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Technical Help & Discussion => General Tech Discussion, News & Q&A => Topic started by: Clive on April 03, 2017, 19:41

Title: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 03, 2017, 19:41
Does anyone here use a Kodi Box?  If so what is your opinion of them?  I know they are very popular these days and seem to come fully loaded with films and TV channels. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on April 03, 2017, 21:04
Amazon have just announced that they are banning the sale of the "fully loaded" ones, as they are in breach of copyright and anti-piracy laws.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 03, 2017, 21:16
So I may have missed the boat!   :(
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on April 03, 2017, 21:43
You could probably still get one from a well known auction site, but I guess the "unloaded" ones would just have the bog standard range of channels. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 04, 2017, 09:26
I think you can load them yourself.   :D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 04, 2017, 10:36
Or you can just download Kodi to laptop and hook up to tv. There's tons of legal stuff on it, Kodi is no more illegal than any web browser used to stream content, it just depends on the source of the content.

Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 04, 2017, 12:45
Thanks Dave - that was my interpretation of it too.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 04, 2017, 13:17
Thanks Dave - that was my interpretation of it too.   :thumb:
;)
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 04, 2017, 18:46
I've ordered one from Amazon which is advertised as being "fully loaded" and the order has been accepted.  I'll keep you posted.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 04, 2017, 19:53
I believe exodus is the "app" that a lot of seasoned Kodi users go for. I find the whole thing a bit confusing to be honest, seems very clunky (from a laptop perspective) and I rarely use it. I suspect it would be much easier with an all in box.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 04, 2017, 22:21
Thanks for the heads up Dave.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 07, 2017, 19:36
The box arrived this afternoon but I'm returning it to Amazon since there is absolutely nothing on it - not even Kodi.  It was described as a fully loaded Kodi box and does not have any of the screens shown in the Youtube setup video.  Amazon has agreed to collect it from me. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 07, 2017, 19:52
Sounds like whoever left the description online was fully loaded  :stars:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 07, 2017, 20:15
Tellingly, they've now removed the listing and I've never ordered it according to "my orders".   ::)
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 07, 2017, 21:19
I went right off Amazon when a voucher i bought was stolen (account hacked). It took ages to get them to refund the money and they literally wouldn't discuss who, how, where etc and were extremely awkward about the whole thing.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 07, 2017, 21:51
I can download Kodi onto my laptop easily enough so if I could find a way of casting it to my TV it would solve the problem.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 07, 2017, 22:02
I can download Kodi onto my laptop easily enough so if I could find a way of casting it to my TV it would solve the problem.

If it has hdmi out (most from the last two or three years will) then it will be easy via hdmi (pc) to hdmi (tv).
If tv and pc newish then you could stream it.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 08, 2017, 10:05
My laptop and TV both have HDMI so I'll have a go at doing that.   :thumb:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on April 09, 2017, 19:25
https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/789737/Kodi-17-1-Download-Ban-Pirate-Stream

 :o:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on April 09, 2017, 20:06
Have you tried TOR Clive ?
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on April 09, 2017, 23:21
That looks very interesting Dave.   ;D  Daily Express Simon?  As reliable as AFs.   :)x
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on April 10, 2017, 00:09
 :D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on May 15, 2017, 03:37
There are loads of online instructional about Kodi.  Phoenix is a good add-on too.

You buggers still going then? 😀
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on May 15, 2017, 11:58
Some of us are, Gill!   ;D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on May 19, 2017, 20:53
My son has bought a Kodi Box and says it's the best thing since sliced bread.  We are staying with him for a few weeks commencing Wednesday and he has promised to talk me through it. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on May 20, 2017, 09:34
That could be a long conversation.   ;D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on May 20, 2017, 11:51
 ;D  I think he plans to set it up for me. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on June 04, 2017, 18:08
OK so it more or less set itself up.  I didn't have to supply a Gmail account or a phone number either.  That previous box was a con and the software was clearly missing.  This is a Q box that cost £51 which was more than the so called fully loaded box.  It was bought from Amazon which gives the lie to them no longer selling kodi  boxes.  It has every film that was ever made and a mind boggling array of tv programmes.  I can't see how it can be stopped because most of the downloads are from Russia and China which the UK government cannot touch. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on June 04, 2017, 18:45
Gosh, so it even has those "wildlife" movies you like?  :sheeplove:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on June 04, 2017, 20:40
Oh!  That's a thought.     :o:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on June 06, 2017, 22:19
I believe exodus is the "app" that a lot of seasoned Kodi users go for. I find the whole thing a bit confusing to be honest, seems very clunky (from a laptop perspective) and I rarely use it. I suspect it would be much easier with an all in box.


This is the add-on I'm using and it really is the DBs.  The quality of the content is incredible  and its updated constantly with the latest films.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on December 28, 2017, 19:23
I tend to get my advice on Kodi from Peter Carcione on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/user/peterc408/featured .  He's normally quick to come up with work-arounds when Kodi glitches but I've been having trouble with Kodi failing to find streams lately and dear ole Pete hasn't been forthcoming.  Anyone else had difficulties recently?
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on December 29, 2017, 11:13
Yes, I've experienced a lot of difficulty with films.  My son, who lives in London has given up on his completely.  TV channels still work fine. We both subscribe to Netflix now which is totally reliable. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on December 31, 2017, 02:16
Yes, I've experienced a lot of difficulty with films.  My son, who lives in London has given up on his completely.  TV channels still work fine. We both subscribe to Netflix now which is totally reliable. 

I believe there has recently been a big crack down on a lot of the "apps" that Kodi uses. I used to use it a bit but not recently, a friend of mine who uses it a lot confirms what you say, that it has become pretty much useless.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on December 31, 2017, 10:00
I've been reading reports over the weekend that many producers of add-ons such as Covenant have recently been served 'cease and desist' letters from lawyers representing the multinational media corporations.  Not surprisingly, they've been scared off.

I wonder what the next Kodi will be.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 08, 2018, 11:34
I took another look at kodi over the weekend and all I could pick up was BBC content.  I've now subscribed to Netflix which is surprisingly good.  We've watched The Crown and The Detectorists which is very funny.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on January 08, 2018, 14:50
Haven't seen The Crown but The Detectorists was a favourite.  Sad that no more episodes are being made but at least it went out on a high.  I use Get_iPlayer to make sure I can watch BBC iPlayer content whenever I like  ;).
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 08, 2018, 16:02
If I'd realised that Toby Jones was in the  Detectorists I'd have watched it long ago.  We watched all three series over the course of a couple of days.  The Crown is very illuminating and the only Royal who comes out of it well is the Queen.  The others are very flawed characters if there is any truth to be found in it.  Highly entertaining. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on January 08, 2018, 18:35
Peaky Blinders is my current fave.  I lived in Birmingham Small Heath for a number of years and the only difference nowadays is the gangs are Moslem, not Catholic!
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 08, 2018, 20:32
The reviews are superb but I need to convince Mrs Clive who keeps an iron grip on all the remotes.  Tonight will be Silent Witness.   ;D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on January 08, 2018, 20:45
I've heard other people say that Peaky Blinders is very good, but I've never watched it, as I don't usually like period dramas.  I know it's a gangster type thing, but it's still set in the Victorian era, I believe.  I also tried to watch McMafia, which looked like it might be good, but I got fed up with half of it being subtitled, so gave up half way through Episode 2.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on January 08, 2018, 21:10
It started off in the aftermath of World War 1 and is now in the Roaring Twenties.  I also avoided it at first because I thought it might be like Ripper Street or some other period drama.  It certainly isn't!  Sometimes I find myself wondering about the plots but the sheer tension makes it compulsive viewing for me.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 08, 2018, 22:25
Mrs Clive enjoys period dramas and that era should be just up her street.  I'll have to work on her.   :)
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: sam on January 10, 2018, 20:10
Kodi is just XBOX Media Centre by another name.. it will be replaced by something else.... but... the internet is getting more censored. Just get Neflix and Amazon prime and you are sorted. I don't understand the need to pay for these dodgy services when, well, one can just do it for free... or from the previous mentioned. Piracy is just a waste of time in the cheap online world of TV and music we live in. The only reason I can see people using sites like Kodi for is to stream live sport, which is a total rip off... though I have a Sky Go account...
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 10, 2018, 22:42
I've come to the same conclusion Sam.  Even when it was working my Kodi box was difficult to navigate and most streams would be duds or have foreign subtitles and/or poor quality.  Netflix is very reliable, easy to navigate and has plenty of content for just £6 a month which doesn't break the bank. I know you can get Amazon free with Prime but there doesn't appear to be a lot of free content available on Amazon TV.  I have it myself and haven't seen much more than re-runs of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene.  Most stuff still has to be paid for. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Simon on January 10, 2018, 23:16
I've yet to be convinced that Amazon Prime would benefit me in any way.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 11, 2018, 09:30
Me neither. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: sam on January 11, 2018, 21:04
I've come to the same conclusion Sam.  Even when it was working my Kodi box was difficult to navigate and most streams would be duds or have foreign subtitles and/or poor quality.  Netflix is very reliable, easy to navigate and has plenty of content for just £6 a month which doesn't break the bank. I know you can get Amazon free with Prime but there doesn't appear to be a lot of free content available on Amazon TV.  I have it myself and haven't seen much more than re-runs of Robin Hood starring Richard Greene.  Most stuff still has to be paid for.

I really like the stuff on Prime.. but yeah lots of stuff not worth watching... all works together well. I have prime for the normal amazon delivery stuff... and music!
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 11, 2018, 22:16
I only have it because my son swears by Prime and is allowed to install it on several TVs.   :laugh:
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: GillE on January 12, 2018, 11:31
To be honest, I'm quite satisfied with terrestrial TV.  It's just that Game Of Thrones is rather good.

 ;D
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 12, 2018, 19:45
I used to pick it up on Kodi but it wasn't Mrs Clive's cup of tea.  I haven't noticed it on Netflix.  You might be able to get it on Now TV which includes Sky Atlantic for around £8 a month and you can unsubscribe at any time.  They have a lot of Box sets and Game of Thrones just may be included.  I think you can get a 14 day free trial. 
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: daveeb on January 12, 2018, 22:01
I used to pick it up on Kodi but it wasn't Mrs Clive's cup of tea.  I haven't noticed it on Netflix.  You might be able to get it on Now TV which includes Sky Atlantic for around £8 a month and you can unsubscribe at any time.  They have a lot of Box sets and Game of Thrones just may be included.  I think you can get a 14 day free trial. 

I think Sky own Now tv so I would imagine you can get GOT on it. Definitely not on Netflix.
I tried Prime (inadvertantly   :blush:) a few years ago and found the quality of the stream quite poor at times, whereas Netflix is usually really good if you have the HD or UHD subscription. I love GOT myself, but opted for the disc box set route.
Title: Re: Kodi Box
Post by: Clive on January 12, 2018, 23:04
I think the UHD version of Netflix costs £10 a month.