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Hockeyguy · 2015-05-19, 19:02

Hi,

I am looking for my first XBMC streaming box. I have zero experience and would like some input on where to start.

I have narrowed my box choice down to Amazon Fire TV, HP Mini 200-010 or Raspberry Pi?

Thanks for any input that you can give me!

John

**katsup** · 2015-05-19, 19:23

Do you use, or ever plan to use, android apps such as Netflix?

Have you read the sticky at the top of this thread title "Pick the Right Kodi Box (UPDATED FEB 2015)", or at least the first post?

benitoemr81 · 2015-05-19, 19:32

Have you looked into google nexus player?

Hockeyguy · 2015-05-19, 19:37

(2015-05-19, 19:23)katsup Wrote: Do you use, or ever plan to use, android apps such as Netflix?

Have you read the sticky at the top of this thread title "Pick the Right Kodi Box (UPDATED FEB 2015)", or at least the first post?

I did read the sticky thread but was confused.

I have Netflix already so not necessary.

Thank you

John

**katsup** · 2015-05-19, 20:44

I like the Pi 2 over the Fire TV, but I have no experience with the HP Mini.

wrxtasy · 2015-05-19, 20:56

23.976fps (24p) perfect video sync + plays virtually anything + the best supported Kodi box on the planet. Get the very popular and very very capable RPI2. We bang on about the device for a good reason because it just works. Proper video modes and refresh rate switching on the fly makes it an excellent choice for a Kodi media device. The price makes this the bang for the bucks winner.

The Chromebox does all the above and adds polish with a speedy SSD and HD Audio passthrough. The HP Mini Stream has nearly identical internals compared to the Chromebox. Get it if you want or need Windows.

Nearly all Android OS based devices lack proper 24p video sync and the variety of video refresh rate modes of the RPI2/Chromebox. Usually no HD Audio as well. This includes the Google Nexus, Amazon Fire TV + Stick.
Read these thread if you need convincing about the AFTV.

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=226625
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=226439

Believe us when we say 24p video sync is important for quality movie playback. It really does make a difference.

Hockeyguy · 2015-05-19, 21:38

(2015-05-19, 20:56)wrxtasy Wrote: 23.976fps (24p) perfect video sync + plays virtually anything + the best supported Kodi box on the planet. Get the very popular and very very capable RPI2. We bang on about the device for a good reason because it just works. Proper video modes and refresh rate switching on the fly makes it an excellent choice for a Kodi media device. The price makes this the bang for the bucks winner.

The Chromebox does all the above and adds polish with a speedy SSD and HD Audio passthrough. The HP Mini Stream has nearly identical internals compared to the Chromebox. Get it if you want or need Windows.

Nearly all Android OS based devices lack proper 24p video sync and the variety of video refresh rate modes of the RPI2/Chromebox. Usually no HD Audio as well. This includes the Google Nexus, Amazon Fire TV + Stick.
Read these thread if you need convincing about the AFTV.

http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=226625
http://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=226439

Believe us when we say 24p video sync is important for quality movie playback. It really does make a difference.

Is that the same as a Raspberry Pi B model? Sorry for the rookie questions.

**katsup** · (This post was last modified: 2015-05-19, 21:44 by katsup.)

(2015-05-19, 21:38)Hockeyguy Wrote: Is that the same as a Raspberry Pi B model? Sorry for the rookie questions.

You want the Raspberry Pi 2 Model B. Not the Pi 1 model B.

wrxtasy · 2015-05-19, 21:51

Yes so far as video playback and video refresh rates modes are concerned. Same GPU/VPU in both. The single CPU core RPi B is still a good Kodi video playback device, especially when Overclocked.

Its just a little slower than the 4 core RPI2. The RPI2 also decodes HD audio without breaking a sweat and some low bitrate 720p HEVC video.

Both have HDMI CEC control hardware if you have a compatible TV, which is a nice bonus.

http://kodi.wiki/view/CEC

noggin · 2015-05-20, 02:01

(2015-05-19, 21:51)wrxtasy Wrote: Both have HDMI CEC control hardware if you have a compatible TV, which is a nice bonus.

http://kodi.wiki/view/CEC

And even if you don't use CEC to control your Pi / Pi 2 from your TV remote, your Pi / Pi 2 will still control your Amp volume control remotely via CEC if you use an HDMI AVR.

Hockeyguy · 2015-05-20, 13:29

(2015-05-19, 21:51)wrxtasy Wrote: Yes so far as video playback and video refresh rates modes are concerned. Same GPU/VPU in both. The single CPU core RPi B is still a good Kodi video playback device, especially when Overclocked.

Its just a little slower than the 4 core RPI2. The RPI2 also decodes HD audio without breaking a sweat and some low bitrate 720p HEVC video.

Both have HDMI CEC control hardware if you have a compatible TV, which is a nice bonus.

http://kodi.wiki/view/CEC

Next question is what exactly do I need for my Raspberry Pi2? Do i need a mouse and keyboard? Which type of wifi dongle does it need to play the HD?

I was going to get a case with a cooling fan.

I was looking at this one, they are just down the street from where I work.

https://www.creatroninc.com/product/rasp...bs-bundle/

I appreciate all of you patience and help!

John

wrxtasy · 2015-05-20, 14:20

None of that needed, its a waste of money. Get...

- Dual Band usb WiFi (MIMO) for best WiFi performance. Single band, especially 2.4Ghz WiFi is subject to interference.
- a proper 2.0Amp 5V power supply
- Samsung 16GB PLUS Micro SDHC with Adapter - up to 48MB/s - UHS-1 Class 10 Memory Card (MB-MPAGCA/AM)

- A PC with a SD card slot to flash OpenElec on to the Micro SDHC card. Its dead easy following the Wiki.

That one you linked will be fine, BUT it will have an inferior (R/W speed) Micro SDHC card and the Noobs software on SD card it will be hopelessly out of date. CAD$10 extra for the 8GB SD card is a rip off. Just get a case and the RPi2 with the above bits.

Smile

Hockeyguy · 2015-05-20, 15:13

(2015-05-20, 14:20)wrxtasy Wrote: None of that needed, its a waste of money. Get...

- Dual Band usb WiFi (MIMO) for best WiFi performance. Single band, especially 2.4Ghz WiFi is subject to interference.
- a proper 2.0Amp 5V power supply
- Samsung 16GB PLUS Micro SDHC with Adapter - up to 48MB/s - UHS-1 Class 10 Memory Card (MB-MPAGCA/AM)

- A PC with a SD card slot to flash OpenElec on to the Micro SDHC card. Its dead easy following the Wiki.

That one you linked will be fine, BUT it will have an inferior (R/W speed) Micro SDHC card and the Noobs software on SD card it will be hopelessly out of date. CAD$10 extra for the 8GB SD card is a rip off. Just get a case and the RPi2 with the above bits.

Is this one okay?

https://www.creatroninc.com/product/raspberry-pi-2/

Do I need a remote or mouse to select the options once Kodi is up and running?

Again sorry for sounding like I have no idea but I am just starting to figure this out.

Thanks

John

wrxtasy · 2015-05-20, 17:00

Yes thats all you need.

No mouse needed, Kodi can be controlled from any TV remote if you have a HDMI-CEC control compatible TV.
If that does not work there are other options such a a Flirc usb dongle that will learn Infra Red commands from any spare remote control you have lying around the house.

Hockeyguy · 2015-05-20, 18:55

What dual band wifi adapter is compatible with Raspberry Pi 2?