What is a Kodi box, you ask? Well, it’s definitely not a lunchbox for a Kodiak bear, that’s for sure. Jokes aside, Kodi boxes are streaming devices that seamlessly run the free media streaming software Kodi (or as previously known, XBMC). This tool is considered to be the “Windows Media Center of smart TVs” . Kodi made a long trip to its current status: initially it was meant to be an add-on software for game consoles, so people can enjoy both movies and video games from the same hardware. But as it has become more and more popular, the creators transformed it into a cross-platform streaming application, and thus Kodi skyrocketed into success.
Why Kodi?
People love Kodi for a whole bunch of reasons. First of all, it’s free. Secondly, it’s available for a wide variety of devices, including game consoles streaming boxes. The main reason most people prefer this tool is because it greatly improves the multimedia experience on your smart TV. And don’t forget the added value of the customizable skins, 74 different localizations, and the committed modding community. Kodi is now such an important factor in the industry that whole forums are dedicated to deciding the best Kodi Boxes and hardware manufacturers are displaying upfront their product’s compatibility with the software.
What Makes a Good Kodi Box?
When you are browsing through the offers on Amazon.com, you’ll either encounter excessive marketing blurb, or techno yack-yack, none of them really helpful in deciding the right hardware. The most important features that must be supported by your Kodi box are the following: dynamic refresh rate, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) version 1.4 or above, judder-free 24pto avoid stuttered camera movement, 5.1 Audio Passthrough, 3D SBS/HSBS playback, a good video decoding and quality video deinterlacing. It’s important to take into account these kinds of details as well, and not just let the price decide everything.
Best VPNs for Kodi Boxes
Rank | Provider | Info | Visit |
1
|
Editor's Choice 2024
|
|
|
2
|
|
||
3
|
|
Kodi Box + VPN: a Winner Combo
Having a high quality streaming experience is important, but you must also make sure that that your session remains protected as well. Pairing up Kodi with a VPN is a smart move, especially if your streaming device is capable of running both of them simultaneously. Securing your video streaming might not sound vital at first, but keep in mind: subscribing or downloading movies requires specific payment and authentication information on your part. Sending these kinds of details through a public network is highly dangerous, as people with malicious intentions can intercept it, identify your position, and commit fraud in your name. A VPN tunnels your data through a foreign server, masquerading your IP and encrypting your data stream. And you don’t need to worry about a serious drop in the connection speed either: VPN providers offer unlimited bandwidth, plus they customized their service to satisfy the needs of streamers.
Preferred Kodi Boxes
After talking about the theory, background and protection of a good Kodi box, it’s time to show you some examples as well. The four candidates we show you are good picks for your living room, but you don’t necessarily need to choose these exact models, and use this article as a stepping stone for your research. Either way, make sure to gather some in-depth knowledge about the topic of streaming devices, and don’t pick blindly.
Matricom G-Box Q²
If you are looking for an up-to-date Kodi box, then Matricom G-Box is the ideal solution for you. Their latest model houses a significantly faster Mali-450 Octo Core 3D GPU Graphics Processor, 4K HD Ultra display, and 16GB disk space for your movies and apps. This handy little device is also compatible with Amazon Prime and Android smart TVs. Freedom is another factor that speaks for Matricom G-Box, as they promise not to restrict what kind of apps you use. Last but not least they inform you that the hardware is optimized in a way to fully support Kodi.
NVIDIA SHIELD
NVIDIA SHIELD is a great addition for any Android TV. It’s way ahead of its competitors (Apple TV, Roku and Fire TV) in terms of speed. It is a platform capable of serving the needs of gamers and movie lovers alike. The 4K Ultra HD provides a pleasant viewing experience, but you can also play next-gen Android games with it. The console comes with a controller, and the storage space can be expanded up to 128GB. NVIDIA SHIELD is known to be top of its class when it comes to pro hardware, which is proven by their support of 24p and HDMI 2.0.
DroidBOX T8-S Plus
Strength and speed: these words describe best the hardware of DroidBOX. The Quad Core S812 CPU (paired up with the Octa Core Mali-450 3D GPU Processor) is responsible for the good performance. The 32GB storage is also bigger than what you experience with other Kodi boxes. Interestingly, DroidBOX uses a special Media Center that is based on Kodi 15.2 Isengard. This software opens up the space for additional add-ons, and naturally it’s compatible with most Kodi related content, so you don’t need to make compromises while streaming.
Element Ti4
Element Ti4 is a popular TV box that transforms your TV into a smart TV. It runs on systems like Android Kitkat, and comes pre-packaged with a selection of free movies that is updated regularly. Element Ti4 has 16GB storage speed, 2GB memory, and comes equipped with a strong 3D GPU. It also boasts compatibility with Kodi right out of the box, and the deal includes apps for Facebook, Netflix, Pandora and YouTube. This box is a great addition for your not-so-smart TV, so you can enjoy 4K streaming in your living room.
Best VPN Services of 2024
Rank | Provider | Info | Visit |
1
|
Editor's Choice 2024
|
|
|
2
|
|
||
3
|
|
Get the Best VPN Deals
Want to stay up to date on the latest VPN news and discounts? Get exclusive offers and deals sent straight to your inbox!
Share Your Comment