[mythtv-users] Thoughts on this pico pc?

Nick Rout nick.rout at gmail.com
Wed Feb 4 21:15:14 UTC 2015


On Mon, Jan 5, 2015 at 9:45 AM, Dave MythTV <dave.mythtv at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> On Sun, Jan 4, 2015 at 12:10 PM, Karl Newman <newmank1 at asme.org> wrote:
>>
>> On Sun, Jan 4, 2015 at 1:11 AM, Joseph Fry <joe at thefrys.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sun, Jan 4, 2015 at 3:57 AM, Joseph Fry <joe at thefrys.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_134110.html?currency=USD&gclid=CjwKEAiA5qOlBRDAn8K5qen65joSJADRvlbqblHfMdGK5RZZOy1bOh6wGTsO04j-6sa044K4ZvviBxoCpgLw_wcB
>>>>
>>>> Apparently there is an 8% off + free shipping code on RetailMeNot... but
>>>> since this only charges at ship, I'm not sure if it will actually work and I
>>>> read that they have a $5 "local return" option so you don't need to ship
>>>> overseas in the event of a dud... didn't see how to request it though.
>>>>
>>>> So overall, for $93, it may be a great frontend?
>>>>
>>>> Before I pull the trigger, I wanted folks who have tried mythtv on a Bay
>>>> Trail SOC to chime in... I like the idea of the stick in another thread, but
>>>> without LAN adapter, I think I would rather just tape this on the back of
>>>> the TV and have reliable bandwidth for any media I want to play.
>>>
>>>
>>> Found another site that gave me coupon code "PipoX7LM" that brings the
>>> price down to $89.98.
>>>
>>> Geek Buying has it at $97, and they don't say its a preorder... might be
>>> a safer bet?  They have local return option for $2.99 during checkout, and
>>> 3-5 day shipping via DHL is only $10.
>>> http://www.geekbuying.com/item/PIPO-X7-Windows-8-1-Smart-Mini-PC-TV-Box-Media-Player-2G-RAM-32G-ROM-Intel-3736F-1-8GHz-Quad-Core---Silver-339668.html
>>>
>>> I really want to order a couple... but would love to hear your thoughts!
>>
>>
>> The ECS Liva that has been discussed actively on this list in the last few
>> weeks is also a Bay Trail based system. It's very similar to this one,
>> except this one appears to be a quad core 3736F which is a step up from the
>> dual core N2807 in the Liva. It also has 2 more USB ports which is important
>> to some people, but they look like they are all USB 2.0. It appears to have
>> 32 GB flash in addition to the MicroSD slot. The power appears to be
>> somewhat higher, though (12V 2A compared to 5V 3A) but that could be
>> primarily to support the additional USB ports. It's missing a VGA output if
>> that's important to you.
>>
>> In short, it should work. You might have to do some research & work to get
>> the WiFi operational (assuming there's a linux driver). Be aware that you
>> may not have luck with the Bluetooth, though.
>>
>> Karl
>>
>
> I'm not sure I would say the quad-core Z3736F is a step up from the
> N2807....  The PassMark CPU benchmark averages for the N2807 are 925
> multi-threaded and 444 single-threaded, and for the Z3736F are 982
> multi-threaded but only 368 single-threaded.   The Z3736F also has a lower
> maximum graphics frequency (646 vs 750 MHz).   TDP is within 0.1W (higher
> for the Z3736F), so no gains there.   So which processor is better may
> depend entirely on the task...
>
> One thing is for sure - these low power x86 mini PCs are popping up
> everywhere!    These next few years should be interesting!

Isn't the problem the lack of audio drivers for linux? That is
certainly the case for other Z3736 SOC based machines like the
Meegopad Stick computer.


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