Pivos ULTRA SLIM XIOS DS HD Wi-Fi Media Player w/ Remote & Google Apps

Pros: Good price point.
Detailed online set up guides for both Linux and Android software configurations.
AMAZING online support community. I cannot stress this enough, the online community for this device is incredible, with ample communication from the PIVOS development team as well as friendly and knowledgeable "super users" of the device. The official PIVOS community forums are also the place to find the most up to date firmware/software in order to allow you to get the most out of the device.
Small, like really small. 3.5" square and just over .5" high, if it weren't white you'd never notice it.
Does EXACTLY what I expect it to do. Streams media from both local and web sources with as clear an image as the source can produce. I'll save more money in my first month with no cable bill than this device cost me.
Using the Linux firmware which boots directly to XBMC with no other functionality I have a Media Center with a simple enough interface for my 6 year old to navigate.

Cons: Not 100% "out of the box" functionality. I would not have one of these delivered to my 75 yr old mother and expect her to get it to work. I would, however, feel confident in giving her one after I had taken the time to update and set up the device. Firmware flashing is pretty much fool-proof, and the support forums do take any guess work out of the setup, but I did take off one egg due to this. This needs the ability to auto-update and provide an even rudimentary setup for XBMC before this is ready for the "mainstream" (like anyone currently in the market for a streaming media player really falls into "mainstream").
The stock remote leaves a good deal to be desired. It is functional, but you will want a better solution.

Other Thoughts: I recommend pairing this device with a 32GB class 6 or better mSD card and a wireless keyboard/flymouse combo remote (I purchased a TaoTronics model through Newegg, been very happy with it so far). If you are looking for a streaming media device, use the Linux firmware, it is a better experience than Android currently (although that may change with continued development/support).

Don't let my 4 egg rating scare you, if you are in the market for a device such as this you likely have the tech level needed to get the most out of it. Once it's set up, as noted in the "Pros" section, simple enough for a child to use.

Pros: unit small light i like the look

Cons: the remote is waste of time and money they should do better unless you 1 inch far from the unit . no chance in controling it . cpu need improvement

Pros: Solid and functional hardware piece. Unlocked Android OS allows for easy upgrade to XBMC Linux firmware.

Cons: None to date.

Other Thoughts: 4 egg review based upon immediate impressions and brevity of ownership.

Thoroughly impressed with the unit overall and looking forward to long term positive ownership experience.

Pros: -Small, low-powered ARM box
-It's very quiet and performs very well
-XBMC runs extremely well! (linux version)
-Integrated remote IR sensor

Cons: -LEDs are very bright
-XBMC on Linux software is not fully mature
-Remote lacks basic functions, I'd recommend using your own

Other Thoughts: A lot of people have given this box bad reviews because they have failed to do research before purchasing. This box is not a plug-n-go product. The potential of this little box is best achieved by going over to pivosforums.com and reading up on how to install XBMC for Linux on to the box. It's EXTREMELY easy, and once loaded it, it works almost flawlessly.

The XBMC port for the Pivos DS is still in beta, but the software works very well. I have no problem decoding 16GB mkv files that are full 1080P with DTS-HD. Every once in a while the box will need to be power-cycled but not alot.

TIP: If you're streaming files larger than 6GB or so, use LAN (wired) connection, and make sure your routers/switches are all 1GBit in speed. At this rate, I had no problem streaming extremely large files over the network. Hardware decoding and audio passthrough worked as advertised.

All-in-all, I bought this box for the hardware and because it is officially supported by the XBMC team. It deserves 5 stars. There are few kinks in the software, but XBMC for PC still has some too. This box is a great option for someone looking to reduce the number of running PCs in their home.

This box is way better than an Apple TV2 w/ XBMC.

Pros: Relatively inexpensive, All in one package, many usb ports, large online user commuinity.

Cons: I had high hopes for this box now that the final version of XBMC was out, the company also donated these boxes to dev's of XBMC so I would have thought things would be farther along. Out of impulse I ordered it. When it came I immediately hooked it up, upgraded it to the latest version, but I noticed it wasn't the final version of XBMC on the Android side or the Linux side nor was it a final version of their Linux platform. I intended this to be a front end that would stream 1080p to my TV, so I gave it a chance. Most everything worked as advertised, but 1080p was unusable, and actually so was 720p in my opinion. Even passing through DTS to my receiver didn't help. It constantly buffered.

I would compare this to a Raspberry pi, and in my opinion, even though the pi has inferior specs, it is more fully baked. You don't currently get DTS-HD on the pi, but running xbmc, openelec or raspbmc, I can stream 1080p without a hiccup.

I really wanted this to work out, but it really doesn't meet my needs. It sounds like development continues on this looking at the forums, the last release was about a month ago, and hopefully they iron out all of the bugs.

I don't really understand why my processor on the pi is almost idle when not playing a movie while the processor is all over the map, usually at 80% on this box when at idle.

Other Thoughts: I am guessing that this will get a final version pretty sure. My fear is that they will replace it with a new, supperior chipset making it obsolete. They have already done this once.

If you a fairly knowlegable about computers or you can follow simple instructions, I would suggest that you try out a Raspberry. I'm not saying it is cheaper, when you add up a good memory card, the pi, a good power adapter and a case you are nearly at the same price.

Pros: EXTREMELY! small, and well designed housing. Lightweight, and boots fast. Android OS makes for a shallow learning curve. Easy to connect peripherals like wireless keyboards and mice.

Cons: Like the title says: It's still in alpha. So there are more bugs in it than a complex of termite colonies in the Australian outback. The interface with the included remote is difficult to use in most of the gui, as expected. Being on the android OS it does take quite a bit of work to get it to work with other platforms at all. Lots of small issues that have big consequences, like the fact that it doesn't seem to buffer anything, ever. so good luck with streaming media.

Other Thoughts: With all of its faults I can see a ton of potential in this unit once it is more thoroughly tested and put into beta. I'm crossing my fingers that's soon. But I doubt it. Don't get this unit unless you want to be a bug tester. To be fair though, I kinda did...

Pros: Cheaper the ATV box
Small
Upgradable

Cons: Remote is very cheap feeling
Front panel kights are all red on one unit but still works

Other Thoughts: I bought 2 of these units to use XBMC with and they work pretty good once they are set up right. I would recommend the Linux flash if XBMC is all your going to use it for. Linux is faster then the Android to load and seems more stable. Might of given them 5 stars for it if the remote didn't seem like I was going to crush it everytime I pressed a button.
This is diffinently going to be a great addition to your home media system.

Pros: Once you throw linux (a must have if your going to be using xbmc) on this thing it runs like a dream. It was terrible with android running on it. I guess it would be good if you just wanted a large tablet interface on your TV. grabed a fly mouse and keyboard combo with this and it made setting it up a breeze would deffinetly recomend you getting one if your going to be useing this from your couch.

Cons: Android is still in Beta with xbmc which was a horrible experience, video streaming from server was unwatchable even when hardlined. perfect with LINUX<--cant stress that enough

Pros: Nice little piece of hardware
"When Working" decodes full screen 1920x1080 HD video
Quite a bit of active development going on at PIVOS
Active users forum.
PIVOS is very active in XBMC community.
ICS and Linux install images available.

Cons: Software is of Beta Quality
Two different versions of device shipped with same SKU (M1 or M3). Each has different firmware and different bugs associated with firmware. You have no way to tell which you will get when ordering (older M1 with 512MB of ram or newering M3 with 1024MB of ram)
M3 units (current) firmware doesn't recognize some HDMI TV's, black screen on boot, others no audio.
Out of box, units have ICS and that is about it. No instructions in the box, just a device as a blank slate with ICS install. Only after hours of going through their forums, applying updates, installing their additional patches, and installing user supplied fixes, you might have a useable box.
Box doesn't support any power saving, power management, so box runs hot all the time. This is a software issue at Geniatech versions have a suspend/low power mode.
Software/OS isn't currently what I would consider release quality and with the long list of bugs and issues makes you feel like you are part of a beta test.

Other Thoughts: Unit is basically the same hardware at Geniatech ATV510 units floating around. Will also see same hardware under other VAR names. The bottom line is what makes or breaks these types of devices is the software and OS. PIVOS is a major supporter for XBMC and porting of XBMC to android, and my hats is off to them for their efforts.

While the PIVOS team seems to be constantly working on updates and fixes the reality is that as of "today" the software is only of beta quality. Which means that out of the box this is more of a Toy for the tinkerer or hacker in the house, and really isn't a plug and play android device that will fullfill you streaming and multimedia needs.

To get mine working I had to update the ICS firmware, modify the build.prop file, install numerous user supplied hotfixes, and then and only then is devices margially usable as a media center client.

Even out of the box the device won't sync its calendar, gmail, or anything else with google untill you modify the build.prop file.

On the Linux side of things they do provide a XBMC-Linux install image but it has its problems as well. Its based off the same kernel/drivers as the android image so it has many of the same bugs.

This device has great potential in the future once the OS (ICS or Linux) installs get to a mature state. Right now it just isn't there yet.

Bottom line is if you are looking for a toy and light to tinker in linux or ICS development, this might be a fun toy for you. If you are a plug and play kind of person and want to just install it and have it work, you might want to look for something else or wait untill the software for the device has time to mature.

Pros: Android OS

Cons: Does NOT work with Logitech unified mouse & keyboard - Pivos tech said it did, rarely plays .ISO correctly, if at all and changes languages by itself, menus don't work, other formats skip frames at times.

Other Thoughts: It is much worse than my old Patriot Box Office bought 2 years ago from Newegg. Did not like Newegg's shipping - was 10 days to get here for 3 day shipping, tracking not available after sent to USPS, and RMA return is almost triple the price from Newegg! Have ordered from Newegg for over 15 years - but not happy with the current practices.