[Stantor]

Hi Guys,

I have had a Zotac Zbox id42 for about 2 months now, and i have to say, I LOVE IT!!!

I Now use Windows 8 but I originally started using Ubuntu

My reccomendation for this product is to get a SSD drive and about 8gb of RAM

History
I did a lot of research regarding a Non-Optical media box for my house, I've built machines before and i was really keen to do so again. I had a compilation of parts all ready to go, and at the very last minute, I found the Zbox. So I did the Rash Gamble thing and hedged my bets on Zotac

I purchased the Zbox off Ebay, I'm not sure if I can say the supplier, but they live in Hong Kong, and I live in Australia. The first box I got, Died in 3 weeks. But that Ebay supplier was excellent and arranged for a repair as soon as they got the product. Turnaround was about a month, which is pretty standard for us Au fellas. I can't say it enough, excellent service from that particular Ebay supplier, I emailed politely and they were always polite in their return emails. Please remember, we don't live in a perfect world, so we shouldn't expect our computer gear to be.

Initial Problems
(Please be aware if you have a question, there is a good chance I can answer it)
I can elaborate on any of these Q & A's, Just ask

Q. Zbox remote kept sticking in the direction you last pressed it.
A. The actual Zbox has a Sensor Built in. Jeez!! once I figured that one out I removed the USB sensor and Presto!! problem solved.

Q. Video seems to be tearing during playback (really noticeable during 20th century fox start)
A1. Use windowed fullscreen instead of actual fullscreen (in settings)
A2. Check your Amp, if it dont do DTS-HD, dont set it to DTS-HD (and so on and so on)
The other thing that I found annoying was that my HDMI output was not setup properly, Right Click on the speaker and chose playback devices

So, I really will answer as many questions as I can, if you want to know anything about the Zbox, or are having problems, I had a few, most of them PEBKAC errors, which if you know who to blame in those situations, then you are my friend.

Giddy up Squirrel, Stantor Out!!

[CaptainStereo]

I have been thinking about one of the Z-Box's. I had looked at the 42. But I was also considering the nano AD12. Is there a reason you would suggest the ID42 over the AD12?

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Weird that the smaller nano AD12 has twice the number of USB 2.0 ports. I'll be doing Windows, so I don't have the Linux w/AMD concerns that others have as it relates to bitstreaming audio.

[Stantor]

Hey,
For me it was 2 reasons

1. Dual antenna (which I honestly don't use)

2. 512mb dedicated video card. Even though its small, a dedicated video card will always trump an on board one.

Other than that, it really came down to personal choice, I prefer intel.

Just so you know I can run Blu ray Mkv and Iso on my Zbox, so I imagine you can do the same with the AD12

[CaptainStereo]

Thanks for the reply back. I will be running off of wired ethernet, so wireless capability doesn't matter to me either. Most of what I've read says that if you're using on board graphics, AMD is better than Intel HD4000. But of course, your zbox has the Nvidia card. I don't know that I've read anything that has stated that picture quality from an Nvidia chip like the 610 produces better picture quality than current gen AMD APU's, but am open to the notion.

I also am running mainly blu ray mkv's and m2ts's and the very occasional DVD ISO. Then XBMC using the Aeon Nox skin set up to run Netflix, Vudu, etc...

Right now, I use a Boxee Box which functionally does everything I want. It's just glitchy and slow. Though less so after the excellent "Boxee + hacks" addition. Still, it's a dead platform and only a matter of time before I have to move to something different. Hence the zbox research. Any other pears of wisdom

Hey,
For me it was 2 reasons

1. Dual antenna (which I honestly don't use)

2. 512mb dedicated video card. Even though its small, a dedicated video card will always trump an on board one.

Other than that, it really came down to personal choice, I prefer intel.

Just so you know I can run Blu ray Mkv and Iso on my Zbox, so I imagine you can do the same with the AD12

[Stantor]

Hey,

I have heard the same thing too, i really worked on avoiding the HD4000.

There was one thing that absolutely sold me on the ID42, I couldn't find on any other Zbox products the Specification for 8 channel LPCM Digital audio for the HDMI port. My understanding of this is LPCM, which from my understanding, allows for 7.1 surround. The other product may have it, but it didn't say it on the data sheet, and even the seperate motherboard that was for sale, didn't say it. I have, since buying the ID42, found out that the 82 may have it, but it was an unreliable source.


I would also recommend using Eventghost for mapping your Zbox remote buttons, it is Awesome.

Thanks for the reply back. I will be running off of wired ethernet, so wireless capability doesn't matter to me either. Most of what I've read says that if you're using on board graphics, AMD is better than Intel HD4000. But of course, your zbox has the Nvidia card. I don't know that I've read anything that has stated that picture quality from an Nvidia chip like the 610 produces better picture quality than current gen AMD APU's, but am open to the notion.

I also am running mainly blu ray mkv's and m2ts's and the very occasional DVD ISO. Then XBMC using the Aeon Nox skin set up to run Netflix, Vudu, etc...

Right now, I use a Boxee Box which functionally does everything I want. It's just glitchy and slow. Though less so after the excellent "Boxee + hacks" addition. Still, it's a dead platform and only a matter of time before I have to move to something different. Hence the zbox research. Any other pears of wisdom

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Oh, and the New Ace skin from Marcus is a lot better

[ChaOConnor]

Good Morning,

I too have an ID42. Have used a minimum Ubuntu install and OpenELEC (currently using).

Be mindful, there have been a LOT of failures (I'm on my second unit) detailed here.

Otherwise it's a great devices and I can provide insight if needed/wanted.

I have had great luck w/ Linux/OpenELEC. Wasn't sure about Windows so I never tried.
Stantor, is the Windows install sluggish at all? Do you get Netflix HD okay?

[Dougie Fresh]

If you're looking for an ID42 alternative (albeit with a D2500 instead of Celeron 847) you can find it here. It has the Nvidia GT610 GPU too. There's also a mini-ITX i3 NUC alternative.

[Stantor]

Hey,

When mine died, your post was the post that convinced me to send it away so fast. As soon as I knew it was a hardware error, and a common one at that, the only real thing I could do is send it. I must admit I didn't check your post after I sent it.

I am pretty sure it's the same motherboard as the one I sent away, even thought the serial was different. Before I installed my Genuine Windows 8 on the Zbox I had no experience with Windows 8, but I have had a bucketload of experience crossloading other windows products, and every time you change a motherboard you have to re-activate windows again. I didn't have to in this case. Any Bios glitch would almost certainly mean replacing the motherboard.

I did have a half thought though, maybe its not the bios but the front panel switch. Jeez, those things fail all the time. But mine was working and I wasn't about to go and try and glitch the front panel and risk a voided warranty.

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I Started with Ubuntu, It was good, but because I had a lot of 'initial problems' non related to Ubuntu, I chickened out and went Windows.

I am running an ID42 with a Samsung 120gb SSD and 16gb of RAM. Windows load from Power to Metro is 18.7 seconds. Scary seeming that the first 7 seconds is POST. I have an i7 in the Office and the ID42 drops little black balls all over it.

Once Windows is going, XBMC takes about 20 seconds to load. MQ4 skin, even with skinner cut, was chuggy between screens, especially the first time. Ace is the same for the first time, but after that its as smooth as a baby's behind. I figured that has a lot to do with Ace being a new skin. Aeon Nox and MQ3 were perfect. I have used a few of the developer skins as well, but generally there hasn't been many problems.

I have considered going to OpenELEC, but its such a waste of a Windows 8 key, and although I wouldn't mind, my wife would kill me lol.



===========================

I live in Australia, so sadly there is no Netflix here. I have had no problems streaming other HD stuff, at all. If you can give me another service in Au (quikflix) I would gladly test it for you

Good Morning,

I too have an ID42. Have used a minimum Ubuntu install and OpenELEC (currently using).

Be mindful, there have been a LOT of failures (I'm on my second unit) detailed here.

Otherwise it's a great devices and I can provide insight if needed/wanted.

I have had great luck w/ Linux/OpenELEC. Wasn't sure about Windows so I never tried.
Stantor, is the Windows install sluggish at all? Do you get Netflix HD okay?

[ChaOConnor]

Awesome, thanks for the reply. I'm glad your unit is holding up well for you. You've got me thinking perhaps I should try Windows, if nothing else for the Netflix portion. While I'm still burning my second box in, I'll throw Windows on it and see what's what. Thanks again!

[Stantor]

That looks like a great product, I went to Ecosmartpc when I was looking for barebones, Randomly enough I never saw those 2 products.

If you're looking for an ID42 alternative (albeit with a D2500 instead of Celeron 847) you can find it here. It has the Nvidia GT610 GPU too. There's also a mini-ITX i3 NUC alternative.

[Dougie Fresh]

That looks like a great product, I went to Ecosmartpc when I was looking for barebones, Randomly enough I never saw those 2 products.

If you're looking for an ID42 alternative (albeit with a D2500 instead of Celeron 847) you can find it here. It has the Nvidia GT610 GPU too. There's also a mini-ITX i3 NUC alternative.

They are new . An even smaller version without the ODD slot is in the works too. I think it's something like 44mm high.

[CaptainStereo]

I like the Ace skin too. But you can't do as much with it as Nox. Well, except for fonts. I'd like more fonts.

[/quote]

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Oh, and the New Ace skin from Marcus is a lot better
[/quote]

[Stantor]

I must admit Nox is smoother, I just really like that styles option on Ace

[Jamesjfa]

I've been thinking about a zbox. Do you mind if I ask what seller you bought from?

Cheers
James

[Stantor]

No worries mate
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to mention EBay sellers here (I promise it's not me lol) so here goes...

The seller was afernee_shum

When I had problems I would email after work (Australia) and they would always have a reply before I went to bed. All that and a transport turnaround of about 5 days. I find it really hard not to recommend a business that offers that kind of service

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Lol I'd email them once a week