[kozz]

Hi,

I have used the xbox console and xbmc for 10 years...

Because the development of xbmc for xbox has stopped and the old console has a lot off limitions, I want to buy a htpc for xbmc.

I read a lot about the zotac zbox HD htpc's, should I go for such one?
Which type do you recommend me?

I have a led tv with HDMI inputs.
My receiver has no hdmi inputs/outputs, only optical inputs.
A gyration media center remote
No blu-ray player... (what about the zotac zbox bluray ??)

Thx

[poofyhairguy]

Three things:

1. Any ION box will work.

2. I recommend using Linux as the OS as its "appliance feel" is more like the Xbox

3. Trying to play Blu Rays on a XBMC system is a "bag of hurt." If you want to play Blu Ray disks get a stand alone Blu Ray player instead. Most of us XBMCers rip our Blu Ray disks to multi-terabyte NASes to play them back in XBMC...

[darkscout]

Is this you?


Today is Nov 3, 2010.
Xbox was released on Nov 11, 2001.
XBMC initial release was in 2003.

XBMCLive installed to disk is the best way I've found to get stuff running. I've had problems with a few systems trying to do a bare Ubuntu install then installing XBMC. Going the other way (adding packages to XBMCLive) was much easier.

[Geeba]

Nothing wrong with Xbox... still my main lounge weapon for XBMC... still developed here too:-
http://www.xbmc4xbox.org

Plenty of people still like its "just works" feel.

ION, MATX-PC's, Apple TV etc are all good but dont expect to not have to go under the hood at some point... I'm waiting for the next appliance type instal.. Boxee or Google TV maybe....

[kozz]

Nice to read that xbox xbmc development is still going on

I'll try it out on my old tv.

But for my new led tv, I want a box which is digital connected to my tv...

Is the ZBOX HD-ID11 good enough? the HD-ID40 overkill?
I can 't find an optical out connection on the box?

thx

[ProphetVX]

Nice to read that xbox xbmc development is still going on

I'll try it out on my old tv.

But for my new led tv, I want a box which is digital connected to my tv...

Is the ZBOX HD-ID11 good enough? the HD-ID40 overkill?
I can 't find an optical out connection on the box?

thx

The HD-ID11 is more than enough to run full 1080p video. In the case of an XBMC Linux setup any atom processor struggles doing over 720p flash video playback, Windows 7 is fine. You'll be able to run any necessary background process without much trouble as well such as sickbeard, couchpotato, sabnzbd, transmission or another bittorrent client, etc etc. 2GB of ram is fine in a setup as well.

Both boxes have optical audio out and HDMI. Both boxes run fans, which may or may not be a problem with you for noise though.

[boykster]

I'm a big fan of the Asrock 330 - I have 2 of them setup running XBMC Live (installed to HD) and they've been rock solid for me. I don't play BD on them directly, but i convert all of my BD titles to full resolution .mkv files and play them back on these machines and they play flawlessly.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6856158009

[kozz]

Is it possible to use the zotac zbox and xbmc without HDD?

thx

[Geeba]

Cant see why not... my Jetway ION2 had a SD slot that you could boot off as well as USB as an option... get a good Class 6 card thou... SD etc isnt the fastest....

[kozz]

The zbox HD-ID11 or ID40 is around 100€'s cheaper without RAM and HDD.

I'm thinking to buy such one. I have 2GB ddr2 ram at home.

So, windows 7 and xbmc can be installed and booted from an usb or SD?

Or is it better(performance,...) to all install in on a hdd?

thx

[Geeba]

SSD all the way! if performance is your goal...

I have this..

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/233209

Blisteringly quick and only £80

[kozz]

What about the difference or the best install option with SD, Hdd or SSD?

thx

[Geeba]

SSD - Faaaaaaast

HDD - OK

SD - Sloooow

SSD is fast, cool and quiet..... but more expensive

[kozz]

thx for the info, but will it make difference, hdd or ssd, when it's only for xbmc usage ?

thx again

[poofyhairguy]

Yep. Makes a huge difference. The interface with a SSD is much "snappier."