Author Topic: Streamer or HTPC?  (Read 839 times)

Offline Squeek

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Streamer or HTPC?
« on: January 18, 2013, 02:21:10 PM »
I dont know if this should be put under "playback" or here.

Anyhow, Is there any kind of streamer that plays 10-bit flawless? I myself have an Xtreamer, it can play the files, but I get alot of "pixel-errors" and stuff, and I've heard that there aint any support for 10-bit on streamers.. and aint planned either.

Then comes the question if I should build a HTPC.. as far as I've been told I was recommended to get a CPU with the power of an i5..

No, I wont connect my PC to my TV as I can't stand cords on 10m lying around across the room, and reason for not wanting to watch on my PC is that I find my sofa much more comfortable and when watching anime on my PC I tend to drift off and do other stuff instead.

Online Bozobub

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #1 on: January 19, 2013, 02:53:11 AM »
It may not be quite what you're thinking of, but there are a number of very inexpensive "PC-on-a-stick" designs that have an HDMI output; we're talking $25 (Raspberry Pi, although it's not a stick - lol) to $80.  Most are Linux or Android based.  Many of them also have network connectivity, whether ethernet, wifi, or bluetooth.  Just google "stick computer hdmi wifi" for an overwhelming number of 'em for wifi alone.  Many will handle 10-bit 1080p fine, with the appropriate software.  For example, on the Android stick PCs, you can simply run "MX Player" (free or paid, the free version has small banners at the bottom of menus) to play just about anything with few issues.  If I can play unconverted 10-bit 1080p on my Evo 3D, which also requires rescaling, with no perceptible problems, it ought to work on a wide variety of devices.

Remember to do some research on any model(s) you are interested in, to make sure it can handle the load of 10-bit 1080p.  I'm not sure, for instance, that a Raspberry Pi could handle it.  I'm not sure it WON'T, but due diligence is in order.

Alternatively, if you already have one, you could simply hook up nearly any relatively recently-manufactured laptop (within the past 3 or 4 years) to your TV and use it as an HTPC, especially if it already has an HDMI- or DVI-out; most models with a discrete graphics adapter will have one.  VGA-out will usually work, depending on your TV, but isn't often the best option, and won't preserve "HDCP" status for protected content.  Remember, you'll need to pipe audio separately for DVI (and VGA), as it has no audio, but this generally is easy to take care of with an 1.8" stereo-to-dual-RCA adapter (available for $5-10).  This is the method I use, and is a great use for a secondary laptop that isn't otherwised used often.

If you use any kind of surround-sound system, you're going to want to go with HDMI, as it preserves all the audio data.  Otherwise, you're pretty much stuck with stereo.

« Last Edit: January 19, 2013, 03:01:13 AM by Bozobub »

Offline Freedom Kira

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #2 on: January 19, 2013, 04:36:59 AM »
Speaking of the Raspberry Pi, there's this thread over in the Technology board that you might want to read.

Offline FlyinPenguin

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #3 on: January 19, 2013, 05:08:23 AM »
The Zealz GK802 looks pretty impressive.
http://www.tgdaily.com/consumer-electronics-brief/68066-zealz-gk802-rocks-a-quad-core-processor-and-99-price-tag

Now that XBMC is on Android, a usb stick computer is becoming an even more viable option

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Online Bozobub

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #4 on: January 19, 2013, 08:59:09 AM »
Ooo...  Damn, those stick-'puters are getting pretty beefy.

Offline FlyinPenguin

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #5 on: January 19, 2013, 05:41:04 PM »
Ooo...  Damn, those stick-'puters are getting pretty beefy.

Yes, but they still lack the power of a high end smartphone or tablet. That isn't much of a surprise at this moment in time but considering even a lot of higher end mobile devices struggle to properly play 1080p 10bit, I would be surprised if any of these are capable. Most, if not all, of these sticks are relying on hardware decoding for HD video. Considering 10bit isn't supported by 10bit, I think we can pretty much rule out these devices as being 10bit compatible.

I haven't looked to hard but I haven't seen anything that looks like it can play 10bit 1080p but I would love for someone to prove me wrong.

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Online Bozobub

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #6 on: January 19, 2013, 06:10:48 PM »
Considering my 1.2 GHz dual-core (unrooted) Evo 3D, which is no longer even close to "high end", can output 10-bit 1080p to my TV (using the HDMI adapter) without noticeable lagging or other problems, I can't agree.  While many of these devices probably won't work well, many certainly will.

Offline FlyinPenguin

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #7 on: January 19, 2013, 11:19:34 PM »
Considering my 1.2 GHz dual-core (unrooted) Evo 3D, which is no longer even close to "high end", can output 10-bit 1080p to my TV (using the HDMI adapter) without noticeable lagging or other problems, I can't agree.  While many of these devices probably won't work well, many certainly will.

That thing would need to have a hell of a CPU because even my Nexus 7 can't play 1080 10bit without artifacting with its quad-core. My S3 can't play it flawlessly either which has a more powerful cpu then the Evo 3D. I know my S3's CPU is somewhat lacking compared to its global counterpart though.
« Last Edit: January 20, 2013, 02:25:59 AM by FlyinPenguin »

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Offline mrdkreka

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #8 on: January 19, 2013, 11:43:28 PM »
Considering my 1.2 GHz dual-core (unrooted) Evo 3D, which is no longer even close to "high end", can output 10-bit 1080p to my TV (using the HDMI adapter) without noticeable lagging or other problems, I can't agree.  While many of these devices probably won't work well, many certainly will.
Unless you are some kind of magician your evo 3d can't play 1080p 10-bit using s/w. However if you are using h/w or +h/w, then you are getting a lot of output errors that makes the video looks terrible.

@FlyinPenguin
you mean cpu, since there are no gpu that fully support 10-bit, else you would just get the same result as you already are getting. ;)
« Last Edit: January 20, 2013, 10:08:00 AM by mrdkreka »
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Offline FlyinPenguin

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #9 on: January 19, 2013, 11:51:05 PM »
Considering my 1.2 GHz dual-core (unrooted) Evo 3D, which is no longer even close to "high end", can output 10-bit 1080p to my TV (using the HDMI adapter) without noticeable lagging or other problems, I can't agree.  While many of these devices probably won't work well, many certainly will.
Unless you are some kind of magician your evo 3d can't play 1080p 10-bit using s/w. However if you are using h/w or +h/w, then you are getting a lot of output errors that makes the video looks terrible.

@FlyinPenguin
you mean cpu, since there are no gpu that fully support 10-bit, else you would just get the same result as you already are getting.

Yes, I meant CPU. My brain is slow today ;)

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Offline Tri_Edge

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #10 on: January 20, 2013, 12:22:22 AM »
@FlyinPenguin
Can the S3 play 720p 10bit flawlessly? And if I may, what player are you using?

My htc dna can barely keep up with 720p 10bit decoding(audio lags behind)s/w, 1080p is even worse.

It does play anything 8bit rather well though(h/w).

Offline FlyinPenguin

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2013, 03:45:04 AM »
@FlyinPenguin
Can the S3 play 720p 10bit flawlessly? And if I may, what player are you using?

Sadly, not flawlessly :-[

I would say it is about 95% though. There is no artifacting but videos are a little choppy in fast moving scenes and sometimes when the camera pans. It really depends on the video though. I watched most of Inu x Boku SS on it and it was smooth enough not to detract from the experience. I haven't tried playing anything in a few months though. Perhaps with the newer CM10 rom and newer versions of my players, the experience has improved.

I use MXPlayer and BSPlayer, whichever works best for what I am trying to play.

Keep in mind I have the US variant, not the global quad-core version which will play 720p 10bit flawlessly. I am pretty sure it can even handle 1080p 10bit. I swore I watched a video of it.

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Offline loli

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #12 on: January 21, 2013, 12:10:42 PM »
@FlyinPenguin
Can the S3 play 720p 10bit flawlessly? And if I may, what player are you using?

Sadly, not flawlessly :-[

I would say it is about 95% though. There is no artifacting but videos are a little choppy in fast moving scenes and sometimes when the camera pans. It really depends on the video though. I watched most of Inu x Boku SS on it and it was smooth enough not to detract from the experience. I haven't tried playing anything in a few months though. Perhaps with the newer CM10 rom and newer versions of my players, the experience has improved.

I use MXPlayer and BSPlayer, whichever works best for what I am trying to play.

Keep in mind I have the US variant, not the global quad-core version which will play 720p 10bit flawlessly. I am pretty sure it can even handle 1080p 10bit. I swore I watched a video of it.
I didn't know a phone could playback 10bit.

I just tried it and 720p seems to be fine, 1080p plays but I think it drops more frames than it shows, 720p is not flawless but still watchable. I believe I don't have the US Variant, how to find out?

Offline mrdkreka

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #13 on: January 22, 2013, 11:10:12 AM »
I just tried it and 720p seems to be fine, 1080p plays but I think it drops more frames than it shows, 720p is not flawless but still watchable. I believe I don't have the US Variant, how to find out?
Unless you actually ordered it from America you have the international version  ::)
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Offline loli

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #14 on: January 22, 2013, 11:35:56 AM »
I just tried it and 720p seems to be fine, 1080p plays but I think it drops more frames than it shows, 720p is not flawless but still watchable. I believe I don't have the US Variant, how to find out?
Unless you actually ordered it from America you have the international version  ::)
Bought it in the Netherlands, but I don't know where it came from, could be America.

Offline mrdkreka

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #15 on: January 22, 2013, 11:58:52 AM »
I just tried it and 720p seems to be fine, 1080p plays but I think it drops more frames than it shows, 720p is not flawless but still watchable. I believe I don't have the US Variant, how to find out?
Unless you actually ordered it from America you have the international version  ::)
Bought it in the Netherlands, but I don't know where it came from, could be America.
let me rephase it, if you had an us-variant you wouldn't be able to access your network since it wouldn't support it. S3 would also have Verizon or ATT or Sprint written on its backside like this, you would know for sure if you had the US-variant.
« Last Edit: January 22, 2013, 12:01:06 PM by mrdkreka »
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Offline loli

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Re: Streamer or HTPC?
« Reply #16 on: January 22, 2013, 12:37:45 PM »
I just tried it and 720p seems to be fine, 1080p plays but I think it drops more frames than it shows, 720p is not flawless but still watchable. I believe I don't have the US Variant, how to find out?
Unless you actually ordered it from America you have the international version  ::)
Bought it in the Netherlands, but I don't know where it came from, could be America.
let me rephase it, if you had an us-variant you wouldn't be able to access your network since it wouldn't support it. S3 would also have Verizon or ATT or Sprint written on its backside like this, you would know for sure if you had the US-variant.
Then I do not have the US-Variant.