Would like opinions on HTPC choices (hardware and software)

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VitrasSlade

VitrasSlade

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I was initially planning to buy a Zotac Zbox CI323 for a silent compact PC that I could maybe mount to the back of the TV, but then I started looking at what OS I'd want and more options popped up.

My intended purposes are watching a lot of videos (YouTube and some streaming) and streaming games from my other PC through Steam. Before I had used my Surface Pro 3 with an i5, but the streaming would kill it making the CPU get hot and throttle hard.

I was thinking the Zbox would fare better since it is more properly cooled (even though it is passively cooled). Linux Mint 18 on a 240GB SSD with 8GB of RAM is what I was planning to put in it.

Then I saw an article about using Kodi on the Raspberry Pi 3. I have been curious about Kodi but have had very little experience with it. What I have seen felt a little mish-mashed and not so clean cut, but I am not sure if that was the real thing, or at least the updated version.

My main concern is stability during streaming. Something else to note is I plan on getting a non-smart 4k TV and a decent pair of speakers. Thanks!

Zbox link: https://www.amazon.com/ZOTAC-Quad-Core-Graphics-Barebones-ZBOX-CI323NANO-U/dp/B0179S50UU/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1470558304&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=zbox+c323

Raspberry link: https://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-RASP-PI-3-Model-Motherboard/dp/B01CD5VC92/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1470557945&sr=8-3&keywords=raspberry+pi+3
 
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photonboy
Steam streaming->

I'm sure you've considered the Steam Link, but are looking for a way to reduce the number of boxes.

However:
1) Steam Link probably has the lowest latency (I do recommend ethernet, or at the very least a good "AC" solution with router AND wi-fi adapter on streaming PC).

2) Steam Link is probably much easier to start up and get into.

3) If it's a lack of HDMI inputs, there are HDMI switches.

I honestly do not know how well something like the MINIX works in terms of streaming latency. I'm not sure where to find the answers for this either.

Is it about the same?
Is it noticeably better on the Steam Link?
Would streaming be different on Linux compared to Windows?

(I guess Android isn't supported, nor is the ARM...
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basroil

basroil

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Oct 19, 2013
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SP3 should never overheat from HTPC use, I've used mine for that a ton of times and no heat issues even when charging from 0% and surfing on the web while playing 1080p over HDMI to a TV!

Neither of the options you picked actually have "proper cooling", the PI especially will need a third party cooler if you plan on extended 1080p output.

If you only care about streaming, consider https://www.amazon.com/Intel-Compute-Computer-processor-BOXSTK1AW32SC/dp/B01AZC4NHS/ , it's smaller and cheaper than the zbox, comes with Win 10 (lets you use miracast, xbox streaming, etc), and good enough for 4K video
 
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VitrasSlade

VitrasSlade

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It was the video game streaming that made it start thermal throttling. The first 10 minutes or so are fine, but then the fans are on full blast and the video gets choppy.

I had meant since the SP3 has compact cooling with a little fan, so it isn't optimal.

The Intel stick seems like it'd be scraping by at 4k. Also, if I went one step down with the Zbox (getting a slightly weaker CPU) it'd be the same price while being quite a bit more powerful. W10 is something I don't want, as I will not be using it which would end up being a waste of money. And as a small detail, with my current TV the stick wouldn't even fit which would mean I'd have to buy a special cable just for that... So thanks but no thanks.
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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I've been trying to find something to replace my old WD TV LIVE HUB (which had awesome codec support).

I've mostly narrowed it down to something like the Minux Neo U1.
http://www.minix.us/products/NEOXU1.html

Reasons:
1) Codec and container support
(including H265. I don't care about 4K but at least it has the capability to handle it)
2) Netflix and other app support
3) remote control

I'm also investigating some of the boxes with an INTEL x86 SoC (Windows compatible) for which I'd likely have a KODI-LINUX setup so it boots into KODI.

I like the KODI idea as well since I can test that on PC easily (I have a nightly v17 build for Windows running).

4) SPEAKERS?
You will need to investigate how easy those are to add and use. We have an older HDTV for which speaker support is a hassle. Unless you buy a RECEIVER with HDMI support you'll need a SOUNDBAR that works with your HDTV through a required connection on the HDTV that allows it to simply "work" and adjust volume based on the TV volume.

Having a separate remote for speakers is a hassle.

*Your choice of media player shouldn't be affected much in terms of speakers. As long as it supports the format and bitrate there should be no issues. Something like a 4K media player suggests it has sufficient processing power for most video.
 
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basroil

basroil

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Oct 19, 2013
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Zbox is actually slower than the compute stick, at least the one you listed is (celeron means a whole bunch of missing functions that help during video decode). Instead, just go up one rank to an i3/i5 nuc. The price will increase to ~$500 (with small disk, OS, memory) but it will definitely handle 4K.

The Raspberry Pi will NOT handle 4K at all.
 
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VitrasSlade

VitrasSlade

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I do realize that is slower, but it's more stable than a computestick, but it's better utilized. Zbox also has i3 and i5 solutions, starting at around $300, which makes a Nuc a not so good choice. I have already looked at both options, but they are not optimal.
 
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VitrasSlade

VitrasSlade

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That little box actually looks pretty interesting. Something that made me think of is to look into getting a PC remote, which seems to somewhat be a thing (I'll post a link for one if I find it worthy). Sadly I think that the Kodi idea may end up being a flop for my case since I wouldn't be able to stream with Steam when spending that kind of money. There some people I know which would be more likely to get something like this... So thanks for that
 
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photonboy

photonboy

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Jun 20, 2006
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Steam streaming->

I'm sure you've considered the Steam Link, but are looking for a way to reduce the number of boxes.

However:
1) Steam Link probably has the lowest latency (I do recommend ethernet, or at the very least a good "AC" solution with router AND wi-fi adapter on streaming PC).

2) Steam Link is probably much easier to start up and get into.

3) If it's a lack of HDMI inputs, there are HDMI switches.

I honestly do not know how well something like the MINIX works in terms of streaming latency. I'm not sure where to find the answers for this either.

Is it about the same?
Is it noticeably better on the Steam Link?
Would streaming be different on Linux compared to Windows?

(I guess Android isn't supported, nor is the ARM processor likely)

I am looking up reviews, though there have been updates since then on both the Steam Link, and the Steam software so both choices have likely improved a little bit.

It's all slightly confusing, but from what I understand there isn't a better solution for this purpose than the Steam Link, so it really depends on whether a media box is almost as good.
 
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VitrasSlade

VitrasSlade

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I had actually forgotten about the Steam Link. Derp. That way I won't have to worry about a media PC being underpowered... Will probably be going with that. Thanks!
 
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