*** Official Kodi (née XBMC) Thread ***

Does anyone use Stream (xbmctorrent fork) on a Raspberry Pi? Specifically OpenElec? I keep getting a 'script failed: add-on.py' ? Seems to be a fairly generic error, but hard to find out information for OO (as usual!) :confused:
 
Hi guys,

What is the cheapest device I can use to run XBMC with movies in 1080p? I was going to use my server to stream to the device but I don't think XBMC works in this way.

Any suggestions would be great :)

Thanks!
 
As long as it's got hardware decode you don't need masses of grunt. I'm using a 2009 Mac mini with a 2GHz C2D. Plays any 1080p I can throw at it.

The HP Microserver (around £130) plus £25 worth of AMD 6450 will be well up to the task. If you want smaller format, Intel NUCs appear to work well also.
 
MagicBoy said:
As long as it's got hardware decode you don't need masses of grunt. I'm using a 2009 Mac mini with a 2GHz C2D. Plays any 1080p I can throw at it.

The HP Microserver (around £130) plus £25 worth of AMD 6450 will be well up to the task. If you want smaller format, Intel NUCs appear to work well also.
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Thanks for the response, is there anything really cheap that does this? Say £50?
 
Well I need 1080p and HD audio which is why this makes it more difficult on a budget. Like I mentioned I was hoping to utilise my server to do all the work but I don't think that's possible?

Thanks :)
 
wildest_jjk said:
Well I need 1080p and HD audio which is why this makes it more difficult on a budget. Like I mentioned I was hoping to utilise my server to do all the work but I don't think that's possible?

Thanks :)
Click to expand...

Nah, XBMC decodes locally. It's doesn't do server side transcoding like say Plex.

HD audio is likely to be your sticking point.
 
Worth checking that they support HD Audio pass through and can output 24Hz. Seems to be the achilles heel of most Android boxes I've heard of.
 
wildest_jjk said:
What do I need to look out for to know if something has HD audio? Sorry I'm a real amateur.

Thanks :)
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Like someone else said, you need to find out if these mini boxes support DTS-HD-MA and Dolby TrueHD passthrough. If they do, then all you need is an AV receiver that supports it (does yours?) and then you can enjoy the audio quality improvements over regular DVD quality audio such as DTS and Dolby Digital.

Passthrough means, the box just passes the encoded sound straight through to the Audio-Video-Receiver (AVR or Amplifier as it's sometimes called). The Minix Neo X8 is one of the top android boxes for sale right now AFAIK, and from looking at this site near the bottom right, it doesn't support any HD audio passthrough from the looks of things, so it's no good for your needs. http://www.futeko.com/products/MP052.php

You also need to factor in future proofing. A new codec has been released that has the same level of quality, but only half the file size of the current most popular codec H.264 It's called HEVC H.265. You'll be wanting a device that can play this new codec in the future. XBMC has only just begun supporting it, and AFAIK there isn't any ready-to-go media players on the market that support it YET except for pc's.

I was in your predicament a few years ago. I wanted HD audio and the ability to futureproof to a degree without having to buy a complete new system. The answer (for me) was my old gaming rig, which i took out and put into a proper HTPC case which looks like an expensive top end amplifier. It's not the most efficient solution energy wise, but i only use it for home cinema move use so it suits me just fine, and is the most future proof option available. If you do go the HTPC route, i would get the most energy efficient components you can. It sounds like an HTPC is the best option to you, unless someone else can chime in with a recommendation on a ready-to-go media player that is capable of HD audio passthrough.
 
Thanks for all of the responses guys!

If I discounted HD audio and just wanted 1080p instead what would be the best device to recommend for XBMC?

With the NUC's they are quite expensive aren't they?
 
wildest_jjk said:
Thanks for all of the responses guys!

If I discounted HD audio and just wanted 1080p instead what would be the best device to recommend for XBMC?

With the NUC's they are quite expensive aren't they?
Click to expand...

I have the Acer Revo RL70, mainly as I needed optical out. It runs everything without a hitch, I only use 10GB+ Bluray rips in full 1080p / DTS. As its an older model you might find one cheap now?

Likely would have went for an NUC otherwise and followed the sheep. Damn Bose not supporting HDMI audio :(
 
The price is my problem really. I was hoping to do this on a budget which is why I was originally looking at Plex.

I have already built a server which I was going to use to store all the media/run Plex and also use for my backups. Then I would just need a cheap client device. But the problem with XBMC is I need something with more power to run it. Are there any cheaper NUC's?

Thanls :)
 
Most smart TV's come with a Plex app, not sure if thats any good to you? If the receiver is on the ARC connection and your receiver supports HD audio then it should be fine. You just need to tell Plex to play direct rather than transcode.

One additional XBMC question. Does anyone have any experience playing full remux 3D MKV's through it? I choose the side by side option but it only displays one of the sides so just a normal picture. Got it working in Stereoscopic player as there is an option for 'Side by Side for 3D TV's' which does it perfectly but its not freeware.

Cheers.
 
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