What is Best SBC for HTPC? (Single Board Computer for Home Theater)

[Kairos Zenith]

Hello, i'm new to the forum, but kept up with LTT for several years.  i didn't see any posts on my exact question, so i thought i'd make one ..... Well, i've been using an old computer for my HTPC for years, but it's just too old and there's no expandability with the motherboard that's in there and most importantly for me, it doesn't have HDMI output for my HD sound.  So i was thinking about how far computers have come and  i might just run an SBC for my HTPC.  i saw the UDOO bolt v8 looks very nice great, it's small, and might be nice for heat/noise.  It's very tempting, but high on the cost for an SBC, but probably less than i would spend on an actual computer. i was wondering what would be the best SBC for an HTPC would be without going overkill on it, lol. i'm not trying to run games on it, but if i do, it might just be some retro game.  i mainly want it for HD movies, music, & pictures.  i want to send the HD audio to my Denon HD receiver, but the motherboard i have now doesn't have HDMI output, which is why i'm looking for an upgrade without breaking the bank.  i already have a single 8TB hard disk drive in there with an SSD running the O.S. and already have a NAS on my network, too.  Thanks for reading all this and what do you think?

[WereCatf]

1 minute ago, Kairos Zenith said:

Thanks for reading all this and what do you think?

There is no single "best SBC", period. There are plenty of perfectly fine options, but "best" is a matter of taste and needs.

 

As for some options UP Squared is pretty good, I have one. Another one is Odroid H2+, which I also have.

[suedseefrucht]

50 minutes ago, Kairos Zenith said:

HDMI output for my HD sound

 

50 minutes ago, Kairos Zenith said:

HD movies, music, & pictures

How about a Playstation 4?

People sell their's now for cheap since the PS5 is released.
It has HDMI, it even has a toslink audio output.
The operating system and the controller are made to be controlled from a couch.
You can watch Blue-Rays, Netflix, YouTube, the media center can show media from NAS.
And you can just swap the hard drive.

[Kairos Zenith]

11 hours ago, WereCatf said:

There is no single "best SBC", period. There are plenty of perfectly fine options, but "best" is a matter of taste and needs.

 

As for some options UP Squared is pretty good, I have one. Another one is Odroid H2+, which I also have.

yeah, i know there is no best, but just wondering if anyone knew what specs are good for HTPC so i'm not buying extra specs that i don't need.  i've heard of the odroid, but not the UP Squared, i'll check that one out, thanks

[Kairos Zenith]

10 hours ago, suedseefrucht said:

 

How about a Playstation 4?
 

i didn't really give it a thought, cuz i'd rather have a computer i can put anything on, but now that you bring it up, i will give check it out, if the price is right  

[Scooter666]

Not sure about cost but this thing is pretty interesting. https://www.cnx-software.com/2021/01/04/amd-ryzen-embedded-v2000-mini-stx-sbc-to-power-gaming-machines-digital-signage-pos/amp/

 

[KaKi87]

On 12/2/2020 at 8:21 AM, Kairos Zenith said:

i might just run an SBC for my HTPC

Hi,

 

Did you end up doing it, and if yes what did you choose ?

 

Thanks

[cmndr]

Maybe something n100 based?
See if a Beelink S12 Pro checks the box. They're like $100ish, have a 6W idle and have AV1 encoding. 
They're NOT fast parts but they can play videos. 

 

 

On 10/26/2023 at 11:37 PM, KaKi87 said:

Hi,

 

Did you end up doing it, and if yes what did you choose ?

 

Thanks

Wait... I just realized this was a 2 year old zombie thread