New Device - Homatics Box R 4K Plus

[HipKat]

I first read about this on Reddit and did a ton of research before buying the Homatics version, (there are others).

First, the specs.

OS - Android 12 (update to A14 Beta is available)/Android TV
2Ghz Quad Core processor
32Gb Storage
4GB Ram
HDMI 2.1
WiFi 6 (I use Ethernet connected) w/Gigabyte Speeds

Supports
4K
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS
AV1

I have been using a Nvidia Sheild Pro for some years now on a Sony X900H TV with a 2013-model Sonos Playbar system connected to the TV by Optical (no HDMI Out on this bar)

I usually use the TV for YouTube, since the Sheild Pro doesn't support YT HDR and the Sheild for everything else, due to the AI Upscaling.

Ethernet connected to an 8-way Gb/s switch showing 538 Mb/s Up/440 Mb/s Down on Analiti

I am a junkie for settings so I have everything as tweaked and calibrated as it could be.

So first, the mistake I made.

I use a 500GB SSD for storage and apps on the Sheild and out of habit moved to the Box 4k, BIG mistake. Installing apps, and getting the Box to even recognize it at times was impossible to get around. FWIW, that drive may be having problems, but with 32GB, there's no reason to use an EHD for apps and Data, unless you record IPTV.

Running everything on the device's memory is much better.
Using YouTube HDR videos, the clarity is much sharper than on the TV itself, but there was a bit of jutter so I turned the Motion COntrol on and played with the levels until it smoothed out.
The first thing I noticed is on Kodi/Umbrella, my Girl Friend and I are binging Lost, the picture was MUCH better. Colors looked more real and the details stood out. This was the 4K picture I've been waiting for.
Then I went to YT and started again playing high-resolution HDR videos that looked spectacular. I changed over to YT on the TV and ran the same video and the picture was drastically worse than on the Homatics Box. I mean, I couldn't believe how much better the picture was on the Homatics box than the Sony TV, playing the same video.

The extra memory makes everything much faster, as well. Very smooth. I feel like I made a nice upgrade from the Sheild Pro.

 

[ncted]

Looks nice. FYI: The company appears to be Chinese and the OEM is SEI Robotics (also Chinese).

Look familiar? 8K Box

I only share this as some will not be comfortable with this. I think that it is an individual choice. I have a number of Chinese-branded mini PCs which I don't have any issues using.

 

[navychop]

No HDR10 support?

 

[Bobby]

No HDR10 support?

Their website says it supports HDR10 and HLG. Interestingly enough it doesn’t mention Dolby Vision but does include Dolby Atmos.

 

[primestar31]

I first read about this on Reddit and did a ton of research before buying the Homatics version, (there are others).

First, the specs.

OS - Android 12 (update to A14 Beta is available)/Android TV
2Ghz Quad Core processor
32Gb Storage
4GB Ram
HDMI 2.1
WiFi 6 (I use Ethernet connected) w/Gigabyte Speeds

Supports
4K
Dolby Vision
Dolby Atmos
DTS
AV1

I have been using a Nvidia Sheild Pro for some years now on a Sony X900H TV with a 2013-model Sonos Playbar system connected to the TV by Optical (no HDMI Out on this bar)

I usually use the TV for YouTube, since the Sheild Pro doesn't support YT HDR and the Sheild for everything else, due to the AI Upscaling.

Ethernet connected to an 8-way Gb/s switch showing 538 Mb/s Up/440 Mb/s Down on Analiti

I am a junkie for settings so I have everything as tweaked and calibrated as it could be.

So first, the mistake I made.

I use a 500GB SSD for storage and apps on the Sheild and out of habit moved to the Box 4k, BIG mistake. Installing apps, and getting the Box to even recognize it at times was impossible to get around. FWIW, that drive may be having problems, but with 32GB, there's no reason to use an EHD for apps and Data, unless you record IPTV.

Running everything on the device's memory is much better.
Using YouTube HDR videos, the clarity is much sharper than on the TV itself, but there was a bit of jutter so I turned the Motion COntrol on and played with the levels until it smoothed out.
The first thing I noticed is on Kodi/Umbrella, my Girl Friend and I are binging Lost, the picture was MUCH better. Colors looked more real and the details stood out. This was the 4K picture I've been waiting for.
Then I went to YT and started again playing high-resolution HDR videos that looked spectacular. I changed over to YT on the TV and ran the same video and the picture was drastically worse than on the Homatics Box. I mean, I couldn't believe how much better the picture was on the Homatics box than the Sony TV, playing the same video.

The extra memory makes everything much faster, as well. Very smooth. I feel like I made a nice upgrade from the Sheild Pro.

Have you ever tried an Apple Tv 4k device? If so, how does it compare to this?

 

[HipKat]

Looks nice. FYI: The company appears to be Chinese and the OEM is SEI Robotics (also Chinese).

Look familiar? 8K Box

I only share this as some will not be comfortable with this. I think that it is an individual choice. I have a number of Chinese-branded mini PCs which I don't have any issues using.

Yeah, Nokia has a branded version also. It is a Chinese company which is why I did a LOT of reading before I bought it

 

[HipKat]

Their website says it supports HDR10 and HLG. Interestingly enough it doesn’t mention Dolby Vision but does include Dolby Atmos.

It says Dolby Vision

 

[HipKat]

Have you ever tried an Apple Tv 4k device? If so, how does it compare to this?

I've never used one. I don't think the Apple box supports all the apps I use