box due to the 1GB memory limitation, however you can get around that by putting a USB thumb drive, labeled "USERDATA", in and it will use that for the updated Userdata folder.

I guess you can be unlucky with HW combinations. I was able to use a mele air mouse after enabling mouse control in the XBMC settings. I didn't experience problems connecting an external drive. I guess it helps with some geek knowledge. I still find the Linux beta release far more family friendly than I experienced Android at this point.

Talking HW, yes SPDIF use an electrical 3.5mm output. Possible odd, I stumbled across this in the past used for computer soundboards. I use a standard 3.5mm to rca and only connect the left side (I think) connector. I guess a mono cable is better shielded but overkill for most.
Compared to my Rikomagic (rk3066) crap stick, this box is a dream. But I guess it all comes down to what your reference is.
The remote is crap, use a programmable replacement.

It "plays" 1080p videos, by that I mean it decodes them, but the unit scales the output to a 720p signal.

Really..? Haven't noticed. I gave up on Android quite fast. Need to check tomorrow.

[ACC131]

I got the G-Box Midnight (currently $84 on Amazon) because it had the SPDIF port and decent hardware; i'm fairly happy with my purchase so far. If you choose that option, note that the SPDIF connector is odd. Assuming you have a digital coax RCA cable, you'll need to buy a Female RCA -> mono 3.5mm jack like this one http://www.amazon.com/Cables-40633-Femal...B000O7H2VE

Are you sure its a mono 3.5mm needed and not stereo like this one: http://www.amazon.com/C2G-Cables-40637-A...UTF8&psc=1

On the bottom of that page it says the adapter is frequently bought with the spdif coax cable. Sorry for the newb question just want to make sure I have all the correct components. I will be connecting it to a Denon 5.1 surround receiver. Thanks.

[squirrelz]

Technically it should be a 3.5mm mono to rca adapter, but you may find that a stereo one works. If you think about it, a single coax cable only has 2 elements, the core and the outer, whereas a stereo jack has 3 connections.