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+--- Thread: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? (/showthread.php?tid=140945)
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What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - GeeZuZz - 2012-09-20
There's a lot of cheap devices out now, but what is the best device for XBMC? Costing less than $125?
I currently have ATV2, and think it's too slow. Raspberry Pi is very cheap, but I read that it isn't necessarily the best device for XBMC?
I will only use it for XBMC. It must have RJ-45 (wireless not necessary).
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - GortWillSaveUs - 2012-09-20
Perhaps if you can find a Used HTPC for sale? But I guess I'm being facetious.
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - DavidT99 - 2012-09-20
(2012-09-20, 17:00)GeeZuZz Wrote: There's a lot of cheap devices out now, but what is the best device for XBMC? Costing less than $125?
I currently have ATV2, and think it's too slow. Raspberry Pi is very cheap, but I read that it isn't necessarily the best device for XBMC?
I will only use it for XBMC. It must have RJ-45 (wireless not necessary).
The ATV2 is as good if not better than any other cheap device.
David
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - heemid17 - 2012-09-20
I've been following this one for ~$90. Once a couple more reviews come in I'll pull the trigger.
http://androidtvbox.us/products/g-box-midnight/
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - tolax - 2012-09-20
The G-Box looked interesting to me but a lack of support forums etc made me nervous. The XBMC Android team developed based on the Pivos Xios DS unit. It is $114 from either Newegg or Amazon (Newegg has a free remote bundle going on at the moment). Supports ICS and probably more usefully a Linux build of XBMC that it can boot straight into.
Not as powerful as the G-Box but very active forums, close links to the XBMC team (Davilla pops up on their forums) made the $25 extra worth it for me. The fact that I believe Pivos also did some sponsorship of the XBMC development was also something I thought should be rewarded.
Caveat - Only had the box a couple of days. For me it seems to do a better job than my ATV2 XBMC unit even though it is still a beta build (Linux). My situation is LAN connections, 1080P out and all media served from a local UNRAID. I'm using the stock skin. YMMV
I suspect though if you are looking for much better 'performance' than the ATV2 (I assume you are talking about skins/navigation etc rather than playback issues) you are going to need to up your budget. The Acer Revo RL7 would be a good machine at around $250-$300. Run openelc or the XBMCbuntu and the thing will fly - hi-def audio as well.
Like most things in life - you pays your money and you makes your choices.......
Tolax
BTW - An ATV2 is typically around $250. Of course the day the ATV3 gets jailbroken that will change
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - DavidT99 - 2012-09-20
(2012-09-20, 19:14)tolax Wrote: ................................................................BTW - An ATV2 is typically around $250. Of course the day the ATV3 gets jailbroken that will change
Crikey! I didn't think they were so expensive.
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - Dougie Fresh - 2012-09-20
$250 can get you a G540/H61/4GB/64GB SSD mini-itx build
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - Ned Scott - 2012-09-20
Pivos XIOS DS is likely the best at $115, but I haven't personally used it yet.
From my own personal experience, the best box for under $100 would be a used ATV1 (wiki) + BCHD (wiki) + Crystalbuntu (wiki). Easily had for less than $100, plays everything I throw at it, is fast and snappy, and can even handle a USB TV tuner, torrents, browser, etc. Mine is my most used HTPC and I use it daily.
ATV2 isn't bad at all (I have one of those too), but won't play as many formats or be as snappy as an ATV1 + BCHD.
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - FNwoz - 2012-09-20
I think right now the best option is the Pivos. I have mine booting right into XBMC through the Linux version if their firmware. I would say today it is on par with Apple TV 2 as I own one of those as well. Keep in mind though they are still in beta in the Linux version of XBMC for the Pivos. It's likely to get better. As of today though, it has played everything I have thrown at it and it handles most plugins just fine.
Re: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - newoski - 2012-09-21
With Newegg deals, a Foxconn 3500 + RAM + SD card + OpenELEC can be had for around 175...
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - GeeZuZz - 2012-09-21
Thanks for all replies!
I actually already own a ATV1 that has been dusting for years... I had no idea I could "upgrade" it. Apart from playback, how does it perform when navigating menus etc, compared to ATV2? I just assumed it was slower. Also, can I just search for BCM970015 on ebay, and I'll get the right one, or are there different versions?
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - gabbott - 2012-09-21
(2012-09-21, 01:27)GeeZuZz Wrote: Thanks for all replies!
I actually already own a ATV1 that has been dusting for years... I had no idea I could "upgrade" it. Apart from playback, how does it perform when navigating menus etc, compared to ATV2? I just assumed it was slower. Also, can I just search for BCM970015 on ebay, and I'll get the right one, or are there different versions?
There was just a thread talking about this and it sounds like the ATV1 is still quite usable:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140739
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - maddog808 - 2012-09-21
(2012-09-21, 01:46)gabbott Wrote:(2012-09-21, 01:27)GeeZuZz Wrote: Thanks for all replies!
I actually already own a ATV1 that has been dusting for years... I had no idea I could "upgrade" it. Apart from playback, how does it perform when navigating menus etc, compared to ATV2? I just assumed it was slower. Also, can I just search for BCM970015 on ebay, and I'll get the right one, or are there different versions?
There was just a thread talking about this and it sounds like the ATV1 is still quite usable:
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140739
+1
I use this in my bedroom, and it is just fine. I regularly see used ATV1s on Craigslist in my area for $50 - $75.
Good luck!!
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - Ned Scott - 2012-09-21
http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140450
$25 will give you your XBMC box :D
I recommend loading it up with Crystalbuntu (wiki) as well. It beats the ATV2 in performance in both video playback and in general operation (menus, etc).
RE: What is the best ~$100 XBMC box? - maddog808 - 2012-09-21
(2012-09-21, 03:24)Ned Scott Wrote: http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=140450
$25 will give you your XBMC box
I recommend loading it up with Crystalbuntu (wiki) as well. It beats the ATV2 in performance in both video playback and in general operation (menus, etc).
Hey, you're in AZ, too.
ATV1s are easy to come by here. Crystalbuntu is awesome. I know I'll get slammed by some on here for saying this, but my ATV1 is not a whole lot different than my A6-3500, when it comes to XBMC.
