Broadcom HD Mini PCIe Decoder

nightmare99 · 30 Dec 2009 at 08:49

http://www.anandtech.com/gadgets/showdoc.aspx?i=3701

Hmm looks interesting, anybody fancy building a box using this decoder and compare it to an ION box?

HEADRAT · 31 Dec 2009 at 10:06

Why wouldn't you just buy an ION box?

Thomss · 31 Dec 2009 at 10:12

I'm sure XBMC is about to add support for decoding video via the broadcom item, so older units and Appletv's would get an amazing boost.

nightmare99 · 31 Dec 2009 at 10:18

Why wouldn't you just buy an ION box?

Pinetrail + Broadcom decoder would be cheaper + lower power thaan ION.

Of course if you wanted to do anything remotely 3D ION would still be your best bet.

entireweb · 9 Jan 2010 at 20:26

HEADRAT said:
Why wouldn't you just buy an ION box?

Because the ATOM/ION using XBMC cant decode 1080p mkv's!

The lastest build of XBMC supports the broadcom HD decoder. So you can build a silent, and extremely low power "real" HTPC.

Any way I have just bought a broadcom mini pcie coard of ebay. So I shall see!

RobH · 9 Jan 2010 at 20:54

Would be good if they could stick a wifi adapter on the same board too, a lot of netbooks and nettops have only one mini-PCIe slot and is usually occupied by the wifi adapter.

Methanoid · 11 Jan 2010 at 13:28

entireweb said:
Because the ATOM/ION using XBMC cant decode 1080p mkv's!

I assume you mean the WINDOWS XBMC cannot cos the Linux one can easily... :rolleyes:

The Running Man · 11 Jan 2010 at 17:19

couldnt u just use VLC and play 1080p on ION or will it still not work?

spicemuseum · 12 Jan 2010 at 10:11

nightmare99 said:
Pinetrail + Broadcom decoder would be cheaper + lower power thaan ION.

I quite fancy doing such a build but haven't a clue which MoBo to start with. Anyone make a sensible suggestion?

spudbynight · 12 Jan 2010 at 12:54

Nickg said:
couldnt u just use VLC and play 1080p on ION or will it still not work?

It will work but then it misses all the benefits of running XBMC.

XBMC isn't just a programme to play your media it is a whole visual frontend for your media library.

spicemuseum · 12 Jan 2010 at 13:10

spudbynight said:
It will work but then it misses all the benefits of running XBMC.

XBMC isn't just a programme to play your media it is a whole visual frontend for your media library.

Agreed. I've got a couple of XBOXes running the latest Camelot, it's been the best for the past several years.

I also made up an Acer Revo (Ubuntu+X8MC) for a family member recently and that works brilliantly, and now I'm looking for an HD project for me. I'd really like to try the Broadcom mini-PCI-e approach as a change to the Ion, but I can't see something suitable for mainboard at the right price point. Any suggestions?

entireweb · 15 Jan 2010 at 13:47

spicemuseum said:
Agreed. I've got a couple of XBOXes running the latest Camelot, it's been the best for the past several years.

I also made up an Acer Revo (Ubuntu+X8MC) for a family member recently and that works brilliantly, and now I'm looking for an HD project for me. I'd really like to try the Broadcom mini-PCI-e approach as a change to the Ion, but I can't see something suitable for mainboard at the right price point. Any suggestions?

The new D945GSEJT

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18101697

entireweb · 15 Jan 2010 at 13:51

Methanoid said:
I assume you mean the WINDOWS XBMC cannot cos the Linux one can easily...

Yes I meant the windows XBMC.

Any how may broadcom crystal HD arrived, the BCM970012.

I tried it in my zotac ION itx-A board. When I install the broadcom drivers the card isnt detected? Any ideas?

I will try linux tonight to probe the pcie for the card ID, but I wondered if any one has ever tried another mini pcie express card in the zotac other than the wifi card, which works?