Mini PC for TV

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Mini PC for TV

1 | 2

Mattnzl

281 posts

Ultimate Geek

#3223660 28-Apr-2024 12:00

Just went through an upgrade of my TV pc recently.

HP 800 G4 mini i5-8500T 16GB 256GB nvme about NZ$220 inc. post from Amazon.

Went with 8th gen cpu for win11 compatibility. It has 2 nvme slots (and a 2.5 sata) so I chucked a 2nd cheapie 2TB nvme in for the Jellyfin server.

The HDMI module is optional on these so I made sure this one had it. It is also HDMI v2 so can do 4k/HDR (some units around this age are only HDMI v1.4)

gzt

17149 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#3223661 28-Apr-2024 12:02

Iexlease is a good option. I did it for a few years. After a while I wanted the space back and fussing with all the cords once in a while was a pita. The other thing is - not particularly power efficient. That can cost a bit more over time. For now it's Chromecast for me. Firestick is better but the Amazon stuff with it is not my cup of tea.

Back to the topic OP definitely wants Windows NUC or maybe can consider a hypothetical super good Windows HDMI stick to simplify the setup never heard of a good one myself.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13769 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3223856 29-Apr-2024 07:18

Cheers all.

Found I do have an old SFF HP kicking around, sneaking suspicion it wont do 4k however.... will play around with it this week. If not, will sell then put the $$ towards a newer ex-lease job. :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13769 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3224235 29-Apr-2024 16:45

Its a HP Mini 800 G1 - apparently can support 4k but seems only handles 30Hz..... poo. Guess it'll do at 1080 for now until I fund an upgrade :)

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

cddt

1561 posts

Uber Geek

#3224246 29-Apr-2024 17:15

I picked up a HP T540 thin client for ~$120. It does 4K @ 60Hz, is fanless, and draws only 8 W. Processor is 2C/4T Zen 1, so a little anemic, but more than sufficient for HTPC, especially with the iGPU.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

allan

2044 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3224360 29-Apr-2024 23:35

There are a bunch of HP T630 thin clients on Trademe at present at $73 - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/desktops/no-monitor/listing/4678905814

cddt

1561 posts

Uber Geek

#3224460 30-Apr-2024 08:34

allan:

There are a bunch of HP T630 thin clients on Trademe at present at $73 - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/desktops/no-monitor/listing/4678905814

Wouldn't touch that myself for this use case - that processor is a lot older than the R1305G I am using now and referred to above (about half the performance for twice the power draw). And it's not clear it'll do 4K @ 60Hz, would have to check the spec sheet.

My referral links: BigPipe | Mercury

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE. Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

Shindig

1587 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#3224492 30-Apr-2024 09:46

Always opted for the Zidoo line up of media players. Brilliant devices...

The little things make the biggest difference.

allan

2044 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Lifetime subscriber

#3224764 30-Apr-2024 20:32

cddt:

allan:

There are a bunch of HP T630 thin clients on Trademe at present at $73 - https://www.trademe.co.nz/a/marketplace/computers/desktops/no-monitor/listing/4678905814

Wouldn't touch that myself for this use case - that processor is a lot older than the R1305G I am using now and referred to above (about half the performance for twice the power draw). And it's not clear it'll do 4K @ 60Hz, would have to check the spec sheet.

Spec sheet says it will do 4k.

xpd

Geek @ Coastguard NZ
13769 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3224866 1-May-2024 07:20

A lot claim they'll do 4k, but at what refresh ? The HP I have does 4k but only at 30Hz......

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

LinkTree

1 | 2