MECOOL BB2 PRO $68
It runs Kodi fine. LED it BRIGHT. Built in home page is ugly but Nova Launcher solves that.
The box had some kind of fit one day and video flashed on and off and acted totally weird. I booted several times and it finally recovered. Don't know what that was all about. These boxes are all basically the same except the Shield runs Android TV which is a different launcher and not actually replaceable like the other boxes. Shield can run other apps that sort of act as a launcher but the basic Home launcher never goes away. I can live with it because of the Shield's superior power and stability. Either is fine but Shield is definitely superior.
The box had some kind of fit one day and video flashed on and off and acted totally weird. I booted several times and it finally recovered. Don't know what that was all about. These boxes are all basically the same except the Shield runs Android TV which is a different launcher and not actually replaceable like the other boxes. Shield can run other apps that sort of act as a launcher but the basic Home launcher never goes away. I can live with it because of the Shield's superior power and stability. Either is fine but Shield is definitely superior.
Things to install:
(Use apkpure website if necessary for apks)
Aptoide (the other play store) (Android TV's Google Play Store is not the complete Play Store)
***Install***
APKPure (the app)
Floating Apps (I do not find this very useful yet)
Use this for several installs
TerrariumTV
MX Player
VLC (Terrarium can use this and it is great)
Kodi
(Use apkpure website if necessary for apks)
Aptoide (the other play store) (Android TV's Google Play Store is not the complete Play Store)
***Install***
APKPure (the app)
Floating Apps (I do not find this very useful yet)
Nova Launcher (if yours is ugly)
ES File Explorer (also acts as basic internet browser and remote file share)
turn off Recycle Bin
settings turn off notify app permissions
turn off logger floating widget
File Commander (Might be easier but I would install both.)
Droid Buddy http://kodicustombuilds.com/ (No Adult version toward bottom)File Commander (Might be easier but I would install both.)
Use this for several installs
TerrariumTV
MX Player
VLC (Terrarium can use this and it is great)
Kodi
SPMC
Mobdro
Team Viewer Quick Support (easy file share)
Amazon Underground (to set up Prime)
Mobdro
Team Viewer Quick Support (easy file share)
Amazon Underground (to set up Prime)
Maybe these from Droid Buddy but Kodi and Terrarium TV is all you need.
Showbox
Cinemabox
Megabox HD
Movie HD
Newest Movies HD
Cine Box
Solid Streamz
UKTV Now
HD Cinema
Showbox
Cinemabox
Megabox HD
Movie HD
Newest Movies HD
Cine Box
Solid Streamz
UKTV Now
HD Cinema
Use Playstore, Aptoid or apkpure website:
Task Killer (Task Manager) Really not needed and somewhat quirky.
Speed Test
VPlayer
http://firetvguru.net/ (Has forks as apks of Kodi but I didn't like them)
Youtube for GoogleTV (Several versions of Youtube. I don't like the newest on these boxes.)
I like the Youtube version on the Shield
Soft Key https://apkpure.com/soft-key/com.vramsngrai.floattoucher (somewhat handy)
If your box does not have ethernet buy this UGREEN USB RJ45 Ethernet Adapter with USB 3.0 Hub and Gigabit Ethernet.
