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Best Kodi Media Player Options 2024 - hdmkv - 2024-01-24
Last updated September 30, 2024
This thread is the place to discuss the best Kodi-capable media players available out there. Primarily focused on local playback in a home theater, 'best' means supporting as many requirements as listed below. Added benefit is online streaming capabilities (free & premium). Trying to find a single 'best' device that does everything (especially well) is likely never going to happen, so a secondary device may be need for example for online streaming (a Roku, Fire TV Stick, etc.). But, some of these devices come very close to serving as all-in-one's.
Requirements:
- Proper 23.976 & other common framerates (25/50, 29.97, 59.94, 30/60, etc.)
- 4K HDR, HLG, HDR10+ & Dolby Vision playback
- Proper TV-led DV Profile 7 FEL playback a big plus (UHD discs use DV P7)
- Proper TV-led DV Profile 7 FEL playback a big plus (UHD discs use DV P7)
- Full HD/object-based audio passthrough (TrueHD, ATMOS, DTS-HD, DTS:X)
- Gigabit LAN, solid WiFi 6/6E, or solid performance using gigabit USB-to-ethernet dongle
- Ability to stream 4K UHD rips from a NAS (or any server) with bitrates (or peaks) of 80-90+ Mbps
- Ability to stream 4K UHD rips from a NAS (or any server) with bitrates (or peaks) of 80-90+ Mbps
- Snappy & powerful-enough box (that doesn't feel sluggish navigating large libraries or overall)
- Most wanted (for some of us): 3D MVC support
- Nice-to-have: Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, Max, etc. in 4K, with EAC3-JOC ATMOS & all HDR formats supported
Here are media players I personally use in my home theater.
Need a cheap, but lightweight, well-designed & highly functional remote for CoreELEC? Check this one out.
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If you disagree with any of these recommendations, let's discuss in this thread
.+++ Best All-in-One Kodi Media Players +++
Dolby Vision-licensed S905X4 Android TV Media Player (Homatics Box R Plus / Dune HD R Plus / Rocktek G2 / Nokia 8010)
The current do-it-all champ! Homatics box recommended as it has the best support of the bunch
$149 or less
+ Only media players to really do it all—between its CoreELEC (CE) & Android TV sides (using dual-boot)
+ Supports:
++ Player-led dual-layer FEL DV (CE)
++ Premium apps like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, etc. at 4K & HDR/DV (Android TV)
++ HD/object-based audio (CE & Android TV w/Android 12)
++ Full 3D MVC (CE)
+ AV1 4K playback
- As this leverages AMLogic's MVC decoder, it suffers from the same microstuttering problem Vero players (as well as Ugoos players below) have with a handful of 3D titles
- CE needs to run off a mSD card or USB flash drive (but, can be made to mostly run off the internal flash or EMMC drive)
- VC-1 playback is problematic
- Performance noticeably less snappy as Ugoos AM6B+ nor any of the newer AMLogic S928X-K/J-SoC (System-on-Chip) based players
==================================================
+++ Best Pure Kodi Media Players +++
#1: Ugoos AM6B+ (using CoreELEC w/full Dolby Vision support)
The current local media Kodi player champ!
$160 approx
Simple and detailed CE install guides
Minix U22X-J & Max are also options, but they've been discontinued & are very difficult to find
A rooted Fire TV Cube 2 is another option, but performance is limited by its USB 2.0 port
+ First & only media players to support proper TV-led Dolby Vision Profile 7 (dual layer & FEL playback) (also works on the Android side, but w/poorer performance; may work a little better using this Kodi fork)
+ As close to a true replacement that exists to the highly regarded Oppo UHD Blu-ray players
+ Supports all HDR formats
+ Dolby VS10 functionality in tests builds (based off 21.1.1, latest build here) (here are screenshot comparisons with VS10 applied)
+ 3D MVC playback (Note: As this leverages AMLogic's MVC decoder, it suffers from the same microstuttering problem Vero players have had with a handful of 3D titles)
+ Snappy performance (as of a recent DTB enhancement resulting in ~25% performance boost); also, especially if you enable HS400 under CE settings' Speed Mode (may need to temporarily revert to default Estuary skin to do so)
- Uses somewhat older AmLogic S922X-J SoC from 2021
- 4K & few 1080p AV1 playback stutter
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
#2 (tie): Ugoos X4Q Extra (Main CE forum thread here; X4Q-specific thread here)
About $125 approx off AliExpress (make sure you buy the 'Extra' version for DV)
+ Similar to above
+ AV1 support
+ Less snappy than AM6B+
#2 (tie): Dune HD Pro Vision 4K (Product page; @clarkss12's review & thread here)
$149
+ Similar to above, but with 3 OS/interface options (Dune's Linux-based, CE, and Android TV)
- DV FEL only when using CE
#3: Vero V (Kodi forum; OSMC forum)
$191
+ Fairly snappy performance
+ AV1 support
+ 3D MVC playback, but plagued by AmLogic's MVC decoder bug (which they haven't cared to fix, and may never)
+ Very good support & user forum
- No Dolby Vision playback, but Profile 5 conversion is supported*
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
* For DV Profile 5 (which has no HDR fallback), founder/owner Sam@OSMC & team have implemented a tonemapping solution to output it as HDR or SDR
#4: Odroid N2/N2+ (using CoreELEC)
This almost 5-year old hardware has gotten new life thanks to CE developers
$90 approx & up with necessary components
+ Similar in performance to Ugoos AM6B+ above
+ 3D MVC should be possible, but no user reports on it yet
- DV MEL only (no FEL), and Profile 5 videos won't play
#5 (tie): Generic AmLogic S905X4 Box (using CoreELEC)
$40-$55 approx
+ Fairly snappy performance
+ AV1 support
+ 3D MVC playback (using CE21 'ng' or 'ne' nightly builds)
+ Cheap
- No Dolby Vision playback
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
#5 (tie): Intel N100 UHD-based MiniPC (using LibreELEC)
$140 approx & up
(Specs, and a review of an example box)
+ Solid choice for local streaming needs using LibreELEC
+ Snappy performance
+ HD/object-based audio passthrough
+ HDR10 & HLG supported
- No HDR10+ or DV
- No 3D MVC playback
- 720p-1080p resolution with Netflix, Prime Video, etc. (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
==================================================
+++ Best Overall Android-based Kodi-capable Media Players +++
#1: Fire TV Cube 3 (Kodi forum; AVS forum)
$140, but has been $100 on sale
+ Meets almost all requirements, with Kodi v21+ sideloaded (an advancedsettings.xml fix is needed to address audio synch issue in Fire TV's firmware)
+ Very reasonably-priced for all it does
+ Alexa voice-control with equipment management built-in allows for turning on/off display, AVR, etc., & remote controls AVR volume
+ AV1 support
- Cluttered UI w/ads (Amazon has restricted using custom ad-free launchers)
- No 3D MVC playback
- VC-1 playback is problematic
Note: For Fire TV devices with Wi-Fi 6/6E, consider using WebDAV (HTTP) for local streaming (vs. SMB/NFS) for better performance
#2: nVidia Shield TV Pro
$200, but has been $170 on sale
+ Still a decent option for an all-in-one box
+ Custom launcher w/o ads possible to install
+ Still snappy performance (even when using 4K GUI), but Cube 3 feels snappier
- No HDR10+ or HLG playback
- No 3D MVC playback
- Hardware starting to feel a bit outdated; unknown how long it'll be supported (and no signs nVidia is planning a new box)
==================================================
+++ Best Full 3D-capable Media players +++
#1: Dune Real Vision 4K Plus
$300, or more for Dune HD Pro Vision 4K Solo, Duo, etc. with Realtek 1619DR SoC
Now getting hard to find; check eBay
+ Solid choice for local streaming requirements only
+ Android TV UI option
+ Fairly snappy performance
+ 3D MVC playback
+ Dolby VS10 engine
- No longer sold & getting harder to find
- Flaky HDR10+ support (officially supported, but fails HDR10+ dynamic metadata test)
- Realtek 1619DR SoC is starting to feel a bit outdated
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
#2: Zidoo Z9X Pro
$249 or less
+ Almost as solid choice for local streaming requirements only
+ Fairly snappy performance, but Dune is snappier
+ 3D MVC playback
+ Dolby VS10 engine
+ AV1 support
- Still buggy & will need several more firmware updates (but, may not get much attention with Zidoo shifting focus to their new 8K player lineup)
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
==================================================
+++ Best Windows-based Device +++
Any Recent Ryzen-based System (like the popular Beelink SER5 or newer SER6, 7 or 8)
Approx. $230 & up
+ Up to 18Gbps HDMI video, with 4K@60 with HDR
+ Snappy performance
+ HD/object-based audio passthrough
+ Full HD 3D with PotPlayer set-up as external player
+ 4K HDR Netflix with Netflix App or Microsoft Edge Browser
+ 4K HDR Apple TV with Apple TV app
+ Bonus: Decent PC-based and streaming gaming
- No HDR10+ nor DV
==================================================
+++ Other Contenders or Popular Media Players +++
Fire TV Stick 4K or 4K Max (both 2nd gen, 2023)
Max is $60, but has been $40 on sale
+ Similar to Fire Cube 3 above, but cheaper for all it does
- Noticeably less snappy performance compared to Cube 3
onn. 4K Pro Google TV Streaming Device (2024)
$50 at Wal-Mart
+ Snappy streaming box w/hands-free voice control
+ Cheap for a box with S905X4 SoC, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage & Wi-Fi 6
+ Supports all HDR formats
+ AV1 support
- No HD/object-based audio support (other than EAC3 JOC ATMOS w/online streaming)
- Cluttered UI w/ads (but, not as bad as Amazon's)
- No 3D MVC playback
S928X-J 8K Players with CoreELEC
$215 and up; choices include Ugoos AM8/AM8 Pro or SK1, Tencent Aurora 5X, and X96 X10 Pro
+ Powerful new AmLogicSoC with 8K/60 HDR output
+ Dolby Vision (MEL) support
+ HD/object-based audio
- No full TV-led dual-layer FEL DV support like with Ugoos AM6B+
- No 3D MVC playback
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
Zidoo 8K Players
$301 for the Z9X 8K and up for other models
+ Powerful new AmLogic S928X-K/J SoC with 8K/60 HDR output
+ Dolby VS10 engine
+ AV1 support
+ Said to be more stable than Dune 8K, with no HD audio passthrough issues
- No 3D MVC playback
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
Dune HD Pro One 8K Plus
$399
+ Powerful new AmLogic S928X-K/J SoC with 8K/60 HDR output
+ Android TV UI option
+ "Experimental" support for 4K@120
+ Dolby VS10 engine
+ AV1 support
+ YouTube 8K HDR
- Overpriced
- Reports of HD audio issues with DTS-HD/X
- No 3D MVC playback
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
A very thorough review in Russian (use Google Translate)
Raspberry Pi 5
$140 approx & up for a complete kit (board, case, mSD card, power) (4GB RAM is enough for Kodi use)
+ Solid choice for local streaming needs using LibreELEC
+ HD/object-based audio passthrough
+ HDR10 & HLG supported
- (May not be a negative) VC-1, MPEG2 & H.264 software-decoded (vs. hardware in previous Pi's)
- 3D no longer supported (RPi 3B+ was last Pi to have MVC 3D)
- Not for 'official' Netflix, Prime Video & other premium streaming use (but, may work via Kodi add-ons for some)
Did I miss any requirements? Any other solid boxes or lesser-known gems in the wild? Please reply in this thread or PM me, thanks.
Resources:
- Kodi A/V Samples Wiki (with lots of useful A/V test files, demos & samples)
- Media player PQ tests & technical analyses (AVSForum thread)
- Media players section at AVSForum
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - selfcontained - 2024-01-24
I've been following the videos and (minimal for now) analysis of media players here https://www.avsforum.com/threads/picture-quality-pq-tests-and-technical-analysis-of-media-players-blu-ray-players-receivers-and-other-video-sources.3243456/#nested_reply_top_post I've distilled it (I think accurately) as such
for DV HDR profile 8.1 & profile 5: Amazon's 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube (CM4.0 support; but set to LLDV as TV-Led would result in double RPU processing)
for just HDR10 & SDR then Shield TV Pro followed by Amazon's: 3rd-gen Fire TV Cube or 2nd-gen Fire TV Stick Max
the video poster hasn't completed his full analysis and some of my conclusions (assuming I've intepreted correctly) may change.
It's too bad the Amazon products make it nearly impossible to use without an Amazon & Google account but that's a rant for a different thread.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - izprtxqkft - 2024-01-24
additional
Zidoo Z9X Pro
(firmware v1.0.75 beta)
Kodi 20240110 8fe22bc3 master
- Refresh Rate Switching
(does not have any whitelist/cannot whitelist)
+ Audio Passthrough
ZDMC 20.2 (no external player enabled)
+ Refresh Rate Switching
+ Audio Passthrough (retested, TrueHD Atmos, DTS:X working)
(Played from internally mounted NFS, no media server involvement)
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - clarkss12 - 2024-01-24
Excellent, thank you.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - hdmkv - 2024-01-24
Hey @clarkss12, you've probably tried every type of box imaginable
. Anything of note from CoreELEC, FreakTab forums?@selfcontained, thanks, added link to the AVS thread.
@izprtxqkft, with Zidoo, for Kodi use, their ZDMC fork is always best to use. Are you saying that at present audio passthrough isn't working w/ZDMC 20.2? Which would mean it's really broken in the native Realtek player app.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - izprtxqkft - 2024-01-24
(2024-01-24, 21:53)hdmkv Wrote: Are you saying that at present audio passthrough isn't working w/ZDMC 20.2?
trying to keep it related to Kodi i turned off the external player (settings -> player -> videos -> play with external)
i just retested with it enabled and it just kicks me out of playback so it is completely non-functional with external player
and retested again and after a restart it seems to be doing TrueHD Atmos and DTS:X passthrough on internal kodi player, being the highest end of those codecs expect the rest are working fine
*updated report
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - hdmkv - 2024-01-24
Bought Z9X Pro as soon as it came out last year, but returned it as it was too buggy. Sounds like it's still buggy. Went with Dune Real Vision 4K Plus instead. Only thing it doesn't do well is HDR10+, even though it's the same SoC as Z9X, which play 10+ fine.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - izprtxqkft - 2024-01-25
(2024-01-24, 23:56)hdmkv Wrote: Sounds like it's still buggy.
i won't disagree with you but with the addition "when used with Kodi", when used with HT4 it's the best device i've bought in years
just wanted to leave a little extra note since you mentioned it though, when using the official Kodi it's not perfect so nobody should expect it to be
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - clarkss12 - 2024-01-25
This thread reminds me of Warxtasy and his thread..... https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916.
The old timers on here. remember him.... He just faded away.
“Win just one for the Gipper”
Thank you for that good information.......
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - hdmkv - 2024-01-25
I miss @wrxtasy as well. @noggin had last been touch w/him if I'm recalling correctly. What happened?
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - clarkss12 - 2024-01-25
(2024-01-25, 02:49)hdmkv Wrote: I miss @wrxtasy as well. @noggin had last been touch w/him if I'm recalling correctly. What happened?For those that did not know him, he was a true master. He was the man to see about these Android boxes and what they were capable of and how to get the most of them.
He was a true master of these boxes for several years, and is sorely missed.
He saved me a lot of money, by not buying junk.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - ashlar - 2024-01-25
First of all, thank you for creating this. As other mentioned, @wrxtasy work has been sorely missed on these forums.
On to the subject, what's the limitation of Cube 3? I mean... so far there's always been something limiting the attractiveness of this boxes to me. Is performance better than on Shield, as I understand from what you write?
Is it capable of handling Dolby Vision in UHD remuxes? Or is that something still impossible to achieve anywhere?
Pardon my ignorance, as I am mainly a Windows Kodi user. I have always tried to remain up to date with this kind of boxes because you never know (ended up buying a Vero last year for the living room, for instance).
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - izprtxqkft - 2024-01-25
(2024-01-25, 15:35)ashlar Wrote: Dolby Vision in UHD remuxes
4K UHD Remux should be baseline, perhaps @hdmkv can update the first post to include 4K Video 80+Mbps
except for the Vero, Dune Real Vision 4K Plus and FireTV "Stick" i can confirm the rest of the devices listed meet this
Dolby Vision where noted, independent of video bitrate
Cube Gen3 certainly capable of Dolby Vision
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - calev - 2024-01-25
intel n100 boxes are cheaper and perform better than some of these boxes on almost everything. I feel like it should be mentioned. It does hdr just not dolby vision. And because it's amd_64 can do netflix and other streaming services fine. Unless this is a arm only list.
RE: State of the Kodi Media Players Union: Best Options in 2024 - izprtxqkft - 2024-01-25
(2024-01-25, 17:20)calev Wrote: And because it's amd_64 can do netflix and other streaming services fine.
you missed the end part of the requirement "in 4K & all HDR formats supported" meaning L1 widevine
but yes i agree it should be added to the list with the deficit that streaming formats will be limited to ~720p (1080 on netflix)