Overview

This week, I was looking for a console that I could add to my spare TV that guests and my kids could play games and watch TV/movies on.  Something that was easy to use, not too expensive, and if it got broken not a big deal.

My kids love their games, and occasionally I let them play on my Xbox, but I always worry that they will break it or maybe they "forgot" to wash their hands before they handled the controllers...with two boys, it isn't easy to keep those hands clean!

After an extensive search and comparison of many products I decided on ordering the EMTEC GEM Box.

(pictures borrowed from Amazon)

At Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Console-Suitable-Family-Gaming-Serious-android/dp/B01BY7YIC8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474232316&sr=8-1&keywords=gem+box#customerReviews


According to the description you can:

• Access thousands of Android games and apps via Google Play and enjoy family gaming direct to your TV
• Stream arcade quality video games with GameFly streaming
• Each console comes with a free, no obligation, GameFly Streaming trial for one month
• 4 free full version Gameloft games pre-loaded: Asphalt 8, GT Racing 2, Wonder Zoo and My Little Pony
• Use the GEM Box console to stream your collection of games from your PC to your TV
• Relive the glory days of classic gaming with a selection of retro emulators
• Turn your TV into a smart TV and view your favorite websites including YouTube

• Wirelessly mirror your multimedia content from your smartphone or tablet to your TV using Miracast and AirPlay
• Plug in your microSD card or USB memory device into your GEM Box console to view photos, play music and watch videos on your TV
• Features both WiFi, Bluetooth an Ethernet connectivity

I read some of the reviews that seemed a little more aggressive with their opinions than I needed.  (Android operating system wasn't new enough, navigation seemed "clunky,") First world problems. All I wanted to know is did it work for my needs, and the only way to find out was to try it myself.

Also, I don't know a lot about GameFly, but I did some research and found that they are like Netflix, (when Netflix did disc based movies) they also do disc based games and are throwing their hat into the streaming arena.  Perfect!  Just what I was looking for, for the boys. Less things to lose or break that will cost me more money....

 I also decided to add in an extra controller and the "GEM Motion" as well; so I could navigate easier and allow both boys to play together.


The Box arrived yesterday and I had a chance to not only play around with it, but also customize it as it wasn't everything I  needed to be out of the box.

I like to tinker with electronics and customize things, and this box was no exception.  My wife makes fun of me, especially when I explain how to do things.  She is the one that actually suggested that I build this site, as it might be useful to others who are less tech savvy and allow anyone reading to side-load in apps and "unlock the BOX."  (Pretty catchy, right?!?  Don't worry I won't quit my day job)


LET'S BEGIN!!

First thing first; what is "side-loading"?

Basically, side-loading is taking application or program that isn't available on Google Play and putting it on a USB or MicroSD/SD card and then installing it.

Here is a more depth explanation:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sideloading

The GEM Box has an Android Operating system and much like the mobile phones might be limited in Google Play selection due to Hardware or software incompatibilities.

That being said, the main apps I thought would be included ARE NOT pre-loaded. I was more interested in the gaming aspect, rather than the streaming; but since this is Android, I could side-load them in.

I figure the best way to provide a short tutorial is to do this in sections.   To "unlock the BOX,"  I'm going to break this up in sections.

- Downloading Google Play apps

- Downloading/Side-loading Apps that aren't available in Google Play:  Aptoide, Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, etc.

- Downloading Bluetooth Auto Connect

- Retro Gaming (SNES, NES, SEGA, Sega Master System, etc) A brief overview.

- Kodi - what is it and easy setup

- Checking out GameFly


***If you want this to be really EASY; turn on the GEM Box, plug in a USB keyboard or use the GEM Motion Remote.  Find the "Browser". 

Under Applications>My Apps>Browser.

Open the Browser and in the Address bar type: unlockthegembox.blogspot.com

You will then be able to click the links and download directly and install to your GEM Box!!***

Downloading Google Play apps

Before we begin, you'll need:

Optional, but highly suggested:

USB Keyboard or GEM Remote

When start up the GEM Box, you'll notice there is simple and easy navigation consisting of:

Games, Applications, Multimedia, My GemBox, Play Store, and the Google Collection.

Click the Google Play store and enter in your information to either create a new account or link an existing gmail account. 

On the back of the controller you'll see a switch.  There is a controller mode and "mouse" mode.
When you're in the Google Play store you'll want to use the mouse mode and USB keyboard to move more quickly.  The left control stick will move the mouse pointer, while the Green A button functions as a left click.  You'll need to click and drag or swipe for an easier navigation.

I highly suggest attaching a USB keyboard or buying the "GEM Motion" remote as it makes navigation much, much easier.

In the search bar, there is three horizontal lines, if you click it you can see if you have any apps you've downloaded on your other devices that will work with the GEM Box.

I suggest downloading Kodi, Plex, and MX Player for now.  Once they've downloaded put them in "My Apps"by pressing the green "A" button.

Simply search the above and download to your device we'll finish setting up Kodi or you can skip ahead.

Side Loading

For this tutorial, you'll need:

USB/Flash drive

USB Keyboard or GEM Remote; optional 


This sounds much more technical than it is.

Ideally, you'd search for the apps that you're looking for in Google, or search engine of your choice.

For instance if you're looking for Netflix, you'd search "Netflix.apk" or you can use the app called Aptoide.  This app is a non-Google marketplace/store.  It has every app you can think of and allows you to even install apps that may not be supported or are older builds.

I've linked the apps below for ease of use and so you can download them directly from the box.

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/kel0cm3ihhg8l7s/AAATL53_iUyo039SRDnu3XT0a?dl=0


If you go to the browser in the GEM Box and type in http://unlockthegembox.blogspot.com/

You can download these and install them directly from this website.  After you download you might have to switch the controller to mouse mode, move the mouse pointer to the top of the screen and click and hold the Green A button and Swipe down.  Then just click the completed download to install.

First download the Aptoide app.

If you're lazy:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm6g8leqysnnv5e/Aptoide_7.2.1.5_APKTrunk.apk?dl=0

This is a free third party app store and one of the most popular.  This app allows you to download other apps that aren't currently on the Google Play store. You can use this to download apps directly to your device.  The good thing is they are the most current version of the apps. The bad thing is not all apps are compatible.

If you're lazy:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/1wuith5ob5tl0w4/Bluetooth%20Auto%20Connect_4.5.1.apk?dl=0

The first app to download is Bluetooth Auto Connect by UniqTec Inc..  This app will help ensure that your controller has little to no lag during any game play and will also force reconnect the controllers quicker.

This app isn't required, but I did find it helped when playing some games.

Switch to the mouse mode on the controller (GEM Pad).  When you open this app, check all the boxes for events.

Click on profiles check the HID only.

Go to devices and make sure the controller shows up in there.  Finally, click the Connect and then push the power button on the device.

**For the next few apps I would strongly suggest using a USB keyboard or the GEM Motion remote.

Download the Pandora app. via Aptoide or using the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/vw19sidozkmnm9d/Pandora%20v7.2.1%20Patched.apk?dl=0

Create a new account or use your previous account to log in.

Netflix is the same; download and log in via Aptoide or using the link below:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/sq1u76htuvwln0y/com.netflix.mediaclient-3.14.3_build_5200-5200-minAPI14.apk?dl=0

For Hulu, the app may open horizontally.  It's best to got to the website and log in, then go back to the app and open it.  I couldn't find an app that runs Full 1080p.  It might be a hardware limitation, but I do know Hulu locks this down and it seems to be only available on certain devices.

Download here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/lt2tbr7g7mlz6p8/Hulu_2.26.0.202989.apk?dl=0

Kodi

Before we begin, you'll need:

Optional, but highly suggested:

USB Keyboard or GEM Remote

Kodi is a media center platform it allows video playback, live TV, and PVR/DVR, the music library.

The main use is for streaming apps.  This is like Roku on steroids.  There are many, many, apps you can download and use.  There are many websites dedicated to the ins and outs of Kodi. It can get pretty complicated for the non-techy people.  If you didn't download it earlier from the Google Play Store you can download it here:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/gixlahs9ot7qrte/kodi-16.1-Jarvis-armeabi-v7a.apk?dl=0

For sake of time, I will suggest finding a helper app that will help set up Kodi.

The easiest and most efficient ways to set up Kodi.  In the Google Play store you can download The Kodi apk.  Just search Kodi.

The main point of Kodi is to use the app as a multimedia streaming platform. You can put files on your computer and stream them remotely or in the same network to the Kodi app.  The other use of Kodi is the ability to download in apps to stream live or archived shows and movies.  It's a very indepth process, and you can Google how to set it up, if your tech savvy.



The easiest way to set it up, is to download the "Complete Kodi Setup Wizard" from the Google Play store.  

If you're lazy:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/2ohn185kxw83xhy/Complete%20Kodi%20Setup%20Wizard_1.0.apk?dl=0


Once you've install Kodi, open the Complete Kodi Setup Wizard and go to "Install Builds"  If you don't know what you're looking for, go to "Top Ten Builds" and pick one to download.  I used The KodiMaster Build, which has everything you need.  There is a preview, so if you're not sure, that may help you decide.

Once installed, pull the plug on the GEM Box to hard reset.  Then open the Kodi app after restarting.  There will be a lot of updates and it will automatically finish updating.  You can let it sit for about 20- 30 mins, or use it as is.  It might affect the overall speed of loading and streaming, so it's best to let it finish loading. It will continue to install apps and updates in the background.

It might have a pop-up that says something about Build not complete or update, just go to install and "Standard install" and it should update the libraries for you.

After that, use the Exodus or Phoenix app to stream movies and TV.   There are many more apps you can use in Kodi, I just found those the easiest and most reliable.

ENJOY!!

Retro Gaming - Not much help here...

For the section you'll need:

USB/Flash drive- optional

USB Keyboard or GEM Remote - optional

computer - optional

Retro gaming refers to older consoles.  There is a lot of misinformation about Emulators and their games referred to as ROMs.

It seems to be similar to the boom of Napster when I was growing up.

The GEM Box has some emulators that are a shortcut to download.  Classic Boy is one that seems to do really well.  This is by far one of the best emulators to use on the GEM Box.  Unfortunately, explaining how to use, load libraries, and getting ROMs would be a whole website on it's own.  Also, the emulators are free to use, but the games are freely available. (There is a lot of debate over the DMCA regulations and copyright laws).

You can google Emulators and ROMs as there are many sites that provide not only info but links to the ROM games, if you're interested.

Here is more information:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game_console_emulator

GameFly

This is more of a review than anything, as I couldn't really do much to change the GameFly Component and there really isn't a need to as it runs really, really well.

First, you'll need to hardwire the ethernet cable to the box.  Like most game consoles this is extremely inconvenient, but also a requirement for the best and most stable game play.

I didn't have the ability to hard wire on the second floor in my house, so being a techy guy, I actually took an older spare router that was dual band and had the ability to create a wireless bridge.  I just plugged in the ethernet cable to the older spare router and connected that router wirelessly to the downstairs router and wala! Works great!! (However, as I read this back to my wife for editing I received the disapproving head shake and side eye).
SOOO...if you don't know what a wireless bridge is and how to do it, I suggest just hardwiring to the closest router.

I played a few games for the timed trial of 10 mins.  It was pretty impressive, as I had little to no lag and streamed without artifacting.  Technically, I was running wireless so I imagine this be even better downstairs on the TV so I'll try again and report back.

Update: I moved it downstairs, and lo and behold even performs even better hardwired in.  Although the titles weren't the newest, my sons and their friends enjoy playing them. That's enough for me to buy in at $9.99 per month and it keeps my consoles safe...for now.