This has got to be the cheapest mini-sized Windows box yet. Only drawback is that it does not have built-in WiFi, and that it still has a fan, unlike the latest ZOTAC series.
Hard to go past at this price though if you're in the market for a cheap Windows box. The 2957U is Haswell-architecture too.
CamelCamelCamel.
if i buy this device i would connect this to my tv , install plex on it and connect my hardrive physically to it . Then i can download content to my harddrive either through my laptop or using this device ?
If you buy this Zotac box, you don't even need Plex unless you want the interface. It's literally a small computer, so it'll be like you're using your laptop, but with your TV as a screen.
Will this play 1080P MKV movies around 6GB without a hitch?
Yes. Pretty much anything will play plain old medium-bitrate 1080p H.264 these days.
I have played uncompressed bluray on a Pi just to give you an idea. This box would easily handle it. Some of these files are over 40gb
Looks like it might be a pretty good Steam streaming box. Supports Quicksync :)
I'm thinking this too. Been on the lookout for a bare NUC to do the job, but this may be close enough.
And for streaming a cable is always preferred to wireless, so fits the bill.
no WiFi, no deal
How much is a USB wifi dongle? Add an extra $10 and it's still a good deal.
Personally I prefer "desktops" to be hard wired anyway and if you're using this as a media server, definitely hard wired.
Is there any easy way to run Windows Media Center (for OTA TV) on this except for downgrading to Windows7?
Buy the upgrade for Windows 8
xbmc has the capability to show OTA TV these days.
Or use Media Portal which is free and much better.
I like the TV integration in Media Center more. I have been following the XBMC development over the last few years but the TV feature just did not look as seamless (separate TV server while I already have HDHomeRun).
Yeah, the TV integration in Media Centre is the best I've seen. It works great, even for less-tech-inclined people. You can also automatically compress TV recordings to H264 with MCEBuddy after a certain number of days.
The "server" can be on the same machine, doesn't even need a virtual machine or anything fancy. Just runs as a background process.
@scubacoles:
Does it have OTA EPG support? Like showing program information while watching a TV channel without the need for a third-party EPG.
Hi, anyone knows if I can plug another 8GB memory to bump it up to 10G? Or two memory sticks have to be the same (i.e. 2GB+2GB)?
You'd lose any Dual-Channel benefit, not even sure if relevant to this box but generally it is. All up you would probably still be better off with the 10GB than 4GB dual channel depending on what you are doing. YMMV
Great, I am getting one to replace my 6yo laptop!
What's the media player out there?/I'm lost…
hmm I have a few Zotac ID12 and ID14s sitting idle.. they were great (for their time) XBMC HTPCs. Now they're useful usenet/torrent machines (but there are other lower power alternatives, but most won't run Windows).
I switched to an Amlogic S805 based android media player - I've been happy enough with the Android XBMC and other apps, however there is an OpenELEC fork for it as well. Has HDMI CEC, toslink, network, USB host ports and built in wifi. Costs about $100
If on Windows 8.1 with XBMC would HDMI CEC work or do you need a separate IR receiver/remote and/or keyboard?
PCs don't generally have HDMI CEC. You'd still have to pick a remote option.
No pc has CEC support without the $60-80 adaptor. I personally prefer keyboard over a remote being a long time xbmc user. Other options are xmbc/kodi remote which are easy to set up
Looks like item is out of stock at $159.99.
Also "new supplier" via Amazon and price has gone up AND now not shipping to Au.
Place the order with Amazon as the supplier and they'll deliver when available.
Thanks OP, ordered one through amazon for $159.99 as a pre-order, don't know the estimated availability date though. Used amex for free shipping.
Mine is finally shipped. Got charged for $203..
Same here.
Finally after a month wait, got my Zotac box yesterday. Added an extra 2GB RAM from this deal [www.ozbargain.com.au/node/171271] and loaded KODI. No issues so far.
@Ahan: I don't think it was Mac specific. It's a generic 2GB DDR 1600MHZ ram and works with my Zotac for sure.
@zone:
Just set the computer up last night. Don't know
If it's to do with 2 gb ram or not, I find it struggles at multi tasking.
Yup the Roku has a USB port.
If everything is on your laptop and you're simply looking for the easiest way to watch the content on your TV, what about simply using a HDMI cable or something like ChromeCast? No need to set up a Plex server or a whole other PC. Or do you want something that won't need your laptop to be running?