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YMMV: $17 for a pretty decent android gaming stick/XBMC player
- Thread starter TI82
- Start date
Ecto311
Member
Is it feasible to get one of these and just plug it into a monitor and emulate say SNES and below to make a decent arcade style setup? Two Controller support some how through android or is it all locked to bluetooth fuckery?
really thinking about getting 2 of these one for the emulation in a custom built table top machine and one for chrome cast abilities.
really thinking about getting 2 of these one for the emulation in a custom built table top machine and one for chrome cast abilities.
TheSlySoul
Member
Yeah, it runs SNES and lower perfectly. You may need to find a dock to get USB support if you do not want to rely on just BT. I have not tried multiple USBs in one port, but I got the time tonight to test it out.
Also Fire Stick isn't as useful to me because you have to jump through so many hoops just to load up apps compared to just browsing and downloading them. Plus Fire Stick's BT support is pretty whack. Only worked on one controller after struggling with it.
GameStick can run Kodi and Plex just fine.
Edit: You want to mod it via firmware CFW 1.4 to get pure Android though. The default OS sucks so bad.
Ecto311
Member
By firestick I assume you are referencing the chromecast? I have a firestick at my parents house for streaming from their PC and it works fine but if I can get android and chrome cast abilities for under $20 that is great. I didnt even think about the usb of it all. I will look into the dock also thanks for the idea.
You can use wired controllers (e.g. ps3 and 360). Get the dock if you want an extra usb port.
According to the CAG thread, disabling bluetooth seems to actually improve performance in NES, SNES, etc. emulators.
I think he means the Amazon Fire TV Stick: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GDQ0RMG/?tag=neogaf0e-20
TheSlySoul
Member
Yeah, that is what I meant. You can do sideload stuff via developer mode, but it doesn't appear in the main menu. I like having a nice, clean menu with all my apps ready to choose. I do not know if there is an app that allows you to push stuff from one Android device to another, but if one exists it should replace Chromecast fine.
Edit:
Buying AllCast for $5 and downloading AllCast Receiver on GameStick may work to replace Chromecast.
Ecto311
Member
Would I want to do that or can I just load youtube and say view a video on my iPad or phone and press the screen button to shove it to the tv? That and netflix are the 2 priorities of the thing. I think since gamestop is holding one of these for me I might go in and get one for the time being and play with just that for now. I was planning on making my daughter an arcade machine with an old PC and parts but if this tiny thing can do it then screw all that other hardware and having to have tons of wires and parts when I can do it all for next to nothing.
TheSlySoul
Member
It is hard to say because it is an Android device.
This article can give more detail: http://android.appstorm.net/reviews/hardware-reviews/why-i-love-android-tablets/
It would probably just be easier to download the app and browse it via KB + Mouse if you want Netflix and Youtube. Miracast could also work.
Edit: Also you can download an app to control another Android device if you really want touch.
The Abominable Snowman
Member
Can't stream chrome tabs. Thats the main draw of Chromecast :/
TheSlySoul
Member
Yeah, which is why I was not sure because Chromecast was built as a receiver. It about on the same level as Fire Stick in what it can do, but no one has figured out how to install stock Android on Fire Stick yet.
NoFaceNico
Member
THIS!!! PLEASE!!!
I'm an Android n00b and I suspect Ecto might be too. I've tried to make Retroarch my emulator setup of choice since I hear so many good things about it. I can get roms to load but the damn GameStick doesn't recognize it's own controller in Retroarch (except the back button) nor will it recognize a little ipega bluetooth controller I have. I must be missing a step somewhere.
Android Gods- assemble and help us please!
Aztechnology
Member
Put one on hold at my local Gamestop, looking forward to messing around with it.
The Abominable Snowman
Member
It's a little better than a Samsung Galaxy S3, but don't expect amazing results. I got mine for $15 with a $5 off coupon taking it to $10 so it's nothing to complain about. Worst case scenario, It has been awesome at mirroring my Note 4 (FAR better than Chromecast has!) and it works as an extended monitor for my PC and PC screen monitoring as well as gaming (SplashTop gaming which I have yet to try out). I'm pretty impressed.
In addition, Opera is my main browser for it, because its the only browser that I have used that has flawless video streaming with pretty much any stream I have thrown at it. I've only tried streams up to 720p but its been performing like a champ. There's an Chrome-to-phone addon that works with Opera to auto open pages from the PC, and I'm going to try out AIO Remote to control it remotely from any phone/tablet, and once I configure Adblock I think it'll be an all in one device that'll be a complete Chromecast replacement for me. In addition, I can use MyMobiler to control it completely from my PC.
Between Opera and Plex, I'm pretty set. I havent tested native video playback yet from a file downloaded and executed directly from the device.
I have a 1TB drive and it works well for me so far. You have a TON of options here so I wouldnt worry about it.
TheSlySoul
Member
For Ouya, I really like Nostalgia.
I am curious for people that know Android emulation more than me is there a nice front-end organizer like Nostalgia for Android.
Better than the S3? That's my current phone and I payed like $300 for it.
Ecto311
Member
Nostalgia pushes to the Ouya but it won't go to other android devices? Isn't the ouya an android device?
I did find this - https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.vektor.gamesome&hl=en
Looks like it could work for what I would need it for.
Nostalgia looks cool.
Not able to push it to the Ouya because I have CM11 on it. I'll try to find an .apk, maybe it's on the developers website?
m_shortpants
Member
Can you root this and sideload the PS4 remote play app on it?
Installing the custom firmware does root the device. So, yes. Not sure how well that app would run though.
The Abominable Snowman
Member
I have an S3 as well, that I was actually using before I got this, and the Gamestick runs games a lot smoother. My S3 runs on a 5.0.1 ROM as well and its completely CM so I'm sure performance is better than a stock S3.
And the stick is $15. Totally worth it.
Question: What program are using as a mirror? Just curious.
Ecto311
Member
That is what I was wondering. The Ouya is android right? We should be able to strip off this APK file and use it on android elsewhere. Is the ouya some kind of android that is locked down some how?
m_shortpants
Member
I can possibly check tonight.
Has anyone had trouble getting the bluetooth controller to hook up to it after loading the new rom? The controller has 2 modes, off and on with all four leds blinking. Setting the bluetooth on the stick to look for bluetooth devices finds nothing and neither does my S3 or Nook HD+. It worked ok, but spotty with the original rom. There's a small reset button on the controller that might fix it, but I hadn't found something to push it with yet. Maybe the controller got locked into a special configuration during the initial setup with the originial rom.
Ecto311
Member
I got the controller to sync for a total of 40 seconds since I got the thing. That is some complete bullshit. I have never encountered something so bad in tech. I usually have minor issues with bluetooth but I would not even say this thing works. I would have better luck building my own bluetooth controller out of tuba parts.
It never did work but my wireless Logitech mouse did. I just put the micro adaptor into the usb port adaptor and it went fine even though the youtube video called for a wired mouse. The nice thing is the on screen keyboard so you don't need anything else really to navigate the thing.
Same. Since this rom is based on a 4.1.2 version of android, I'm thinking it's just not compatible at the moment.
m_shortpants
Member
That was my understanding as well, though the official xda post for this project states "2.2+": http://forum.xda-developers.com/android/apps-games/ps4-remote-play-t2929147
Bauer Action Hour
Member
I picked this up along with the dock. Getting the custom firmware on it was super easy. I used my Logitech k400 to do everything w/ no issues.
I haven't bothered doing anything with the included controller since the CAG thread mentions it's pretty hit or miss with how consistently it manages to work. It seems the controller's bluetooth pairing is crap while other bluetooth devices (ie: Ouya, PS3 controller) seem to pair fine.
It also seems that the system slows down (CPU usage?) w/ bluetooth and wifi on. People have gotten performance gains in their emulators by turning those off.
I've only tried out spmc with it but it worked nicely on a standard mp4 tv episode that I streamed to it over an ethernet connection. I'll try out an emulator or 2 but I'm not terribly concerned over that functionality. $25 for a nice media streaming device is pretty good on its own.
I haven't bothered doing anything with the included controller since the CAG thread mentions it's pretty hit or miss with how consistently it manages to work. It seems the controller's bluetooth pairing is crap while other bluetooth devices (ie: Ouya, PS3 controller) seem to pair fine.
It also seems that the system slows down (CPU usage?) w/ bluetooth and wifi on. People have gotten performance gains in their emulators by turning those off.
I've only tried out spmc with it but it worked nicely on a standard mp4 tv episode that I streamed to it over an ethernet connection. I'll try out an emulator or 2 but I'm not terribly concerned over that functionality. $25 for a nice media streaming device is pretty good on its own.
Haint
Member
What are you using to mirror your phone to it?
Aztechnology
Member
Picked mine up, unfortunately none of the gamestops in my area had the dock. They said "in order for us to get the docks we would of needed to sell a couple." XD.
Aztechnology
Member
Hey guys just a heads up best buy is having some really nice deals on the their SD and Micro SD cards.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk...gold/7801066.p?id=1219290681918&skuId=7801066
Here's an 80 mb/s 32gb micro SD card for 34 bucks for instance. Anyone know if this is compatible with the gamestick? Or should I go cheaper? There's slower 32gb for less than 18.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/sandisk...gold/7801066.p?id=1219290681918&skuId=7801066
Here's an 80 mb/s 32gb micro SD card for 34 bucks for instance. Anyone know if this is compatible with the gamestick? Or should I go cheaper? There's slower 32gb for less than 18.
The Abominable Snowman
Member
quoted so i can update when I get home. Sorry. I downloaded a LOT of apps until I found one that I really like.
TheSlySoul
Member
It is ok. That is the Android scope. Sometimes having too much choice can be an issue, but it is nice to have it rather than not.
The Abominable Snowman
Member
Yeah and the terrible thing is the Gamestick is probably stuck on this antiquated version of Android for a while, so the choices aren't all that great, but I found a few that I really like and are very usable.
I don't know, I bought a couple of these and they are great, already has XBMC installed, fully rooted and better specs and not too much more cash:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321625585681?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/321625585681?_trksid=p2060778.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
Dr_LucienSanchez
Banned
$17 vs $49 is quite the difference though. Of course there are better options for more money, but it's difficult to beat a sub $20 android stick to tinker around with.
I bought this a year or 2 ago. Its good, dated now.