Best cheap option for HTPC (R.Pi 2?)

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timmmay

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#171852 3-May-2015 09:43

I've been using an R.Pi v1 for a couple of years to run Kodi for our TV. It's worked really well but lately it's started to get a bit unreliable, so I'm going to replace it. It's slightly problematic in that we often have to fiddle with it to get it working - insert and remove the memory card, pull the power out and put it back in, etc. Overall though it's ok, at least when it was new.

The obvious choice is the R.Pi v2 for around $60. Anyone have any better suggestions?

burtz

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#1296014 3-May-2015 09:56

I have both a raspberry pi version 1 and an Amazon tv. My vote would be for the Amazon TV as you can run Kodi on it and it has the advantage of running netflix. On the Pi I have to use Playon to get Netflix. If Netflix isnt important to you the Pi version 2 has some good reviews.

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timmmay

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#1296017 3-May-2015 10:02

We don't currently stream, but we could in the future. Amazon TV is around NZ$120 for the full size version, around $50 for the HDMI stick version. Does it run Kodi out of the box or is that an aftermarket hack?

rb99

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#1296036 3-May-2015 10:33

Have been (occasionally) experimenting with a Pi 2 with OpenElec and Kodi. Use a MediaBrowser (renamed to Emby) add-in to provide media from the main PC. Works pretty well though doesn't get the most intensive use.

Also MB/Emby just released an Amazon Fire app that looks good, though I haven't got a Fire to test it on, see http://emby.media/community/index.php?/blog/1/entry-195-emby-now-available-on-amazon-fire-tv/

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MurrayM

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#1296048 3-May-2015 11:19

I've got a Raspberry Pi V1 with a HDD connected to it for movie storage and running Raspmc (upgraded itself to Kodi). Been running this set up for a year or so and am very happy with it.

I was thinking of maybe upgrading the Pi to V2 but was concerned that Kodi might not run on it. Last time I checked, a few months ago, the advice was that I couldn't just swap the Pi V1 for a Pi V2 and have it all work straight away.

I guess it's time to switch to OSMC (the Raspbmc successor), which I think does support the Pi V2. Has anyone done this? Is there an upgrade path that converts your old library or is it a clean install and reimport all movies to build the library again?

timmmay

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#1296054 3-May-2015 11:31

I tried OSMC on my Pi.1 recently, it kinda sucks. The documentation is really poor, I couldn't get it to do anything. Hopefully they improve that as Raspbmc isn't available any more. I do have it on a memory card though.

I think you have to start fresh with OSMC. I have all my media on my PC with a shared MySQL database so it'd be trivial for me.

PANiCnz

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#1296088 3-May-2015 13:15

If you're happy with the Rpi1 you'll only be happier with the Rpi2! I'm running one in the bedroom with the latest Millhouse OpenELEC development builds and its nearly indistinguishable from my full blown HTPC in the lounge.

afe66

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#1296093 3-May-2015 13:37

I bought one of these usb cables with switch which was more continent to turn power on/off than pulling the power cable in/out.

http://www.adafruit.com/products/1620

A.

timmmay

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#1296137 3-May-2015 15:38

PANiCnz: If you're happy with the Rpi1 you'll only be happier with the Rpi2! I'm running one in the bedroom with the latest Millhouse OpenELEC development builds and its nearly indistinguishable from my full blown HTPC in the lounge.

Yeah just wondering if anything else around is similar priced but better. We find it a bit unreliable, just when turning it on, which I suspect could even be CEC related.

afe66: I bought one of these usb cables with switch which was more continent to turn power on/off than pulling the power cable in/out.

http://www.adafruit.com/products/1620

Good tip. I have a power board that turns power to my whole entertainment system on and off as required.

MurrayM

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#1296172 3-May-2015 16:14

I have a power board with individual on/off switches which powers everything behind my TV, makes it easy to turn individual things on and off.

I also bought a special HDMI cable that blocked all CEC stuff because I found it caused all sorts of problems (there's a thread somewhere here on GZ with my Pi problems and various suggestions, the cable fixed everything).

SepticSceptic

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#1297625 4-May-2015 13:22

MurrayM: I have a power board with individual on/off switches which powers everything behind my TV, makes it easy to turn individual things on and off.

Purchased a remote controlled power board from Jaycar for half price a couple of months ago.

Aye for remotes !!

http://www.jaycar.co.nz/Power-Products-Electrical/Distribution-%26-Interconnect/Powerboards%2C-Adaptors-%26-Extension-Leads/5-way-Remote-Controlled-Mains-Power-board/p/MS6154