Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Dov Grobgeld]

Please let us know your experience with it after you get it! I'm currently
using the a raspberry pi with XBian as a media box and I start to get tired
of both its slow speed and of the fact that the file system of the SD-card
gets corrupted once every other week.

Regards,
Dov


On Sat, Feb 1, 2014 at 10:59 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:

> Just wanted to thank everyone for your opinions.
>
> I also talked to a friend who owns an Apple TV and saw it in operation
> (the one which can't be hacked, he uses DNS forwarding tricks to make it
> talk to his storage. Don't ask - it's stuff that he accumulated over years)
> and he also thinks that the Cubox looks good for my needs.
>
> Cheers,
>
> --Amos
>
>
> On 15 January 2014 04:38, Udi Finkelstein  wrote:
>
>> If you want to follow the state of Linux and XBMC on ARM, you can take a
>> look at this thread:
>> http://www.hometheater.co.il/vt168648.XBMC-on-Linux-for-Arm-Devices.html
>>
>> Udi
>>
>>
>> On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 7:18 PM, geoffrey mendelson <
>> geoffreymendel...@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> On 1/13/2014 3:00 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
>>>

 The attraction I see in Cubox is the ability to run standard Linux on
 it. Isn't it better than android-only on some hardware from China?

  The Cubox seems to be the same general hardware with less ports. What
>>> I don't understand is why they are pushing the $100 unit, when for $30 more
>>> you get twice the cores and twice the RAM.
>>>
>>> I don't know what the other units run, the one  I pointed to did not
>>> officially support Linux, it does not mean it won't run on it.
>>>
>>> I was a victim of feature creep, I started out with a direct from China
>>> Chromecast (without the brand name) and ended up with an Arm based PC.
>>>
>>> As for Android, what bothers me about it is that unless you root the
>>> device you can't add device drivers (which may not be an issue to you, it
>>> turns out not to be one to me), and the UI for some things sucks. If you
>>> look back to the how to play videos link  I posted, it works, but my wife
>>> would never use such a thing. A simple App which would list files on a file
>>> server, where you could tap to play them, with all the setup hidden would
>>> be right for her. I also have not found a player that can fast forward
>>> within MP4 files. :-(
>>>
>>> Or in plain English, I would be a lot happier if XMBC worked on my
>>> tablet, or someone copied the Apple TV player as an Android App.
>>>
>>> As far as running bit torrent, the thing that I have found that affects
>>> download rates the most is latency. If you have a fast multicore X86 (or
>>> X64) processor, a wired ethernet connection and a fast upload speed, you
>>> get a lot faster downloads, even if your slower CPU is not heavily loaded.
>>>
>>>
>>> Geoff.
>>>
>>> --
>>> Geoffrey S. Mendelson 4X1GM/N3OWJ
>>> Jerusalem Israel.
>>>
>>>
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>>
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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

Just wanted to thank everyone for your opinions.

I also talked to a friend who owns an Apple TV and saw it in operation (the
one which can't be hacked, he uses DNS forwarding tricks to make it talk to
his storage. Don't ask - it's stuff that he accumulated over years) and he
also thinks that the Cubox looks good for my needs.

Cheers,

--Amos


On 15 January 2014 04:38, Udi Finkelstein  wrote:

> If you want to follow the state of Linux and XBMC on ARM, you can take a
> look at this thread:
> http://www.hometheater.co.il/vt168648.XBMC-on-Linux-for-Arm-Devices.html
>
> Udi
>
>
> On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 7:18 PM, geoffrey mendelson <
> geoffreymendel...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> On 1/13/2014 3:00 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> The attraction I see in Cubox is the ability to run standard Linux on
>>> it. Isn't it better than android-only on some hardware from China?
>>>
>>>  The Cubox seems to be the same general hardware with less ports. What I
>> don't understand is why they are pushing the $100 unit, when for $30 more
>> you get twice the cores and twice the RAM.
>>
>> I don't know what the other units run, the one  I pointed to did not
>> officially support Linux, it does not mean it won't run on it.
>>
>> I was a victim of feature creep, I started out with a direct from China
>> Chromecast (without the brand name) and ended up with an Arm based PC.
>>
>> As for Android, what bothers me about it is that unless you root the
>> device you can't add device drivers (which may not be an issue to you, it
>> turns out not to be one to me), and the UI for some things sucks. If you
>> look back to the how to play videos link  I posted, it works, but my wife
>> would never use such a thing. A simple App which would list files on a file
>> server, where you could tap to play them, with all the setup hidden would
>> be right for her. I also have not found a player that can fast forward
>> within MP4 files. :-(
>>
>> Or in plain English, I would be a lot happier if XMBC worked on my
>> tablet, or someone copied the Apple TV player as an Android App.
>>
>> As far as running bit torrent, the thing that I have found that affects
>> download rates the most is latency. If you have a fast multicore X86 (or
>> X64) processor, a wired ethernet connection and a fast upload speed, you
>> get a lot faster downloads, even if your slower CPU is not heavily loaded.
>>
>>
>> Geoff.
>>
>> --
>> Geoffrey S. Mendelson 4X1GM/N3OWJ
>> Jerusalem Israel.
>>
>>
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>>
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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Udi Finkelstein]

If you want to follow the state of Linux and XBMC on ARM, you can take a
look at this thread:
http://www.hometheater.co.il/vt168648.XBMC-on-Linux-for-Arm-Devices.html

Udi


On Tue, Jan 14, 2014 at 7:18 PM, geoffrey mendelson <
geoffreymendel...@gmail.com> wrote:

> On 1/13/2014 3:00 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
>
>>
>> The attraction I see in Cubox is the ability to run standard Linux on it.
>> Isn't it better than android-only on some hardware from China?
>>
>>  The Cubox seems to be the same general hardware with less ports. What I
> don't understand is why they are pushing the $100 unit, when for $30 more
> you get twice the cores and twice the RAM.
>
> I don't know what the other units run, the one  I pointed to did not
> officially support Linux, it does not mean it won't run on it.
>
> I was a victim of feature creep, I started out with a direct from China
> Chromecast (without the brand name) and ended up with an Arm based PC.
>
> As for Android, what bothers me about it is that unless you root the
> device you can't add device drivers (which may not be an issue to you, it
> turns out not to be one to me), and the UI for some things sucks. If you
> look back to the how to play videos link  I posted, it works, but my wife
> would never use such a thing. A simple App which would list files on a file
> server, where you could tap to play them, with all the setup hidden would
> be right for her. I also have not found a player that can fast forward
> within MP4 files. :-(
>
> Or in plain English, I would be a lot happier if XMBC worked on my tablet,
> or someone copied the Apple TV player as an Android App.
>
> As far as running bit torrent, the thing that I have found that affects
> download rates the most is latency. If you have a fast multicore X86 (or
> X64) processor, a wired ethernet connection and a fast upload speed, you
> get a lot faster downloads, even if your slower CPU is not heavily loaded.
>
>
> Geoff.
>
> --
> Geoffrey S. Mendelson 4X1GM/N3OWJ
> Jerusalem Israel.
>
>
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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[geoffrey mendelson]

On 1/14/2014 7:23 PM, E.S. Rosenberg wrote:


x86-64 (amd64) and x64 (ia-64) aren't the same...




I guess that's a hazzard of using Windows. It's commonly referred to as 
X86 (32 bit) and X64 (64 bit for the amd64 and compatible Intel processors).


Geoff.

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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[geoffrey mendelson]

On 1/13/2014 3:00 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:


The attraction I see in Cubox is the ability to run standard Linux on 
it. Isn't it better than android-only on some hardware from China?


The Cubox seems to be the same general hardware with less ports. What I 
don't understand is why they are pushing the $100 unit, when for $30 
more you get twice the cores and twice the RAM.


I don't know what the other units run, the one  I pointed to did not 
officially support Linux, it does not mean it won't run on it.


I was a victim of feature creep, I started out with a direct from China 
Chromecast (without the brand name) and ended up with an Arm based PC.


As for Android, what bothers me about it is that unless you root the 
device you can't add device drivers (which may not be an issue to you, 
it turns out not to be one to me), and the UI for some things sucks. If 
you look back to the how to play videos link  I posted, it works, but my 
wife would never use such a thing. A simple App which would list files 
on a file server, where you could tap to play them, with all the setup 
hidden would be right for her. I also have not found a player that can 
fast forward within MP4 files. :-(


Or in plain English, I would be a lot happier if XMBC worked on my 
tablet, or someone copied the Apple TV player as an Android App.


As far as running bit torrent, the thing that I have found that affects 
download rates the most is latency. If you have a fast multicore X86 (or 
X64) processor, a wired ethernet connection and a fast upload speed, you 
get a lot faster downloads, even if your slower CPU is not heavily loaded.


Geoff.

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Jerusalem Israel.


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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Moish]

  
  

On 13/01/2014 13:38, Amos Shapira
  wrote:


  

  On 13 January 2014 00:06, Moish 
wrote:

  

  Their
  product seems solid.
  

Have you considered Apple TV? It's only  109 AUD down
under :)
Currently works for ios 6.1.
  



What's the advantage of buying a locked-in hardware and
  having to jail-break it? It has a single-core A5 (I'm
  looking at the 3rd generation specs) vs. 4-core i.MX6
  Quad. I guess if it can run anything but iOS then it'll
  require extra work compared to pre-loaded
  debian/ubuntu/whatever for the CuBOX.


So again - what's the advantage of Apple TV hardware
  over the Cubox? Is the Apple TV more power efficient? Does
  it have more useful ports? (I couldn't find full specs to
  compare, seems they both have one HDMI port and support
  roughly the same kind of other inputs and outputs)?
 

   rPi?
  



I looked up "rpi" and the closest I found was the
  raspberry pi site with this quick-start-guide:  http://www.raspberrypi.org/quick-start-guide
  i.e. as far as I get it, I'll still have to find many
  parts around it. While it really sounds like fun to play
  with the rPi, i don't have time for this and am looking
  for something that I can can mostly plug, perhaps
  configure some software on, then use it.
 

   I have 2 jb atv
almost 2 years now, currently running xbmc v12.3 without
a hiccup.
Software selection is a bit scant
I'll use rPI as servers for other apps.



How did you get the hardware around the rPi?


Thanks for your response.


--Amos

  

  

  


Core Shmor,  it just works :)  
Installation was a breeze (inc jb), periodical "apt-get update" and
good s/w support, although never needed it.
I'm not h/w expert. I just gave my 2 cents and 'roo prices :)
BTW  atv2+ has nand 8gb storage and there's an implementaion of
lighttpd.

rPi - it's a hobby. Absolutely :)
You can't really use it unless you're willing to rely on mem cards
and usb disks.
You'll need to buy a box,memory cards, micro usb cable and power
supply, 11n usb stick.
Usb disks infamous (un)reliabilty (mem cards are even worse) hold me
back until I'll decide
how to handle h/w failures.

Cubox's specs are fantastic, somewhat expensive. You must rely on
mem cards and usb disks though.

Since you're a linux expert, you'd buy a Cubox :)  but consider also
an atv (find a version that can be JB or just wait for while).
Cubox will most probably run xbmc oob, but atv is the one which will
work eventually and continue to do so for a long time :)

PS check xbmc hardware wiki
http://wiki.xbmc.org/?title=Supported_hardware

-- 
Moish
  



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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Pablo Kohan]

On Sun, Jan 12, 2014 at 12:59 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:

> Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100% positive. Does
> anyone here have experience with it, the service? hardware quality?
>
I ordered some CuBox-i4-Pro units and am waiting for them to be delivered.


> Cost of shipping in Israel? Is pick-up from their offices an option etc?
>
Shipping in Israel is free (just you'll see VAT added instead).
They have offices in Yokneam, but ship from Tefen.
Not sure pick-up is an option.

As for media center, you might want to take a look at RasPlex (PlexApp for
RaspberriPi)... We'll see how it runs on the CuBox...

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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

On 13 January 2014 23:00, geoffrey mendelson wrote:

> On 1/13/2014 1:45 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
>
>>
>> So what's the advantage of this "Chinese Tablet"? It's limited to old
>> Android (I found them on eBay too now, they all list Android 4.2 or 4.0),
>> can it run a Bittorent client properly? No HDMI cable etc. So why?
>>
>>
>>
> It's not really a tablet, it has no screen. The screen is your monitor/TV
> connected via an HDMI port (obviously you looked at a different device than
> I did). It identifies as a tablet, so that's why I called it that.
>
> A link would help:
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-4-2-SATA-HDD-Media-Player-HD-TV-Quad-Core-
> Bluetooth-DLNA-WiFi-Streamer-5-/151207460031?pt=US_
> Internet_Media_Streamers&hash=item2334aabcbf
>
> https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.utorrent.client&hl=en
>
> The main reasons is that it cost $100 (US) for the unit, and it includes a
> quad core ARM chip. This will give you enough CPU power to run BitTorrent,
> watch TV shows, etc and not run up the electrical bill that a real computer
> would. If you download to a USB memory stick instead of a disk drive, it
> will be silent.
>

Wouldn't I get the same power benefits with the Cubox? Silent drive can be
achieved with a <$200 multi-GB eternal SSD drive.


> As for Android being old, the current divide is Android 4 (any version).
> Older versions than 4 won't run modern Apps.


I've been using Android for the past 5 years. There is a big lag between
latest releses and back-porting to none-standard hardware (that's why I
bought the Nexus 5 and intend to stick to Nexus hardware for phones/tablet).

The attraction I see in Cubox is the ability to run standard Linux on it.
Isn't it better than android-only on some hardware from China?
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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Moish]

On 13/01/2014 13:22, Tzafrir Cohen wrote:

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 10:38:13PM +1100, Amos Shapira wrote:


How did you get the hardware around the rPi?

And software: you need to pay extra for a codec license.

Although xbmc runs happily on rPi (the model with hdmi gcard), I'm going 
to use it for pure fos services.

I have not idea about codec support.
see xbmx.org

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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Tzafrir Cohen]

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 02:00:50PM +0200, geoffrey mendelson wrote:
> On 1/13/2014 1:45 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
> >
> >So what's the advantage of this "Chinese Tablet"? It's limited to
> >old Android (I found them on eBay too now, they all list Android
> >4.2 or 4.0), can it run a Bittorent client properly? No HDMI cable
> >etc. So why?
> >
> >
> 
> It's not really a tablet, it has no screen. The screen is your
> monitor/TV connected via an HDMI port (obviously you looked at a
> different device than I did). It identifies as a tablet, so that's
> why I called it that.
> 
> A link would help:
> http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-4-2-SATA-HDD-Media-Player-HD-TV-Quad-Core-Bluetooth-DLNA-WiFi-Streamer-5-/151207460031?pt=US_Internet_Media_Streamers&hash=item2334aabcbf

It has SATA support. As it happens I believe that this happens to be a
good sign: IIRC of the cheapo chipsets, only 2 have them, and both have
a pretty good community support.

This specific device is based on Allwinner A31. Unlike previous
Allwinner chips which use the Mali GPU, this one uses PowerVR. If you
hope to have free drivers for the GPU, this may not be the best for you.

See also below regarding community support. The more proprietary
drivers, the more difficult it is to have community support.

Here is a similar item from the store of someone who is one of the
developers involved:
http://store.r0ck.me/products/mele-m5-tv-box
(sold out, right now)

That model comes with a dual Cortex A7, that is: a less powerful CPU
(but it also means: requires much less power)

> 
> The main reasons is that it cost $100 (US) for the unit, and it
> includes a quad core ARM chip. This will give you enough CPU power
> to run BitTorrent, watch TV shows, etc and not run up the electrical
> bill that a real computer would. If you download to a USB memory
> stick instead of a disk drive, it will be silent.

I'm not really sure how much the CPU is really needed there (also: CPU
as opposed to GPU).

> 
> As for Android being old, the current divide is Android 4 (any
> version). Older versions than 4 won't run modern Apps.

I have no idea about newer versions, but from an initial glance over the
wiki, there's at least some work done to get newer versions working. I
guess they will be reasonably well community supported.

http://linux-sunxi.org/Category:Android

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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[geoffrey mendelson]

On 1/13/2014 1:45 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:


So what's the advantage of this "Chinese Tablet"? It's limited to old 
Android (I found them on eBay too now, they all list Android 4.2 or 
4.0), can it run a Bittorent client properly? No HDMI cable etc. So why?





It's not really a tablet, it has no screen. The screen is your 
monitor/TV connected via an HDMI port (obviously you looked at a 
different device than I did). It identifies as a tablet, so that's why I 
called it that.


A link would help:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Android-4-2-SATA-HDD-Media-Player-HD-TV-Quad-Core-Bluetooth-DLNA-WiFi-Streamer-5-/151207460031?pt=US_Internet_Media_Streamers&hash=item2334aabcbf

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.utorrent.client&hl=en

The main reasons is that it cost $100 (US) for the unit, and it includes 
a quad core ARM chip. This will give you enough CPU power to run 
BitTorrent, watch TV shows, etc and not run up the electrical bill that 
a real computer would. If you download to a USB memory stick instead of 
a disk drive, it will be silent.


As for Android being old, the current divide is Android 4 (any version). 
Older versions than 4 won't run modern Apps.



Geoff.

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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Tzafrir Cohen]

On Mon, Jan 13, 2014 at 10:38:13PM +1100, Amos Shapira wrote:

> How did you get the hardware around the rPi?

And software: you need to pay extra for a codec license.

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Re: Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

On 13 January 2014 04:33, geoffrey mendelson wrote:

>
> Forgot to send to the list, with some additional information.
>
>
>  Original Message   Subject: Re: Any experience with
> cubox-i?  Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 15:50:47 +0200  From: geoffrey mendelson
>To: Amos
> Shapira  
>
> On 1/12/2014 12:59 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > After moving to a new rented unit I found that it's going to be a bit
> > (or very) tricky to get my aging desktop (which I mainly use for
> > Bittorent and "storage server" these days) connected to the ADSL modem
> > using wired Ethernet.
> >
> > Instead, I though that I might get myself some media-centre computer -
> > it'll be either so small that I can still keep it close to the
> > modem/router/wifi point or it'll suport wifi so I can put it somewhere
> > else in the unit. It'll also hopefully be power efficient so I could
> > afford to keep it turned on 24x7 (both for economic and environmental
> > concerns).
> >
> > But I don't feel like running around designing my own hardware, order
> > it then build it myself, so I searched a bit for "linux media center
> > hardware" and the top results all point to http://cubox-i.com/
> , which
> > after reading a couple of reviews turned out to be based in Israel.
> >
> > I'm considering getting myself the CuBox-i4Pro, and perhaps do it
> > while I visit Israel next Passovah (not sure yet).
> >
> > Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100% positive. Does
> > anyone here have experience with it, the service? hardware quality?
> > Cost of shipping in Israel? Is pick-up from their offices an option etc?
> >
> >
>
>
> What about one of those Chinese Android tablets without a screen? Google
>
> To clarify - I don't currently have a TV and am more interested in a "home
server" to enable me to run Bittorent client 24x7, very occasionally serve
media to my laptop and tablet over WiFi and perhaps offer backup storage
space. If/when I buy a TV I'd consider buying the Google Chromecast to send
the media to.

Now - what's the advantage of buying those "Chinese Tablets" for a couple
of years over the cubox, which seems to be a more open platform? The cubox
can run both Android and multiple Linux distributions.

> sells one dedicated to streaming videos using various US based services,
> and there are many of them on eBay. Google calls theirs the Chromecast.
> I don't know if it would be worth buying one for use outside of the US,
> but as I said, there are plenty of them out there. I read an article
> from one of the US financial websites complaining that they sell for
> very little money in China and come preloaded with so many pirate movies
> that they have become the latest media in video purchase and rental.
>
> You plug them into your HDMI port (which powers it) and it connects to
> the outside world via wifi. I don't remember how they connect to remote
> controls, but they do.
>
> added:
>
> I was looking around eBay and found some nice looking devices. They run a 
> fixed version of Android
> (no updates promised) so I guess they are good for a year or two. For around 
> $100 US, you can get
> a quad core CPU, HDMI output, wifi, USB, ethernet and even a place to insert 
> a laptop SATA drive
> directly.
>
> It also comes with a remote control.
>
> I also found this page: 
> http://apcmag.com/how-to-stream-video-to-an-android-device.htm
>
> Following the instructions I was able to watch videos on my various computers 
> (e.g. Linux file servers,
> Windows workstations) on my Chinese android tablet. It has an annoying 
> Android interface, not a smooth UI,
> like AppleTV or XBMC, but it worked. I lack the HDMI mini or micro cable to 
> connect my tablet to my TV, but
> it should work there too.
>
> XBMC does not run on my tablet as it lacks the necessary video hardware, but 
> if it did, it would be a lot easier
> to use than my WD LIVE streamer.
>
> So what's the advantage of this "Chinese Tablet"? It's limited to old
Android (I found them on eBay too now, they all list Android 4.2 or 4.0),
can it run a Bittorent client properly? No HDMI cable etc. So why?

Thanks for your response.

--Amos
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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

On 13 January 2014 00:06, Moish  wrote:

> Their product seems solid.
> Have you considered Apple TV? It's only  109 AUD down under :)
> Currently works for ios 6.1.
>

What's the advantage of buying a locked-in hardware and having to
jail-break it? It has a single-core A5 (I'm looking at the 3rd generation
specs) vs. 4-core i.MX6 Quad. I guess if it can run anything but iOS then
it'll require extra work compared to pre-loaded debian/ubuntu/whatever for
the CuBOX.

So again - what's the advantage of Apple TV hardware over the Cubox? Is the
Apple TV more power efficient? Does it have more useful ports? (I couldn't
find full specs to compare, seems they both have one HDMI port and support
roughly the same kind of other inputs and outputs)?


> rPi?
>

I looked up "rpi" and the closest I found was the raspberry pi site with
this quick-start-guide:  http://www.raspberrypi.org/quick-start-guide i.e.
as far as I get it, I'll still have to find many parts around it. While it
really sounds like fun to play with the rPi, i don't have time for this and
am looking for something that I can can mostly plug, perhaps configure some
software on, then use it.


> I have 2 jb atv almost 2 years now, currently running xbmc v12.3 without a
> hiccup.
> Software selection is a bit scant
> I'll use rPI as servers for other apps.
>

How did you get the hardware around the rPi?

Thanks for your response.

--Amos
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Fwd: Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[geoffrey mendelson]

Forgot to send to the list, with some additional information.

 Original Message 
Subject:Re: Any experience with cubox-i?
Date:   Sun, 12 Jan 2014 15:50:47 +0200
From:   geoffrey mendelson 
To: Amos Shapira 



On 1/12/2014 12:59 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:

Hi,

After moving to a new rented unit I found that it's going to be a bit
(or very) tricky to get my aging desktop (which I mainly use for
Bittorent and "storage server" these days) connected to the ADSL modem
using wired Ethernet.

Instead, I though that I might get myself some media-centre computer -
it'll be either so small that I can still keep it close to the
modem/router/wifi point or it'll suport wifi so I can put it somewhere
else in the unit. It'll also hopefully be power efficient so I could
afford to keep it turned on 24x7 (both for economic and environmental
concerns).

But I don't feel like running around designing my own hardware, order
it then build it myself, so I searched a bit for "linux media center
hardware" and the top results all point to http://cubox-i.com/, which
after reading a couple of reviews turned out to be based in Israel.

I'm considering getting myself the CuBox-i4Pro, and perhaps do it
while I visit Israel next Passovah (not sure yet).

Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100% positive. Does
anyone here have experience with it, the service? hardware quality?
Cost of shipping in Israel? Is pick-up from their offices an option etc?





What about one of those Chinese Android tablets without a screen? Google
sells one dedicated to streaming videos using various US based services,
and there are many of them on eBay. Google calls theirs the Chromecast.
I don't know if it would be worth buying one for use outside of the US,
but as I said, there are plenty of them out there. I read an article
from one of the US financial websites complaining that they sell for
very little money in China and come preloaded with so many pirate movies
that they have become the latest media in video purchase and rental.

You plug them into your HDMI port (which powers it) and it connects to
the outside world via wifi. I don't remember how they connect to remote
controls, but they do.

added:

I was looking around eBay and found some nice looking devices. They run a fixed 
version of Android
(no updates promised) so I guess they are good for a year or two. For around 
$100 US, you can get
a quad core CPU, HDMI output, wifi, USB, ethernet and even a place to insert a 
laptop SATA drive
directly.

It also comes with a remote control.

I also found this page: 
http://apcmag.com/how-to-stream-video-to-an-android-device.htm

Following the instructions I was able to watch videos on my various computers 
(e.g. Linux file servers,
Windows workstations) on my Chinese android tablet. It has an annoying Android 
interface, not a smooth UI,
like AppleTV or XBMC, but it worked. I lack the HDMI mini or micro cable to 
connect my tablet to my TV, but
it should work there too.

XBMC does not run on my tablet as it lacks the necessary video hardware, but if 
it did, it would be a lot easier
to use than my WD LIVE streamer.





Geoff.

--
Geoffrey S. Mendelson 4X1GM/N3OWJ
Jerusalem Israel.



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Re: Any experience with cubox-i?

[Moish]

  
  

On 12/01/2014 12:59, Amos Shapira
  wrote:


  
Hi,


After moving to a new rented unit I found that it's going to be
a bit (or very) tricky to get my aging desktop (which I mainly
use for Bittorent and "storage server" these days) connected to
the ADSL modem using wired Ethernet.

  

Instead, I though that I might get myself some media-centre
  computer - it'll be either so small that I can still keep it
  close to the modem/router/wifi point or it'll suport wifi so I
  can put it somewhere else in the unit. It'll also hopefully be
  power efficient so I could afford to keep it turned on 24x7
  (both for economic and environmental concerns).


But I don't feel like running around designing my own
  hardware, order it then build it myself, so I searched a bit
  for "linux media center hardware" and the top results all
  point to http://cubox-i.com/,
  which after reading a couple of reviews turned out to be based
  in Israel.


I'm considering getting myself the CuBox-i4Pro, and perhaps
  do it while I visit Israel next Passovah (not sure yet).


Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100%
  positive. Does anyone here have experience with it, the
  service? hardware quality? Cost of shipping in Israel? Is
  pick-up from their offices an option etc?


Cheers,


--Amos

  

  
  
  
  
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Their product seems solid.
Have you considered Apple TV? It's only  109 AUD down under :)
Currently works for ios 6.1.
rPi?
I have 2 jb atv almost 2 years now, currently running xbmc v12.3
without a hiccup.
Software selection is a bit scant
I'll use rPI as servers for other apps.

-- 
Moish
  



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Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

Hi,

After moving to a new rented unit I found that it's going to be a bit (or
very) tricky to get my aging desktop (which I mainly use for Bittorent and
"storage server" these days) connected to the ADSL modem using wired
Ethernet.

Instead, I though that I might get myself some media-centre computer -
it'll be either so small that I can still keep it close to the
modem/router/wifi point or it'll suport wifi so I can put it somewhere else
in the unit. It'll also hopefully be power efficient so I could afford to
keep it turned on 24x7 (both for economic and environmental concerns).

But I don't feel like running around designing my own hardware, order it
then build it myself, so I searched a bit for "linux media center hardware"
and the top results all point to http://cubox-i.com/, which after reading a
couple of reviews turned out to be based in Israel.

I'm considering getting myself the CuBox-i4Pro, and perhaps do it while I
visit Israel next Passovah (not sure yet).

Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100% positive. Does anyone
here have experience with it, the service? hardware quality? Cost of
shipping in Israel? Is pick-up from their offices an option etc?

Cheers,

--Amos
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