Hi all!

I was running Kodi (and some *arr services) on an old laptop, but that one seemingly now decided it was time to die.
It was a bit underpowered for the task anyway and more meant as a test platform, to see if the setup works and if it’s also comfortable enough to be used by my wife.

So I’m having this laptop connected with HDMI to the TV, with a HDMI-CEC adapter to let me use my TV remote and a reasonable large (12TB) external USB HDD for mass storage - which is a bit of a bitch, because it tends to go to sleep and not wake up properly or doesn’t show with e.g. lsblk anymore (but that could also be a wonky usb socket in the beaten up laptop)

Any recommendations for something that could play some media well enough, handle multiple download connections and isn’t eating much power, when not actually in use?

I looked at some Intel NUCs and some Chinese small form factor thingies.
But I’m not entirely sure, what would be sufficient and the best choice here.

Thanks for any input!

Edit: thanks for all the recommendations! I went with a BeeLink S13 (N150/16GB/512GB) and I think, it will exactly fit the the requirements.

If I’m having trouble or see any shortcomings, I’ll inform the community here :⁠-⁠)

  • bronco@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
    2·
    1 day ago

    I was in a similar situation and started with a Beelink Mini PC, which works well as long as it’s processor has Quick Sync available for transcoding video. The only problem here for me was redundant and upgradeable storage, so after a few months I build my own NAS in the Jonsbo N3 case. NASCompares on Youtube has great comparison and build videos for different cases and combinations.

    • naeap@sopuli.xyzOPEnglish
      1·
      7 hours ago

      Thank you!
      Wasn’t aware of Beelink Mini PCs and will look into it

      I’m currently crawling through the jungle of NUC naming and specifications.

      I really miss the time, when all the data wasn’t hidden behind a load of bullshit wall of buzzwords…

      Edit: oh, those Beelinks surely look sweet!
      Something with a Ryzen 7 sounds more than attractive - although it’s probably a bit of an overkill for the application, but… More POWER!! ;⁠-⁠)
      Will need to do some benchmark comparisons for the purposed task(s) though

      Edit 2: ok, but it seems, that the Intel N150 could be the better platform for my use case than the Ryzen 7 xxxxU variants in the same price range

      But those Beelink look pretty cool :⁠-⁠)