[Pi 4]

I currently have a WD TV Live which works great and meets my needs, however it is getting on in years.

I'm looking around for a replacement and considering the Mi Box, Nuc, Byte 3 and the Shield, among others.

My main concerns would be:

1. I have an 8TB External (NTFS) drive loaded with .ISO, MP4, MKV, ect movie/series files that I'd like to attach directly to the Media Player via a USB port. Most if not all files are 1080/720.

2. Ability to use KODI to view all movies/videos.

3. Use a remote to control all functions, including shutting off unit. This is important since I'll have the HD attached, and it will continue to spin unless the unit is powered off. My WDTV works perfectly in that it powers off and the attached drive shuts down.

Also, I noticed some remotes lack the dedicated FF, REW, ect buttons that are on my WD remote. How is this addressed with these units ?

4. Connect to TV via HDMI with both audio and video passed to TV.


Thank you, Pi

[nickr]

https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=252916

[wrxtasy]

@Pi 4 Hi.

1. Yes most media players should be able to do this with NTFS drives.

2. All you really need is a (non HDR) LibreELEC Kodi Box to play anything you 720/1080p want. You do not need to spend a fortune.

3. If you use LibreELEC Kodi, a Linux based OS you will likely find Green type Hard Drives will sleep when not used even if the media player remains powered. My old 3.5" Western Digital certainly does that with LibreELEC

4. Should not be an issue.

For your needs with an Integrated Wireless remote, which will make for a more responsive media player I would recommend the MINIX U1 and run LibreELEC Kodi Krypton on it from a microSDHC card. (click) HERE for install details.. You are buying quality hardware with MINIX.

The U1 included Wireless MINIX A2 lite mini keyboard remote has dedicated buttons on it for FFWD RWD etc. Powers OFF and ON just fine.
The one advantage with a Mini Wireless keyboard remotes is that after long term Kodi usage, you start learning the Kodi Keyboard shortcuts which makes life much easier for speedy day to day Kodi usage:
https://kodi.wiki/view/Keyboard_controls

With Kodi you can reprogram pretty much any remote button/key you want with the Keymap Editor Addon:
https://forum.kodi.tv/showthread.php?tid=168767

One last bit if using LibreELEC Kodi as well, it comes bundled with a SMB/SAMBA File server. This means you can drag and drop files from a Networked connected PC on to the connected media player Hard Drive. Delete files as well:
https://wiki.libreelec.tv/accessing_libr...__sambasmb

[Pi 4]

Thank you that was very helpful !

Having read through all the info and links I think a 'windows box' that boots directly into Libreelec/Kodi, supports playing movie files (ISO, MP4, ect) from my 8tb external usb hard drive and will shut on/off from the tv remote would be best. Though I will do more reading/research, and look further into those MINIX products.

Are there any boxes that would fit that bill ?? 

Thank you again.