[Lowres]

Hi all, my situation is that I have a main HTPC that acts as my main hub/server/TV backend. I have four other TV's in the house and I am trying to find a simple (cheap!) solution to connect them back to my HTPC using Kodi as a front end.

I suppose there are lots of options and so far I've only tried the Amazon Fire Stick but failed pretty miserably when trying to stream large movies and chokes horribly when I try to watch Live TV (I have a MediaPortal TV server running on my main HTPC).

Again, I'm looking for something relatively inexpensive (I have to do 4 of these) with enough horsepower to play large files, steam my Live TV, run a nice(Eminence) skin, and index shares with some speed. Wireless (at least as an option) would be a big plus.

I would like to hear what you all have come up with for something like this.

[wrxtasy]

Hi.
Firstly stay from Android based platforms if you are watching live TV. As you have found you will run into de-interlacing issues and very likely refresh rate switching issues as well. This includes the Amazon Fire TV.

It really is a no brainer for what you want at a cheap price - the RPi2 running Openelec / Kodi. It is more than capable.

Plus a dual band WIFI to avoid interference issues on the 2.4Ghz band - such as the Edimax EW-7811UTC AC600 Dual-Band USB Adapter.
Get a proper 5V/2.0 Amp power supply, preferably ones with the cord attached to the power brick.

You will likely not even need a remote control as HDMI CEC control on the RPi2 will mean you can control Kodi via a TV remote.

http://www.howtogeek.com/207186/how-to-e...ou-should/

Otherwise a cheap BT USB and a PS3 remote control works well, straight out of the box.

[Lowres]

Thanks wrxtasy, I'm on Newegg now looking around. There seems to be many versions available. Which one should I be looking at?

By the way the HTPC build you helped me with a couple of months ago (the one I'm talking about in the original post) worked out great. Thank you again for the advice.

[wrxtasy]

Glad to hear the previous recommendation worked out.

Raspberry Pi 2 Model B ARM7 900Mhz CPU Board is the one your looking for.

You might want the Basics Kit:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

or the Modular Case, that looks a bit better and a few more dollars:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product


Plus these are the preferred microSDHC cards: (Always go Samsung for best performance)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

and

Dual Band WIFI:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...-_-Product

Thats it, Oh apart from a HDMI cable

[katsup]

The Raspberry Pi 2 Model B is the newest and the same MSRP as the older models. Don't forget that you need a good MicroSD card as well.

Edit: Was beaten by wrxtasy, but I ordered mine from MCM Electronics. Personally, I'd pick up 1 to make sure it fits your needs before buying the other 3.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/content/en...spberry-pi

[wrxtasy]

Their starter Kits are cheaper than Newegg as well and include a microSDHC card.
at $59.99 you will likely not get cheaper.

http://www.mcmelectronics.com/product/83-16552RK