[arch-general] x86 hardware suggestion for home movie theater setup (kodi)

[Dirk]

On 10-01-16 14:09, Wolfgang Mader wrote:
> Dear list,
>
> right now, I run a home movie theater setup under arch linux on an arm device.
> While I really appreciate the low power consumption and the small form factors
> of arm (developer) boards, for me, arm also comes with a much larger
> maintenance burden than standard x86 hardware. Thus, I search for a platform
> which is x86 and well suited for a home theater setup.  While browsing the
> internet, I go the feeling, that the Intel Atom series might be a good way to
> go. In particular, here is what I aim for:
>
> - standard boot process. No uboot.
> - standard cpu such that I can relay on standard arch repos and community
> - a graphics chip for which drivers are officially available, such as integrated
> intel graphics
> - low power consumption
> - some sort of internet connectivity, preferable cabled, but wifi would also be
> ok.
> - usb, but nothing fancy, only for keyboard
>
> Software wise, the hardware should be able to allow for browsing the internet
> and to deliver video and audio fluently. The interface I am targeting is kodi.
>
> Since I have no experience with low-powered x86 hardware such as the Intel
> Atom chips, I kindly ask for your experience and opinions on the topic.
>
> Thanks and have a nice week.
>

Be carefull, not all Intel Atom chips are supported by the open source 
drivers, some use a PowerVR graphics engine.

I have an Intel NUC running Arch & Kodi. Very compact and still 
powerfull. Mine even has an IR port which I can use to power it on with 
a Logitech remote.

regards,
Dirk