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+--- Thread: Best Front End for XBMC? (/showthread.php?tid=130550)
Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
I'll be purchasing a NAS in the next few months which will be used almost exclusively for media, and I was wondering what the best front end for XBMC would be. I was looking at the Apple TV 2, but unfortunately, the 2nd gen. is wayy overpriced from 3rd party sellers, and the 3rd gen isn't hackable yet. I don't have much to spend, especially since I already own a PS3, but the folder menu system is just too clunky for the amount of media I have. I was looking for something at under $200. Anyone have any suggestions?
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - maddog808 - 2012-05-03
If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 06:32)maddog808 Wrote: If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.
If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - TRiddle - 2012-05-03
I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - bigbw - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 13:30)TRiddle Wrote: I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.
+10
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - beetlesnack - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 12:39)nolegrl Wrote:(2012-05-03, 06:32)maddog808 Wrote: If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.
If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?
A6 3500 $75
Some mobo around $65 (or $90 if you need itx)
Case and psu around $70
Memory $20
If you can swing it, ~64gb SSD around $70, otherwise just any old HDD
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 13:30)TRiddle Wrote: I run a Zotac Zbox with 2gb of memory, no hard drive, and boot OpenELEC from a 16gb flash drive. All my media is fed from my unraid server. I think it set me back all of 250 dollars recently. The version of the zbox that I purchased even came with a remote and an ir receiver, so it had everything ready to go. I'm not new to OpenELEC as I've used it in the past for systems for friends, but it's still stupid simple to get up and running in about 10 minutes tops. Plus, it just flat out works, and works really well. If you're just looking for an XBMC appliance type solution and don't need any other means of computing, that would be my recommendation.
Thanks for the suggestion! I was considering the Nettops, but the ones I had looked at (Acer) were all over 300+ and, to me, that's not cheap. I've never heard of that brand, but I found these two on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004WO8O9Y/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=netbooklive-tops-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B004WO8O9Y
http://www.amazon.com/Zbox-Sff-Fusion-E350-DDR3-1066/dp/B004VUODIA/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS?ie=UTF8&coliid=I3LBRBQ1I43JFD&colid=CZ4KHSRKUK48
I'm leaning towards the one with the hdd since it's not that much more so I can start/store torrents remotely. I'm not sure if a NAS will allow me to do that without a computer running. That's not something I was inititially looking for, but if I'm going to buy a $200 mini desktop, might as well use it for more than a media center.
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 16:00)beetlesnack Wrote:(2012-05-03, 12:39)nolegrl Wrote:(2012-05-03, 06:32)maddog808 Wrote: If you're sure you can't spend more than $200, get a Apple TV1, install a crystal HD card, download crystalbuntu for free, and enjoy.
If I could spend more than $200, what would you recommend?
A6 3500 $75
Some mobo around $65 (or $90 if you need itx)
Case and psu around $70
Memory $20
If you can swing it, ~64gb SSD around $70, otherwise just any old HDD
Thanks for the suggestion, but I'd rather buy something pre-built for that much money.
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - Predator04 - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 18:24)nolegrl Wrote: Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!
link? i cant find it
Re: Best Front End for XBMC? - bry - 2012-05-03
Nas - qnap with the qpkg software installs for sickbeard. Sabnzbd. And couchpotato and many more.
You can get a 219 on amazon or ebay. Byod
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 18:39)Predator04 Wrote:(2012-05-03, 18:24)nolegrl Wrote: Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!
link? i cant find it
Unfortunately, it's out of stock again, but here's the link to the product page: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC572LL/A. I used this site here to notify me: http://arsc.pommepause.com/. I subscribed to both the US and Canada ones, and I got an e-mail about both, but both sites appear to be out of stock again. It'll come up again, I'm sure. Good luck!
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - Predator04 - 2012-05-03
(2012-05-03, 18:55)nolegrl Wrote:(2012-05-03, 18:39)Predator04 Wrote:(2012-05-03, 18:24)nolegrl Wrote: Just scored a refurb Apple TV 2 from Apple.com for $69! This was my preferred method (since it worked and was cheap), and I can't believe they went back in stock! Thank you for the suggestions everyone!
link? i cant find it
Unfortunately, it's out of stock again, but here's the link to the product page: http://store.apple.com/us/product/FC572LL/A. I used this site here to notify me: http://arsc.pommepause.com/. I subscribed to both the US and Canada ones, and I got an e-mail about both, but both sites appear to be out of stock again. It'll come up again, I'm sure. Good luck!
Awesome! thank you!
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - TRiddle - 2012-05-03
Glad you found a good deal on the ATV. I personally run SAB, Sickbeard, CouchPotato, and Headphones from my unraid server, so I had no use for the internal hard drive, although an SSD might be in my future if I feel the need to speed up my OpenELEC install even more.
RE: Best Front End for XBMC? - nolegrl - 2012-05-04
(2012-05-03, 18:47)bry- Wrote: Nas - qnap with the qpkg software installs for sickbeard. Sabnzbd. And couchpotato and many more.
You can get a 219 on amazon or ebay. Byod
I've decided on the Synology DS212 for my NAS. It does apparently have a remote torrent download feature included with the software, I didn't realize that till I started researching it.