Formuler Box

[maird57]

I'd like to get opinions on which model Formuler box is recommended. Only want it for IPTV. Storage isn't too important. Picture quality is.

[dishuser]

I'd like to get opinions on which model Formuler box is recommended. Only want it for IPTV. Storage isn't too important. Picture quality is.

I have a z8 that I used for less than 2 hours...lol

[Gbox23]

I'd like to get opinions on which model Formuler box is recommended. Only want it for IPTV. Storage isn't too important. Picture quality is.

I'm very disappointed with these "big name" boxes, considering what you pay for them. I've tried both the latest Buzz boxes (s905x2 and s905x4 SOC) along with the latest formular z10max (realtek SOC) . Both were used in less time then it took me to unpack them. None have certifications, nor drm support. Although the formular z10 max states it has Level 1 DRM hence why I tried it, but it failed at playing it (Disney app) For that kind of money the least they could do is play drm especially since they claim its widevine level 1

Considering the devices I sell, are your normal china boxes, s905x3 (hk1 box) that plays everything at 4k except netflix (obviously) (4k includes Disney, Prime, Discovery etc without an issue) all apps are from play store so there is no modded apps needed or toning down settings within app like in Disney where the device isn't capable of handling high def streaming because of lack of dolby support, etc.
Easy fix is setting the stream quality to "cellualr" quality within app
Yes, the cheap china box plays these at max settings! haha

If you want a box that will actually surprise you, check out the Mecool KM2 Plus. This thing KICKS ASS.
It is Google, Netflix, Disney, Prime Certified , runs the latest SOC (s905x4) at a decent price. Been using one here for well over 6 months. Purchased Tivimate yearly( like 13 bucks or something), and it looks fantabulous. Running android 11 tv and runs incredibly quick and smooth.

Mecool km2 $129+tx

Formuler Z10 Pro Max $220+tx

Buzz XRS4500 $169+TX

BuzzTv X5 $200+tx

HK1 Box S905x3 $80+tx

All are Amazon prices (in Canadian and available)

I really did enjoy the Buzz layout, but was upset about the fact that only one box can be used in my house per account. Even with wiresharkin all the required device Id settings, serial number etc.. it would still fail to run on a second box (error out with device not registered). I understand the principal behind it, but still annoyed. i would have a problem paying for 4 accounts in my house (if I was a paying customer)

This is just my opinion, people can razz on me all they want. This is what works for me.

I sell 50+ hk1 boxes a month, loaded up, with stbemu pro and they run absolutely perfect. Very little to none phone calls about hardware issues. Most, if not, all issues I've had is either from user error, or users end Intranet setup or lack of.
Trying to convince them to upgrade their internet or wifi setup is another thread haha.. and sometimes not worth keeping the client.

I guess it comes down to personal preference really
try the boxes out, get them off amazon, you don't like them, send them back.

Hope this helps out, my apologies for such a winded reply.

[dishuser]

so much misinformation posted above
wow

[Emporium]

OK, you can't compare the experience with STBEmu and the BuzzTV 5 app. Not even close. STBEmu serves it's purpose, but the interface is nearly 15yrs old. And since it emulated the old MAG boxes it is not going to get any new features. Some people like "smarters" app, but personally I am not a fan. Useable on a tablet/phone, but annoying for use on a TV box. Tivimate has a nice interface and many people love it. But it is an additional cost, many are too cheap to buy. And it doesn't come without it's own issues. Tivimate actually got blocked by many servers a while back, since it would overload them by constantly updating the EPG. And it took Alex quite a while to get that sorted out.

And your issue with multiple Buzz boxes in the same home, is really not an issue. I have close to a dozen boxes at home and all work perfect. 4 are actively being used as daily boxes (I often have 3 of them streaming at the same time), and then rest on an HDMI switcher for testing. For the device not registered message, did you contact buzz ? I had one box that gave me that message out of the box, dropped them a note and it was fixed super fast. This message can easily be fixed with a simple email.

The Mecool KM2 Plus is a nice box, I agree. After all the chinese amazon knockoff junk, and Beelink GT crap I had tried, the MiiBox 3 was the first box I actually enjoyed using (I ended up buying 3 of them). The Mii Box 3, was great for it's time (and still is). It started with AndroidTV 6.0.1 (yes, a genuine AndroidTV box, not some hacked telephone Android version). It has gotten so many updates from Mii that it is now running AndroidTV 9. After all these years, I don't blame them for not releasing anything newer any more (they stepped up to the plate in supporting the box for so many years). And it also has full DRM support (and is an approved box) for all the usual apps. Most of these boxes (Buzz, formuler, etc..) are designed with the IPTV user in mind. Not the user who primarily wants to use apps who insist on limiting their use on specific boxes. The apps can be used, but with some limitations.

The UI is a big factor for those trying to switch to IPTV. I had many who wanted to switch to IPTV, and since they already had some cheap android box, they chose to use STBEmu. Or if they had an AppleTV box, they'd use IPTV Smarters. But many of them complain that it feels archaic and clumsy and they just can't see themselves using it as a daily driver replacement to their dish or cable sub and boxes. After they complain to me, I lend them one of my older Buzz boxes just so they can see how much of a difference the UI makes, and most end up buying an xrs4500 , (nowadays most are getting a Classic), and they love it.

Ever since I switched to IPTV, I have cancelled all my other streaming subs. They don't have anything more than I can get from my IPTV servers.

Buzz boxes for me just work out of the box, and there is a box for budget (E5), mid (Classic), and high end (X5 and U5). Not saying there are no bugs (nothing is free of bugs), but the basics work, and the devs are quite quick to address issues. They listen to recommendations in their support forums and quite often implement features that are asked for. And the interface for the BuzzTV app is hard to beat.

The boxes I use for IPTV, I don't even use my google account on them. Personal presference I guess. I use either the Aptoide store or I just sideload everything I want onto the boxes.

Hey if you are going to use primarily apps like netflix, disney, prime, etc.. then if you can get your hands on the USD$20 onn 4k streaming box from walmart in the USA, then that is your best bang for your buck. And take a look at the remotes. The KM2 and the ONN box have pretty much identical remotes except for the logo. Event the color scheme and button colors are the same.


https://www.walmart.com/ip/onn-Google-TV-4K-Streaming-Box/2835618394

So there are many different boxes, for different folks, depending on the primary indented use.
However, there is no "perfect" box yet for everything.

NOTE: To quote Buzz dev from another forum:

Even if you have Widevine L1 DRM on an STB, Doesn't automatically give you instant 4K for Netflix + Prime + Apple+ etc... Apps like these, require the device to get certified directly with the app creator.
Netflix won't approve an AOSP STB for 4K or even their TV App at all

Also, keep in mind there are other requirements imposed on the manufacturers (like the number of units sold per year, etc..). The logistics are a little more complicated than just adding the DRM.

Pretty sure formuler is in the same boat with these restrictions imposed.

Hope this helps out, my apologies for such a winded reply, to a long winded reply.

[nobodyspecial]

Buzz could have had full HD including Netflix on all the new units. All they had to do was drop support on the older units.

[Gbox23]

Dishuser (well, everyone really lol) was absolutely correct! I messed up my boxes, was totally wrong. My apologies.

The formular did work with everything. Just the price point in ratio to my cheap ass clients wouldn't work. Considering 80 dollar box does what they want.
I was let down by the buzz boxes not working the drm. I really loved the layout of the box (and the hardware to be honest) but the lack of drm killed it for my use.

I forgot to mention, all of my services are mac only. Hence my issues with buzz and formular as well.

My biggest problem are my clients want cheap and easy. I have a few that run buzz and love them, these clients are much more familiar in tech and understand where as the rest don't care, they just want to save money and watch sports.

As much as I would love for them to use the latest they just don't care. So 80 dollar box with stb is suffice for them. I've learned to pick and choose the battles and this is just not one worth the fight or headache.

Anyways, I'm sorry for hijacking this thread.

[Emporium]

I hear you wanting simple. But my experience has been the opposite. Having my 3 spare Mii Box devices I have often set them up as loaners to family, friends and colleagues to try out service and mostly always with MAC using STBEmu since it was the simplest. BUT, even that, I have had many of them complain that STBEmu is far from intuitive for them (and we know it is not really complicated).

Switched to a Buzz box (as a loaner) using MAC, and setup to auto start upon boot, added all the channels they care for in favorites caategory and hid all the other categories. Less support calls to figure out what they did and how to get back to what they had, and why they can't see their channels, etc... Many users have no clue how to even use the "guide" option, or switching categories, or anything else. Many just want it to start up, play the last channel that was playing, and just use 4 buttons (CH+, CH-, VOL+, VOL-). Many even F#$@ up the power button. They are so "slow" that they hold the power button and end up with the menu, allowing them to get into safe modes, etc..and the calls start. Now the basic setup is Buzz box, auto start live TV, MAC sub, all favorites preprogrammed, all other categories hidden, and the box is connected to a dummy power bar. That way, when they are done watching, they just turn off the power bar. When they want to watch, they turn on the power bar, which conveniently most boxes will auto power up, and it goes straight back into the last channel they were watching. I know it sounds rudimentary, but I am not going to try to teach my 80yr old mom (I have tried) who doesn't even have or know how to use a cell phone, to operate a remote with categories, etc.. She was used to having her Dishnet box, and had a piece of paper with the channel numbers she watches and she would just punch in the numbers she wanted to switch to. Simple enough for us, but I've learned that it is NOT very simple for them. I even showed her the "favorites" button on the remote, and within a day or 2, I get a call asking about about that option I had showed them :(

Anyhow, if it serves your customers well, and fits their budget, then great. If you can find some Onn boxes from walmart, they seem to be great for the budget user.