HTPC Rebuild

[meno377]

I have been running an old computer running xbmc with openelec. Yes it's old school but it's been running solid since 2011 UNTIL this past weekend. Since it's finally given up the ghost, I thought I would create a new HTPC. I was thinking a raspberry pi4 with libreELEC. Any other suggestions??

[Robotron2k84]

Remember back in the day hacking Linux cubes and Mac minis to run MythTV, running decode and tuner controllers over FireWire to Motorola set tops, then when that got encrypted, playing with PCMCIA cable cards, etc, TiVo, sling...all that jazz.

What do I have now? Nothing. All the TVs have DLNA clients on them, and my lowly router runs a DLNA server with some thumb drives attached with media files.

Surprising how little you actually need to do, now.

[yellowsulphur]

I think RPI4, unlike 3, is limited to H264 hardware decode. From my experience, the VP9 codec pushed the CPU and caused dropped frames. They are fun little boards for projects though.

[Bastard]

I have been running a HTPC for years, or at least what I would like to call a HTPC, untill recently when I just installed Kodi onto a fire stick and called it good - I keep thinking about building a Raspberry Pi but I just can't justify it

[meno377]

I thought about a fire stick, but I would save a little money with a pi and it would be more fun to tinker. But if the fire stick really works that well, I could go that direction instead.

[Bastard]

the fire stick is nice, while it isn't perfect it is a good compromise... plus I don't have to switch inputs. getting Kodi to stream files over my network was a bit tricky but not too bad plus I don't think that I have ever payed more than $20 for a fire stick as I have always bought them on sale during their "prime day" thing

[ibanezfoo]

the fire stick is nice, while it isn't perfect it is a good compromise... plus I don't have to switch inputs. getting Kodi to stream files over my network was a bit tricky but not too bad plus I don't think that I have ever payed more than $20 for a fire stick as I have always bought them on sale during their "prime day" thing

+1 They are cheap and you can load up whatever apps you want on it. I load up the shady stuff and then VLC or whatever to plays my rips and mp3s off my server. Once I found these other apps for the firestick, they are so cheap it didn't make sense to keep going down the HTPC route...

[meno377]

I actually took a turn to Windows 7 on an extra box I had. It's equipped with HDMI so at the moment I don't have to spend any money. The other cool thing I personally like is remote controlling from my macbook pro to do everything from turning on the server and HTPC, starting Kodi and satisfying all my other navigating needs. I prefer a laptop over a handheld.

So far it's running smooth and the new Kodi is so much better than the 9 year old XBMC.