Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
Plantje wrote: ↑Sat Jan 19, 2019 7:38 am
Thank you for getting back to that. A dedicated Windows machine running as a server for all my media, TV Mosaic and my tuners comes more and more to mind.
@Maverickz: What do you see as the main advantage of the Fire TV box over an Android TV box? And what type of tuners do you use?
I have had my Fire TV box for a few years and at that time they were, I think, the only box that used the Android TV OS (albeit a customized one). Now there are a few more choices. If I were buying new today, I might consider an Nvidia Shield if I had the budget, or perhaps a Xiaomi Mi box for less of a budget. The reason is both of these devices run the official Android TV OS so they can play Netflix and Youtube in 4k resolution AND give full access to the Google Play store (TV edition) for apps. The Shield also plays Amazon Prime Video in 4K but I am not sure about the Mi box (due to the Google Amazon feud). You would need to investigate that if you will be using Prime.
Currently I'm opting for the Xiaomi Mi Box S. Very affordable at Amazon and has good features. Only thing I am still looking for is a way to online search the apps that are available for Android TV. For some reason it doesn't seem to be possible to filter on apps for Android TV. Only option there seems to be: buying an Android TV device

Amazon Prime is not something I'm looking into. Just:
- Kodi (with TV Mosaic as PVR)
- Netflix
- Ziggo Go (will be available for Android TV soon)
- YouTube
- Some less important apps
Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
Most "Android" boxes actually use the phone version of Android with a more TV oriented interface and may not be able to play Netflix or YT in HD even if the box claims to play 4k content. This has to do with licensing of the ability to play 4k content from Netflix and other providers.
The Android TV interface looks very nice! (My parents have Android TV on their Sony TV. But then again, it's over an hour drive, so I cannot just check the store there

)
Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
So in essence which box to get will depend largely on where you plan on getting your content from and which apps you want the most. If all you will be using it for is content you record locally or streamed from an "unlicensed' app such as Kodi then really any box that can play 4k could work.
Just for the record: I use Kodi for legal purposes only!
Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
One more thing to note, not all boxes have an Ethernet port (all have Wi-Fi) but if you need one you can buy a USB hub with built in Ethernet adapter. Check device specs for details.
The Xiaomi one I am looking for doesn't have ethernet. But 5Ghz WiFi should be sufficient! And otherwise there is the option of a USB hub indeed. Thanks for the heads up!
Cool thanks! Very helpful!
Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
For tuners I use a Hauppauge Win-TV USB dual tuner plugged into the back of my previously mentioned server.
NOTE: To use this or any other tuner on a Windows
Server OS, you will need to download and use a tool called
serverbda to add some missing components to Windows Server OS'es. This is not needed for regular Windows OS's. Also Hauppauge comes with a tool called WinTV. You will need to start the installation process to install the drivers but activating and installing the main program is not required if you don't want it.
I'm not going to run a server OS. Just plain old Windows 10
Maverickz wrote: ↑Mon Jan 21, 2019 8:12 am
For an antenna, call Antennas Direct (get the number from the website) and give them your address. They will check topography, station locations and distance from your house and recommend the proper antenna. I went with an attic mount installation because my HOA are a bunch of Nazi's.
This is not relevant as I am in the Netherlands and using cable TV. With which I am completely fine!
The EPG data that I get from the cable TV provider is perfectly fine as well.
Thank you for your exhaustive responses!
Currently I am looking to get the Xiaomi Mi Box S to replace the Meegopad T02 I have in the bedroom. That one is having some buffering issues and after quite some searching I think the device is just ready to be replaced. That way I can play around with Android TV, see if it fits my needs and if I like it. If I do the next step would be to add one in the living room as well and use that one as front end and my old HTPC device only as server to host TV Mosaic, my tuners, media and backups. And then later on I can always opt to replace that one as well...if needed.
Thanks again for thinking along!