Is it better to use a MAG 254/256 instead of Kodi on an Android TV?

by vix0

I have 2 TVs, one which is a smart TV and uses Kodi and the other is NON-smart TV using a Raspberry Pi 2 which is coming to the end of its life.

I'm experimenting with IPTV add ons like Vader Streams which is OK for sports but it goes down a lot. I'm about to trial SmoothStreamsTV, but am I better off using a MAG box instead of the poor hardware and storage space that's in my TV?

Sports I watch

  • Cricket: IPL etc.

  • EPL (in Australia all we have is Optus which is expensive and stream only)

  • PPV

EDIT: If the MAG isn't what I should go for, what are some other IPTV boxes that are better, or am I better of sticking with Kodi?

Any advice is good, thanks :)

Rivanov

I'm watching IPTV via PVR Simple Client in Kodi on my Intel NUC. This works great. I'm subscribed to FABIPTV and their EPG works great in combination with Simple Client!

aguerrrroooooooooooo

The mag seems like a solid box; if you want to have the best IPTV experience it seems like the best way is to have a dedicated box for IPTV and a dedicated box for local media. Pi 3 + mag 254 would be good if you are on a budget

fabiptv

Call me a bias, but I am starting to like the Simple Client on KODI. The guide is just so much better than the MAG. It is so much easier on the eyes.

iama_newredditor

Smoothstreams works very well in Kodi, you definitely don't need a dedicated box for that service. Any other IPTV service, it might be worth considering, but if you have Kodi already going and are signing up for Smoothstreams, just try their addon (or look in r/smoothstreamstv for fog's addon for a full EPG).

I would at least give it a try, and if your TV can't handle the 720p/60fps streams, then I'd look at something else.

silentsinner-

I'd give it a try on your TV before buying anything. It might surprise you.

Smooth Streams worked perfectly for me in their Kodi app on my Razer Forge TV but it has pretty good hardware. I've been looking to replace my aging Ouya in the bedroom and decided to try the Mi Box from Walmart. It is too early to say for sure but so far it looks like a good option for an easy to find Android TV device on the cheap. $69 and easy to return at Walmart if you don't like it. I ran Epic and FabIPTV on it this weekend and it seems to run just as well as my Forge TV. Still testing though. I bought it from Walmart.com and I think I have 90 days to return it and can just drive it over to one of my local Walmarts.