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Hi Guys,
Is anyone using this box yet for Ubuntu + XBMC - looking at the possibility of getting this for my parents media centre setup, I'm going to be setting up myself and then just handing it over to them.
Has anyone written a HOWTO for this unit yet ? Or should it all just be a case of plug and play ?
Specifically thinking about how to get HDMI audio working ?!
Cheers
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prae5
Team-XBMC Forum Moderator
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In theory it should just work, it is just an ion based box. Sure it will have its own specifics like the rest of them.
Give it ago.
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Yeah, went ahead and bought one, will post back if I have any problems, with a quick HowTo.
Look like gorgeous little machines.
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dedu
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So any results yet?
Thinking of buying one.
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Should know by tomorrow, currently waiting for it to be delivered.
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Just to let everyone know, this machine is an absolute beauty.
Set up XBMC on a 9.10 based system, and plays like a dream, no issues with 1080p, audio out of HDMI works perfectly.
If you have any questions, ask away, still playing around with the system.
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I received my Zotac Mag today and installed ubuntu 9.10 and XBMC on it using the XBMC Setup Script I found in another thread here. Seems to be 100% working. CPU is 5-10% when playing 720p mkv. Great little computer, I like it.
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Received Zotac Mag as well, and pondering whether should install Debian or Ubunto; main usage will be as a light net-server, and secondary as XBMC media center.
Seems Ubunto (Server) would be the most logical choice, having more out-of-box support for media stuff. Personally would have preferred Debian due slower / more stable release cycles..
Anyway, some more or less obvious notifications of the unit so far:
* Included memory modules are 2x 1GB 200-Pin SO-DIMM :
ProMOS 1GB 2Rx8 DDR2-800MHz-CL6 PC2-6400S-666-12-E1 V916765G24QCFW-G6
-> Can be easily upgraded to 4GB (2x2GB) or 8GB (2x4GB), just make sure to order 200 pin SO-DIMM modules (unlike my first attempt)
* Included HDD is Samsung HM160HI 2.5" (160GB/5400rpm/8M)
Googling seems to give read speeds arounds 60/25/0.4 (MB/s for Seq/512k/4k), i.e. half of modern desktop HDD performance
-> Can be 'easily' replaced with 2.5" SSDs like Intel X-25M
* Opening box to access HDD takes somel effort
A sticker claims opening the box voids the manufacturer warranty, so depending on your local laws this might have some harmful side-effect.
- Unscrew 2 normal screws
- Take out bottom cover with help of two flat screwdrivers (releasing plastic holders one by one)
- Unscrew 4 screws from the motherboard
- Carefully take out the top cover with flat screwdrivers, making sure not to move the cover too much since it has led wires attached
- Unscrew the HDD (2 screws), replace HDD, and reverse the above steps
-Lasse
waiting for an USB keyboard to advance to 'install Ubunto from USB' step..
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I just stumbled upon these a week ago and I'm waiting for good reviews before I take the plunge. I think it should be priced slightly lower, but it looks like a nice little machine. Please keep us updated with your experiences with tips and tricks also!
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i am just comparing this to the aspire revo 3610, no longer on newegg, that was selling for 330 and included windows 7.
i've been pricing things out also, and $300 for the zotac mag specs is a very good buy.
i'll probably pick one up when i get back from vacation, unless ion 2 releases...
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Seems cheap.. cheaper than you can build one... Will probably pick one up for a secondary room shortly...
-Erik
