[benze]

I'm a little new to the whole concept of networked HTPCs. I've got 2 standalones running (Media Portal and XBMC) in two seperate places, and they both connect to the same File Server, but otherwise they are completely independent. I'm looking at redoing my structure now to have a central library - not just shared files.

I would also rather not break the bank on independent HTPCs or NUCs just to run XBMC on the satellite TVs, so I was looking for a more cost effective solution when I came across the Roku. I know very little about the Roku, but I did read something about a Plex for Roku channel. But I cannot tell if that is a special app install on the Roku that allows it to connect to the central Plex Media Server, or if it is just a way to stream data via one of the Roku's built-in options.

Either way, is there some equivalent that exists for XBMC? I've checked out the forums, and everything I've read says that there is no install for a Roku yet, but I get the impression that the Plex plugin isn't a full install - but rather just serves data from the Media Server. I realize that XBMC is built differently than Plex, but was wondering if there was any way of accomplishing the same thing.

Given that Plex was at one point a fork from XBMC, I presume that the hardware requirements for Plex and XBMC are fairly similar. And consequently the hardware in a Roku can support the required instructions. But I just don't understand enough to know what would be required to use a Roku as a satellite to my XBMC library (if it is even feasible).

Alternatively, can anyone suggest / recommend what to use? I would have loved to use ATVs, but with the ATV3 jailbreak still not out, I can't justify spending 200-300$ per ATV2 on ebay when I can build a NUC- based unit for about 400$.

Hope my question(s) make sense.

Thanks,

Eric

[Ned Scott]

Pivos or Ouya > ATV2 > Roku

[benze]

Pivos or Ouya > ATV2 > Roku

Can you please elaborate? I don't understand/follow at all. Where is XBMC in any of that?

[DrowningApe]

Plex always runs off of a central media server that feeds to clients, and transcodes the audio and/or video depending on the capability of the client. The roku plex client is on the roku store, and connects to the plex media server pretty easily. The advantage of plex is simplicity, and a high WAF and CAF. The downside, is that just about everything needs to be transcoded on the fly, and there's a definite ceiling on quality. Also, you don't have lot of control overv look and feel.

XBMC allows all of your devices to run off a common MySQL database. XBMC requires greater technical sophistication and patience, but is completely configurable, and most devices will play most codec and file types without any transcoding required.

If you need simple, but kinda dumb, go with plex. If you want complete customization go with XBMC.

The previous poster is recommending the Pivos Xios, which sells for about 114.00, and the Ouya, which will sell for 100.00 when it comes out in June. The Pivos has a good Linux build, and great support, but is a tad underpowered when it comes to running complex skins. The Ouya is a Tegra 3 device that runs even heavy skins, but the Android XBMC build it runs is still immature, though it will likely be "done-ish" by June.

[benze]

Thanks for the explanation. I now understand / realize the significant differernce between the two which I had not previously followed.

I might just wait until the Ouya in June then. Will the Andorid version of xbmc be customizable the same way the other versions are now? Would I need to ssh into the ouya to customized the settings/ configurations? It just seems a little strange to have a joystick as a tv remote....


Thx,

Eric

[Ned Scott]

Ouya version will be the real deal XBMC. You'll be able to install the same XBMC for Android APK that all the other Android devices use, and XBMC for Android is a full port of XBMC. It's not a thin client, it's not a lite version, it's the real deal. Ouya people said that people can pretty much do whatever they want with the Ouya, sideloading, installing other app stores, taking over the world, it's all in your court and they're not going to try and stop you from doing it. They're actually going to make it easier than most Android devices to do whatever you want to the hardware. Developer level access will be enabled on consumer units.

It kicks much ass, and that's not even considering the whole "games" part of it.

The Pivos XIOS kicks much ass as well, but best go with the Linux Pivos build for now for max-badassness. XIOS also doesn't have a fan, so it's dead silent. (it was hard to tell on the showroom floor how load the Ouya fan was, but it wasn't that loud).

If you need something today, the Pivos XIOS is an excellent investment. Ouya isn't out yet, and is still under development, but shows really awesome potential.

[nero12]

Now that xbmc has got hold of Ouya devices. Will XBMC be pre installed on Ouya by june ?

Further, i would love to see XBMC only built for ouya

[Ned Scott]

XBMC will not be preinstalled, as far as I know.

XBMC on Ouya will pretty much be the exact same build as XBMC for Android.

[benze]

The Pivos XIOS kicks much ass as well, but best go with the Linux Pivos build for now for max-badassness. XIOS also doesn't have a fan, so it's dead silent. (it was hard to tell on the showroom floor how load the Ouya fan was, but it wasn't that loud).

If you need something today, the Pivos XIOS is an excellent investment. Ouya isn't out yet, and is still under development, but shows really awesome potential.

When you say the Linux Pivos, is that the Xios or the Aios HD? From the Pivos site, I can't tell if the Aios is running a Linux f/w or not. Or if there is a Linux build that can be run on either the Xios or the Aios.

How does the Xios or the Aios compare to the ATV2/3? Given the specs, it would seem that it should be at least as good. And better given that one has access to actually run useful software on it.

Finally, you mention that the XIOS is fanless. But I can't find anything that confirms whether the Ouya has a fan or is fanless. I found chatter on the web saying both, so am not sure which one is accurate. Are you sure that the Ouya has a fan?

Thanks!

Eric

[DrowningApe]

The Pivos Xios is the device in question. The AIOS is basically a bluray player chipset that cannot run XBMC. The Xios is equivalent to Apple TV. The Ouya has a fan. How loud it is during video playback is a question that you'll need to direct to the folks who got the dev units. The attendees of the SCALE conference who played with it said it was inaudible, but the room was loud. I would imagine the SOC in the Ouya doesn't need clock high during HW accelerated video playback, so I doubt the fan will be running heavy unless you are pushing the ouyas 3d capability in a game.

[benze]

When talking about the Linux Pivos then, I presume it means the BETA RELEASE: Pivos XBMC Linux for XIOS Series firmware released on 1/08/13 vs XIOS_DS-ICS-010813-M3 on the same date (http://www.pivosgroup.com/support.html)?

Thanks,

Eric