Build Advice Low Cost XBMC

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by Parge, 23 May 2012.

  1. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    My friend and I have been looking at the Allwinner A10 as a possible HTPC replacement. It runs Android 4.0 ICS, has a 1.5Ghz ARM CPU, a Mali 400 GPU, and 512MB of RAM.

    However, it only has wireless (booo). Not only that but, buying something pre-made just isn’t the Bit Tech way is it now? I was wondering, is there an equally low cost alternative that I could build myself? I’ll fab the case out of Acryllic, but what about the rest?

    Must haves
    Smooth 1080p playback
    Network (Ethernet) port

    Would be Nice:
    XBMC Compatible

    Any recommendations or ideas?

    :thumb:
     
  2. dancingbear84

    dancingbear84 error 404

    Joined:
    16 Oct 2010
    Posts:
    2,192
    Likes Received:
    73
    Raspberry pi
    That is all
     
  3. TheStockBroker

    TheStockBroker Modder

    Joined:
    19 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    1,531
    Likes Received:
    108
    As above.

    Raspbmc will be out for general release shortly.
     
  4. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    Sure sure, but they are just impossible to get hold of!
     
  5. dancingbear84

    dancingbear84 error 404

    Joined:
    16 Oct 2010
    Posts:
    2,192
    Likes Received:
    73
    Mine is due in 2 weeks. Did you register interest? Stock should be arriving soon and in large numbers hopefully
     
  6. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    I did, but not til recently. Hopefully the numbers are large enough!
     
  7. TheStockBroker

    TheStockBroker Modder

    Joined:
    19 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    1,531
    Likes Received:
    108
    Alternatively then,

    What kind of TV is it, and what kind of content do you watch?

    an Apple TV 2 might be the suitor for you?
     
  8. dancingbear84

    dancingbear84 error 404

    Joined:
    16 Oct 2010
    Posts:
    2,192
    Likes Received:
    73
    Ygpm
     
    Parge likes this.
  9. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    Hack on XBMC?
     
  10. TheStockBroker

    TheStockBroker Modder

    Joined:
    19 Nov 2009
    Posts:
    1,531
    Likes Received:
    108
    Yup, a simple jailbreak, then there's an installer you can run.

    I would have done this ages ago, but ATV2 is limited to 720p... That's it's only downside.
     
  11. goldstar0011

    goldstar0011 Multimodder

    Joined:
    2 Sep 2007
    Posts:
    3,438
    Likes Received:
    309
    Planning to use my Rapsberry as a learning unit for XBMC whilst I have a stable working build in use. Simple and cheap option
     
  12. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    DancingBear84 just sorted me out with a spare Raspberry PI order code he had! What an absolute legend!

    Cheers matey! +rep!
     
  13. dancingbear84

    dancingbear84 error 404

    Joined:
    16 Oct 2010
    Posts:
    2,192
    Likes Received:
    73
    No worries.
    It seems fair to me as I wasn't going to use it.
    And before anyone else asks, no, I don't have any more.

    I've not been called a legend for a while.
     
  14. Parge

    Parge the worst Super Moderator

    Joined:
    16 Jul 2010
    Posts:
    13,000
    Likes Received:
    610
    Ah well you are today!
     

Share This Page