Pivos released a XBMC build for Linux, and I tried it out. The Pivos XIOS DS is very small (less than 5” x 5” x 1”) HTPC supporting hardware accelerated 1080p video and HD audio playback. The XIOS DS supports XBMC for Android, and XBMC for Linux, with native hardware acceleration. I reviewed the AndroidContinue reading “XBMC for Linux on Pivos XIOS DS”
Tag Archives: htpc
XBMC for Android on Pivos XIOS DS
In my ongoing quest to find the perfect Home Theater PC platform, I was excited to read that XBMC had been ported to Android. This opens possibilities for XBMC on low cost, low power, low noise, small form factor hardware, with hardware accelerated media playback. The XBMC Android development was done on a Pivox XIOSContinue reading “XBMC for Android on Pivos XIOS DS”
Iomega TV With Boxee vs. D-Link Boxee Box
Untitled Page I have yet to find the perfect media player for playing my archived music and movie collection. I’ve tried building my own using small form factor computers like the Zotac ZBOX HD-ID11 (Amazon), Nano AD10 (Amazon) and Nano VD01 (Amazon). I’ve tried software like Windows Media Center, XBMC, MediaPortal, and Boxee. I’ve triedContinue reading “Iomega TV With Boxee vs. D-Link Boxee Box”
Archiving my CD, DVD and BD collection
I am about two thirds done archiving my entire CD, DVD, and BD collection to network storage. I have been ripping on a part time basis for about 5 months, and so far I’ve ripped over 700 discs. I have considered archiving my media collection for some time, but just never got around to it.Continue reading “Archiving my CD, DVD and BD collection”
Zotac XBOXHD-ID11 MKV H.264 Video Playback Performance
When I started writing about the ID11, my intent was to document video playback and use as a HTPC, several posts later, and I am finally getting to MKV H.264 playback configuration and performance. This is the sixth post in a series of posts related to the Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-ID11. Summary: The CPU is not powerfulContinue reading “Zotac XBOXHD-ID11 MKV H.264 Video Playback Performance”
Zotac ZBHOXHD-ID11 Case Positioning Impact on Fan Noise
As I was testing the ID11, I noticed differences in the thermal behavior based on how the case was positioned. I tested three positions; case open, case vertical, and case horizontal. This is the fifth post in a series of posts related to the Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-ID11. Summary: Place the case in a vertical positionContinue reading “Zotac ZBHOXHD-ID11 Case Positioning Impact on Fan Noise”
Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 Beta BIOS Reduces Fan Speed and Noise
In a previous post I measured the fan speed and noise under load, and I found it to be unacceptably high. Zotac support notified me that a new Beta BIOS is available that address the issue. In this post I measure the difference between the release BIOS and the Beta BIOS. This is the fourthContinue reading “Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 Beta BIOS Reduces Fan Speed and Noise”
Zotac ZBOX Mini-PC ZBOXHD-ID11
I created this page as an index to all my posts about the Zotac ZBOX Mini-PC ZBOXHD-ID11. First impressions Fan speed and noise 4GB RAM support Beta BIOS reduces fan speed and noise Case positioning impact on fan noise MKV H.264 video playback performance This is my first post created using Windows Live Writer.Continue reading “Zotac ZBOX Mini-PC ZBOXHD-ID11”
Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 4GB RAM
In this post I describe my experience while upgrading the BIOS, in order to support 4GB of memory. This is the third post in a series of posts related to the Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-ID11. Summary: – 4GB is supported after upgrading the BIOS. – BIOS has to be updated using less than 4GB, else ID11Continue reading “Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 4GB RAM”
Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 Fan Speed and Noise
In my previous post I discussed my initial impressions of the Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11. In this post I continue my review, focusing on fan speed and noise. This is second post in a series of posts related to the Zotac ZBOX ZBOXHD-ID11. Summary: – High fan speed and noise while under load. – Fan never returnsContinue reading “Zotac ZBOXHD-ID11 Fan Speed and Noise”
Pieter Viljoen's Blog 