Win Intel HTPCs/NUCs & Kodi-native 3D MVC Playback - Printable Version +- Kodi Community Forum (https://forum.kodi.tv) +-- Forum: Discussions (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=222) +--- Forum: Hardware (https://forum.kodi.tv/forumdisplay.php?fid=112) +--- Thread: Win Intel HTPCs/NUCs & Kodi-native 3D MVC Playback (/showthread.php?tid=266316) Pages:
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RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 I'm still get the annoying "python27.dll" missing error w/April 7 build, so have stuck w/April 1... but, nice to hear it's a good build, assuming it installs/runs fine. RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 Comparative Intel MVC 3D Review:
Dell Inspiron Micro 3050 vs. Intel D34010WYK NUC Updated on May 8, 2016 Overview: This will be my last review for a while, for self-funded h/w tests. Until Kaby Lake h/w (adding full 4K) arrives at the end of the year, I've settled on an Intel h/w for my dedicated home theater. This was after trying out i5-4570 latop with Intel HD4400 (already had it, but laptop isn't ideal for HT use), DN2820FYKH Celeron NUC, Beelink BT3 with Intel Atom x5-Z8300, and finally D34010WYK i3 NUC and Dell 3050 Micro with Celeron J1800. The last two are evaluated in this comparative review... Both D34010WYK NUC and Dell 3050 are first-rate Intel boxes with first-rate 3D MVC and HD audio bitstreaming! There are just a couple of key differentiators that may push you, like did me, to one. In my case, I'm keeping the D34010WYK NUC. In my initial testing of D34010WYK, I had mentioned possibly noticing some ghosting and edge enhancement with 3D. May have had to do with the extra glasses of wine that evening , because upon in-depth testing (with several 3D ISO's, for longer periods), I'm not seeing any such issues. I've now also watched two 3D movies all the way, and both looked great. Also, both D34010WYK and Dell 3050 don't suffer from the dreaded lip-sync error, at least with the April 1 Kodi Windows MVC build I'm relying on for now. Verdict: Based originally on afedchin's April 1 Kodi 17 MVC Windows build (limited re-testing done w/May 5 build)
As I've alluded, the reason for this comparative review isn't to proclaim one "best". That wouldn't be fair as we're talking about a 'budget' Celeron vs. a higher-level performer with i3. Also, just 2GB of preinstalled RAM on Dell vs. 4GB I opted to install on the i3 NUC. It's about the cost to performance ratio, set-up effort, and about the differentiators that may matter to you in spending more for the i3 NUC. My Dell 3050 Set-Up Details ($125 used off eBay):
My D34010WYK NUC Build and Set-Up Details ($191 used NUC w/new SSD + RAM):
Photo Gallery: watch gallery
Performance: With any HTPC set-up, my Windows install is kept minimal (I don't have the LTSB version yet), with only Kodi, Launcher4Kodi, CCleaner and Google Chrome installed. Nothing else, other than background Windows processes, running or installed. Launcher4Kodi is what gives Kodi under Windows that OpenELEC, set-top box or media player feel as you're powering on and booting right into Kodi. Kodi runs fluidly, and is responsive on both systems in this review. But, some differentiators...
See my signature below for my HT gear and set-up, basis for this evaluation. A/V Tests: Applies to both systems, except where noted...
Extras:
Support: A+, via this thread with helpful user insights, and via @afedchin's developmental thread. @movie78 and I've chatted about this, and our only concern is that @afedchin seems like the sole developer behind MVC support in Windows, which we're all benefiting greatly from. While it's great to have @afedchin dedicated to this, I hope other Kodi developers get involved, or if there are and we're unaware, would love to know. Wrap-Up: I ended up settling on D34010WYK NUC, but had I never tried it for whatever reason, I'd most likely be just as happy with Dell 3050. But, Intel D34010WYK's extra power, power-to-straight-boot-into-Kodi of about 21 seconds (vs. about 29), ability to play just buttery smooth even those most demanding video types, and integrated IR all together are what pushed me over. But, whether D34010WYK is worth 50% or so more cost for these differentiators for you, that's a very subjective call. Bottom line, it's a great time for us 3D MVC and all-in-one box enthusiasts with Kodi with Intel h/w, with plenty of options ! Just see post #1! RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - timstephens24 - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 20:08)hdmkv Wrote: I'm still get the annoying "python27.dll" missing error w/April 7 build, so have stuck w/April 1... but, nice to hear it's a good build, assuming it installs/runs fine. I'm pretty sure the missing python27.dll affects people who don't have python installed since I'm not seeing this issue. To fix it easily you could install python and add it to your environment variable. RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 Thanks... just install this? And, which version: 2.7.11 or 3.5.1? I know nothing about python, other than the snake variety . RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - wesk05 - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 20:51)hdmkv Wrote: Thanks... just install this? And, which version: 2.7.11 or 3.5.1? I know nothing about python, other than the snake variety . Are you talking about the Burmese ones ? I didn't have to install Python, just copied python27.dll from an old Kodi install. RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 To \Kodi\System\, or just to \Kodi? RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - wesk05 - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 21:13)hdmkv Wrote: To \Kodi\System\, or just to \Kodi?To \Kodi RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - sarcoptic - 2016-04-09 I would try installing this first Python 2.7.11 - 2015-12-05. As suggested after the install it should already be picked up by windows and Kodi. No messing with copying files etc... RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - movie78 - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 20:10)hdmkv Wrote: [ Great comparison write up, you have made my decision a little bit more easier now... Going to put my order in!!!!!!!!!! Thanks! RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 For the i3 I assume as you bolded it? RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - movie78 - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 21:41)hdmkv Wrote: For the i3 I assume as you bolded it? i3 4010u or the i5 4010.. Going to have a glass of vodka then i will make a pick RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - wesk05 - 2016-04-09 Regarding the lip-sync errors, can some of you test it with this test pattern from Spears & Munsil - AV-Sync Test Pattern The pattern has Dolby/Dolby TrueHD/DTS-HD Master Audio tracks. The first 3 are center channel only and the next 3 are front right & left. I think the pattern needs no instruction. Just carefully observe on which frame the moving square is when you hear the beep. If it is in one of the negative ones, audio is ahead and if on positive audio is behind. I measured AV-Sync with this test pattern using a Sync-One2 on my Haswell HTPC. This is what I found: (the first number is at the start of the clip and the second number is towards the end of the clip 3/25 build Refresh Rate on. No delay set Dolby - +23ms +18ms Dolby TrueHD - +146ms +99ms DTS-HD Master Audio - +200ms +162ms Refresh Rate off. Intel HD graphics output set to 1080p23Hz. Dolby - +15ms constant Dolby TrueHD - +77ms constant DTS-HD Master Audio - +103ms constant 4/1 build Refresh Rate on. No delay set Dolby - +48ms +51ms Dolby TrueHD - +136ms +140ms DTS-HD Master Audio - +181ms +184ms Refresh Rate off. Intel HD graphics output set to 1080p23Hz. Dolby - +24ms constant Dolby TrueHD - +98ms constant DTS-HD Master Audio - +106ms constant I didn't find any difference after FF/RW. For comparison, these are the numbers from nVIDIA Shield and SMPC 16.2.0 Dolby - -93ms -142ms Dolby TrueHD - +17ms -38ms DTS-HD Master Audio - -65ms +4ms (After 1.5 min of playback, the sync seems to settle down within 0 to 5ms). RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - dukester - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 20:51)hdmkv Wrote: Thanks... just install this? And, which version: 2.7.11 or 3.5.1? I know nothing about python, other than the snake variety . no need to install anything with 0401 build installed goto program files x86/kodi and copy python27.dll to somewhere, install new version, take python27.dll and return it to program files/kodi (youll notice it missing from 0407) RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - dukester - 2016-04-09 (2016-04-09, 22:44)wesk05 Wrote: Regarding the lip-sync errors, can some of you test it with this test pattern from Spears & Munsil - AV-Sync Test Pattern This is interesting, I can see differences in sync with different types audio types in 0407 build, I think we can use Kodi a/v sync adjust to get measurements, but it's still slightly subjective. RE: Intel-specific HTPC/NUC Selection w/reliable MVC 3D ISO - hdmkv - 2016-04-09 @wesk05 and @dukester, I'll do the python27.dll copy you've suggested. Also, added this tip to post #1. Just pared-down my home theater gear. RPi's, gone. All cheap Chinese Android boxes, gone. HiMedia Q10 Pro (pre-production unit soon to be replaced w/production version) and nVidia Shield are my only Android boxes. Still have faint hope nVidia will add MVC, but if not by year's end, it's gone as well. Getting rid of all Intel h/w except D34010WYK1 NUC and Dell 3050. Former in dedicated HT (below), latter replacing Pi2 in secondary room w/3D display. I'm gonna be busy auctioning off all the removed gear on eBay. Saving up now for ATMOS and DTS:X sometime this year. Need new AVR and 4x height speakers. |