4k HTPC build

benjii

benjii

benjii

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We've bought a new TV today as ours was getting a bit long in the tooth. It seemed prudent to go 4k and it looks fantastic. However, my Pi 2 running kodi can't handle 4k content, neither can the pi 3. I'd also rather not shell out silly money on a 4k blu ray player. This leaves me with needing an HTPC.

I don't have a budget, but I'd like to keep it as cheap as possible. Any help figuring out a good build would be much appreciated, I've never built an HTPC before. Many thanks.

Am I right in thinking my choice in motherboards is limited as I need HDMI 2.0 @ 60hz, HEVC/H.265 and HDCP 2.2? I'm still reading up on all this, but as far as I'm aware the aforementioned statement is only true if I intend to use CPU graphics? It seems to me the Radeon 460 is perfect for a 4k htpc as it supports, HEVC, HDCP 2.2 and importantly HDMI 2.0b; allowing for 4k @ 60HZ as well as HDR content. If I'm using a 460 for video playback, does that mean an i3 would be sufficient?
 
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Looks massive overkill for a HTPC imo

One of the new Intel NUCs would do just fine. I believe they can also handle x265 content as well.

A NUC using around 15w compared to your system using around 60
This is the model i would get (Skylake)

NUC6i3SYH
http://nucblog.net/2016/01/skylake-nuc-review-nuc6i3syh-htpc-usage/

Plus the NUC is nice and small. I used to have a full size HTPC like you are building, and i switched to a Gigabyte Brix which cost me around £140 for the full system

Dual core celeron, so can't handle 4k, but does high bitrate 1080p perfectly fine (running OpenELEC) and doesn't struggle even when scrolling through my list of 1500+ full HD Blu Ray rips

Another thing maybe worth waiting for, are the new Kaby Lake NUCs that will be due out. They have full support for HEVC and HEVC10 which is rumoured to be the format most 4k movies will use (MAIN10)
 
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Thanks for the suggestion. Unfortunately that NUC doesn't meet my requirements. It doesn't have HDMI 2.0b, so it wouldn't be able to process HDR or 10 bit (whenever we see that) content and I can't find any info about HDCP 2.2, if it doesn't support it, I wouldn't be able to play 4k blu ray.
 
What about a Nvidia Shield?
I have one connected to my 4K TV.
Plays 4K content via Kodi and SPMC, handle Netflix 4K and Youtube 4K as well.
you can do a little gaming on it as well, has a few catch up apps. has all the latest HDMI outputs as well.
No amazon prime still but I think there is a work around. You can pick one up for around £170 or so I believe.
 
frog61 said:
What about a Nvidia Shield?
I have one connected to my 4K TV.
Plays 4K content via Kodi and SPMC, handle Netflix 4K and Youtube 4K as well.
you can do a little gaming on it as well, has a few catch up apps. has all the latest HDMI outputs as well.
No amazon prime still but I think there is a work around. You can pick one up for around £170 or so I believe.
Click to expand...

I've checked that out, unfortunately I wouldn't be able to hook up a blu ray drive to that, so it wouldn't fit my needs. Thanks though.
 
Well.... true, but then doing a quic search online shows a lot of blu ray players starting at £35.
Appreciate you want an all in one system, but a bluray player and shield are still cheaper that some of the HTPC options your looking at?
 
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