I'm looking for a RELIABLE but ideally cheap(er) "TV Box" that would be used for audio and some video.
Requirements (non-negotiable):
MUST run Windows, probably win10. I know that Linux is the ultimate, but my audio interface only has win (and Mac) drivers. Yes, I know that Mac is better than Windows, but there is something to be said for a PC system that is not well into the four figures 😀
MUST have at least three USB ports.
MUST have HDMI out for video.
I was quite satisfied with a Pipo X9 for about 5 years until it died early this year. Since then, I've bought two Pipo X9S and BOTH were defective. The first the touch screen didn't work. The 2nd has severe USB issues. It's worth noting that in my first attempt, about 2015, the 1st Pipo (probably an X8) I ordered, NONE of the usb ports worked. Clearly, they have quality control issues. In fairness to Pipo's brand, I am buying cheap stuff from China: especially now, quite possibly remaindered or returned units (these date to 5-6 years old).
Technically the current one with flaky USB is working. But a 2-day old PC that boots selectively, and not at all depending upon how USB accessories are plugged in, as well as showing 100% CPU utilization when no processes are running, does not inspire confidence 😀
$200-ish is a nice price for a basic box, but I'm getting tired of the hassle of returns. Return shipping is $40+ and that's 20-25% of purchase cost lost right off the bat -- not counting many hours of useless fiddling.
Enough! Can someone suggest a cheap-ish reliable media box, not too much above the $200 range? I've yet to check, but even another Pipo is acceptable -- if seller will pay return shipping.
Please forgive the sloppy formatting. Apparently the web site's editor likes to put in extra blank lines, for its own reasons!
Requirements (non-negotiable):
MUST run Windows, probably win10. I know that Linux is the ultimate, but my audio interface only has win (and Mac) drivers. Yes, I know that Mac is better than Windows, but there is something to be said for a PC system that is not well into the four figures 😀
MUST have at least three USB ports.
MUST have HDMI out for video.
I was quite satisfied with a Pipo X9 for about 5 years until it died early this year. Since then, I've bought two Pipo X9S and BOTH were defective. The first the touch screen didn't work. The 2nd has severe USB issues. It's worth noting that in my first attempt, about 2015, the 1st Pipo (probably an X8) I ordered, NONE of the usb ports worked. Clearly, they have quality control issues. In fairness to Pipo's brand, I am buying cheap stuff from China: especially now, quite possibly remaindered or returned units (these date to 5-6 years old).
Technically the current one with flaky USB is working. But a 2-day old PC that boots selectively, and not at all depending upon how USB accessories are plugged in, as well as showing 100% CPU utilization when no processes are running, does not inspire confidence 😀
$200-ish is a nice price for a basic box, but I'm getting tired of the hassle of returns. Return shipping is $40+ and that's 20-25% of purchase cost lost right off the bat -- not counting many hours of useless fiddling.
Enough! Can someone suggest a cheap-ish reliable media box, not too much above the $200 range? I've yet to check, but even another Pipo is acceptable -- if seller will pay return shipping.
Please forgive the sloppy formatting. Apparently the web site's editor likes to put in extra blank lines, for its own reasons!
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Decided to keep Pipo X9S
Don't everybody rush to respond to this thread 🙂
After much experimentation, I deduced that my "faulty USB ports" problem is actually due to a buggy Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000 transceiver ("dongle"); for some reason, it'll only allow the system to boot past BIOS when it is in the USB 3.0 port, although on previous Pipo's it worked fine in any port.
Also determined that a USB external hard disk was failing controller or disk: verified on other PCs.
The Pipo X9S is set up as a usable J River and VLC player, albeit a rather slow Firefox browser, for some reason. In fact, there is little perceptible difference between this PC, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB EMMC, with an earlier Pipo that was 2/32.
Don't everybody rush to respond to this thread 🙂
After much experimentation, I deduced that my "faulty USB ports" problem is actually due to a buggy Microsoft Wireless Keyboard 2000 transceiver ("dongle"); for some reason, it'll only allow the system to boot past BIOS when it is in the USB 3.0 port, although on previous Pipo's it worked fine in any port.
Also determined that a USB external hard disk was failing controller or disk: verified on other PCs.
The Pipo X9S is set up as a usable J River and VLC player, albeit a rather slow Firefox browser, for some reason. In fact, there is little perceptible difference between this PC, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB EMMC, with an earlier Pipo that was 2/32.
Check out the BeeLink mini PC options on Amazon. They get pretty good reviews.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beelink/page/E76F7A4A-070E-428C-9129-832B18C1493F?ref_=ast_bln
Like I mentioned in the other thread, used HP thin clients are cheap. You may be able to get around your HDMI requirement with adapters. Some more DIYing would be involved vs BeeLink, but $50 for a PC, plus $100 in parts/accessories may be compelling.
HP Thin Client: t630
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Beelink/page/E76F7A4A-070E-428C-9129-832B18C1493F?ref_=ast_bln
Like I mentioned in the other thread, used HP thin clients are cheap. You may be able to get around your HDMI requirement with adapters. Some more DIYing would be involved vs BeeLink, but $50 for a PC, plus $100 in parts/accessories may be compelling.
HP Thin Client: t630
I've had success with all sorts of thin clients (including an old Cisco model), old laptops from eBay as well as mini PCs running Linux and Windows. $200 should be doable if you look around and think creatively! Check places like AliExpress as well as Amazon, etc. Many of the cheaper ones won't support Windows and certainly won't come with it (it's too expensive) but that doesn't mean it doesn't work! Windows 10 has very wide hardware support these days.
One thing I would add: I don't think it's accurate to say "Mac is better". Personally, I avoid Mac products at all costs - not because I'm an Apple hater, I just don't like the user experience. I've owned an iPhone, two MacBooks (a very old PowerPC model and a much newer 2019 model) as well as other Apple products and I've never liked any of them. It's very subjective whether you like them or not, rather than them being better. Personally, I use Linux but that's a personal preference, not because I think it's better 🙂 If Windows is your preference, then that's "best" for you!
One thing I would add: I don't think it's accurate to say "Mac is better". Personally, I avoid Mac products at all costs - not because I'm an Apple hater, I just don't like the user experience. I've owned an iPhone, two MacBooks (a very old PowerPC model and a much newer 2019 model) as well as other Apple products and I've never liked any of them. It's very subjective whether you like them or not, rather than them being better. Personally, I use Linux but that's a personal preference, not because I think it's better 🙂 If Windows is your preference, then that's "best" for you!
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Windows can have layers of garbage preventing audio nirvana, an apple is a superior audio platform out-of-the-box. With a little work windows can be fine, currently my media server is a recycled stripped down windows laptop with just eAPO (ibm t61 with broken internal sound card but dock has digital coaxial out, also used with usb out to schiit modi 2)I have not found a windows media or audio center which I love, but that is not a deal breaker.
Zotac is a reliable brand. If you want something new, the Zotac C (fanless) series, e.g. CI341, CI329 is good:
ZBOX CI329 nano with Windows 10 Pro | ZOTAC
ZBOX edge CI341 with Windows 10 Pro | ZOTAC
Zotac offers refurbished models of various types at a discount in their store. Click the link and wait for the page to load:
Just a moment...
For example:
Just a moment...
I own a CI327 and it is pretty good. This is a great deal for the price.
ZBOX CI329 nano with Windows 10 Pro | ZOTAC
ZBOX edge CI341 with Windows 10 Pro | ZOTAC
Zotac offers refurbished models of various types at a discount in their store. Click the link and wait for the page to load:
Just a moment...
For example:
Just a moment...
I own a CI327 and it is pretty good. This is a great deal for the price.
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I beg to differ: Win10 works just fine.
Agreed, same here
Not true, there're built-in bypasses that can be accessed with ASIO.
Like gilphilbert said, ideally, the digital stuff could be found free or at a very low cost because of the rapid obsolescence. What I have:
- A Samsung Slate 7 tablet (repurposed, free) into a Gustard AK4499 DAC (not free, but worth the money) for hifi
- A Lenovo Thinkpad (used, $200) in my music room providing backing tracks to play along
- A HP microServer (repurposed, free) as a media server
If it's a media player, and not a media server you are looking for, go for something small and fanless. Something like this: Refurbished: HP EliteDesk 800 G2 USFF Mini Desktop Intel Core i5-6500T 2.50GHz CPU 8GB RAM 128GB Solid State Hard Drive Intel HD Graphics Windows 10 Professional - Newegg.com
There are lots of them refurbed of typical corporate leases.
There are lots of them refurbed of typical corporate leases.
MRSlim, good find. I have one of these myself and they're great boxes - very powerful, small and quiet. They're perhaps a little overpowered for simple audio playback purposes, but quite frankly for under $200 they're an absolute bargain and you won't get anything new with a Core i5 at that price, so it's not like you're paying for it. And, since they're made by HP, they're well built and well supported by Windows. This would be my pick for sure.
@Zung, I have a Microserver for my home server as well. Great little boxes... amazing how much is packed into a tiny frame!
@Zung, I have a Microserver for my home server as well. Great little boxes... amazing how much is packed into a tiny frame!
A postscript of sorts...
The first buggy Pipo x9s was returned and refunded (less return shipping.)
The 2nd one, after the aforementioned gyrations, is now set up as a usable -- but not perfect -- "TV box." I thought I had some bugs in the hardware, but not I'm not so sure -- could be the odd keyboard dongle's issues.
The PC works perfectly, or should say, usable, for audio via J River alone or as WDM (loopback) to play windows audio through browser (I've only tried Firefox). Video (VLC player) works fine. Video via browser -- not yet tried.
My only complaint is that Firefox is very slow for browsing. Frequent crashes. I've done basic diagnostics and can't find anything wrong. Speedtest.net show plenty fast internet connection.
Odd: overall, the performance of my old X9 system (2G/32GB) wasn't much different that the new X9S (4G/64GB). I found and ran a win10 "decrapifyer"; I like the cleaner interface, but haven't noted a performance difference.
Thanks for all the suggestions, but I do like these cheap PIPOs.
"As the dog returneth to his vomit, the fool returneth to his folly." 😀
The first buggy Pipo x9s was returned and refunded (less return shipping.)
The 2nd one, after the aforementioned gyrations, is now set up as a usable -- but not perfect -- "TV box." I thought I had some bugs in the hardware, but not I'm not so sure -- could be the odd keyboard dongle's issues.
The PC works perfectly, or should say, usable, for audio via J River alone or as WDM (loopback) to play windows audio through browser (I've only tried Firefox). Video (VLC player) works fine. Video via browser -- not yet tried.
My only complaint is that Firefox is very slow for browsing. Frequent crashes. I've done basic diagnostics and can't find anything wrong. Speedtest.net show plenty fast internet connection.
Odd: overall, the performance of my old X9 system (2G/32GB) wasn't much different that the new X9S (4G/64GB). I found and ran a win10 "decrapifyer"; I like the cleaner interface, but haven't noted a performance difference.
Thanks for all the suggestions, but I do like these cheap PIPOs.
"As the dog returneth to his vomit, the fool returneth to his folly." 😀
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Those el cheapo WinTablets are not up to the task: I went through 2 of them and they all end up in the recycle bin. Get a real PC.
I agree with refurb real PCs. I have done that for years. I use a gyro mouse as remote control. A little more and yoy might be able to find a mini pc with previous gen ryzen cpu