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Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - Printable Version

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Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - jungario - 2013-12-14

Hi,
I am new at building up on a barebone machine, ZBOX-ID18-U, if I understood properly all what is needed is an msata or sata drive not sure, and laptop memory and I am good to go?
If so, I would appreciate any suggestion with the drive/memory to buy. Might run windows 8 on it, if it will struggle then definitely openelec.
Thanks


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - doduv2 - 2013-12-19

Actually you can forego the hard drvie if you want. You can boot directly from a usb drive (using openelec for instance) if you want. I guess you could also boot from the memory card slot.

If you boot from usb drive, you can acces your media files by network or external hard drive if you have one.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - wileecoyote - 2013-12-19

I have three Zotac machines and all three run Openelec . My recommendation would be to run openelec on an internal sata drive, as thumb drives can be a little slower/sluggish.

For memory, any DDR3-1600 204 pin memory would do. Like this one from newegg...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231469

As for the hard drive, get the cheapest 2.5" SATA you can find. Here is one from Amazon for $20.00
http://www.amazon.com/Generic-60GB-Laptop-Internal-drive/dp/B00AAKF8O8/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1387469125&sr=8-10&keywords=2.5+sata+hard+drive

Again, unless you have some specific requirements for running Windows (Like Netflix), I would go with Openelec. It is a great experience on these Zotac machines.

Wile E.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pigacc - 2013-12-20

I'm also looking at ZBOX-ID18-U. I have a lot of Asian video in RMVB format (some are 720p). I'm wondering if ZBOX-ID18-U + OpenElec can handle that?! Does it have enough power to process them? If not, any alternatives?

Many thanks!


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - fritsch - 2013-12-21

I have that box. It can even decode 4K, does 1080i50 and all bitstream formats. Including that sample: http://jell.yfish.us/media/Jellyfish-70-Mbps.mkv

We are currently experimenting with code, to get the surface back to system ram for deinterlacing. This also works quite nice on that machine. Concerning the fan: I have set the fan to 30% it's not hearable at all, though I think - I should put it on 40% :-)

Current Temperatures (have watched 60 minutes of live tv);
Quote:fritsch@vaapi:~$ sensors
acpitz-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1: +27.8°C (crit = +106.0°C)
temp2: +29.8°C (crit = +106.0°C)

coretemp-isa-0000
Adapter: ISA adapter
Physical id 0: +80.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 0: +79.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)
Core 1: +80.0°C (high = +87.0°C, crit = +105.0°C)

pkg-temp-0-virtual-0
Adapter: Virtual device
temp1: +80.0°C

I don't know about those RMVB files. If you get me a sample, I can test for you. I am really amazed by that box. 100 euros for pretty everything, including hi10p playback.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - Oxize - 2013-12-21

I am using an Zotac Zbox ID82 with OCZ Vertex 3 120GB an 8GB memory, which is a verry nice combination. My zbox is wired connected on my netwerk, and gets its movies from my main pc which runs mostly 24/7. Using an SSD in combination with XBMC/Windows is verry nice.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pigacc - 2013-12-22

(2013-12-21, 16:53)Oxize Wrote: I am using an Zotac Zbox ID82 with OCZ Vertex 3 120GB an 8GB memory, which is a verry nice combination. My zbox is wired connected on my netwerk, and gets its movies from my main pc which runs mostly 24/7. Using an SSD in combination with XBMC/Windows is verry nice.

I just bought one today Big Grin

I'm planning to try OpenELEC using a USB drive first, and then decide if I'll use USB vs SSD vs HD drive and Windows vs OpenELEC. Of course, I need to get some RAM (2GB for now?) first.

For OpenELEC, which build I shoud use? A link will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - fritsch - 2013-12-22

Start with the nightlies right away. Gotham Beta1 is not far away and working already quite fine, follow that thread: http://openelec.tv/forum/20-development-discussion/67846-xbmc-gotham-generic-nightly-builds


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pigacc - 2013-12-23

(2013-12-22, 08:56)fritsch Wrote: Start with the nightlies right away. Gotham Beta1 is not far away and working already quite fine, follow that thread: http://openelec.tv/forum/20-development-discussion/67846-xbmc-gotham-generic-nightly-builds

Thanks! BTW, is it 32bit or 64bit version of OpenELEC? Sorry for my newbie question, this is my first time to use OpenELEC...

Too bad we have power outage right now... I'll definitely try it out after we have power back!


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - fritsch - 2013-12-23

Use the 64 bit version generic nightly.

Have fun.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pigacc - 2013-12-24

(2013-12-23, 21:35)fritsch Wrote: Use the 64 bit version generic nightly.

Have fun.

Thanks!


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pigacc - 2013-12-31

Finally I got a chance to play around. Added a 4GB DDR3 1600MHz Ram and I'm using a 4GB USB thumb drive with OpenELEC 3.2.3 which I set up previously for a netbook and everything is working & FAST! I'm really impressed.

I'll try a fresh install of latest nightly later!


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - pieterpater - 2014-01-06

I recently got the Zotac zbox id-18. I put a kingston 60GB SSD and 4GB 1600MHz RAM in it and installed openelec.
Everything works very smoothly with the Aeon Nox skin and it plays everything I throw at it.

So, I'm very happy with the box and its pricetag. I've payed just under 200€ for the whole.

Keep in mind that it doesn't come with a remote or a built in infrared receiver and no wifi.


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - litfoo - 2014-01-06

Guys - am looking to get this unit.

Can it:

- Handle HD 1080p mkv Video files, including Bluray playback or Lossless Video (Remux), VC-1,

- Handle HD audio (DTS-HDMA and True-HD) passthrough - either through HDMI and/or Optical cable

Thanks,

litfoo


RE: Zotac ZBOX-ID18-U Barebones Mini PC - fritsch - 2014-01-06

There is not Bitstream Audio via SPDIF.

Yes concerning the other question.