[TBar12]

Hi folks,

I need some help figuring out what type of hardware will work for the other TVs in our house. For the main TV, I will be using a windows 7 box that will store all the media. The media would be shared through SMB shared folders.

My question is what hardware can I use for the other TVs in the house? I am just looking for something that will be able to access the media on the main box. I was thinking something like the RK3306 Android mini PC. Would this be able to access the shared folders on the Windows box using the ES File Explorer app? Or is that app even needed?

Are there other similar hardware options (low cost)? I also saw the XBMCHardware box for $190 but I don't want to spend that much really.

Appreciate the help, I'm not a hardware wizz. Thanks!!

[nchall]

If you are going server/client with Windows 7 as the server I think Android clients make the most sense. You have access to the Android ecosystem in addition to XBMC. Key is to get a box/stick that XBMC runs well on. Pivos Xios seems to be the best so far, then other Amlogic M3 chipset devices, then the type you mentioned. At least that's how I see it. I am looking at the same setup but haven't pulled the trigger yet. Post back if you decide on one and I'll do the same.

[TBar12]

So Android boxes/sticks can easily access Windows shared folders? Is that through using the ES File Explorer app? Sorry I'm not familiar with Android yet.

[awp0]

If you're planning to run XBMC on the secondary box, then make sure to research the Android offerings carefully and look for user reviews. Right now they seem spotty at best. It seems like people even seem to have issues with the Pivos, which is probably the best supported box.

Another low cost option is the Raspberry Pi, which I run on my secondary TV. It runs XBMC pretty well, but on the slow side so skin support is limited. It will do 1080p no problem.

People also seem to love these things. With a small amount of RAM and a very small drive, you could run OpenElec nicely:
http://www.amazon.com/Arctic-All-Passive...ords=MC001

See here:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=155073

[nchall]

So Android boxes/sticks can easily access Windows shared folders? Is that through using the ES File Explorer app? Sorry I'm not familiar with Android yet.

Yes. It's SMB or you can do FTP as well.

[Jaswinder]

So Android boxes/sticks can easily access Windows shared folders? Is that through using the ES File Explorer app? Sorry I'm not familiar with Android yet.

Here you can get help so easily

http://www.maketecheasier.com/access-sha...2012/09/01

[TBar12]

So following the instructions found on the link below would allow XBMC on the Android hardware to see the Windows shared folders (which would be on the main HTPC and storing all the media)?

So Android boxes/sticks can easily access Windows shared folders? Is that through using the ES File Explorer app? Sorry I'm not familiar with Android yet.

Here you can get help so easily

http://www.maketecheasier.com/access-sha...2012/09/01