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 <geoffreymendel...@gmail.com> To: Amos Shapira <amos.shap...@gmail.com> 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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