Hi everyone.
I'd like to purchase the Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus to watch my Blu-rays and DVDs ripped with MakeMKV (mkv, iso, and folders) and also for video streaming (Amazon Prime Video, YouTube). Does anyone have one? Does it work well? Thanks.
About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
TLDR; Get the "AM6B Plus" instead and use another device for streaming apps.
I have 2 vanilla Homatics, which is the same thing with the exception that the Dune branded one has a IR receiver. However, you can solder in a IR receiver into the vanilla Homatics if you want IR, which I've done. Sadly, unless you have your TV control the device (Dune or Vanilla), both IR and Bluetooth are spotty at best. The remote control situation is truly a pain in the ass.
*If* you sort out the remote control, you're left with a device that can use both Google/streaming apps and dual boot into Kodi with Dolby Vision profile 7 (DV P7) support. But, the device does struggle from time to time to decode "Remux" UHD movies (1:1 disc images), so you'll see a slight stutter in the video from time to time. If you're willing to give up the Google/streaming software and make it a dedicated Kodi player, then you can reduce that stutter (but not always) by using a "AM6B Plus". The AM6B+ doesn't decode AV1 but it does decode VC1 unlike the Homatics. It sucks that the remote control situation with the Homatics is terrible and that the video stutters sometimes because the Homatics is the only device that can play full UHD disc images _AND_ has Google/Streaming apps.
If you don't plan on watching UHD discs images (the 90GB file size ones), then about any tiny streaming USB dongle will work, like the Amazon Firestick 4K. Since most people probably won't watch the full UHD disc images produced by Makemkv, a streaming stick is for most people.
I have 2 vanilla Homatics, which is the same thing with the exception that the Dune branded one has a IR receiver. However, you can solder in a IR receiver into the vanilla Homatics if you want IR, which I've done. Sadly, unless you have your TV control the device (Dune or Vanilla), both IR and Bluetooth are spotty at best. The remote control situation is truly a pain in the ass.
*If* you sort out the remote control, you're left with a device that can use both Google/streaming apps and dual boot into Kodi with Dolby Vision profile 7 (DV P7) support. But, the device does struggle from time to time to decode "Remux" UHD movies (1:1 disc images), so you'll see a slight stutter in the video from time to time. If you're willing to give up the Google/streaming software and make it a dedicated Kodi player, then you can reduce that stutter (but not always) by using a "AM6B Plus". The AM6B+ doesn't decode AV1 but it does decode VC1 unlike the Homatics. It sucks that the remote control situation with the Homatics is terrible and that the video stutters sometimes because the Homatics is the only device that can play full UHD disc images _AND_ has Google/Streaming apps.
If you don't plan on watching UHD discs images (the 90GB file size ones), then about any tiny streaming USB dongle will work, like the Amazon Firestick 4K. Since most people probably won't watch the full UHD disc images produced by Makemkv, a streaming stick is for most people.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Hi, thanks for replying.
You recommended using two devices, but I'd like just one. I have an older Android box, the Beelink MiniMXIII-II, which I use for streaming, and an Asus O!Play Mini as my media player. Both still work fine, but I'm having trouble playing Blu-rays (standard, not UHD) in 1:1 MKV format. Both devices stutter or freeze completely. I assume they're demanding; in fact, if I transcode the MKV files with Handbrake, there are no more problems and they play fine. I also tried the LG Blu-ray player in my HT, but it's also older, and sometimes MKV files freeze even with it. Finally, I have Android v6 on my Beelink MiniMXIII-II, and the Google Play Store no longer works, nor does the YouTube app. Kodi, on the other hand, works fine.
That's why I was thinking about buying a new device, but I don't want to spend a lot. My budget is €150, and I liked the Dune HD. I saw that the AM6B Plus you recommended exceeds my budget. I don't want to buy another Android box, I don't know. What do you mean by the Dune HD remote control not working well? Is that the only problem? And if I fix it, could I use it for both streaming and as a media player? I'd like to use a mini Bluetooth keyboard that I use with the Beelink. Do you think it's possible?
You recommended using two devices, but I'd like just one. I have an older Android box, the Beelink MiniMXIII-II, which I use for streaming, and an Asus O!Play Mini as my media player. Both still work fine, but I'm having trouble playing Blu-rays (standard, not UHD) in 1:1 MKV format. Both devices stutter or freeze completely. I assume they're demanding; in fact, if I transcode the MKV files with Handbrake, there are no more problems and they play fine. I also tried the LG Blu-ray player in my HT, but it's also older, and sometimes MKV files freeze even with it. Finally, I have Android v6 on my Beelink MiniMXIII-II, and the Google Play Store no longer works, nor does the YouTube app. Kodi, on the other hand, works fine.
That's why I was thinking about buying a new device, but I don't want to spend a lot. My budget is €150, and I liked the Dune HD. I saw that the AM6B Plus you recommended exceeds my budget. I don't want to buy another Android box, I don't know. What do you mean by the Dune HD remote control not working well? Is that the only problem? And if I fix it, could I use it for both streaming and as a media player? I'd like to use a mini Bluetooth keyboard that I use with the Beelink. Do you think it's possible?
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Everyone wants just one device.
This is why I recommend the Firestick 4K, because it's the longest supported streaming device that exists (all generations still are today).
Sorry, I forgot to state that the remote problem only comes into play if you start using CoreELEC to play back UHD 4K with DV P7.
All that is yes.
You're older devices probably stutter/crash because they don't have a hardware H.265 decoder. I hope you believe me when I state that if you're not going to play files straight off of UHD discs, then all you really need is something like the Firestick 4K and a 5GHz band on WiFi 5 (802.11ac)... I wish somebody told me this years ago.
Keep in mind that you'll only need the 2nd device when playing files straight off of UHD discs, _ONLY_ then. For me, this isn't as often as I thought it would be, however I almost exclusively use the AM6B+ with Kodi as I don't often "stream" anything on TV anymore. If I still did today, I'd probably use the apps on the TV itself.
Good luck
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
No, that's not the problem, the MKVs are all h.264. It could be the USB problem instead, both devices have a 2.0 port, I think that with a USB 3.0 or higher perhaps the lag would decrease or stop altogether.
I believe you, but can a Fire Stick or something similar read decrypted Blu-ray folders on HDD? Or ISO files? I don't think so.
For now, in addition to the Dune HD, I'm also looking at others, there's also the evergreen Nvidia Shield, but I'd have to raise my budget a lot .flojo wrote: ↑Fri Jul 11, 2025 1:26 pmKeep in mind that you'll only need the 2nd device when playing files straight off of UHD discs, _ONLY_ then. For me, this isn't as often as I thought it would be, however I almost exclusively use the AM6B+ with Kodi as I don't often "stream" anything on TV anymore. If I still did today, I'd probably use the apps on the TV itself.
Good luck
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
No*? It can if you put Kodi on it and use your network. I hope you're not cavemaning it with USB. If so, you should change that first. The Nvidia shield is near trash. I've had two 2019 "Pro" models and the red shift is real and they haven't been updated in years. They also suffer from unusual stuck frames with H.265 (I really don't know if they're stuck frames or bad buffering or what).
* apparently if you use a USB OTG cable you can use USB 2.0 devices, so technically yes.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Yes, I only use USB. I don't need a network, except that it would be expensive. I watch MKV files sporadically, and if I can, I always prefer to watch a movie on physical media. I only use MakeMKV to back up my discs. However, as I mentioned, I've been wanting to buy a new media player for a while now, and my MKV viewing may increase.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
I find sitting through the forced previews, the interpol & FBI warning, and dealing with silly disc menu systems to be more than enough reason to not ever watch from physical media. I buy plenty of physical media, but I rip it and watch via Plex across the network.
I like my AppleTV 4K box as a Plex client and a device to run streaming apps. I don't think you can play anything via USB however and it wouldn't surprise me if it cost more than €150.
I like my AppleTV 4K box as a Plex client and a device to run streaming apps. I don't think you can play anything via USB however and it wouldn't surprise me if it cost more than €150.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Well, everyone has a different opiniondcoke22 wrote: ↑Fri Jul 11, 2025 8:29 pmI find sitting through the forced previews, the interpol & FBI warning, and dealing with silly disc menu systems to be more than enough reason to not ever watch from physical media. I buy plenty of physical media, but I rip it and watch via Plex across the network.
I like using the physical disc, looking at the packaging again, especially if it's in a digipak or steelbook, and checking that it's intact. I also like the menus, maybe because I used to do DVD authoring years ago. And as for the warnings, you can skip them or fast-forward, and if you can't, they don't bother me anyway.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Happy New Year everyone.
I'm updating this thread to say that last August I retired my old Beelink MiniMXIII-II Android box and replaced it with a Fire TV Stick, which I use to watch Prime Video and YouTube. I then stopped buying the Dune HD because I decided the Asus O!Play Mini was enough for me.
Unfortunately, about 15 days ago, the Asus player broke, and since I'm currently facing unexpected expenses, I couldn't replace it. To watch my ripped MKVs, I use the USB port on my FritzBox router, to which I've connected a 1 TB HDD, basically a sort of mini NAS. Thanks to Kodi installed on the Fire TV Stick, I can access the NAS (the stick is connected via LAN) via SMB and watch them without any problems.
This is only temporary, because I'd like to buy a media player, and yes, I've changed my mind. It's better to have two separate players, one for streaming and one for watching MKVs locally.
I also realized that if I wanted to use the Fire TV Stick with a USB OTG cable to connect USB drives, I'd lose the ability to use my existing Ethernet adapter, which I don't want, so I ruled that out.
Since my budget is tight right now, I'm looking for Android boxes up to a maximum of €70. What I'd like is for Kodi to be installed, for USB ports (even 2.0 is fine), LAN isn't necessary—wifi alone will do—a good remote control (I'm very happy with the one for the Fire TV Stick), and, most importantly, for TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio passthrough. I'm not interested in DV and Atmos.
While searching, I've noted the Xiaomi TV Box 3rd Gen and the Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270, even though the latter is over my budget. People have mixed reviews online about it, so I can't decide, and I don't know if there are any better boxes in that price range. I'd have to raise my budget significantly, but for now, I can't.
Do you know of any Android boxes around €70 that you could recommend that have the features I'm looking for? Thanks.
I'm updating this thread to say that last August I retired my old Beelink MiniMXIII-II Android box and replaced it with a Fire TV Stick, which I use to watch Prime Video and YouTube. I then stopped buying the Dune HD because I decided the Asus O!Play Mini was enough for me.
Unfortunately, about 15 days ago, the Asus player broke, and since I'm currently facing unexpected expenses, I couldn't replace it. To watch my ripped MKVs, I use the USB port on my FritzBox router, to which I've connected a 1 TB HDD, basically a sort of mini NAS. Thanks to Kodi installed on the Fire TV Stick, I can access the NAS (the stick is connected via LAN) via SMB and watch them without any problems.
This is only temporary, because I'd like to buy a media player, and yes, I've changed my mind. It's better to have two separate players, one for streaming and one for watching MKVs locally.
I also realized that if I wanted to use the Fire TV Stick with a USB OTG cable to connect USB drives, I'd lose the ability to use my existing Ethernet adapter, which I don't want, so I ruled that out.
Since my budget is tight right now, I'm looking for Android boxes up to a maximum of €70. What I'd like is for Kodi to be installed, for USB ports (even 2.0 is fine), LAN isn't necessary—wifi alone will do—a good remote control (I'm very happy with the one for the Fire TV Stick), and, most importantly, for TrueHD and DTS-HD MA audio passthrough. I'm not interested in DV and Atmos.
While searching, I've noted the Xiaomi TV Box 3rd Gen and the Thomson Streaming Box Plus 270, even though the latter is over my budget. People have mixed reviews online about it, so I can't decide, and I don't know if there are any better boxes in that price range. I'd have to raise my budget significantly, but for now, I can't.
Do you know of any Android boxes around €70 that you could recommend that have the features I'm looking for? Thanks.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
UPDATE: There's now multiple boxes that support VVC/h266... I didn't know :-/
TLDR; I'd wait :-/. Rockchip is apparently working on a SoC that utilizes a hardware decoder for VVC/H266 and Intel has added it to QuickSync, this means that the next generation of devices *should* be coming soon... *should*.
If WiFi really is enough for your NAS device then I'm not sure why you'd want anything beyond a Amazon FireStick 4k. Lase I checked, custom launchers let you reskin-out-the-ads on the Firestick dashboard ("Wolf" was one).
I assume 4 USB ports is your only requirement, then which I know of no AndroidTV box with 4 usb ports and this would probably mean that you'd have to try your luck with using a USB JBOD/RAID enclosure.
Over the 2 years I've been viewing DV FEL, I can honestly say that I can't discern between non-FEL and FEL... 0% difference to me. So I've left the AM6B+ behind and back to using a single device (Homatics 4K, OEM model, not Dune branded). That said, I'm looking forward to Amazon releasing a firestick/cube that is strong enough to reliably decode UHD-disc bitrates so I can leave the Homatics behind (the Homatics remote isn't great).
TLDR; I'd wait :-/. Rockchip is apparently working on a SoC that utilizes a hardware decoder for VVC/H266 and Intel has added it to QuickSync, this means that the next generation of devices *should* be coming soon... *should*.
If WiFi really is enough for your NAS device then I'm not sure why you'd want anything beyond a Amazon FireStick 4k. Lase I checked, custom launchers let you reskin-out-the-ads on the Firestick dashboard ("Wolf" was one).
I assume 4 USB ports is your only requirement, then which I know of no AndroidTV box with 4 usb ports and this would probably mean that you'd have to try your luck with using a USB JBOD/RAID enclosure.
Over the 2 years I've been viewing DV FEL, I can honestly say that I can't discern between non-FEL and FEL... 0% difference to me. So I've left the AM6B+ behind and back to using a single device (Homatics 4K, OEM model, not Dune branded). That said, I'm looking forward to Amazon releasing a firestick/cube that is strong enough to reliably decode UHD-disc bitrates so I can leave the Homatics behind (the Homatics remote isn't great).
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
In fact, my intention would be to wait, also because I hope to have more budget in some time. However, if in the meantime I find an Android box at an affordable price and the kind I want, I'll buy it.flojo wrote: ↑Fri Jan 02, 2026 12:41 pmUPDATE: There's now multiple boxes that support VVC/h266... I didn't know :-/
TLDR; I'd wait :-/. Rockchip is apparently working on a SoC that utilizes a hardware decoder for VVC/H266 and Intel has added it to QuickSync, this means that the next generation of devices *should* be coming soon... *should*.
I have the regular Fire Stick, not the 4K. I made a mistake, I admit it now. With the Fire Stick 4K, I'd probably have HD audio passthrough with Kodi, which I don't have now.
I'd like another Android box because I don't want to use the router as a NAS; it's not, it's a router. And I don't know if using this feature will damage the router or the HDD I connected to it in the long run.
Wi-Fi on the next Android box is enough for me, because I wouldn't use it for streaming, but only for watching MKV files on a USB HDD. I'd only use the WiFi for Kodi updates and to download the cover art for the movies in my library.
No, I just need one USB port, to which I would then connect a powered USB hub to be able to connect multiple HDDs.
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
Know that "androidTV" is the old term for "GoogleTV", but there is also just "Android". If a device is advertised as "Android 14", that means it is _NOT_ GoogleTV certified so it will not play HD+ content on Netfilx, Prime, etc. apps (if you can even get the apps installed). Basically you always want it to be "GoogleTV" certified. The trade off is with GoogleTV you'll most likely be forced to use a google account and have advertising data collected.
This is GoogleTV certified at $80usd and can technically decode VVC/h266 (how well I don't know) and has 1 USB 2.0 port with WiFi 6: https://www.amazon.com/Xiaomi-TV-Box-3r ... B0F3JWFL56
I don't know how well that Xiaomi device works or any current VVC/h266 device. I'd wait a few months and see if anything "new" is out. I doubt you're encoding with VVC/h266, but do know CPU encoding is very, VERY slow (if you get 1fps you're doing great).
This is GoogleTV certified at $80usd and can technically decode VVC/h266 (how well I don't know) and has 1 USB 2.0 port with WiFi 6: https://www.amazon.com/Xiaomi-TV-Box-3r ... B0F3JWFL56
I don't know how well that Xiaomi device works or any current VVC/h266 device. I'd wait a few months and see if anything "new" is out. I doubt you're encoding with VVC/h266, but do know CPU encoding is very, VERY slow (if you get 1fps you're doing great).
Re: About Dune HD Homatics Box R 4K Plus
That Xiaomi box is one I'm keeping an eye on. On Amazon.it (I'm Italian), it currently costs around €66, so it's within my budget. But, as I said, there's a lot of good and bad reviews online, so I haven't made up my mind yet. Maybe I'll order it anyway; if I don't like it, I can always return it.
Regarding Android/GoogleTV/AndroidTV, the important thing is that I can install Kodi on it and that it works as well as on the Fire Stick. And I only transcode to h264 (for better overall compatibility), but I don't encode the audio; I leave it in its original format.
Regarding Android/GoogleTV/AndroidTV, the important thing is that I can install Kodi on it and that it works as well as on the Fire Stick. And I only transcode to h264 (for better overall compatibility), but I don't encode the audio; I leave it in its original format.