[skyking376]

Zotac ID82 got fried after a power outage/surge (surge protector didn't work apparently)
My current box to run KODI --> (http://old.zotac.com/in/products/mini-pc...-id82.html)
NAS box (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=109453)

My setup is the zotac as just a Kodi box Running Windows 8 and Krypton 17. Since I am only using my Zotac box as a "dumb box" and not really using windows after a few weeks or reading (and not fully understanding) my needs might be met with OpenElec/LibreElec type setup for more an "appliance like" feel since that is what I am doing already with overkill in an current operating system/setup?

I am looking for an equal or better replacement and my list of needs are:
1) Quiet as possible
2) Faster than current setup (not sure if lower hardware but simple LibreElec OS is same or faster?)
3) Can turn on/off with remote (Push some sort of button and box powers off with probably some led light on or not?). Zotac box came with remote and some sort of IR remote receiver that I am currently using. 
4) I currently have Harmony 650 remote...I want it to work with that. (would I also need to get replacement IR remote receiver?)
5) Blazing fast with KODI Krypton 17 and Aeon Nox 5 Silvo skin with most of the pretty stuff turned on


I read the "Start here" main thread (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916) and I fall into the category of
1) "Fastest - Appliance like pure Kodi only box booting straight into LibreElec Kodi" (I saw ASUS chromebox in there)
2) "I need the most stable, proven, bullet proof, 1080p Kodi use only, boxes going around" (Again I saw ASUS chromebox in there)
I am open to other solutions but saw a common device.



--Read this thread (http://kodi.wiki/view/Chromebox) and think Asus Chromebox CN62 due to quietest fan? Not sure how outdated this is?
--Found this to give breakdown of chromeboxes (https://chromebook-review.com/chromebox-comparison/) No idea what level I would need to be same or slightly better than current setup.
--Did search on amazon and found this (https://www.amazon.com/Asus-CHROMEBOX-M0...4096e&th=1). Don't know if
I get option 1,2, or 3 (Celeron 2952U, Celeron 3215U, or Intel core i3 5010U) and then which memory options 1,2, or 3?

I tried to do my homework...now I need advice from the experts. 

Thanks for helping a noob!

[Klojum]

You haven't mentioned anything about a budget for a new setup.

If you want absolute silence, you will need something fanless.
For only 1080p video material, an Raspberri Pi 3 will be sufficient.
For a more future-proof video chip, there is the Odroid C2 or Wetek HUB.

In the NUC-like boxes, there is something like https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Cubi-3-Silent-7m/Overview ,
or maybe an actual Intel NUC with a IR receiver built-in. But then again, most NUCs have fans.

[wrxtasy]

I am looking for an equal or better replacement and my list of needs are:
1) Quiet as possible
2) Faster than current setup (not sure if lower hardware but simple LibreElec OS is same or faster?)
3) Can turn on/off with remote (Push some sort of button and box powers off with probably some led light on or not?). Zotac box came with remote and some sort of IR remote receiver that I am currently using. 
4) I currently have Harmony 650 remote...I want it to work with that. (would I also need to get replacement IR remote receiver?)
5) Blazing fast with KODI Krypton 17 and Aeon Nox 5 Silvo skin with most of the pretty stuff turned on

The AMLogic S912 - MINIX U9 with LibreELEC Kodi Krypton and it Wireless Mini Keyboard remote would suit and its a pretty snappy setup, especially if all LE and Kodi data is copied to and used from internal eMMC storage.
You can reprogram Harmony's to exact copy the MINIX IR mini remote for all functionality. (U9 comes with 2 remotes, IR and Wireless). But you will likely prefer the Wireless setup anyway. All this can power OFF / ON LibreELEC.
MINIX U9 & LibreELEC is also offering 1080p / 4K HDR with a full auto everything setup. It really works well once setup

My non HDR - ODROID C2 with eMMC and a slight RAM & CPU Overclock is as fast as the MINIX U9, and stable. It has an IR receiver and can be turned OFF / ON. I still prefer to leave it on 24/7 and use a Wireless Remote. These AMLogic ARM devices use stuff all power anyway.

If you want Blazingly fast, pull out your wallet and its Intel time again with Dual Channel memory and SSD storage. If future proofing Intel to try and reach media player features that the MINIX U9 is offering it will have to be Apollo Lake or Kaby Lake. But even then things like HD Audio passthrough will not be super reliable with Intel Apollo Lake / Kaby Lake LibreELEC due to the problematic Display port > HDMI 2.0 adapter most "Lakes" are using.

[skyking376]

Thank you for the replies.

Wow...this is difficult as there seems to be more forks in road than less. I am also getting lost in the alphabet soup of model numbers. You are right...I didn't say anything about budget! How about anything under $500? I could go higher but would prefer not to.

Option 1)
I think the fanless "Cubi 3 Silent" (https://www.msi.com/Desktop/Cubi-3-Silent-7m/Overview) is what I am looking for but I couldn't find price or anywhere that sells it? Maybe not out yet? If/when it is available is it a ready to go box or do I have to get hard drive, Windows 10 operating system, RAM, etc or is it a package deal? Could I have LibreELEC as only OS to then start up KODI as default?

Option 2)
Are these the same?
Minix Neo U9-H review from here (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=308251)
Amazon here (https://www.amazon.com/MINIX-Octa-Core-S...B06XDPX1JG)

Option 3)
Wetek HUB review (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=280406)
Amazon here (https://www.amazon.com/WeTek-Android-Str...=wetek+hub)

Option 4)
ODROID C2...Although appears cheap/easy I think this is above my pay grade in tech knowledge and I foresee myself getting frustrated. Maybe another day as a side project.

Questions about user interface from above choices:
I think I only have a very "top level" understanding of LibreELEC. If some of these boxes are android are they "wiped clean" to put LibreELEC? Or is it dual boot (which I don't really need) or LibreELEC is another app on the main android start-up screen. I have never used android before and only know user interface from this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cru9M_4jHPw). I think (please correct my understanding) that these boxes boot into whatever their OS is so I can access things like Netflix, Hulu, websurfing, etc and we then would put "Kodi" as another app? Is it possible to just have kodi start up as default (even with main interface first, then auto start kodi)

I really appreciate the replies...I helps tremendously with my very noob understanding.

[Klojum]

The MSI Cubi Silent was just announced, so it may take a couple of weeks (months?) to be available in the shops. And memory dimms and/or storage are likely not included, as with most NUC-like boxes. Dual channel (=2 dimms) is preferred in case of 4K 60fps videos and overall speed.

[wrxtasy]

@skyking376,

Option (2) yes both those are the same. For LibreELEC, no matter what hardware platform, you firstly flash a SD card or USB stick with a LibreELEC image. Once that is up and running you can wipe internal storage and transfer LibreELEC to internal eMMC Flash / SSD storage and then have the device running and booting straight into LibreELEC Kodi.

Option (4) the C2 is even easier. Flash eMMC storage module, plug it into the box and boot straight into Kodi in 9 seconds. Hardest part is getting all the correct parts together. If you can construct Lego you can put together a C2.

Yes you can also Dual boot Android / LibreELEC with a bunch or AMLogic boxes, but Kodi will usually run slower from a micro SDHC card only unless you transfer all LibreELEC Kodi data to faster internal eMMC storage.

There is plenty of help available over on the LibreELEC forums to get this all up and running. If you can construct a PC / NUC, and install Windows and configure you can install LibreELEC. Its not that hard.
For MINIX (or C2), you then just plug the MINIX A2/A3 - USB Wireless receiver - remote control dongle in, or program your harmony remote to a MINIX (or Hardkernel) one and you are good to go. The Harmony will even turn the device OFF / ON then.

Do not want to do DIY - buy a NVIDIA Shield. Install Android Kodi from inbuilt Playstore. Android Kodi will not be as good as any highly optimised, faster LibreELEC Kodi release. It really depends which features of Kodi you want working properly.
The 2017 NVIDIA Shield does not have an IR receiver.

Kodi responsiveness on ANY Kodi hardware you buy will be superior when using a Wireless only remote. IR only is old tech and usually slow when IR Harmony's are involved.

[noggin]

If you want Blazingly fast, pull out your wallet and its Intel time again with Dual Channel memory and SSD storage. If future proofing Intel to try and reach media player features that the MINIX U9 is offering it will have to be Apollo Lake or Kaby Lake. But even then things like HD Audio passthrough will not be super reliable with Intel Apollo Lake / Kaby Lake LibreELEC due to the problematic Display port > HDMI 2.0 adapter most "Lakes" are using.

From my - limited - experience - you are likely to have better results with 2160/60p with HD Audio bitstreaming with Apollo Lake if you buy a platform with a Displayport output and do the DP 1.2->HDMI 2.0 conversion externally (rather than buy a platform with on-board conversion and an on-board HDMI 2.0 output). I'm using a CAC-1070 Club3D converter http://www.club-3d.com/en/detail/2366/di...e_adapter/ which I've updated to the latest firmware (the upgrade utility and firmware is available on their forums)

Also - so far - I've had better experience with Windows rather than Linux OOTB.

[Andy2222]

Also - so far - I've had better experience with Windows rather than Linux OOTB.

I also have no HD Audio bit-streaming problems on Win10 and Apollo Lake, even with the dreaded "hdmi 2.0" converter.

@skyking376 There is a new Apollo-Lake zotac box out "ZBOX-CI327NANO", which is a C-series passive cooled box, uses the decent 4 core variant (N3450) for problematic CPU/SW only anime encodes and has a separate DP 1.2 output to avoid the current linux HD-Audio problems. If i had to buy my HTPC again this box would be on my top list to check out.

[skyking376]

Ok...I went with option #2 Minix Neo U9-H.

Started it up no problems and figured out the baby USB tucked inside remote where batteries go was for remote to work. Picked a USB port on Minix box and remote works fine.

Kodi appears to be built in the "apps" section of Minix Neo U9-H. There must be a good reason to 1) install/boot from another OS (libreELEC) and 2) Then put Kodi on LibreElec OS side? I am still confused if when getting LibreElec to work are we wiping the box clean and having LibreElec OS the one and only OS on this Minix box or is it dual boot or....what

I followed directions of setting up USB stick using the "USB-SD Creator". I wasn't sure but there were only 7 options for LibreELEC version and I picked "Generic x86_64". I didn't get any "write errors" for the USB stick so then plugged it into Minix and still boots to android OS. I have tried all 3 USB ports thinking maybe 1 of them would be "boot" but no luck? I couldn't find any way in Android OS or all the apps to change any boot setting of any kind. All I did is look and not change anything since it is first time I have ever used android OS. 

It boots to Android OS in 29 seconds and has no fan but other than that I am stuck. I am sure I have missed some obscure step that is obvious to smart tech people but for me is mind boggling.

So Step 1...how do I get it to boot from USB stick (provided I created it correctly)?
Step 2, can I have it boot directly to LibreElec (and how to do that?)
Step 3 wrxtasy said "...Once that is up and running you can wipe internal storage and transfer to internal eMMC flash/SSD storage and then have device running and booting straight into LibreELEC Kodi"...

Wipe internal storage of what?
I looked up what eMMC flash and SSD are and have a slightly better understanding but not much better. First what is in the MINIX box and how would I even open it to put in either eMMC or SSD? Second how would I know what to buy and how to install inside the MINIX box? If I need to buy something that is fine I will certainly need links of what make/model since I would more than likely choose the wrong one.

I am sure I will have more questions and I appreciate the patience everyone has given this noob!

Thank you

[nickr]

In general see https://forum.libreelec.tv/board/38-amlogic/

There is an install howto somewhere in that subforum.

You are likely to have to download a specific s912 build rather than one of the ones from the installer. Certainly x86_64 is NOT going to work on an ARM chip!

[wrxtasy]

There is a Mini DIY LibreELEC install (section (d) for the MINIX U1 that also applies to the U9 - obviously using different images:

AMLogic S905(x) -  LibreELEC / OSMC - Kodi Krypton - 4K Options(click)

This is the U9 - AMLogic S912 image used:
LibreELEC-S912.arm-8.2-8.2.0.1.img.gz

The following is the device tree used (rename to dtb.img - save to SD card or USB stick:
gxm_q200_2g.dtb  

This is the LE U9 - S912 help forum:
[8.2.0.1] LibreELEC 8.2 for S912

Final Tip - whatever you do do NOT mess or enable with the Kodi "Sync Playback to Display" option. LE AMLogic devices do not need it.

[skyking376]

Got it to work...Now I just need to remap my Harmony remote with LibreELEC. Is there any defined or simple way before I reinvent the wheel?

Thanks for all the assistance! It was absolutely appreciated. I think as a side project I might give the ODROID C2 side project a go? I would certainly need step by step instructions like all members provided.

[wrxtasy]

I've already posted C2 install instructions above. Its really simple:

AMLogic S905(x) -  LibreELEC / OSMC - Kodi Krypton - 4K Options(click)

[skyking376]

Understood. Minix Box works fantastic by the way! Thank you very much!

I have a dumb question...Does libreelec have any limits on which skin to choose? I would like to use Aeon Nox 5 Silvo (https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=210069). I wasn't sure if certain skins are not allowed or not supported under a LibreElec OS.

Thank you.

[wrxtasy]

Nice work.

LibreELEC is just the optimised OS designed to run a version of Linux Kodi. You can install any Skin you find available.