Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

[titooo7]

Re: Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

Yeah, Amlogic have said it can handle 4k whereas Intel said the 2820 is only 1080p. Funny thing is I managed to install the Android X86 version (very buggy)on the NUC and run Antutu and got 25000, the X8 gets 24000 . Windows 8.1 should make a difference its a nice OS on your TV.

Which android x86 version did you install in the NUC? This one: http://www.android-x86.org/
or this one: https://01.org/android-ia/downloads ?

I installed the second and it's buggy as hell. The first one is newer but it's not compiled specifically for bail trail devices?
However if the NUC can play 1080p with w8.1 in IE properly then I will be more than happy with the NUC and I will give aways the X8-H

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

[Batfink32]

Re: Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

Which android x86 version did you install in the NUC? This one: http://www.android-x86.org/
or this one: https://01.org/android-ia/downloads ?

I installed the second and it's buggy as hell. The first one is newer but it's not compiled specifically for bail trail devices?
However if the NUC can play 1080p with w8.1 in IE properly then I will be more than happy with the NUC and I will give aways the X8-H

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

Yeah it was the second one. Virtually impossible to use but I managed to install and run Antutu.You can dual boot it with Windows which is what I did.

[NikAmi]

As far as I'm concerned, the Amlogic chip cannot do 4k until it can properly render most clips without a huge amount of error. From what I've read and based on my own limited testing, the box mangles most 4k content except for a few choice clips which the manufacturers used to showcase their 4k ability.

[titooo7]

Re: Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

As far as I'm concerned, the Amlogic chip cannot do 4k until it can properly render most clips without a huge amount of error. From what I've read and based on my own limited testing, the box mangles most 4k content except for a few choice clips which the manufacturers used to showcase their 4k ability.

I just tested the 4k video I told you but I also kind of agree that the device probably won't be able to play most of the 4K videos. However I'm not interested in that particular feature so I don't care...but yeah... its not nice to hear manufacturers say that it can play 4k video just because it can play some of them.

Sent from my GT-N7100 using Tapatalk

[ajw107]

Just to give you more options than you wanted, the new Pentium G3258 is making quite a bus, £60 and matching an i& apparently in some test when overclocked...

[tommix]

Of course it's better than X8. MUCH better investment in future.

im thinking to buy this: http://www.aliexpress.com/store/prod...847650084.html

i have spare RAM, i have unused PC remote controller. Compared to this pc - X8 is a kid's toy.
Also installing android in this-not good idea. I would go with OpenELEC or WinXP + XBMC

[titooo7]

I received my Intel NUC DN2820FKYH and here is my feedback.

I use it with a 4GB ram module, 120gb SSD samsung evo 840 (don't even try to use it with a regular HDD because then the performance will suck) and a Logitech K400R keyboard.

1-NUC with LINUX MINT 17 MATE:
I found out that one of the CPU's sometimes was with 100% usage even if not any single software (other than System Monitor was being used). When running apt-get upgrade (which means when upgrades are being installed) the CPU usage reach 100% in both cores. I guess that's why Intel recommends Windows. I wouldn't recommend this particular NUC it if you plan to use it LM 17 Mate. It might work much better with XCFE, Xubuntu or lighter Linux distress....

2-NUC with OPENELEC:
If your only purpose is to use it with Openelec then it's 10 times better. However for some people (including myself) it's too much money to spend in a device just for openelec

3-NUC with WINDOWS 8.1:
-Pros: It's a joy to use this device and be able to use anything because I guess we all know that there is a lot of software or even websites that run better on Windows than in any other device.
When it comes to gaming, I just installed Asphalt 8 and GT Racing 2 and I could see that the graphics were much more better than any android device I have seen (although there were some small frame drops sometimes).
-Cons: As you can imagine it's not a multitasking PC but I still was expecting it to perform better. Specially when the computer has been on for several minutes you can see how the mouse pointer or the keyboard have some lag when you have around 3 apps opened.
The worst thing about it is that even if you close the apps you will see that those apps are still running in the background (check with task manager) and once it happens the system takes some time to work fast again even if you end the process with task manager.
What will I do with the NUC N2820?
Due the cons mentioned above I will return the NUC because having W8.1 installed it's too difficult to avoid to have 3 apps opened at the same time (usually Internet Explorer with 3-4 tabs, Netflix or XBMC + Windows Store).
However I don't give up with the NUCs and I'm thinking about getting an i3 or i5 NUC. I don't mind to pay more if the performance is what I expect.

Minix X8-H:
If you have a look to the threads in this forum you could see it's cons and pros.
-Pros: It's cheaper and you shouldn't have any problem to play any 1080p video. Android has lot of apps and games which could be a good thing if you have a compatible controller.
-Cons: The software is far from stable and the performance in certain areas is worst than the one of other android devices with theorically worst hardware.
Some apps that are important for some people like Netflix or Amazon Instant Video don't work well on Android or simply don't work.
Other apps like Sopcast/Time4Popcorn perform better in W8.1 than in Android/X8-H...
And last but not least some units seem to run too hot.
-What will I do with the X8-H?
I will keep it at least till I get a nice NUC or other Mini-PC that satisfy me 100% and maybe I will keep it if the current issues that bother are fixed.


PS: If someone wants a NUC and needs the ram I can sell you the 4gb DDR3 Crucial module I bought at Amazon at a cheaper price

[vel2000]

I'm also thinking about buying a NUC (or an equivalent netbook, like the Asus X200MA or similar).
So I used my notebook with Win 8.1 for a test, to see if my requirements would be met, compared with my older Pivos TV Box with XBMC.

I have only compared "Mediabox/Server parts" which are relevant for me

Pro NUC (Windows):

• You can run almost any x86 Software/OS you like, driver and updates *should* be no major issue.
• Live TV via USB stick or card
• No tinkering with possibly buggy custom firmwares.
• Teamviewer/RDP, you can control your Box easily with almost any device
• running a Plex Server with Live transcoding (if you need that)

Pro Android Box:

• A centralised Repo (Google Play), so no hunting for app updates (except XBMC..;-))
• Specialised apps for Video services, like Netflix, Sky, or german "Mediatheken" which are more convenient to use than their browser pendants.
  Some are also available as a "Metro app", but I find their quality often much lower, compared with Android.
• I haven't found any comparable Windows replacement for MxPlayer, when it comes to Apple HLS Live streams.
  VLC (Win) plays my favourite streams, but with a riculously high amount of CPU lad.
  Xbmc's (Win) CPU load is ok, but both player are not capable of buffering/caching these HLS streams, so stuttering can occur.
  Also, if you're pausing the stream, they don't load any more segments and just stop.
  No problem with MX
• Server services, like SSH, SCP, Webserver etc. are easy to setup. (SShdroid, Sambadroid, servers ultimate etc.)
• BubbleUpnp...nothing comparable for Windows?
• Much better Chromecast support

I've possibly forgotten some things, but I think these are the most important for me...I don't care about 4K.
So, what now...?

I would go with OpenELEC or WinXP + XBMC

Openelec is a good choice, IF your only intention is to run XBMC only.
Whereas running WinXP is an absolutely stupid idea nowadays.

[Batfink32]

I agree with all of the above posts, there's positive and negative to each players. I think I'm going to sell my X8 because of the overheating problems I have. The NUC is just much better built and provides a better Windows interface and less buggy experience.

Sent From My LG G3 Using Tapatalk

[tommix]

I agree with all of the above posts, there's positive and negative to each players. I think I'm going to sell my X8 because of the overheating problems I have. The NUC is just much better built and provides a better Windows interface and less buggy experience.

Sent From My LG G3 Using Tapatalk

Dont buy NUC it's overpriced. There are better options and cheaper in Aliexpress with Intel Celeron. Of course if you dont care money-go for nuc But you can save up to 50%

Whereas running WinXP is an absolutely stupid idea nowadays.

No, running win8 is dumb, winXP was and is best Microsoft OS so far. It Maximum needs only 512MB ram to be smooth. Why does anyone needs 5 times bigger os to watch videos-i dont know.

I use it with a 4GB ram module, 120gb SSD samsung evo 840 (don't even try to use it with a regular HDD because then the performance will suck) and a Logitech K400R keyboard.

WHAT?? are you joking? regular sata HDD is slow for XBMC application?? Nonsence. 128GB SSD cost more then whole pc..that's not optimal build at all.

[no_spam_for_me]

... No, running win8 is dumb, winXP was and is best Microsoft OS so far. It Maximum needs only 512MB ram to be smooth. Why does anyone needs 5 times bigger os to watch videos-i dont know....

+1
(and if I remember correctly I run it at less then 512MB at the past at a pentium ~800MHz, BUT 512MB is definitely enough; and I think a sata also)

[titooo7]

Re: Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

Dont buy NUC it's overpriced. There are better options and cheaper in Aliexpress with Intel Celeron. Of course if you dont care money-go for nuc But you can save up to 50%.

No, running win8 is dumb, winXP was and is best Microsoft OS so far. It Maximum needs only 512MB ram to be smooth. Why does anyone needs 5 times bigger os to watch videos-i dont know.




WHAT?? are you joking? regular sata HDD is slow for XBMC application?? Nonsence. 128GB SSD cost more then whole pc..that's not optimal build at all.

NUC is more expensive than aliexpress mini pcs for the same reason than Chinese branded phones and tablets are more expensive than phones and tablets of other brands. So everyone can draw their own conclusion about why and check if they are ready to take the risk buying a computer in aliexpress (warranty, repair, etcetera) or make a safe bet buying a NUC in local stores or good stores like Amazon.

It's really difficult to find people who think windows xp is a better OS to use in an HTPC than windows 8.... Majority can also be wrong, but in this particular case I'm sure that anyone who is reading what you say and tested both windows versions think that you are absolutely wrong.

I honestly think that someone that thinks that Windows xp is better than windows 8 it must be a Mac/Linux fanatic. Specially if you consider that we are talking about using the computer as a media center not as an administrator that only use Outlook and Office.

If you plan to use only XBMC it doesn't really matter if you use it hdd, ssd or maybe even USB 2.0...
But if you are going to install a real OS you better spend 50 euros, dollars or pounds more and buy an SSD.
It's not because I say that, there are hundred of people who tried both drives and agrees that upgrading from hdd to SSD is the best upgrade you can do to any kind of pc no matter which OS you are running on it.
I guess you never used an SSD and that's why you say that. You really should test it yourself because there is difference not only in benchmarks but also in real life tasks.

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[vel2000]

No, running win8 is dumb, winXP was and is best Microsoft OS so far. It Maximum needs only 512MB ram to be smooth. Why does anyone needs 5 times bigger os to watch videos-i dont know.

• We have 2014 and talking about Nuc's with 4Gb RAM or more, not outdated "mini-pc's" with slow Celerons and 1GB Ram from the XP era or even before.
  I also highly doubt, you will get any XP drivers for modern (NUC) hardware. (good so)
• XP is dead, just in case you don't know: XP doesn't receive any more patches or Security updates from MS, so running a XP machine with Internet connection is not just stupid, but highly negligent.
  
  But ok, if you like running an unpatched XP spam-bot on an outdated "mini-pc"...up to you.

[Batfink32]

Re: Is x8-h better than Intel NUC 2820?

I've already got a NUC 2820 with 8GB of ram and Win8.1. I find it great and don't seem to suffer from lags when multitasking, only when playing 1080p video in 1 window and trying to do things in another. I've also never had 1 shutdown or crash :-). I use an SSD so can't comment on the HDD issue.

Sent From My LG G3 Using Tapatalk

[titooo7]

vel2000 you mention that a good thing about Android is that it has specific video apps but I don't think thats the case.. at least no yet.
For instance Netflix doesn't play HD in 95% of android devices and it won't unless we hack it or Netflix decide to pull the trigger and stop checking which device is trying to play the video in order to deliver the video at 720x480
Amazon Instant Video only works in Kindle device...

Meanwhile Netflix has an specific app for Modern UI in Windows 8 that plays 1080p), and proably the german tv channel you mention also have one... but I don't know.

The idea of getting a chinese mini pc in aliexpress could be good. But all those minipcs are passive (it doesn't have a fan) so I don't know how good or bad they handle high temperatures (there are not enough reviews neither users to give objective opinions) and you are buying in China: if something goes wrong you better pray