Search function

[joe33067]

Is there a way to search for Actors from my media streaming device?

[Peter]

Hi,
it depends upon whether your device supports DLNA search. Can you tell us the make and model of the device?

The Mezzmo web interface, Android app and Kodi Addon all support searching for Actors so if your device supports one of these you can use the search function.

[joe33067]

Hi Paul -

It's WD TV Live Media Streaming Player.

[Paul]

Unfortunately, your WD TV Live does not have search capabilities.

If you have an Android device, then you can install our Mezzmo Android app onto it. It lets you browse your Mezzmo library on your PC and then push/play files onto your WD TV live. It also lets you search for files using various fields such as actor. Search for Mezzmo on Google Play store to install it on your Android smartphone, tablet, Android TV or Amazon Fire TV.

[joe33067]

Thank you Paul. I'll check that out.

[jbinkley60]

This is one of many reasons I finally switched from my WD Live boxes to OpenElec running on Intel NUCs. I like the WD Live boxes and I resisted for a long time. I just wish they had better DLNA (i.e. more metadata, search etc..) and 4K support.

[CujoXYZ]

I'll check that out - but I am honestly more concerned with filetype compatibility. Of the 4 or so devices I've checked out, WD seems to be the most compatible.

[jbinkley60]

I agree that the WD boxes have broad codec support. OpenElec/Kodi plays everything I have tried. Its codec support is on par with the WD boxes. Paul or Peter could probably comment on the Mezzmo profiles and what is supported in them..

[Paul]

Kodi (with our new Mezzmo for Kodi Add-on) running on a media player box is probably a better solution than WD TV Live boxes now, but the WD boxes are still decent media players.

Another option to consider is an Android TV-based box with our Mezzmo Android app running on it. This will give you full text metadata, posters, backdrops, etc.

[joe33067]

I'm on Amazon looking for KODI / XBMC boxes --- could you recommend one over the other ?

Here's a few that "sound" good.

element ti5 android tv box s905
NextD TV Android Box
Pigflytech MX3-plus
Matricom Android G-Box Q2

Any opinions ?

[Paul]

Sorry - we don't have direct experience with any of these boxes. Hopefully other Mezzmo users can help & provide their opinion :).

[joe33067]

Yeah, I'm hoping to hear from the user community, much like Amazon reviews.

[smitbret]

Yeah, I'm hoping to hear from the user community, much like Amazon reviews.

Personally, I would recommend a Raspberry Pi3 and run LibreELEC on it. Pay the extra $3 and get the MPEG-2 and VC-1 hardware support, too.

If you just want to use your smartphone or tablet to control it then you can just tape or velcro it completely out of site behind the TV and be done for $39 and the cost of a 1GB microSD card and a 2+ amp cell phone charger. It will outperform those Android boxes by a country mile as well.

If you want something a little more stylish and or real remote control function, add a FLIRC and a case. The case I have used so far (tried about 4) is actually the metal FLIRC case because it has an internal metal post that contacts the CPU and turns the whole metal case into a heat sink. The FLIRC remote device lets you use any remote control because it is 100% programmable with a PC. With a FLIRC it can be ANY remote control, doesn't even have to be a universal or multifunction. If it has buttons you can program it. I don't even have my FLIRCs in direct line of sight. I still tuck the Pi away, velcroed behind the very top of the tv and the FLIRC is sensitive enough to pick up the signals as it bounces around the room. You can get cheaper IR Receiver/Remote combinations, though. I just like the FLIRC+the older style DirecTV remote control.

https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-...raspberry+pi+3

https://www.amazon.com/FLIRC-FL-0902...keywords=FLIRC

https://www.amazon.com/FLIRC-FL-5319...keywords=FLIRC

https://www.amazon.com/DIRECTV-RC66R...v+rc66+backlit

https://www.amazon.com/PiTech-Raspbe...ds=pitech+2.5a

https://libreelec.tv/

After experimenting with different items for the last couple of years these are the components I have settled on for my RaspPi2 (I haven't upgrade to a RasPi 3, yet, haven't needed to). Many people will already have a microSD card, remote control and phone charger lying around. Just make sure the charger is 2+ amps or you will have problems that will first be revealed by a rainbow colored box in the upper right corner of the screen when you first boot it up.

It is a $90 project if you go with the "premium" setup here but you can always save a little money with less expensive components or by forgoing the case and/or remote control.

I also use an Asus Chromebox with a FLIRC and running the same OS. The experience is virtually identical. The only difference is that the Chromebox will pass HD Audio (True-HD or DTS-MA) and the Pi3 won't. You have to downsample or pass through LCPM.

[joe33067]

Hey Paul -

I've replaced my WD TV Live with NextD (https://www.amazon.com/NextD-TV-Million-Multi-Touch-Smartphone/dp/B01E0F0HS0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1469737144&sr=1-1&keywords=nextd). I have installed the Mezzmo addon into Kodi, but I am still not able to search (for anything). Any suggestions?

[Peter]

Hi,
when browsing the Mezzmo server using the Mezzmo Kodi addon you can right-click on a folder and select Search then you can search the Mezzmo server.

[joe33067]

When you say "right click", I have tried that using the wireless keyboard I purchased (https://www.amazon.com/Rii-i8-Wireless-Keyboard-Notebook/dp/B00Z81U3YY/ref=pd_bxgy_504_img_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=WG8TKXAWB2J0Z1VPSVG3) but it's no good.

[Peter]

In the context menu when you right-click on a folder you will see the item 'Search', selecting this will open the keyboard for searching.
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[joe33067]

Right-Click is either ineffective or I'm not doing it right -

However, highlighting the folder, and then typing the letter C does work to bring up the context menu, which then allows me to select the "correct" search option.

Thanks!