HTPC or Android Mini ?

[owens2000]

Hi Folks.

I'm going to upgrade the SSD in my main rig and was thinking about how to recycle this together with some DDR3 memory I have lying around.
I have a Synology NAS for my main storage and have been thinking about ripping ripping my Blu-Ray/DVD library to mkv or ISO so a Mini PC/NUC sitting under the Sony TV in my living room sounds like the way to go.
I want something to be small, silent, capabale of playing ISOs & MKVs, include HDMI and COAXIAL audio output and replace my 1st gen Apple TV.... oh, and not cost a packet(circa £100). I would run xbmc, plex or something else with a nice interface on this.
I started looking around at bare bones minis with a view to building a HTPC using the components I have but can't find anything 'as nice' or small as an intel NUC for example. Going down the NUC route would probably be rather costly.

Can you spec me some components ?

While investigating the options I came across some Android mini PCs and this model from Minix in particular seems to have exactly what I need at a very reasonable price.

MINIX NEO X8-H
http://www.linuxlookup.com/review/minix_neo_x8_h_media_hub_review

It's had some great reviews, looks good, great interface and and seems to tick a lot of boxes. Coupled with an air mouse it is a very compelling option.

Any thoughts or experiences with MINIX out there?

 

[kidloco]

The MINIX NEO XH-8 does look good. Only issue I can find is the fact no android device handles 23.976 fps content properly. It looks like they are working on beta firmware to look at fixing that though.

 

[owens2000]

The MINIX NEO XH-8 does look good. Only issue I can find is the fact no android device handles 23.976 fps content properly. It looks like they are working on beta firmware to look at fixing that though.

Thanks for the response.
Been reading up and yes this does look like a fundamental issue and showstopper

Looks like I need to pursue the mini HTPC with optical out for audio option.

 

[StevieP]

I'd recommend going down the NUC route running OpenElec myself - I've got one with a small SSD, 8gb RAM and a CEC adaptor to control things and it works a treat!

The only issue might be your budget depending on how many of the components you already have!

Experience-wise and control-wise with the CEC adaptor it doesn't get any better imo!

Not sure how well it's going to work but the new Amazon Fire is apparently going to be able to run XBMC!

 

[owens2000]

I'd recommend going down the NUC route running OpenElec myself - I've got one with a small SSD, 8gb RAM and a CEC adaptor to control things and it works a treat!

The only issue might be your budget depending on how many of the components you already have!

Experience-wise and control-wise with the CEC adaptor it doesn't get any better imo!

Not sure how well it's going to work but the new Amazon Fire is apparently going to be able to run XBMC!

Hi.

Which one did you go for in the end?
The celeron version can be had for quite a reasonable price but I'm not sure if it has the oomph.

 

[ubern00b]

Oh it has the oomph.