ASRock Beebox

[KeithAbbott]

Fanless, extremely small (NUC), extremely low power, built-in 802.11ac, built-in IR receiver, and $130 for the barebones version. Could make a really nice client...

http://asrock.com/nettop/Intel/Beebo...s/index.us.asp

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

Fanless, extremely small (NUC), extremely low power, built-in 802.11ac, built-in IR receiver, and $130 for the barebones version. Could make a really nice client...

http://asrock.com/nettop/Intel/Beebo...s/index.us.asp

Except they make it small enough to mount behind a television, then put the IR window on the front of it, without an input to externalize it.

[KeithAbbott]

Yeah, a BIOS setting (and associated hardware change) to toggle the headphone jack between audio and an external IR input would have been awesome. Still, it might be possible for someone that's handy to add an external jack, depending on how the IR receiver is attached to the mainboard.

[Fuzzy]

Oh, I guarantee the IR can be moved out of the unit, just silly that it isn't that way from the factory.

[ranger]

maybe a few mirrors

[KryptoNyte]

Would it be possible to just use something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/USB-External-I.../dp/B00J5NRWFO

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

Would it be possible to just use something like this?

http://www.amazon.com/USB-External-I.../dp/B00J5NRWFO

Of course it is.. I was just pointing out that the built-in one isn't much of a usable feature as built.

[reggie14]

It's not that it isn't useful as-is, but I understand the desire for an external receiver.

I started using IR repeaters in a couple rooms after getting annoyed that some of my devices have IR sensors with very narrow fields of view. It made my Harmony remotes' activity buttons pretty unreliable until I set up the repeater to give me a single target to point to. You could certainly use a repeater with this device.

The Beebox looks like a promising candidate for a client box. The Anandtech review was pretty good, except that it noted it doesn't seem to support HD audio yet (and may never support it).

But, I'd really like to see something with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and HBO support (that can easily be controlled with a remote). I'm not sure how well remotes can be used with Windows 10 devices, but I hear the apps don't work great with remotes, and some apps may never come (e.g., HBO). For that reason, Android TV devices might be a better longer-term option if someone can port over the miniclient.

[cncb]

Originally Posted by reggie14

But, I'd really like to see something with Netflix, Amazon, Hulu and HBO support (that can easily be controlled with a remote). I'm not sure how well remotes can be used with Windows 10 devices, but I hear the apps don't work great with remotes, and some apps may never come (e.g., HBO). For that reason, Android TV devices might be a better longer-term option if someone can port over the miniclient.

There's no guarantee some apps will ever come to Android TV either (Amazon). Also no guarantee Sage will ever be ported. Hopefully, better control and more apps will be coming with the so-called Win 10 "universal apps". That being said, I'm still strongly considering the Shield (Android) TV .