Help to choose/mount a media center 4K - Gigabit Ethernet - Fanless

maligno

maligno

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Jun 20, 2017
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Hello there.

I just changed my CRT TV to a Panasonic TX-50DXM710 (4K capable). The sound is connected via DAC to a HIFI amplifier. Now I need a media player:

Fanless
HDMI 2.0
Gigabit Ethernet

As this machine is intended as media center (the contents will be in a computer connected via network) my first option was trying to create a media player with a Raspberry BI 3 but it seems can't cope with 4K 60fps. I read about the UDOO X86 but it seems lacks HDMI 2.0. Then I searched for a commercial products like Beelink BT3 PRO.

I searched the Internet and the problem is something suitable. I thought about to mount myself the machine but I do not know how to choose the motherboard and CPU able to work wihout active refrigeration.

Does somebody tell me if there is a commercial product or which components do I have to buy?

Thanks.

Maligno.
 
Nvidia shield.

Gonna cost you a pretty penny to use a htpc, it'll have to be kaby lake with the proper motherboard for content security.


Seeing as how there's almost no 4k content out there, not sure why it's such a big deal.
 
Certainly there is not lot a 4K contents. However, as I have to have something let's try to use the whole potential of the TV.
 
What media player interface do you normally use? Kodi, Plex, etc? That could possibly assist in finding the proper hardware.
 
spencers At the moment, I am using an Asus O'Play Media Pro. It's good although is showing its age. Can't cope with big size files and

Vengance_01 "It's dead" Can you explain why do you think that?
 
maligno said:
Vengance_01 "It's dead" Can you explain why do you think that?
Click to expand...

I would like to hear this as well.

Maybe I'm the only one, but for me the point of the HTPC is that it's a flexible hybrid device - it runs media center software like Kodi or Plex or whatever, but it is *also* a PC fully capable of living room gaming, non-shitty internet surfing, emulation, whatever. Mine get used for Kodi, Netflix, and Hulu for its media jobs, but also lots of time is spent on various Steam games (party games, platformers, other gamepad appropriate things) and various emulators (primarily Cemu these days).

I know the Shield can game somewhat, but it's not in the same league as a HTPC with even a moderate GPU (mine is just a basic 1050).

So I guess it depends what you want from your system. If media playback is your only destination, well then a Shield gets my recommendation. If you want more, then I'm still in the HTPC camp solidly.
 
My HTPC is an I5 2500 system in a 'media friendly' case (technically it's an old Antec NSK2480, with the front panel sprayed black), with a GTX 1050. For media duties (and that's all it does; when I game it's on my PC, with a keyboard and mouse as nature intended), it handles anything my TV can handle (Sony XBR65X930D, for reference)
 
Thank you sinisterDei and Charlie_D

The purpose for this machine is for media player only. So I think Nividia Shield can be the option.

I am thinking about create my own HTPC but the cost of the motherboard only is almost the price of the Nvidia Shield. However the PC is something customizable and not propietary as the Shield.

Thanks again.
 
Well... spec-wise, both look to have hardware decode for most 'major' codecs, including HEVC. So that's a positive.

Honestly, I'm not a fan of android set top boxes; the support tends to be horrid and you'll likely be stuck on whatever version of android it ships with forever. The communities tend to be smaller too, so support from that end isn't a guarantee.
 
Curious if you can be flexible on fanless?

The kaby lake NUC is practically silent and you can even find them in fanless configuration from other integrators.

Very powerful and flexible.
The i5 model plays 4k media without a hitch
 
Zangmonkey said:
Curious if you can be flexible on fanless?

The kaby lake NUC is practically silent and you can even find them in fanless configuration from other integrators.

Very powerful and flexible.
The i5 model plays 4k media without a hitch
Click to expand...

I would stay away from this generation fanless anything.. and probably this generation 4k anything. Most "4k" intel chipsets have that stupid converter that is gimped. It's still not fully working after several firmware updates.
 
Hello there.

I was absent during a few days because at the end I got a Beelink GT1 Ultimate and I was playing with the thing. For 90$ the machine is quite good and delivers.

Obviously has some limits but, for the price, does the job.

Talking about the fanless, I am not flexible. Sometimes I only listen music, different types, and, in my experience, at the end, whatever silent it is, you'll hear it.

Cheers.
 
What version of Android did it come with? Can it get amazon prime video? Where did you buy it feom
 
Android version: 6. There is a 7.1 update out there. However updating it seems a bit tricky. For example, I need a USB cable male - male to connect if to a PC for upgrading.
Amazon Prime Video: I don't know. Can be tried fro free?
Bought in Amazon.
 
this seems to be the hot new one now

https://www.amazon.com/MECOOL-Amlog...qid=1501561113&sr=8-2&keywords=MECOOL+BB2+PRO

I was looking for just a kodi box and everyone recommends this for 4k uhd and all kinds of stuff

it was funny that all of them were griping about all the boxes coming with kodi 17 and saying make sure you can remove it and install 16
heck if I know why


just wanted to say one thing...I was looking at some of these and it seems that some have great web sites with lots of users and updates posted all the time...
others do not have any support sites....scary
 
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