Ah, just discovered this subreddit. I should have looked much much earlier.

My first android box ( X96 Mini )
Second box ( Pendoo w/ bluetooth backlit keyboard) linked is the same unit minus the keyboard they no longer stock that combo.
Third ( TiVo Stream 4k ) This one is arriving today from Amazon to replace the pendoo.

My very first media box was a Micca from 2014, pretty much a media player w/ ethernet, HDMI 2 USB ports and a remote. It did exactly what I wanted it to; play every type of codec possible at the time from a internal HD and external HD/memory sticks. Worked great at that, sucked at everything else including any internet content. When the second box failed I was do for a TV upgrade at the time (3 years ago) and experienced my first "Smart TV" LG 4k w/ WebOS which holy shit, amazing. It played every file (265 & 4k) w/ no problems, did web browsing decently, snappy OS etc.

Oh derr, I did have a Boxee Box when it first came out (2010) I totally forgot about that, that was actually better than the Micca but I returned it because broke, it did everything the Micca did plus it fetched content, only external drives.

Now on to Android TV, I setup some workout space in the garage and needed some content as there is no antenna reception in this part of town. Settled on the X96 Mini; mainly using Kodi w/ external drives as well as Amazon and youtube, it does not disappoint. I recently found a 2010 Sony 55" 1080p curbside and rescued it, it actually works and has replaced my 4k LG because the picture quality is so much better + bigger screen. It has ethernet for smart TV features, but it's 2010 technology which doesn't do much at all. Now I'm missing WebOs and turn to Android TV.

I get the Pendoo as it's specs are pretty sweet. I've had it a few weeks and it's a big disappointment, especially Kodi which for some reason plays videos horribly (really dark and pixelated.) The one main thing I really need the device to do is play videos from an external source. VLC does a fantastic job of playing files but I'm not in love with the interface. Out of the box Kodi would not even launch, I had to update it, even then if I try to switch between apps the OS gets buggy and I find myself "sweeping memory." Meh. Plus the remote is damn loud, every time I press the button it sounds like I'm disciplining a dog with a clicker. That USB keyboard (with dongle) that added another 40 bucks or so the bill is horrible, there is no solid color combo (it is capable) it either flashes different colors or snakes different colors plus it's just awkward to use.

I was going to go ahead and try the Amazon Firestick (2019) w/ Alexa or whatever voice remote but after researching it will not play files from an external HD. I believe the 2018 model can if you buy a special USB splitter (power to unit, unit to usb external memory stick.) BUT it has to be fat32 and can not be over 64GB dongle. Ugh, nope. Plus they are on backorder for another 2 weeks.

Everything else on Amazon looks pretty much the same; all cheap Chinese no name devices that have one thing in common; bare bones Android with some MEH interface, which is why I'm giving the Tivo a try, should be delivered sometime today.

My questions are for the X96 Mini and Pendoo if anyone has one, out of the box what software/mods did you do to make it better? Also, is there a way to have Kodi/VLC or any other player fetch video information/album art etc? I know Plex does this but I don't want to stream, tiz why I need a box that has at least one USB port.

Any other boxes on Amazon that stand out amongst the others? Everyone has the same star rating and reviews, just seems to be "try n buy."

More questions I'm sure but I'm tired from typing.