[fhouse]

I am looking for hardware to run XBMC that has HDMI and Optical (S/PDIF) outputs. My Harmon Kardon receiver (AVR 412) doesn't support audio and video over HDMI so I HAVE to have hardware that can output video over HDMI and audio over optical. I've looked into the following options:

* Pivos XIOS DS - no optical output; otherwise, I would definitely go this route
* Lenovo Q190 - At $300 I might as well start looking at replacing my receiver; also, I already have a NAS and don't need the storage
* ATV2 (jailbroken) w/ XBMC - seems like a cost effective option... if I can find one

Any suggestions in the $100 range (or otherwise)? My backup plan is to bail on XBMC and go with a WD TV Live which has both HDMI and Optical outputs.

[nickr]

Revo r3710 second hand? Usb sound card from turtle beach?

[fhouse]

Turtle beach sound card sounds like a great suggestion, but in looking at the specs it requires Windows in order to output digital sound. So, I guess this rules out the Pivos and would require me to have a HTPC with an HDMI output, right?

[nickr]

It will work on linux on x86 hardware. Don't know about linux on arm. Actually I'll plug a usb soundcard into an arm machine later and see what happens.

[MediaPi]

This
sumvision-cyclone-android-x2

Sumvision Cyclone Android x2 Dual Core Smart Media player with standard remote



Specifications




CPU - ARM CORTEX A9 DUAL CORE, 1500MHz, 3D engine
RAM - 1GB
Google Play pre-installed
4GB Flash memory (expandable using SD/SDHC card)
Inputs - 4x USB port, SDHC slot
Outputs - HDMI, AV, component, optical port, coaxial port
LAN - RJ45 and Wi-Fi 802.11n 150Mbps
Video Output - 1080P
Android- 4.1


another member mentioned this box and said it runs 1080p no problem

Not sure if you can get it for america for the sale price of £59

[fhouse]

Nick-

From the Turtle Beach Micro II page:

This digital connection lets you enjoy DVD or streaming digital movies on your Mac or PC in high-quality, pure digital format. By installing an optional driver, the digital output can also send Dolby® Digital or DTS™ surround sound as an encoded digital audio stream to your home theater system. (NOTE: This feature is only available on the Windows platform.)

It seems that if I buy Pivos + TB Micro 2 I will get "digital output", but not Dolby Digital or DTS. So basically, no surround sound, right?!

[MediaPi]

Pivos are meant to have new hardware in the next few weeks, its meant to be something seical, I woudn't recommend buying a pivos till then

[fhouse]

Thoughts on the G-Box Midnight MX2? According to the specs it has HDMI and optical outputs, and runs XMBC. This might be a winner.

[nickr]

http://www.linuxplained.com/hd-playback-...nd-card-2/

The micro ii device will pass through DTS and AC3. on x86 anyway, I don't know about arm

[pbezza]

Was just googling for the same thing. Stumbled across the Cubox-i which comes in a few different flavours. You can only pre-order at this stage but their site says pre-orders start shipping by the end of November. http://cubox-i.com/

[awp0]

FYI, another approach would be to purchase any device with HDMI and then use this HDMI/Optical audio extractor. I'm using it with both Raspbmc and Chromecast because my receiver doesn't have HDMI. Costs about $45 shipped, but it works perfectly:
http://www.amazon.com/ViewHD-Premium-Aud...+extractor