cheapest / quickest / easiest XBMC setup

Do-more

Came across this Raspberry Pi type development board on steroids today with a Quad core Cortex A9 processor for US$129 delivered.

Here is a little more info and video of XBMC on the ODroid-X.

PogMoThoin

subway wrote: »

becuase its not for me, so if its a PC solution I'd prefer it run windows.

Mine doesn't even look like a PC, it's the same size as my satellite box.

subway wrote: »

and 150 is 3 times the initial budget and you didnt really make it sound all that appealing in your post

Only that it may be overkill with all that's on the horizon, it's certainly the best option at the moment

docentore

I would go personally pc way with openelec, easy installation, if something breaks - you can fix it yourself. €50 for stick pc from china, means no warranty, possible extra charges by customs, little software options.

I build my own box for <€150 with amd dual core cpu and nice htpc chassis with ir sensor and lcd. No small box or media player will give me the comfort I have now when I open my 3tb library.

subway

Thanks docentore.
Do you have a parts list for your buikd?

docentore

subway wrote: »

Thanks docentore.
Do you have a parts list for your buikd?

I had my own ram and hdd, so this cut my costs. I bought all parts on adverts.
1. Case D-vine 300 - got one for €50
2. Cheap mobo with AM2+/AM3 and built in Radeon will do, for me HDMI out and spdif or optical out was must - I found one for €45
3. Psu - €20 (I replaced fan myself for quiet one)
4. CPU - Athlon II €35

Don't need more than 2gb of ram (~€10).

It took me some time to built it and stay in budget, but I managed. I had an xbox with XBMC, Apple tv with crystal HD, couple of media players - only Xbox gave me similar experience, but that was 4 years ago during dvix and SD resolution times

Do-more

The Geniatech ATV1200 set top box with the Amlogic dual core chip is now available to pre-order on Oval Elephant for US$99.99 and is due to start shipping in about a fortnight.

I'm going to hold off on purchasing one myself until there is some decent feedback available for it, but I definitely think it is the one to watch for a cheap HTPC running either Linux or Android with HW acceleration for XBMC.

As the manufacturers of this box are also the OEM supplier of the Pivos XIOS I am guessing that this box will be the next generation product from Pivos and will as such be well supported but only time will tell on that one.

homewardbound11

Might be a stupid question but how would the ATV1200 handle dnla with other smart devices.

Allyall

Just saw this one, Looks great..
Bigger than the normal Android Sticks..

1. Dual-Core CPU, Runs Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1, supports 3G
2. Build in WIFI antenna to ensure the best WIFI signal
3. Latest raphite cooling technology, ensure safe continue usage around 10 x 24 hours
4. Powerful airplay push function (push the video/music/picture from your Apple OS equipment)
5. Compatible Android DLNA , share files between mobile, STB and PC, use mobile as remote control, support mirror the screen of your ipad/mac/iPhone on your TV

She's kinda hot..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArT8ZdeqxXE

This is it - LINK
I think they are available to buy individually (1 piece) from the 15th of November.

stephendevlin

Just got a UG802 in the post today, the stock software seems a bit sh1t TBH, tried playing a video but the audio would not synch, downloaded MK player from the play store and turning the audio to software decode seems to work ok and plays 1080p on hardware decode but no DTS (which needs audio hardware decode).

WIFI seems to work OK but then again its on top of the router, bit disappoint to say the least hopefully the guys at XBMC can make a difference as the issues all seem to be with the firmware and at least XBMC would hopefully be designed to make use of the hardware in all cases.

Going to try and add a custom ROM to see if it makes any difference to the playability. If this can do hardware decode on video and audio with 1080p I would be happy enough. Spec sheet seems to think its capable.

stephendevlin

homewardbound11 wrote: »

Might be a stupid question but how would the ATV1200 handle dnla with other smart devices.

Id think so. There is a client installed on the UG802 so it may be installed natively or you might be able to install from the play store or from the device if rooted

Do-more

Stephen - the audio sync is a know issue on the UG802, you will have to wait and hope for a firmware update to fix it.

As for XBMC the problem is that the source code for the Rockchip is subject to non disclosure agreements and so can not be used in the open source XBMC to provide hardware acceleration for XBMC's native video player.

As you have found there are video player's available which will provide HW acc. if you Google a bit you will find that there are builds of XBMC available which have been configured to use an external video player such as MX player. It's not as nice a solution as using the native player but you may find it acceptable.

For anyone looking for a box to use for XBMC there is a crowdfunding project for a totally open Amlogic based set top box running at the moment. It's $99 + p&p but as it will be despatched from Holland all EU duties and VAT are paid. It's just a pity it's a single core rather than dual core chip on board.

From reading the various threads on the XBMC.org forum I feel it is still very early days for these cheap STBs running Android or Linux but development is progressing pretty rapidly both on the software and hardware side. Just as dual core boxes are hitting the market it seems that quad core boxes are not that far away, although if you don't want to use the box for gaming it seems that dual core or even some of the single core boxes are just fine, it's the software/firmware side of things that seems to let the side down at the moment.

I'm going to keep sitting on the fence for the moment until there is good feedback on a nice stable hardware/software combination.

stephendevlin

I think I might sell it on as I have just purchased a laptop with a faulty screen, has a blue ray etc & HDMI so might be a better low powered solution than messing with these units that dont have a decent firmware on the cards,

UG802 - works but with limitations.

Nelbert

Just to contribute (and brag slightly) I got a Zotac AD12, 60gb SSD and 4 gb of RAM for less than €340.
I know it's a bit more than some folks would pay but within 10 minutes I had OpenELEC installed and building the library from my mediaserver. Remote control on the iPad for it along with AirPlay and other features just make the whole lot awesome.

It boots to the main XBMC menu in around 10 seconds using the Wake On LAN function of the XBMC remote app on the iPad.

Would happily pay the same again for each tv I add and am currently investigating the whole shared MySQL library thingy to see if it's worth the effort. Far more fully featured and impressive with the remote app than the WDTV Live which we relegated to the bedroom.

WAF is quite high with the AirPlay and Remote App helping greatly in that regard.

RUCKING FETARD

^^^Netbook probably be better and cheaper.

stephendevlin

Nelbert wrote: »

Just to contribute (and brag slightly) I got a Zotac AD12, 60gb SSD and 4 gb of RAM for less than €340.
I know it's a bit more than some folks would pay but within 10 minutes I had OpenELEC installed and building the library from my mediaserver. Remote control on the iPad for it along with AirPlay and other features just make the whole lot awesome.

It boots to the main XBMC menu in around 10 seconds using the Wake On LAN function of the XBMC remote app on the iPad.

Would happily pay the same again for each tv I add and am currently investigating the whole shared MySQL library thingy to see if it's worth the effort. Far more fully featured and impressive with the remote app than the WDTV Live which we relegated to the bedroom.

WAF is quite high with the AirPlay and Remote App helping greatly in that regard.

I bought that laptop for a little under 70 euro ( broken ribbon on the screen) which has a blu ray player dual core processor 3gb ram, I have a 500gb HD which is fine for what I need it for. 2GB ram is more than enough for XBMC,

Its going to the attic (never to be seen) and will be fed to 2 tvs through a HDMI multi switch (bedroom & sitting room to begin with) along with my Satellite boxes, PS3 and Media/Nas. HD media in both rooms and PS3 in any room I choose.

No cables / psu's / switches / boxes in any room just a HDMI port on the wall and all media can be controlled from a normal remote through wireless IR.

The attic space is accessible from a door in one of the rooms upstairs.

I will be running a gaming PC through this system from the same place shortly and ditch the PS3. I plan to have a third HDMI wall port in the office once that is installed.

Do-more

Anyone know if the onboard graphics in this cheap DELL INSPIRON 300 ZINO are up to the task of running 1080P with a Linux XBMC?

stephendevlin

Do-more wrote: »

Anyone know if the onboard graphics in this cheap DELL INSPIRON 300 ZINO are up to the task of running 1080P with a Linux XBMC?

With no Blu-ray drive, and stuttery 1080p high-definition resolution

"from one of the reviews I have just read"

Also those Intel Atom chips AFIAK have limitations also when it comes to playing video files

Nelbert

RUCKING FETARD wrote: »

^^^Netbook probably be better and cheaper.

Wouldn't look as neat and tidy under the tv though. Certain things are worth that little bit more to ensure it gets the required approval....

Do-more

Do-more wrote: »

Anyone know if the onboard graphics in this cheap DELL INSPIRON 300 ZINO are up to the task of running 1080P with a Linux XBMC?

Nope.

For high bitrate H.264 (ie 720p and upwards) you want either good CPU power (a recent mainstream Intel dual core should be fine) or a graphics card that supports video acceleration.

Intel GPUs support video acceleration to a limited degree on Windows but in Linux you are much better off with a Nvidia or ATI solution (preferably Nvidia).

Access

stephendevlin wrote: »

I bought that laptop for a little under 70 euro ( broken ribbon on the screen) which has a blu ray player dual core processor 3gb ram, I have a 500gb HD which is fine for what I need it for. 2GB ram is more than enough for XBMC,

Its going to the attic (never to be seen) and will be fed to 2 tvs through a HDMI multi switch (bedroom & sitting room to begin with) along with my Satellite boxes, PS3 and Media/Nas. HD media in both rooms and PS3 in any room I choose.

No cables / psu's / switches / boxes in any room just a HDMI port on the wall and all media can be controlled from a normal remote through wireless IR.

The attic space is accessible from a door in one of the rooms upstairs.

I will be running a gaming PC through this system from the same place shortly and ditch the PS3. I plan to have a third HDMI wall port in the office once that is installed.

I like it - like it a lot... i would love to find a good cheap laptop in the same state (broken screen etc) for a few quid and place up in the attic. My prob would be running hdmi cables to some of the rooms... i have absolutely no way of doing this without ripping walls.

How do you "wake" the laptop stephen when you require it to run xbmc/is it always on? and i take it that the laptop is some way wall or rack mounted... you hardly have it just sitting on the attic floor? and finally ... is the laptop consuming much power wattage wise?

stephendevlin

Access wrote: »

I like it - like it a lot... i would love to find a good cheap laptop in the same state (broken screen etc) for a few quid and place up in the attic. My prob would be running hdmi cables to some of the rooms... i have absolutely no way of doing this without ripping walls.

How do you "wake" the laptop stephen when you require it to run xbmc/is it always on? and i take it that the laptop is some way wall or rack mounted... you hardly have it just sitting on the attic floor? and finally ... is the laptop consuming much power wattage wise?

The laptop is being shipped at the moment, It will only be on once needed. There is a wake on lan plugin for XBMC or I see there is also an IR built into this laptop also which may be used.

It will be on a wall mount, the laptop will run around 30w.

If your cables are inside conduit you can pull them through that, I used a HDMI / HDMI mini cable, the mini end will fit in the conduit and use an adapter to convert to full size. Worked a treat. I was going to use HDMI extenders but I had to run 2 cables so this HDMI mini was the best option for the situation. Everything is running on HDMI 1.4. Planning on a 3D TV in the future

I have it setup on my main laptop at the moment so I will just mirror that. I can also see the dreambox from within XBMC so I dont need to switch over for anything really.

subway

simplest solutuion is always the best, that laptop idea never crossed my mind.
trawling ebay now for broken laptops

stephendevlin

subway wrote: »

simplest solutuion is always the best, that laptop idea never crossed my mind.
trawling ebay now for broken laptops

I bid on one before which had nothing no screen no HDD no ram, loads of keys missing on the keyboard. No PSU, I bid £30 it went for £31. It had a dual core in it too. No CD Drive (cant remember the last time I watched a DVD)

It was basically a motherboard with a laptop case that had a HDMI port

Do-more

I just came across this build for a HTPC on the XBMC.org forum which comes to just over £100 for parts and case all from the UK.

Anyone see any flaws, other than a little fan noise?

I already have an LG HD-DVD/Bluray drive that I could stick in it.

Seems like it would be a better alternative to an Android STB for very little more expense.

Do-more

Do-more wrote: »

I just came across this build for a HTPC on the XBMC.org forum which comes to just over £100 for parts and case all from the UK.

Anyone see any flaws, other than a little fan noise?

I already have an LG HD-DVD/Bluray drive that I could stick in it.

Seems like it would be a better alternative to an Android STB for very little more expense.

If you want something to use, and something that works right now, then yes a basic HTPC is a better option and not much more expensive.

These Android sticks and other stuff like RPi, they are just toys for tinkerers. You will spend more time messing around or waiting for software updates to fix bugs and codec issues.

In use they are too slow and laggy for serious HTPC enthusiasts. I couldn't put up with a machine taking 5 seconds to go from one menu to another, not responding to commands because its 'thinking' about something or freezing because my library is too big.

Access

Stephen, i reckon it would be worth you opening a new thread on the setup you will have when done, as it would be great to see a few pics of how you mount it and set it up etc. as it is a great alternitive to spending big money on an apple tv 2 or on any android sticks as they dont seem to be fully xbmc ready yet.

Either way, keep us informed of how this goes.

M cebee

http://www.futeko.com/products/MP00041.php
are these any good?

Do-more

M cebee wrote: »

http://www.futeko.com/products/MP00041.php
are these any good?

To the best of my knowledge it's a re-badged version of the latest Pivos Xios Media Play which is just being released on the European market with the hefty price tag of €119 + p&p.

Don't take my word for it, but I think the Pivos Linux firmware will run on the MyGica and it seems to be the best solution at the moment of any of these STBs.

Do your own research first before you brick it!

Access

stephendevlin wrote: »

The laptop is being shipped at the moment, It will only be on once needed. There is a wake on lan plugin for XBMC or I see there is also an IR built into this laptop also which may be used.

It will be on a wall mount, the laptop will run around 30w.

Just a couple of quick questions if i can stephen...

Have you any link to the sort of wall mount you will be using or is it just a home made jobby?

What are you using to wake the laptop besides the xbmc WOL add on? an android/apple xbmc remote app or something?

And if people were to go this route... i take it that the best faulty laptop to source would be something dual core and have hdmi out? - am i missing any specs

Thanks for the help on this!

stephendevlin

Access wrote: »

Just a couple of quick questions if i can stephen...

Have you any link to the sort of wall mount you will be using or is it just a home made jobby?

What are you using to wake the laptop besides the xbmc WOL add on? an android/apple xbmc remote app or something?

And if people were to go this route... i take it that the best faulty laptop to source would be something dual core and have hdmi out? - am i missing any specs

Thanks for the help on this!

Home made wall mount (doesnt have to be fancy) metal preferably.

Iphone can do WOL tons of apps have the feature. And remote apps for control etc.

You need a modern dual core for HD content, HDMI output for your TV otherwise its no good (dont think you'll get a HDMI laptop without the dual core anyways), gigabit NIC if possible if your thinking on having a gigabit NAS in the future (higher transfer speeds on your internal network)

And at least 2gb RAM

silvine

I have a zotac box with a synology Nas. It works great but it wasn't cheap.

Has anyone got the PVR and Live TV function of XBMC working yet ?

stephendevlin

silvine wrote: »

I have a zotac box with a synology Nas. It works great but it wasn't cheap.

Has anyone got the PVR and Live TV function of XBMC working yet ?

Yes. its unreal. Full 7 day EPG / Picons and handles HD streams great.

Like having a new satellite box with access to all my movies and best youtube player I have come across. Better than the site

Using a DM800HD as a backend for the moment

Suppose ya want pictures lol

stephendevlin

I would stay away from Android for XBMC as its still a "work in progress" and you wont be able to get the full benefit from how good it really can be

silvine

stephendevlin wrote: »

Yes. its unreal. Full 7 day EPG / Picons and handles HD streams great.

Like having a new satellite box with access to all my movies and best youtube player I have come across. Better than the site

Using a DM800HD as a backend for the moment

Suppose ya want pictures lol

Pics would be great, I'd like to switch from UPC. Can it replace UPC as HD recorder which gets the Sat channel and the Irish channels?

stephendevlin

silvine wrote: »

Pics would be great, I'd like to switch from UPC. Can it replace UPC as HD recorder which gets the Sat channel and the Irish channels?

The DM800 can but not XBMC as it's only a front end it only displays the content unless you setup a backend on the PC / laptop you are using with a satellite or dvb-t2 tuner

stephendevlin

stephendevlin

I am using my laptop to test this so not all of the picons for the channels loaded from the source , probably as they are all over the place in different directories

silvine

Thanks for posting the pics.

I've a ZOTAC AD10. I also have a satellite on the roof. Is there a card I can buy for the Zotac which I can use to connect to my satellite?

I don't really want another backend. I already have a NAS and am tight on space.

I had a look at the dvb-t2 tuners but I don't know which one to get. Ideally, it'd access the Irish channels and the Freesat ones.

stephendevlin

silvine wrote: »

Thanks for posting the pics.

I've a ZOTAC AD10. I also have a satellite on the roof. Is there a card I can buy for the Zotac which I can use to connect to my satellite?

I don't really want another backend. I already have a NAS and am tight on space.

I had a look at the dvb-t2 tuners but I don't know which one to get. Ideally, it'd access the Irish channels and the Freesat ones.

You mean you have a satellite dish on your roof.... otherwise you have a very big house...
ZOTAC AD10 : your not going to fit a sat card in that, maybe you need to look at USB DVB-S2 and if you want to have the Irish stations any USB DVB-T2 will work last one I purchased was about €8 delivered and it works great. The satellite usb tuners are quite expensive.

silvine

Yes I meant a dish!

So it's not going to be possible to watch free satellite channels like the BBC in XBMC, unless I invest in a backend?

stephendevlin

silvine wrote: »

Yes I meant a dish!

So it's not going to be possible to watch free satellite channels like the BBC in XBMC, unless I invest in a backend?

You can get it on freeview with the USB DVB-T2 tuner
OR
You can get it on Satellite with the USB DVB-S2 tuner (wont give you Irish channels without a sky card)
OR
you can use an enigma2 based linux Satellite Receiver and use that as the backend

docentore

stephendevlin wrote: »

loadz of pictures showing nice XBMC setup

Nice, but tell my why Ubuntu? Why not trying something embedded like Openelec.
I'm running it myself and I have to say if you are using the pc only for HTPC purpose there is no better option.

stephendevlin

docentore wrote: »

Nice, but tell my why Ubuntu? Why not trying something embedded like Openelec.
I'm running it myself and I have to say if you are using the pc only for HTPC purpose there is no better option.

stephendevlin wrote: »

I am using my laptop to test this so not all of the picons for the channels loaded from the source , probably as they are all over the place in different directories

My setup is still a WIP but nearly all components are in place. Just need to build my bracket. Have some good ideas for that too already.

I do like the idea of having a desktop there and why would you be opposed to it, do you think openelec runs smoother? Uses less power? Uses less resources (obviously yes for this one)
Im waiting on the donor for the HTPC build so I am open to your advice

docentore

stephendevlin wrote: »

My setup is still a WIP but nearly all components are in place. Just need to build my bracket. Have some good ideas for that too already.

I do like the idea of having a desktop there and why would you be opposed to it, do you think openelec runs smoother? Uses less power? Uses less resources (obviously yes for this one)
Im waiting on the donor for the HTPC build so I am open to your advice

The beauty of openelec is the fact that this distro is made for XBMC only, no other crap. Only drivers that are being used in 3 or 4 different sub-distros (amd, intel, appletv etc), very light on the system, easy to update.

It boots quickly, browsing through library is super fast, nothing hangs etc,etc.
I suppose XBMCbuntu is similar, but still it is based on ubuntu, which is huge distro.

If you like an idea of desktop as well you could build dual boot with windows, ubuntu or any other os.

Try openelec, download it and make bootable usb stick for testing - you will se yourself. The download is only ~100mb - this says it all.

I used lot of XBMC setups, from xbox, appletv with ios and xbmc, apple tv with xbmcbuntu, apple tv with openelec, pc winth windows and xbmc, xbmcbuntu and openelec on its own - it is a winner for me.

stephendevlin

docentore wrote: »

The beauty of openelec is the fact that this distro is made for XBMC only, no other crap. Only drivers that are being used in 3 or 4 different sub-distros (amd, intel, appletv etc), very light on the system, easy to update.

It boots quickly, browsing through library is super fast, nothing hangs etc,etc.
I suppose XBMCbuntu is similar, but still it is based on ubuntu, which is huge distro.

If you like an idea of desktop as well you could build dual boot with windows, ubuntu or any other os.

Try openelec, download it and make bootable usb stick for testing - you will se yourself. The download is only ~100mb - this says it all.

I used lot of XBMC setups, from xbox, appletv with ios and xbmc, apple tv with xbmcbuntu, apple tv with openelec, pc winth windows and xbmc, xbmcbuntu and openelec on its own - it is a winner for me.

Going to create a setup installation on the donor laptop now after the weekend and see if I can configure it the way I have on the test machine to pull live feeds from the Dreambox

stephendevlin

Are there any hardware limitations for openelec for the updated image?? It's an older laptop but has (dual core) processor I will have more detail on the spec once I pick it up.

docentore

stephendevlin wrote: »

Are there any hardware limitations for openelec for the updated image?? It's an older laptop but has (dual core) processor I will have more detail on the spec once I pick it up.

If it's dual core you should be fine, actually openelec should work better with older hardware. My dual core Athlon with on board radeon 3000 series plays 1080p smooth.
Have a look here to see which version should suit your hardware, they differ in drivers included.

And beacause it's lunix you can create booting usb for testing, no need to install if you just want to check it out.

Do-more

It's just a pity that Netflix won't work in Linux/OE it's inevitable that Netflix will drop Silverlight in favour of some alternative in the not too distant future but it remains to be seen if it will run in Linux then.

stephendevlin

Do-more wrote: »

It's just a pity that Netflix won't work in Linux/OE it's inevitable that Netflix will drop Silverlight in favour of some alternative in the not too distant future but it remains to be seen if it will run in Linux then.

They found a workaround on chrome I think recently

Do-more

It looks like the quad core ODROID-U2 could well be a contender as a cheap and cheerful hardware solution powerful enough to run XBMC with a good experience.

It looks like hardware acceleration in Linux is on the cards.

It's priced at US$89 + $9 for a power supply + $30 shipping.