Magic Box - Anyone tried the newer boxes?

[Faceaz]

We bought one of the originals about a year ago. Thinking of sticking it with a spare TV and upgrading with one of newer boxes. See they have a S4 & S5, any experiences with either? Is the S5 much better? Thanks,

 

[BHC Vic]

Didn't know they had an s5. What's the price on that? Maybe i need to upgrade pretty soon

 

[Faceaz]

List around 450 but says out of stock.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

I just bought an Amazon Fire box from Arcstream. Haven't got it yet, but the owner of Arcstream told me the Amazon is far superior to any of the android boxes. The Arcstream Amazon Fire Box is preloaded with Kodi along with all the apps and add ons. It auto updates as well. Paid $165.00. Supposed to arrive this week and then I will give full review.

 

[C-2]

I'll admit I'm doing an about face on this one, I was not a supporter of the streaming boxes before.

Out of curiosity, I took the Firestick and downloaded Kodi onto my computer, then got it hooked up with the TV. Pretty easy and neat, but the stick locks up. I imagine the Firebox with the same "hack" would be awesome.

Because then... I installed Kodi on all the computers and it's pretty bad ass. Daughter has it on her laptop, plugs the HDMI cable into her TV and watches loads upon loads of anime and Korea soaps (yeah I knw, wtf?).

Super simple install on computers, and free.

 

[HOOTER SLED-]

300 bucks and you need an upgrade already? Lol....

 

[El Chingon]

I'll admit I'm doing an about face on this one, I was not a supporter of the streaming boxes before.

Out of curiosity, I took the Firestick and downloaded Kodi onto my computer, then got it hooked up with the TV. Pretty easy and neat, but the stick locks up. I imagine the Firebox with the same "hack" would be awesome.

Because then... I installed Kodi on all the computers and it's pretty bad ass. Daughter has it on her laptop, plugs the HDMI cable into her TV and watches loads upon loads of anime and Korea soaps (yeah I knw, wtf?).

Super simple install on computers, and free.

Huge Amazon Firestick fan here! Ive had it for 2 months drama free. Updates automatically and at a fraction of the cost of those "other boxes".

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

List around 450 but says out of stock.

[emoji23]
It is worth about half that. Don't waste your money.

 

[RiverDave]

Lol.. When I first posted about the magic boxes on here most couldn't believe they were real or that they worked. If they were real then the 300 bucks or whatever is a ridiculous bargain to be able to pretty much watch any tv show or movie ever made..

Now as with anything technology orientated there are cheaper / faster / different things and boxed out there.. That's the nature of things.

To say they are over priced though? Not sure thats a fair shake. I don't have a cable bill and I have streamed more shit then you could ever imagine.

I am going to order one of the Amazon deals and try it out.. I am still a huge fan of the magic boxes though. I just turned mine on right now because I couldn't sleep, and the news ticker across the bottom says "shark week is here". And gives directions on how to quickly and easily watch it. I guess on some level it makes me feel good that there is some guy sending messages to his customers about content I generally like..

 

[Faceaz]

300 bucks and you need an upgrade already? Lol....

LOL... How long did it take you to replace your first computer? I remember 396, then 496, then there was the wholly grail - the intel processor & gigabytes. IMO, it's kind of the same, technology moving fast enough that each one is significantly better than the last.


But, the old one has already paid for itself. I backed down to the most basic cable package when we got it & the savings over a year has paid for it. It's more to put something on a TV in our weight room. Youtube is about all I get on it right now, total waste of a 45" plasma. Hopefully the new ones don't have some issues that we've had with the old.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Lol.. When I first posted about the magic boxes on here most couldn't believe they were real or that they worked. If they were real then the 300 bucks or whatever is a ridiculous bargain to be able to pretty much watch any tv show or movie ever made..

Now as with anything technology orientated there are cheaper / faster / different things and boxed out there.. That's the nature of things.

To say they are over priced though? Not sure thats a fair shake. I don't have a cable bill and I have streamed more shit then you could ever imagine.

I am going to order one of the Amazon deals and try it out.. I am still a huge fan of the magic boxes though. I just turned mine on right now because I couldn't sleep, and the news ticker across the bottom says "shark week is here". And gives directions on how to quickly and easily watch it. I guess on some level it makes me feel good that there is some guy sending messages to his customers about content I generally like..

LOL... How long did it take you to replace your first computer? I remember 396, then 496, then there was the wholly grail - the intel processor & gigabytes. IMO, it's kind of the same, technology moving fast enough that each one is significantly better than the last.


But, the old one has already paid for itself. I backed down to the most basic cable package when we got it & the savings over a year has paid for it. It's more to put something on a TV in our weight room. Youtube is about all I get on it right now, total waste of a 45" plasma. Hopefully the new ones don't have some issues that we've had with the old.

Here is the link to the Amazon Fire Box with Arcstream install. The obvious difference between the Fire Stick and Fire Box is the processor, box is quad core and stick is dual. The WIFI connectivity is supposed to be night and day compared to the android boxes and the remote is supposed to be super easy to use and better to. Looks like they raised the price since I bought mine last week :rolleyes. Hopefully it arrives today, can't wait to try it!


http://www.arcstream.net/#!product-page/c1epr/8e500b00-4616-cef9-8ee7-547e06ab066c

 

[C-2]

The thing I notice with Kodi is the sound sync is slightly off, you have to get used to it. I thought it was a Firestick issue, but also does the same on an Ethernet cabled and fast desktop.

Anybody else?

 

[C-2]

LOL... How long did it take you to replace your first computer? I remember 396, then 496, then there was the wholly grail - the intel processor & gigabytes. IMO, it's kind of the same, technology moving fast enough that each one is significantly better than the last.
.

In computing, they call that "Moore's Law", he was an Intel architect from 50 years ago, and the principle says processing power doubles every two years. A few years back they thought tech finally caught up with it, but now the move is towards smaller and faster, and the principle survives. Thus all the kick ass little devices like the raspberry PI...firesticks and magic boxes.

Just another stupid, useless computer fact

 

[pronstar]

The thing I notice with Kodi is the sound sync is slightly off, you have to get used to it. I thought it was a Firestick issue, but also does the same on an Ethernet cabled and fast desktop.

Anybody else?

Many home theater A/V receivers have a sync function that can take care if this.

 

[BLOWN HOWARD]

i pay a 100 bucks all day long for my dragon box comes loaded up with all the necessary apps and KODI

 

[RiverDave]

The thing I notice with Kodi is the sound sync is slightly off, you have to get used to it. I thought it was a Firestick issue, but also does the same on an Ethernet cabled and fast desktop.

Anybody else?

On the magic boxes you can adjust the sound sync if it is off. I have only watched a couple shows that were off to the point of noticing so I adjusted it.

 

[Ryphraph]

I have 2 of the HP Chromeboxes loaded with KODI and they run great. They are available on Amazon in good used condition for around $120.

Ryph

 

[richie44rich]

I'm still impressed with my original "magic box" that I purchased 6 months back! It recently ran an update (on it's own) and seems to be faster now. My family has watched so many movies it has paid for itself over and over. I still like to go to the theatre occasionally (love the popcorn!) but having the ability to pull up any movie\show from my couch is unreal. Taking my magic box to my Mother in Law's tonight to let her test it out as she recently retired. If she likes it, she will be ordering the S4 box..

 

[C-2]

Many home theater A/V receivers have a sync function that can take care if this.

On the magic boxes you can adjust the sound sync if it is off. I have only watched a couple shows that were off to the point of noticing so I adjusted it.

Thanks guys - I see a sync setting in Kodi and will play with it. I don't use Kodi much, will test with the daughter.

 

[C-2]

I have 2 of the HP Chromeboxes loaded with KODI and they run great. They are available on Amazon in good used condition for around $120.

Ryph

That's what I', leaning towards, full computing power. I haven't spec'd out a Firebox, but can't imagine they are as strong as a Chromebox.

 

[obnoxious001]

I'll admit I'm doing an about face on this one, I was not a supporter of the streaming boxes before.

Out of curiosity, I took the Firestick and downloaded Kodi onto my computer, then got it hooked up with the TV. Pretty easy and neat, but the stick locks up. I imagine the Firebox with the same "hack" would be awesome.

Because then... I installed Kodi on all the computers and it's pretty bad ass. Daughter has it on her laptop, plugs the HDMI cable into her TV and watches loads upon loads of anime and Korea soaps (yeah I knw, wtf?).

Super simple install on computers, and free.

Hmm, you got me thinking and I found and downloaded Kodi to my desktop that I already had HDMI cabled to my TV. Now I just have to figure how to get it to play something!

 

[BHC Vic]

The thing I notice with Kodi is the sound sync is slightly off, you have to get used to it. I thought it was a Firestick issue, but also does the same on an Ethernet cabled and fast desktop.

Anybody else?

Does it on some movies but sometimes fixes itself. My wife gets really irritated w that though

 

[purrfecttremor]

Does anyone no what a G box is?

 

[BHC Vic]

Does anyone no what a G box is?

My brother in law has one. Same as the magic box but like 100 bucks or something and wasn't pre loaded so not for someone new the the stream thing

 

[pronstar]

Hmm, you got me thinking and I found and downloaded Kodi to my desktop that I already had HDMI cabled to my TV. Now I just have to figure how to get it to play something!

Yeah I did the same with Kodi on an Amazon Fire stick...the learning curve to get these things going is pretty steep! It's been a few weeks and I just don't have the time/energy/patience to dick around with it.

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

 

[obnoxious001]

Yeah I did the same with Kodi on an Amazon Fire stick...the learning curve to get these things going is pretty steep! It's been a few weeks and I just don't have the time/energy/patience to dick around with it.

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

I will mess with it later and let you know if I find something easy. I am sure somewhere online there are some basic instructions.

 

[purrfecttremor]

Ok thanks I don't know much about streaming but my son bought me on for fathers day, hooked it up, showed me how to use it and bam. It's awesome! I Didn't even know what a magic box was and your right about the price about 100 bucks.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

That is why you buy the Fire Stick or Fire Box from Arcstream. They do the same thing as Stream Smart by pre loading all the software so that you can just plug and play.

 

[C-2]

Yeah I did the same with Kodi on an Amazon Fire stick...the learning curve to get these things going is pretty steep! It's been a few weeks and I just don't have the time/energy/patience to dick around with it.

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

For the Kodi install for the FIRESTICK/FIRETV I followed this tutorial since this author uses the source Android repositories/downloads, and not some random download sites.

[video=youtube;AoQgNH5b8No]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoQgNH5b8No[/video]

For DESKTOP Kodi, pretty simple and a THOROUGH setup below

[video=youtube;dKbXnW-OYe4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKbXnW-OYe4[/video]

 

[C-2]

Honestly guys, figuring out how to use it is far more challenging than installing it.

 

[C-2]

Pronstar - I tried the sync setting to no avail - if you hook it thru an AV receiver, it whelps with the sync?

Vicious - like you, doesn't bother me, wife flips out, lol.

 

[pronstar]

Pronstar - I tried the sync setting to no avail - if you hook it thru an AV receiver, it whelps with the sync?

Vicious - like you, doesn't bother me, wife flips out, lol.

If you pass the HDMI thru your receiver - and if you receiver has sync functionality - then you should be able to fix the issue.

If your receiver doesn't have sync functionality, then it won't help.

 

[obnoxious001]

Yeah I did the same with Kodi on an Amazon Fire stick...the learning curve to get these things going is pretty steep! It's been a few weeks and I just don't have the time/energy/patience to dick around with it.

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

Well, this made my head spin, but may work?

[video=youtube_https;6Y0wzVij-FU]https://youtu.be/6Y0wzVij-FU[/video]

 

[BHC Vic]

Yeah I did the same with Kodi on an Amazon Fire stick...the learning curve to get these things going is pretty steep! It's been a few weeks and I just don't have the time/energy/patience to dick around with it.

That's the value of the "RDP" Magic Box...all the software is installed so you don't have to figure shit out - it's plug and play.

Right on the money

 

[BHC Vic]

That is why you buy the Fire Stick or Fire Box from Arcstream. They do the same thing as Stream Smart by pre loading all the software so that you can just plug and play.

When u get it tell me if u can get dragon stream. from what I've read it's exclusive to stream smart. That's what I use for UFC so for me that program is well worth the extra money. If u can get dragon stream then perfect arc stream may b the way to go

 

[El Chingon]

That is why you buy the Fire Stick or Fire Box from Arcstream. They do the same thing as Stream Smart by pre loading all the software so that you can just plug and play.

Exactly! Just buy a preloaded amazon fire stick or amazon fire tv and run with it.automatically updates. No f'ing with downloads or wondering how to download?

 

[BHC Vic]

Exactly! Just buy a preloaded amazon fire stick or amazon fire tv and run with it.automatically updates. No f'ing with downloads or wondering how to download?

Do u know if u can get dragon stream?

 

[El Chingon]

Do u know if u can get dragon stream?

Will need to report back to verify. I use genesis for movies/tv shows, sportsdevil for all sports.

 

[RiverDave]

Will need to report back to verify. I use genesis for movies/tv shows, sportsdevil for all sports.

What about ppv?

 

[C-2]

Well, this made my head spin, but may work?

[video=youtube_https;6Y0wzVij-FU]https://youtu.be/6Y0wzVij-FU[/video]

Same guy as the link I put up, but I have no idea why is deleting the shortcuts etc, he probably realized nobody sits thru a 45 minute video, and thus he is trying to haul ass and talk thru it quicker. That's acommon problem with IT tutorials, everybody wants to show off their mad skills so they click thru everything super quick to prove how bad ass they are.

If the program opens then it should work.

ADDING REPOSITORIES is something that seems confusing at first, but then you get the hang of it.

Installing on your own is really no different than building a motor - you buy a pre-configured stick or box, or a Merc motor, fine, it works out of the box.

But, if you want to crank that bitch up, then learning how to add repositories is something which should be learned.

Especially since some of the repositories seem to disappear, or change names, or end up fubar. Like the HD Movies repository in that video - it no longer works at the location he gives.

No problem if you know how to add repositories, all you are doing is adding Internet addresses. In fact, I'm guessing that eventually all sticks and boxes will be fubar due to the dynamic nature of streaming feeds. I could be wrong on that issue, but I doubt it.

The desktop download and install is easy, just follow that video. It should play on your computer, too.

 

[Boozer]

As a guy who bought a lot of Magic Boxes and refunded a great deal of the money charged for them I'll say this.

Magic Box Dave is a pretty patient dude. He spent a lot of time trying to sort out issues and resolving problems.

The Streamsmart is a POS hardware wise. Some people get lucky and get a box that works well but most get a box that does amazing things when the hardware works. The problem is the hardware doesn't work well often and if it does it's usually not for long. The wifi antenna on the Streamsmart is junk.

If the Streamsmart team put half the effort into the hardware as they do the software they'd either be billionaires or indicted by a grand jury for piracy.

 

[DLow]

As a guy who bought a lot of Magic Boxes and refunded a great deal of the money charged for them I'll say this.

Magic Box Dave is a pretty patient dude. He spent a lot of time trying to sort out issues and resolving problems.

The Streamsmart is a POS hardware wise. Some people get lucky and get a box that works well but most get a box that does amazing things when the hardware works. The problem is the hardware doesn't work well often and if it does it's usually not for long. The wifi antenna on the Streamsmart is junk.

If the Streamsmart team put half the effort into the hardware as they do the software they'd either be billionaires or indicted by a grand jury for piracy.

I've got to agree with you on the hardware. I used to blame the wifi antenna, but I moved my router to my a/v cabinet, and the box is still half the speed of all my other devices when running through the Ethernet. When the box works, I find it tedious but functional. But then there are the times it decides to jack with me for no apparent reason other than Karma. This thing should be called the "Magic Im Gunna Fuck With You Karma Box". It seems like the update has helped quite a bit though. Thanks Cable Box Dave for the continued improvements.

 

[IN AWE]

The thing I notice with Kodi is the sound sync is slightly off, you have to get used to it. I thought it was a Firestick issue, but also does the same on an Ethernet cabled and fast desktop.

Anybody else?

If you are using a keyboard hit the "a" button to adjust sound sync.

 

[C-2]

If you are using a keyboard hit the "a" button to adjust sound sync.

I'll give that a try, the sync setting on Kodi didn't seem to help - but I haven't had the chance to play with it much.

Thanks for the tip, I'll report back.

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Just got my Amazon Fire from Arcstream today. Fired up Kodi and watched American Sniper in 1080p. Worked perfect. Going to play with it some more tomorrow.

 

[IN AWE]

We bought one of the originals about a year ago. Thinking of sticking it with a spare TV and upgrading with one of newer boxes. See they have a S4 & S5, any experiences with either? Is the S5 much better? Thanks,

I have never used a S3, only the S4. This is what I can tell you, people say the S3 gets hot, I don't have that problem. I use this box every day with out once having a problem. Wifi has never let me down but I only get about 25mbps at the box when my laptop pulls 50+. I rarely buffer once I have chosen a good feed even on weekends.

The best part is that I paid less than $250 for a Streamsmart S4 with optional big remote AND ChannelUp subscription. That is a smoking deal and is still available.

Going to have a BBQ tonight and stream the UFC fight.[emoji106]