[mythtv-users] Thoughts on this pico pc?

[Andrew Theurer]

On Sun, Jan 4, 2015 at 2:45 PM, 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.

Thanks for that information.  I'll go scan the Liva thread.  I'll
probably be using wired Ethernet and not any USB ports if I can.  The
one unknown for me is if this thing has IR.

-Andrew
>>
>> 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!
>
> - Dave
>
>
>
>
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