small/cheap thin client for xbmc with 1080 support?

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reven

3443 posts

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# 67838 9-Sep-2010 10:50

can anyone recommend a small cheap thin client that can handle 1080p mkv's, the myth protocol and running ubuntu/windows that has bluetooth (would like bluetooth remote, ps3 one i had in mind).

i have a server that runs myth backend and currently using an apple tv as the front end, but the remote in xbmc is starting to bug me and it locks up on occassion.

i want something that is a mediacentre and requires very little maintenance (ie no need to reset, or fiddling to get to work).

PANiCnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 378158 9-Sep-2010 11:02

Your requirements sound perfect for one of the Acer ION nettops, pair it up with XBMClive and you'll be away laughing. The ION processor is well supported under Linux and does HD decoding very well in XBMC.

People baulk at the Atom processor but with ION to do all the HD heavy lifting an Atom processor is all that is needed to run the XBMC frontend.

Might need to add in a USB Bluetooth dongle, but these can be had for $30 or less and are very small. Could even potentially mount one inside the case if there is a spare internal USB header.

reven

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# 378163 9-Sep-2010 11:15

quick pricespy show they cost $500+, want something cheaper than an $429 appletv.

PANiCnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 378194 9-Sep-2010 12:36

reven: quick pricespy show they cost $500+, want something cheaper than an $429 appletv.

Not going to happen, you won't find a PC capable of HD for anything less. Your only other option is a set top box like the WDTV Live but that wont support Myth.

reven

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# 378223 9-Sep-2010 13:31

ok so apple tv is still the best option.

PANiCnz

676 posts

Ultimate Geek

# 378228 9-Sep-2010 13:48

reven: ok so apple tv is still the best option.

No, just the cheapest. The Acer would blow the Apple TV out of the water.

Jaxson

6970 posts

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# 378233 9-Sep-2010 13:54

reven: i want something that is a mediacentre and requires very little maintenance (ie no need to reset, or fiddling to get to work).

They probably don't exist - requires very little maintenance.
Yeah it would be cool to get something cheap and capable.

I'm going through this at the mo, as I want something that can display HD but also record itself, so not just a client machine. A standalone small unit with a usb DVB-T tuner should be pretty good.

The Revo r3610 seems to get a good rep, and there are some Dell units and a combo which is small but with a drive. All seem to be about the $750+ mark.

reven

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# 378243 9-Sep-2010 14:35

yeah i was just looking to see if there was an alternative to an apple tv, esp since theyre no longer being made.

apple tv is really good, i love mine a lot, it does everything. just xbmc isnt super stable on it (about every 4 days i need to reboot it, and sometimes i have to reboot a couple of times to get the remote to work in xbmc). and with crystal hd 720p mkvs are flawless, 1080p not so much.

mythtv works on it via the native myth:// protocol support, but have to use web browser to schedule recordings, not a big deal since i dont watch much tv (just outrageous fortune).

was hoping there was a $300ish device that matched
- small form factor (like apple tv)
- small hdd inside (8gb is fine)
- no fan, or just extremely quiet
- ethernet, hdmi, optical sound, 802.11n
- 1080p mkv support (hardware h264)
- usb
- can run windows or linux (dont really care if cant run windows, just need linux for xbmc etc).
- bluetooth.

i thought if apple, could put together something that pretty much matched that for $429 with their apple tax and all, someone else would have a similar device that was cheaper. not a standalone device running its own s/w, but a real OS.

gehenna

5777 posts

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# 378266 9-Sep-2010 15:44

PANiCnz:
reven: quick pricespy show they cost $500+, want something cheaper than an $429 appletv.

Not going to happen, you won't find a PC capable of HD for anything less. Your only other option is a set top box like the WDTV Live but that wont support Myth.

Speaking of WDTV I got the HD one yesterday in lieu of not having a media centre anymore (until i can afford to rebuild one)....

Gotta say I'm very impressed with the WDTV for both compatibility with all my media, and interface, and speed! Very cool indeed for $250!

alig

56 posts

Master Geek

# 378779 11-Sep-2010 14:46

ION mini desktop, secondhand Playstation 3, WDTV, an HD capable notebook with broken screen