Mini HTPC

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Kingy

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#173857 9-Jun-2015 07:47

Currently if the wife or I want to watch netflix/movie/youtube/etc on the TV we need to unplug the laptop, set it up. It's getting annoying so I've decided to just invest in a mini PC that I can stick permanently next to the TV so we can just flick it on when we need and go from there...

I'm currently looking into one of the Intel NUCs. The cheapest one I can find is the celeron powered DN2820FYKH for $200. Is this a worthy investment? I'm assuming it'll be fine to run netflix and other HD media without any real issues? To be honest full HD isn't even available to me because of our rather poor internet but even so it'd be nice to future proof.

If that's not ideal then is there anything similar that you could recommend (both in terms of price and size)? I have a spare 120GB SSD sitting around so aside from the NUC itself all I'd need to buy is some SO-DIMM RAM right?

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reven

3743 posts

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#1319899 9-Jun-2015 08:17

have you considered a second hand PS3 or xbox 360? they have netflix, youtube and you can watch movies via Plex.

netflix on a console is a lot better than an HTPC due to the fact you can use a remote.

but if you want a nuc, then yes that should do and you do need the RAM

Kingy

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1319919 9-Jun-2015 08:21

I do have a 360 but I haven't played in a long while so I don't have xbox live gold which I think you need to use netflix etc (correct me if I'm wrong). I do have one of those mini keyboard/mouse usb devices so the remote thing isn't a worry at all.

Is it just any old DDR3 SO-DIMM? Don't need anything special type?

Web development blog: http://www.devhour.net
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reven

3743 posts

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#1319921 9-Jun-2015 08:23

you no longer need xbox gold to use netflix etc :)

askelon

875 posts

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#1319924 9-Jun-2015 08:27

I have one running Windows 10 with 4GB of ram and a 120GB SSD. For the most part it runs everything fine. Occasional glitch on netflix, wont run lightbox at all to any satisfaction. I use Kodi on mine linked back to my mediaportal computer. It struggles a little with playing back recorded TV but live seems to be fine - thats more a network issue than anything else though. The one downside to Kodi / Netflix is the lack of a remote in netflix itself but I have a wireless keyboard instead so its not a biggie.

eluSiveNZ

188 posts

Master Geek

#1319955 9-Jun-2015 09:01

Is it just any old DDR3 SO-DIMM? Don't need anything special type?

Needs to be Low Voltage - DDR3L

http://www.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/dk-dn2820fyk/sb/CS-034588.htm?wapkw=dn2820fykh

garvani

1873 posts

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#1319993 9-Jun-2015 09:17

What you want is an Amazon Firetv. It will do everything you want for ~$150. Netflix, youtube, spotify (anything with an android app). Also has Kodi which was xbmc, can play any mp4, mkv etc through that (also has a usb port for attaching flash drives etc, there are some limitations there so i suggest accessing a shared folder for larger videos).

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1320003 9-Jun-2015 09:27

One of the low end NUCs would work well for simple streaming - I looked at them recently. In the end it was going to cost me too much because I had to buy all the components, so I got a Minix Neo Z64 (Windows 8.1 with Bing included) which cost me about $215 from Expansys. It's not the most powerful thing in the world, but internet is snappy and programmes are responsive, and it streams up to full HD quite happily. I'm running Plex Home Theatre on it, and running the server side off my hulking great Mac Pro which is in the study. It reviewed really, really well, and so far I've not had any of the heat issues that people have had with the Pipo. It's fanless so completely silent. I really like it.

Someone else on the forum has just bought an HP Stream Mini from Amazon, which has a bit more power, and that's not much more expensive than the Minix. They look like a blue Tupperware container but that's purely a cosmetic quibble - they have also reviewed extremely well. Other options include a Gigabyte Brix (similar to the NUC) or even the Raspberry Pi - if you're put off by some of the limitations of Linux I believe there's a version that's going to support Windows 10. So there's lots of choice in the sub-$300 range. I'm still astounded that you can get a little computer for $200 that you can use for the majority of your day-to-day tasks, which is better specced than the IBM I bought in about 2001 which cost me $5000, and fits in the palm of your hand.

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

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trig42

5809 posts

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#1320012 9-Jun-2015 09:33

+1 to FireTV.
It won't do Lightbox, TVNZ, TV3 but will do everything else.
I'd use Plex instead of Kodi as there is a Plex App for FireTV and you don't need to Sideload or anything.
It is a fast, powerful little box.

Chromecast may be another option for you too.

turb

881 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1320046 9-Jun-2015 10:06

If you do go for an HTPC, think carefully before going for a mini.

You may find yourself missing the flexibility of a larger case, and having to compromise on your choice of components.

It means that if things change, or you realise your initial selection doesn't work the way you want, it's very easy to swap things around.

Larger cases needn't be noisy, or use a lot of power.

Interests: HTPC, Web App authoring.

Kingy

395 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1320364 9-Jun-2015 15:19

I'm currently living overseas and have my old htpc living with family. It's in one of those antec fusion cases so I know what you're saying. So if I want to spend twice as much I could look at shipping that over. Honestly though all I want it for is streaming and the odd movie/browsing not necessarily a full blown htpc.

Definitely need something to just be by the TV fulltime instead of having to rely on moving my laptop around

Web development blog: http://www.devhour.net
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Gilco2

1556 posts

Uber Geek

#1320372 9-Jun-2015 15:31

Kingy: I'm currently living overseas and have my old htpc living with family. It's in one of those antec fusion cases so I know what you're saying. So if I want to spend twice as much I could look at shipping that over. Honestly though all I want it for is streaming and the odd movie/browsing not necessarily a full blown htpc.

Definitely need something to just be by the TV fulltime instead of having to rely on moving my laptop around

well with the last bit of information there is only 1 obvious answer and that is the Amazon FireTv as others have suggested

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

littleheaven

2130 posts

Uber Geek

#1320447 9-Jun-2015 16:42

Gilco2:
Kingy: I'm currently living overseas and have my old htpc living with family. It's in one of those antec fusion cases so I know what you're saying. So if I want to spend twice as much I could look at shipping that over. Honestly though all I want it for is streaming and the odd movie/browsing not necessarily a full blown htpc.

Definitely need something to just be by the TV fulltime instead of having to rely on moving my laptop around
well with the last bit of information there is only 1 obvious answer and that is the Amazon FireTv as others have suggested

That depends on if the OP particularly wants to stream TVNZ on Demand or 3Now to the TV. In that case, something with Windows or OSX would be more suitable (unless they have one of the models of Samsung with the app).

Geek girl. Freelance copywriter and editor at Unmistakable.co.nz.

Azzura

603 posts

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#1320794 10-Jun-2015 04:22

Quad Core Andriod 4.4 Amlogic-S802 T8 Smart TV Box ...with kodi, pluggins (genesis,1channel).

sidefx

3711 posts

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#1320834 10-Jun-2015 08:39

reven: you no longer need xbox gold to use netflix etc :)

So what was wrong with the xbox 360 option which OP already has...?

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