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Yes, I notice that this two LAN connectors (like the DVB-turner) are making things even more complicate.
Therefore I accept that I either need more space to fit some cards in there or I have to go the ugly way over usb.
I'm fine with everything, as long as I have at least one usb port free for the remote/keyboard.
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nickr
Retired Team-Kodi Member
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I personally think this is the wrong approach. While it was common some years ago to have a combined server and client, hardware has got cheaper and better. You can now pay $35 for a rpi that does hardware 1080p h264 and is fairly good at hevc too. A while ago you needed a decent discrete nvidia card and it made sense to have one box full of expensive parts. Also people are now more networked, and wifi can even produce acceptable results.
Conclusion, build a server without regard for video playback, noise etc. Put it in a basement/cupboard/garage. Get a soc based playback device for playback. Its cheap, you can bin it in 2-3 years when standards and hardware changes.
Your server will last you 2-3 times as long.
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+1, if possible, separate the device into NAS + Clients. Full blown HTPCs are so 2000s, unless you have very specific needs, but usually those are gamers.
if you select the correct NAS, it can be years before you need to upgrade. With clients, upgrade as needed and separately.
Read the "Pick the Right Kodi Box (updated April 2016)" sticky thread, those are the type of popular devices these days for Media player.
AFTV (non-rooted + Kodi)
WD My Book Live NAS
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nickr
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You don't need a nas and a server. Your server will house your hard drives and serve them just fine.
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Agree, only a server is needed, no NAS. I do unbelievable things with an Atom330 (!!!) board as a small home server, and I can tell you it is doing the job perfectly.
I will replace it now with a Braswell SoC itx board as I will need more SATA ports and Braswell is very energy efficient, yet still quite powerful. I did build couple of small home servers based on Braswell, and they perform amazing.
So you are down to one box, the server: the type and size of the case depends on your needs for number (any type) of hard drives.
The Rpi2/3 as a frontend is so small, that it doesn't count. Yo can even VESA mount it if you like (look for vesa case on eBay).
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Are there any other suggestion without forcing me to buy two machines?
(As already mention, I don't have enough space for two machines.)
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Space seems like an odd issue to avoid two machines in this scenario. If your sever is separated from media playback capability, then it can be stashed anywhere in your house you can run power/network to -- no need to take up realestate in a TV cabinet. Even in a tiny dorm room, you could just stash it under a bed or something.
The Nvidia Shield Android TV is one of the larger android media players and is slightly bigger than a DVD case.
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Well, actually you can have an all-in-one solution, but there are some obvious downsides too. You can build a nice server and player based on Intel Braswell (N3150) SoC, then you got excellent small home server, 4 SATA ports, up to 16GB RAM, x1 space for additional SATA card, and one of the best media experience quality wise with Intel EGL VAAPI build. You can have a low power rig with this build, but consider the noise the 3.5" hard drives will produce! Even if you go with 2.5", paying quite a lot for over 2TB/drive, still can become loud with more drives. In this case you should go with an SSD for system drive (and run Kodi from there). You loose on CEC (not such a big deal, and you can get a Pulse-8), and no BD3D support (if that matters at all).
Again, I would definitely recommend going with a separate server (still N3150), anywhere where you can supply power and a LAN cable, and my choice would be RPi3 for a player. It is so small, you can stick it to the back of the TV if you want.
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noggin
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2016-05-12, 12:35
(This post was last modified: 2016-05-12, 12:37 by noggin.)
Seriously suggest not going for the all-in-one solution. The space taken up by an S905-based ARM SoC Media Player (ODroid C2 or imminent Wetek Hub) is tiny. Less than a single 3.5" internal hard drive. You can surely have space for that?
My first HTPC was an all-in-one - I soon realised that wasn't the route to go.
Also - why the two LAN ports? You say two separate networks - probably useful to know a bit more about this requirement. I have VPN-boxes with dual LANs (though with VLANs and a suitable switch you don't really need dual LANs for this purpose any more) but have never needed them on a server or client (though in professional circles I've used dual GigE on high-end servers, I've not needed that at home...)
