[Blackfire2802]

Hello,


I'm planning to buy a raspberry pi so I can turn it into a htpc,.... But I don't know what is the best model of raspberry pi to buy.


Please help

[wrxtasy]

Welcome, great bang for the buck the little RPi. It just works out of the box for Kodi media streaming !

RPi B+ as you will want to Overclock it, and this model can be pushed harder. 5Ghz WiFi dongle if using that. Avoid the 2.4Ghz ones due to WiFi interference issues.

A lot of info is in these threads for a first time buyer:
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=214742

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=212935
plus down here
!!
V

[Blackfire2802]

Thank you very much, I'll wire the RPi directly to the router so Wi-Fi dangle will not be needed....

[wrxtasy]

Yes thats the way to go, better response time for Kodi library navigation then.
Make doubly sure you use a good power supply. ie a 5V/2.0 Amp one with a decent thickness USB cable. Not a cheap thin one.

[Blackfire2802]

This is why I have doubts.... At the end between the RPi, power supply, case, SD Card, heat sink etc etc... What should I do... Buy the RPi or just buy an android box like the mini neo x8-h

[chclark]

I think the pi they have a lot to offer, I keep thinking I want something new but I have no need to as the pi still does everything I need. I haven't even purchased the licences for the additional codecs and mine still play everything I have apart from a couple of films were it plays sound but no video am not sure if its a codec issue or not.

but for the price of the pi and what it can do its great put a nice slim skin on like quarts (my favourite) and it just works.

[wrxtasy]

Proper power supplies for the RPi are cheap as these days and the 5V/2.0 Amp ones just work. You can even try a phone or tablet one you may have laying around as that may work properly.

Also coding improvements to Kodi has made the interface on an Overclocked RPi reasonably quick these days, there was a nice speed bump on the RPi going from Gotham to Kodi. Its nowhere near slow.

24p, proper video refresh rate syncing to the TV and quality deinterlacing on the RPi will cream any Android device.
You can control Kodi using your TV remote if you have HDMI CEC control on your TV. Otherwise a cheap as Bluetooth USB dongle and a PS3 remote will be very responsive too.

This is all you need to purchase:
$45 Canakit:
http://www.amazon.com/CanaKit-Raspberry-...spberry+pi
$6.50 case
http://www.amazon.com/Raspberry-Pi-Model...spberry+pi

and any cheap microSDHC 8GB or larger card. Sandisk and Samsung recommended, stay away from Kingston.

You need to read those links I posted, there is lots of detailed info in there along with happy users.

[Blackfire2802]

Thank you very much