NUC as HTPC?

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MikeAqua

7785 posts

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#154052 16-Oct-2014 17:10

I'm thinking of getting a NUC as a HTPC. Preferably the D54250, which has Gen 4 i5 with HD5000 GPU.

Slap a SSD in for the OS, and as much RAM as it can take. Hook it to the home network, which will have the files (music, video etc) on a NAS. We will also do some streaming - typically TVOD, but maybe movies later on. Won't need to support gaming.

I know there are reviews on Geekzone but I'd love to here from anyone who has been running a NUC as a HTPC for a while: -

1) How do you find it?
2) Any pitfalls to watch out for?
3) Experience/advice on a suitable OS: reliability and simplicity of use are my priorities for OS.

Mike

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#1156256 16-Oct-2014 17:14

I'm using the latest Celeron NUC as my HTPC, with Windows 8.1 & MediaPortal, and it works great.
I only have 4GB RAM in it and a 128GB SSD.
The actual recorded TV, videos etc are stored on a server.
I am using a Logitech universal remote, programmed with the Windows Media Centre Remote commands and that works using the built in iR receiver on the NUC.

I also recently got a Logitech all in one Wireless keyboard with Touchpad which we use to browse the internet etc.

Opinions are my own and not the views of my employer.

sidefx

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#1156257 16-Oct-2014 17:16

I don't use a NUC, but I would question the need for "as much RAM as it can take" (and even an i5) - I'm still running a cheap as chips AMD APU with 2GB of RAM as my HTPC and it hasn't had any issues with anything I've used it for: playing ripped media from home server through xbmc, blu-ray playback including 3D (though this is dependent on the GPU\APU) Netflix, playback + recording from hd homerun, etc.

"I was born not knowing and have had only a little time to change that here and there." | Octopus Energy | Sharesies
- Richard Feynman

freitasm

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#1156270 16-Oct-2014 18:02

I have a Gigabyte Brix which is basically the same as an Intel NUC but bought on Amazon - cheaper.

Four gigabytes is plenty enough if it is a HTPC only and nothing else. Mine os an i5 which makes it fast enough as well.

dan

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#1156272 16-Oct-2014 18:10

i have a couple of that model used as htpcs / mediaportal clients

1) How do you find it?

very good overall, only issue with it, is can be a bit too noisy for my linking when cpu ramps up

2) Any pitfalls to watch out for?

use hardware decoding for video not software decoding, keeps the fan at minimal levels during video playback, intel quicksync can be flakey on some things, DXVA2 (native) in lav filter works flawlessly.
update the bios on it as soon as you get it

3) Experience/advice on a suitable OS:

Im using Windows 8.1 and no issues.

Inphinity

2780 posts

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#1156275 16-Oct-2014 18:21

We have both the Celeron and i3-based NUCs as HTPCs (current gen NUCs) and they're fantastic. Both have 4GB RAM, 256GB SSD, and Win7. I use Plex to stream from our NAS, and also use typical ewb based streaming services. Both play all the media I've thrown at them flawlessly. Make sure you set the BIOS options for the correct OS you're installing to avoid some BSOD issues.

davidcole

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#1156346 16-Oct-2014 19:45

Like Mauricio I'm using a brix, but I opted for the amd a8 version. Again 4gb ram. And a 120gb ssd.

I have windows 8.1 and next Pvr driving a HDHomeRun for recordings. I deal with the lack of space but transferrng recordings to a bigger machine over night.

Previously known as psycik

Home Assistant: Gigabyte AMD A8 Brix, Home Assistant with Aeotech ZWave Controller, Raspberry PI, Wemos D1 Mini, Zwave, Shelly Humidity and Temperature sensors
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MikeAqua

7785 posts

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#1156368 16-Oct-2014 20:42

Thanks for the replies. I realise that I'm probably over specifying with i5 and max ram, but I feel I am future purifying for a poSsible change of use.

Mike

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tieke

674 posts

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#1156402 16-Oct-2014 21:26

Maybe slightly underpowered for you, but I've been considering the Zotac Zbox CI320 or CA320, although I've been having trouble finding an available in-stock source.

For about NZD$360 for the bing version, you get a passive cooled intel quad core preinstalled with 2gb memory, 64gb ssd, Intel AC 3160 Wireless, Bluetooth 4.0, Gigabit Ethernet, IR receiver built in, 6 x USB ports and a full version of Windows 8.1 ("Bing Edition" just means that the default windows 8.1 search engine is initially Bing but can be changed). Not sure about the AMD CA320 version, but the CI320 uses very little power (max/idle is 13W/7W, so 31W/9W for the i5 version the 540). You can upgrade the SSD and RAM, but as a network player you might not need to.

[EDIT] - Found it in-stock at Amazon for USD$250 - basically NZD$360 landed in NZ (or $380 if you want it to arrive next week).

openmedia

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#1156426 16-Oct-2014 22:13

Are you using J1900 based Celerons?

Generally known online as OpenMedia, now working for Red Hat APAC as a Technology Evangelist and Portfolio Architect. Still playing with MythTV and digital media on the side.

lomenak

119 posts

Master Geek

#1156814 17-Oct-2014 13:46

I have the latest Celeron NUC and it is great for htpc. Running Windows 8.1 on it with no issues.

sdavisnz

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#1159084 21-Oct-2014 10:43

Hi mike, I PM'd you some info about this.

Voice gives context

Oddball

65 posts

Master Geek

#1159702 22-Oct-2014 08:04

Got the DN2820FYKH. Running smoothly but not sure how to get my remote working with it?

Got a few to try with, the XBox one should definitely work. But I'm not sure what to do.

I got WinLIRC but no idea what plugin to use with it.

dan

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#1159750 22-Oct-2014 09:17

The IR Receiver is MCE compatible in windows, installs itself

can use any MCE compatible remote with it.

for example in Mediaportal simply need to enable MCE remotes in the config, and thats it, will be working

D.W

726 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1159766 22-Oct-2014 09:44

If it is the Xbox 360 remote, perhaps take a look here:

http://kodi.wiki/view/Remote_control_reviews#Microsoft_XBox_360_Universal_Remote_Control

Oddball

65 posts

Master Geek

#1160377 23-Oct-2014 01:53

dan: The IR Receiver is MCE compatible in windows, installs itself

can use any MCE compatible remote with it.

for example in Mediaportal simply need to enable MCE remotes in the config, and thats it, will be working

I have no idea if it's even receiving the signal. All I know is it's an xbox remote, not sure which version - probably original xbox hah. Grabbed it off TM.

Might have to get another. XBone remote should be fine?

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