Recommendation for cheap dedicated XBMC box

[Joseph]

Hi all,

 

I have been doing a lot of research but perhaps some friendlies on here might be able to make some recommendations..

 

I am looking for a dedicated XBMC box, really ideally around 100 euro or less. Will play all media from home server through gigabit Ethernet (don't need wireless). Needs to play large blu ray quality files seamlessly and not be sluggish in general.

 

I'd be willing to go somewhat over the 100 euro mark if guaranteed I'll have a crisp, clean performance especially with streaming blu ray over network.

 

I've been looking at NUCs but price point seems quite high, wondering is there a better option for me that will meet my needs

 

Thanks in advance

[TheKDub]

100 euros or less will be really tricky to hit, you might be able to get a mobo, cpu, and ram for that much, though it will all be very low end.

[Joseph]

100 euros or less will be really tricky to hit, you might be able to get a mobo, cpu, and ram for that much, though it will all be very low end.

 

Yeah so I've been looking at rPi solutions but not sure if I can rely on seamless use?

[TheKDub]

Yeah so I've been looking at rPi solutions but not sure if I can rely on seamless use?

 

I doubt a raspberry pi could play back large blu ray files very well, though I have seen people link multiple raspberry pis together some how, I wonder if you could do that to 2-4 of them and get better performance out of them.

[MuffinTopMike]

Raspberry Pi, or if you need something more powerful with sata support you could go with the Cubie Board.

[Aniallation]

I am looking for a dedicated XBMC box, really ideally around 100 euro or less. Will play all media from home server through gigabit Ethernet (don't need wireless). Needs to play large blu ray quality files seamlessly and not be sluggish in general.

 

I'd be willing to go somewhat over the 100 euro mark if guaranteed I'll have a crisp, clean performance especially with streaming blu ray over network.

 

I've been looking at NUCs but price point seems quite high, wondering is there a better option for me that will meet my needs

NOT Raspberry Pi! I had one to try and use as a media player and although video plays back fine (if it's H.264) the navigation and UI is really slow.

 

Check out something like an Android media streamer. I'd recommend the MINIX Neo X5 or X8, as I've had great experiences with them, they are great for XBMC, and come with Ethernet built in.

[Joseph]

NOT Raspberry Pi! I had one to try and use as a media player and although video plays back fine (if it's H.264) the navigation and UI is really slow.

 

Check out something like an Android media streamer. I'd recommend the MINIX Neo X5 or X8, as I've had great experiences with them, they are great for XBMC, and come with Ethernet built in.

 

Thanks this looks really interesting and potentially my ideal product, going to look into it more

[Swingline]

Also look into running OpenELEC. It's XBMC that someone has converted into an independent OS. Similar to the XBMCbuntu option on the core site, but lighter code. I have it running on an AMD E2-1200 (I think that's the part) Zotac box thingy, and it runs Blu-Ray iso's perfectly. Also streaming from media server over gigabit Ethernet.

 

If you're really tight for budget, I believe OpenELEC will install onto a memory card or usb thumb drive if you have to. I have no regrets using it vs XBMC inside a regular OS.

[Jetster]

AM1

 

Also there are C2D systems refurbished out there in the states for under $100 not sure about where you are

[hAxx]

Amazon Fire TV loaded up with XMBC.

 

more info here!