Mini PC options

[bignelly79]

Hi

Just looking for some advice. I have been running Android media consoles for a good while now. Have had or still have all of the following: Minix X8-H, MK808B, CS918, MXIII, MXII and even a few more I can't remember. All of them have had issues with firmware etc but majority I have build to reasonable stable state and either given to mates or still have running for myself. The Minix X8-H is my main box, probably because it cost me the most, I bought one of the first few on release and then had 12 months of hell with dodgy firmware....

Anyway enough of history. I have really only used the boxs for streaming via XBMC/Kodi and some add on app's but 99% of the time I am using Kodi. I am looking to set up a better solution in my house and from what I can see Windows is the way to go to resolve firmware problems and also to get the performance I require.

So I am looking for options. I don't want to spend huge money as I am probably going to invest in NAS device at the same time.

I was looking at the 64GB Pipo X7 but I see there is no H.265 support which is a concern, with no support for H.265 is there any point looking at this type of device?

Next was the Wintel W8/CX-W8 which looks like a good device but can't really find a decent review? any issues with this system?

Just looking for other options people would recommend?

Thanks

[Electroman]

I prefer the hp stream mini. But it's costly, probably out of your budget and I have no idea if it works on h265 videos or not. I use it for kodi, plain and simple and it works great.
I will say this, I have been using androids for 5 or 6 years and I struggled a lot with the software, once I made the changeover to windows I have not once ever had any problem related to software whatsoever, not one single incidence of any problems. So my advice is to spend the extra money to get away from the Chinese engineering. Seems to me they purposely fall short in one way or the other so you continue to move up and keep up with their newest unit. Hp stream mini is engineered far above anything you get from china, also you can change out your ram memory and your hard drive. I'm using stock and having superior results.

[bignelly79]

Is this the box you are referring to ?

http://store.hp.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ContentView?storeId=10151&eSpotName=HPPavilionMini

[no_spam_for_me]

If H.265 is supported or not depends on the GPU/CPU, so if the pipo doesn't support it, you will run into the same problem at the Wintel W8/CX-W8... because of kodi at these kinds of devices have a look at http://freaktab.com/forum/main-categ...windows-tv-box and http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...320-mele-pcg03 (@Flumpster know what he talk about )

Because of other devices have a look at http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...dows-mini-pc-s

[bignelly79]

If H.265 is supported or not depends on the GPU/CPU, so if the pipo doesn't support it, you will run into the same problem at the Wintel W8/CX-W8... because of kodi at these kinds of devices have a look at http://freaktab.com/forum/main-categ...windows-tv-box and http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...320-mele-pcg03 (@Flumpster know what he talk about )

Because of other devices have a look at http://freaktab.com/forum/tv-player-...dows-mini-pc-s

Thanks, I was already looking at the Pcg03, company in UK shipping it so might go with that system

[bignelly79]

Really coming down to Pipo X7 or PCG03.....confused now....Pipo X7 looks to have better spec

[tmc8080]

adnroid devices can have problems running h2.65 too, my old lg dynamic 2 would NEVER run h.265... I'm not sure if it was the adnroid 4.3 or the crappy processor/gpu/ram combo.. but my LG Ultaimte 2 can run h.265 video now (downscaled to 720p)... go figure.. caveat emptor with most 1st gen windows mini pc's you only get Intel hd7 gpu spec.. that means no NATIVE 4k output, this was THE advantage of android boxes over anything intel would offer, though 1080p and multitasking could trump offering 4k video out of the gate.. expect 4k to appear sometime next year with HD8.. versions.. direct X 11.2 and 4k..

I still haven't upgraded my PC and monitor to 4k.. there is no compellilng reason to yet..

[bignelly79]

I ended up with buying the PCG03....