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bigtoe · 2013-11-04, 17:53

(2013-11-03, 10:05)martingold Wrote:
(2013-11-03, 04:00)bigtoe Wrote:
(2013-11-02, 12:41)martingold Wrote: hey guys new here

i found this forum as im looking for a sub £100 box capable of streaming from my network (wired for preference) obviously i want to use xbmc, with hdmi (full 1080p) and optical (5.1) output not bothered which operating sys i use but would be nice to use my android phone as a remote (its by me when im sat watching the telly and removes the need for another remote)
i guess its a tall ask but hoping for some help here

Minix neo x7 mini is able to fulfill all your requirements. It has rj45, optical audio out for 5.1, it is cheaper than your budget $110 < £100.

thanks bigtoe i was actually looking at the neo x7 when i saw a youtube review of one but the replys to the review painted it in a pretty bad light. The problem im having with all the reviews is the contradictory replies some say its awesome some say its rubbish... i have one chance at buying gear and dont want to buy the wrong box

Can you share bad reviews about minx neo x7? I also want to know about its bad side if it has any cons. As far as I know, minix neo x5 and x7 is the only android hardware that has optical audio output in the market. If you can find any non-neo android hardware that has optical audio output, please let me know. I am still waiting for the price of minix neo x7 mini drop to buy it. If its price drop to US$50, I will buy 2 minix neo x7 mini.

bigtoe · 2013-11-04, 18:22

If you have around US$1,000 to spend, you can build HTPC by yourself. You can choose gigabyte or asus main board with all ports you need HDMI 1.4a, USB 3.0, optical audio output...

Then buy intel i5 or i7 CPU, buy the best GPU nivida, buy the best Corsair memory, buy a small ssd hard disk.

And finally, buy this CPU cooler to have a comple fanless HTPC

This cooler is so cool. By looking at this cooler, I wish I have around US$1,000 to build a perfect HTPC with this cooler.

martingold · 2013-11-04, 22:37

(2013-11-04, 17:53)bigtoe Wrote:
(2013-11-03, 10:05)martingold Wrote:
(2013-11-03, 04:00)bigtoe Wrote: Minix neo x7 mini is able to fulfill all your requirements. It has rj45, optical audio out for 5.1, it is cheaper than your budget $110 < £100.

thanks bigtoe i was actually looking at the neo x7 when i saw a youtube review of one but the replys to the review painted it in a pretty bad light. The problem im having with all the reviews is the contradictory replies some say its awesome some say its rubbish... i have one chance at buying gear and dont want to buy the wrong box

Can you share bad reviews about minx neo x7? I also want to know about its bad side if it has any cons. As far as I know, minix neo x5 and x7 is the only android hardware that has optical audio output in the market. If you can find any non-neo android hardware that has optical audio output, please let me know. I am still waiting for the price of minix neo x7 mini drop to buy it. If its price drop to US$50, I will buy 2 minix neo x7 mini.

Hi Bigtoe
here is the youtube review of the neo x7 if you read the replies underneath you will see some of what i meant.. ive also been reading the minix unofficial forum which also doesnt sound too promising for 1080p with xbmc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBR3ZrurMKI

bigtoe · 2013-11-05, 14:46

(2013-11-04, 22:37)martingold Wrote:
(2013-11-04, 17:53)bigtoe Wrote:
(2013-11-03, 10:05)martingold Wrote: thanks bigtoe i was actually looking at the neo x7 when i saw a youtube review of one but the replys to the review painted it in a pretty bad light. The problem im having with all the reviews is the contradictory replies some say its awesome some say its rubbish... i have one chance at buying gear and dont want to buy the wrong box

Can you share bad reviews about minx neo x7? I also want to know about its bad side if it has any cons. As far as I know, minix neo x5 and x7 is the only android hardware that has optical audio output in the market. If you can find any non-neo android hardware that has optical audio output, please let me know. I am still waiting for the price of minix neo x7 mini drop to buy it. If its price drop to US$50, I will buy 2 minix neo x7 mini.

Hi Bigtoe
here is the youtube review of the neo x7 if you read the replies underneath you will see some of what i meant.. ive also been reading the minix unofficial forum which also doesnt sound too promising for 1080p with xbmc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBR3ZrurMKI

Minix neo x7 supports 1080p kernel.
720P and REAL 1080P kernel are directly support from Minix

You also can download custom rom that include 1080p kernel from here:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?6...s-1-5a-ROM

You can get ac3 and dts pass through in xbmc (HDMI and Spdif) for Minix neo x7 from here:
http://minixforums.com/threads/how-to-ge...pdif.2071/

geekbuying is selling minix neo x7 with 1080p kernel. if you ordered it from Geekbuying, you will get the 1080p firmware update in the first time.

http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/201...ox-review/

The only reason that stop me from buying minix neo x7 is price. I am still waiting for its price to drop.

martingold · 2013-11-06, 08:54

(2013-11-05, 14:46)bigtoe Wrote:
(2013-11-04, 22:37)martingold Wrote:
(2013-11-04, 17:53)bigtoe Wrote: Can you share bad reviews about minx neo x7? I also want to know about its bad side if it has any cons. As far as I know, minix neo x5 and x7 is the only android hardware that has optical audio output in the market. If you can find any non-neo android hardware that has optical audio output, please let me know. I am still waiting for the price of minix neo x7 mini drop to buy it. If its price drop to US$50, I will buy 2 minix neo x7 mini.

Hi Bigtoe
here is the youtube review of the neo x7 if you read the replies underneath you will see some of what i meant.. ive also been reading the minix unofficial forum which also doesnt sound too promising for 1080p with xbmc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBR3ZrurMKI

Minix neo x7 supports 1080p kernel.
720P and REAL 1080P kernel are directly support from Minix

You also can download custom rom that include 1080p kernel from here:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?6...s-1-5a-ROM

You can get ac3 and dts pass through in xbmc (HDMI and Spdif) for Minix neo x7 from here:
http://minixforums.com/threads/how-to-ge...pdif.2071/

geekbuying is selling minix neo x7 with 1080p kernel. if you ordered it from Geekbuying, you will get the 1080p firmware update in the first time.

http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/201...ox-review/

The only reason that stop me from buying minix neo x7 is price. I am still waiting for its price to drop.

thanks once again bigtoe .... due to your help and to minix on fb i have ordered the neo x7 for me with the air mouse its in the right price bracket. and the supplier i have used has them in stock in the uk so i should have it by saturday Big Grin

noggin · (This post was last modified: 2013-11-06, 10:45 by noggin.)

(2013-11-02, 12:41)martingold Wrote: hey guys new here

i found this forum as im looking for a sub £100 box capable of streaming from my network (wired for preference) obviously i want to use xbmc, with hdmi (full 1080p) and optical (5.1) output not bothered which operating sys i use but would be nice to use my android phone as a remote (its by me when im sat watching the telly and removes the need for another remote)
i guess its a tall ask but hoping for some help here

As you are using £-signs, I suspect you are in the UK. Major issue with Android boxes is their lousy support for 50Hz and 24Hz output. Many of them stick at 60Hz - so even if they support 1080p output, they are not a good fit for coping with quality replay of European DVDs (50/25Hz content output at 60Hz is horrid), many Blu-rays of European TV shows (most BBC Blu-rays are 50i) or European TV and TV catchup stuff like iPlayer (for the same reason). They are also average if you have a 24p capable display, as 24p content is output at 60p with 3:2 pull-down (again not great)

If you can stretch to £129 look at the Acer Revo RL80 from Ebuyer http://www.ebuyer.com/525101-acer-revo-r...-spnek-002 It runs OpenElec, has full 1080p HDMI output (with HD audio should you upgrade your receiver at a later date), Toslink audio output, GigE wired Ethernet (plus 2.4/5GHz WiFi), Bluetooth, USB3 ports, a 500GB HD and 2GB RAM. It works OOTB with OpenElec (and unlink the NUCs and Brixs has everything you need already). It will auto switch between 1080/50p, 1080/60p and 1080/24p. (It does have the Intel 24Hz issues - but they are minor compared to having to watch 24/25/50Hz stuff at 60Hz…)

You can add either a USB IR remote or if you are happy you can open up the box and install a CIR receiver for integrated IR.

It will run decent skins.

It isn't sub<£100 - but it's the best value solution I could find which offered decent refresh rate support.

martingold · 2013-11-06, 10:56

(2013-11-06, 10:44)noggin Wrote:
(2013-11-02, 12:41)martingold Wrote: hey guys new here

i found this forum as im looking for a sub £100 box capable of streaming from my network (wired for preference) obviously i want to use xbmc, with hdmi (full 1080p) and optical (5.1) output not bothered which operating sys i use but would be nice to use my android phone as a remote (its by me when im sat watching the telly and removes the need for another remote)
i guess its a tall ask but hoping for some help here

As you are using £-signs, I suspect you are in the UK. Major issue with Android boxes is their lousy support for 50Hz and 24Hz output. Many of them stick at 60Hz - so even if they support 1080p output, they are not a good fit for coping with quality replay of European DVDs (50/25Hz content output at 60Hz is horrid), many Blu-rays of European TV shows (most BBC Blu-rays are 50i) or European TV and TV catchup stuff like iPlayer (for the same reason). They are also average if you have a 24p capable display, as 24p content is output at 60p with 3:2 pull-down (again not great)

If you can stretch to £129 look at the Acer Revo RL80 from Ebuyer http://www.ebuyer.com/525101-acer-revo-r...-spnek-002 It runs OpenElec, has full 1080p HDMI output (with HD audio should you upgrade your receiver at a later date), Toslink audio output, GigE wired Ethernet (plus 2.4/5GHz WiFi), Bluetooth, USB3 ports, a 500GB HD and 2GB RAM. It works OOTB with OpenElec (and unlink the NUCs and Brixs has everything you need already). It will auto switch between 1080/50p, 1080/60p and 1080/24p. (It does have the Intel 24Hz issues - but they are minor compared to having to watch 24/25/50Hz stuff at 60Hz…)

You can add either a USB IR remote or if you are happy you can open up the box and install a CIR receiver for integrated IR.

It will run decent skins.

It isn't sub<£100 - but it's the best value solution I could find which offered decent refresh rate support.

thanks for that noggin but as i think i said earlier i need optical audio out for my bose ... from my research the only one in my price range is the minix... i have now ordered the neo x7 from amazon ... minix have told me they are working with xbmc to create their own version which should be out in a couple of weeks or so

bigtoe · (This post was last modified: 2013-11-06, 17:51 by bigtoe.)

(2013-11-06, 08:54)martingold Wrote:
(2013-11-05, 14:46)bigtoe Wrote:
(2013-11-04, 22:37)martingold Wrote: Hi Bigtoe
here is the youtube review of the neo x7 if you read the replies underneath you will see some of what i meant.. ive also been reading the minix unofficial forum which also doesnt sound too promising for 1080p with xbmc... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBR3ZrurMKI

Minix neo x7 supports 1080p kernel.
720P and REAL 1080P kernel are directly support from Minix

You also can download custom rom that include 1080p kernel from here:
http://www.freaktab.com/showthread.php?6...s-1-5a-ROM

You can get ac3 and dts pass through in xbmc (HDMI and Spdif) for Minix neo x7 from here:
http://minixforums.com/threads/how-to-ge...pdif.2071/

geekbuying is selling minix neo x7 with 1080p kernel. if you ordered it from Geekbuying, you will get the 1080p firmware update in the first time.

http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/201...ox-review/

The only reason that stop me from buying minix neo x7 is price. I am still waiting for its price to drop.

thanks once again bigtoe .... due to your help and to minix on fb i have ordered the neo x7 for me with the air mouse its in the right price bracket. and the supplier i have used has them in stock in the uk so i should have it by saturday

Do not buy air mouse, it is expensive. You can buy a cheap US$9 PC bluetooth mouse to use with minix.

You can use minix neo x7 optical audio output with sonos playbar as a start, i.e buy sonos playbar to use first
http://www.sonos.com/hometheater?ref=/in...ng/playbar

Later, when you have more money, buy sonos sub and 2 sonos play:5 to have complete 5.1 wireless speakers.

You can move sonos wireless speakers around your home, place it in any room, you can even move it to garden without the need of running audio wire for speakers.

sonos review:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/sonos-play...tem_review

martingold · 2013-11-06, 20:27

(2013-11-06, 17:46)bigtoe Wrote: Do not buy air mouse, it is expensive. You can buy a cheap US$9 PC bluetooth mouse to use with minix.

You can use minix neo x7 optical audio output with sonos playbar as a start, i.e buy sonos playbar to use first
http://www.sonos.com/hometheater?ref=/in...ng/playbar

Later, when you have more money, buy sonos sub and 2 sonos play:5 to have complete 5.1 wireless speakers.

You can move sonos wireless speakers around your home, place it in any room, you can even move it to garden without the need of running audio wire for speakers.

sonos review:
http://www.trustedreviews.com/sonos-play...tem_review

too late i have it all on order lol .... as for the sonos yeah its great gear but i have a bose 5.1 for my sound in my living room the minix is to go with that ... maybe a sonos wireless set for later eh ?

00b5 · 2013-11-06, 21:57

(2013-11-04, 18:22)bigtoe Wrote: If you have around US$1,000 to spend, you can build HTPC by yourself. You can choose gigabyte or asus main board with all ports you need HDMI 1.4a, USB 3.0, optical audio output...

Then buy intel i5 or i7 CPU, buy the best GPU nivida, buy the best Corsair memory, buy a small ssd hard disk.

And finally, buy this CPU cooler to have a comple fanless HTPC

This cooler is so cool. By looking at this cooler, I wish I have around US$1,000 to build a perfect HTPC with this cooler.

I just wanted to add in here, that you don't need half the stuff you listed.

MB w/ports you need, sure.

i5/i7 cpu? not needed, even a pentium class cpu will be enough for 1080p video (thanks to intel HD graphics) and if you want more HP, you can move up to an i3, thats two cheaper cpus before getting to the i5/i7 brands.

nvidia GPU wouldn't be needed, since you'd use the onboard INTEL HD video in the pentium/i3 chip
Small ssds aren't that expensive (even the msatas are coming down) and you could always get a cheap spinning hdd to cut costs (or recycle a laptop hdd, if you have one sitting around)
Best corsair memory, just get memory that works, spend a little more for brand name as needed for your comfort level.

That CPU Cooler though, totally looks badass, though its probably not going to fit in a lot of the smaller HTPC style cases you would actually want.

bigtoe · (This post was last modified: 2013-11-15, 04:07 by bigtoe.)

I bought Minix neo x7 and K-R42 CS918. Both have similar hardwards and both have Optical Audio Output SPDIF Toslink:

Processor: both have Quad core Rockchip RK3188. Minix neo x7 has 1.6GHz Quad core, CS918 has 1.8GHz Quad core
GPU: both have Mali400
Memory: both have 2GB DDR3
Internal Storage: both have NAND Flash. Minix neo x7 has 16GB, CS918 has 8GB
WiFi: both have 802.11 b/g/n. Minix neo x7 has Dual-Band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz / 5.0GHz), CS918 has Single-Band Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)
RJ45 ethernet: both have 100Mb (100Base-T) RJ45
Optical Audio Output SPDIF Toslink: both have Optical Audio Output SPDIF Toslink

Picture:
Minix neo x7

Minix neo x7 ports:
The NEO X7 comes with huge array of ports - including 3 USB ports, 1 OTG port, headphone and microphone jack, optical audio, and Ethernet port.

CS918

CS918 ports:

CS918 board:

CS918 K-R42 geekbuying's review
http://blog.geekbuying.com/index.php/201...box-review

price include shipping: Minix neo x7 $68, CS918 $43

ebay links:
Mnix neo x7 $68
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261123664

CS918 $43
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261659703

queonda · 2013-11-26, 00:25

(2013-11-15, 02:56)bigtoe Wrote: price include shipping: Minix neo x7 $68, CS918 $43

ebay links:
Mnix neo x7 $68
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261123664

CS918 $43
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261659703

Wow, I'm have recently started looking for the Minix neo x7. This price is crazy.

**Dougie Fresh** · 2013-11-26, 00:32

It's pretty easy to buy or build a OpenELEC HTPC for under $200. You definitely do not need $1000.

amedia · 2013-11-26, 01:15

I can live without a ssd, because I can leave mine in standby (it does use much energy}, and so boot time is not an issue. Also I still need a large hard drive and the WD ones, I can't hear anyway.

lifeisfun · 2013-11-26, 01:38

(2013-11-26, 00:25)queonda Wrote:
(2013-11-15, 02:56)bigtoe Wrote: price include shipping: Minix neo x7 $68, CS918 $43

ebay links:
Mnix neo x7 $68
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261123664

CS918 $43
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?...1261659703

Wow, I'm have recently started looking for the Minix neo x7. This price is crazy.

For sure fraudulent listings, don't get sucked in to it....