Smart TV or cheap media center PC?

[FordGT90Concept]

I ordered that Beelink Z83, an Inteset INT-422 remote, an MCE remote w/ IR sensor, and a Logitech K400 wireless keyboard. I'll let you know how it goes but it will likely be more than a week...

 

[silentbogo]

I ordered that Beelink Z83, an Inteset INT-422 remote, an MCE remote w/ IR sensor, and a Logitech K400 wireless keyboard. I'll let you know how it goes but it will likely be more than a week...

I have a K400r keyboard and it is OK. It looks cheap, but the reception distance and battery life are excellent.
I don't think I ever had to change batteries in it.

If you have a chance to cancel your IR remote orders - get a Ps3 bluray remote instead (or any other bluetooth remote).
I think my last infrared device was a Logitech Harmony , but it was almost 7 years ago. Even though BT remote is somewhat more expensive, you still get excellent responsiveness regardless of your remote position.
Back in the day I also used a Wiimote with GlovePie and homemade IR emitter bar. Unfortunately I have really hard time pairing it with some new Bluetooth adapters.
It's not as good as a high-quality air mouse, but you can script simple motions into actions (side swipe for next/prev. track etc., or do a Harry Potter spell for track rewind). It is hard and time consuming, but the end result is always fun.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

Does that require software installed on Windows or does it just use the media key functionality like MCE remotes do?

 

[silentbogo]

Does that require software installed on Windows or does it just use the media key functionality like MCE remotes do?

There are few types of regular remotes:
- Bluetooth HID keyboard
- Special BT HID media remote.
The last one is used as a part of wireless headsets/speakers to control the volume and playback, but I've seen some very cheap chinese remotes that use this device class on its own.
In either case - no drivers required.

PS3 remote uses input mapping via third-party software, probably because of non-standard key mapping.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

PS3 remote uses input mapping via third-party software, probably because of non-standard key mapping.

That sucks. Microsoft did a good job at standardizing remotes-as-keyboards. A shame it hasn't really caught on. I mean, entire home theatres should be able to be ran with a simple, standardized protocol instead of all of this manufacturer specific nonsense.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

After 28 days worth of shipping, the Beelink arrived, Windows 10 on it is not activated (says key is already used) and it is not powerful enough to realtime decode MPEG2-TS 1080i60. I'm going to see if I can get a refund on it.

 

[slozomby]

if all you want it for is Netflix/hulu/prime video... then a smarttv works fine. if you want to do anything else then a htpc a much better choice. a Nuc is pretty cheap these days. can get windows preinstalled if you want.

 

[FordGT90Concept]

GearBest gave me another key to try on the machine and it too was already used. GearBest also has a pretty crappy return policy basically being 1) send it back to China and pay all of the shipping and fees and get a store credit or 2) accept a 10% refund on store credit and keep it. I'm never buying from this place again so both are fantastically bad options.

Pretty sure I'm going to put Linux on it and give it to my sister. Intel Atom X5-Z8300 is NOT enough for MPEG2-TS!

 

[lorraine walsh]

Smart TV would do your job. You would be fine streaming movies on Smart TV.

 

[GreiverBlade]

my current "dumb" TV turned "smart" ... i can't believe no one mentioned that option ... OSMC and any video addons related to what you need and 1080p stream flawlessly ...
the BCM2836 4x900 (OC 1000) and the Broadcom Videocore IV are ideal



also cheaper than any smart TV ...
my Toshiba 32L1343DG : 199chfs
Raspberry Pi 2 : 40chfs
clear box: 10chfs
128gb stick for local content: 29chfs

(already got before, 5V 2A, mouse keyboard, heatsink, HDMI cable, 32gb uSD)

total 278chfs, ok it's more than 199chfs and a chinese android box for 50$... but more fun and reliable and more support and community, i tried to go the android box/stick way before ... just not worth the price no matter how cheap they are, i, also, did a HTPC time ... but that setup is so much more and less: more fun/less noisy less hungry less ... powerful but still enough, i have my main rig in the same room as my TV ... so i decided i didn't need a HTPC with more capacity than what that setup can do

ok only 1080p/60 can be smooth ... but ... who need 4K, oh ... wait ... on a TV ... argh i need to upgrade (errr ... i can't bring myself to find 4K useful ... even on TV, i guess i am too used to 1080p ... )

 

[Cvrk]

Much more versatile.

this.

cuz depends so much on the smart tv. there not all that smart

 

[GreiverBlade]

this.

cuz depends so much on the smart tv. there not all that smart

well ... they are smarter than dumb tv ...

 

[elitan]

I would not recommend anybody use smart TV. You can use a smart android box with powerful features and speed

 

[slozomby]

I would not recommend anybody use smart TV. You can use a smart android box with powerful features and speed

its good enough to stream Netflix/amazon/hulu to the bedroom. dunno why I'd need any more speed/features there.

and you really have to try to buy a tv without some "smart tv" stuff. of the 61 TV's on samsungs website. 7 don't have built in apps.