Any experience with cubox-i?

[Amos Shapira]

On 13 January 2014 04:33, geoffrey mendelson <geoffreymendelson at gmail.com>wrote:

>
> Forgot to send to the list, with some additional information.
>
>
> -------- Original Message --------  Subject: Re: Any experience with
> cubox-i?  Date: Sun, 12 Jan 2014 15:50:47 +0200  From: geoffrey mendelson
> <geoffreymendelson at gmail.com> <geoffreymendelson at gmail.com>  To: Amos
> Shapira <amos.shapira at gmail.com> <amos.shapira at gmail.com>
>
> On 1/12/2014 12:59 PM, Amos Shapira wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > After moving to a new rented unit I found that it's going to be a bit
> > (or very) tricky to get my aging desktop (which I mainly use for
> > Bittorent and "storage server" these days) connected to the ADSL modem
> > using wired Ethernet.
> >
> > Instead, I though that I might get myself some media-centre computer -
> > it'll be either so small that I can still keep it close to the
> > modem/router/wifi point or it'll suport wifi so I can put it somewhere
> > else in the unit. It'll also hopefully be power efficient so I could
> > afford to keep it turned on 24x7 (both for economic and environmental
> > concerns).
> >
> > But I don't feel like running around designing my own hardware, order
> > it then build it myself, so I searched a bit for "linux media center
> > hardware" and the top results all point to http://cubox-i.com/
> , which
> > after reading a couple of reviews turned out to be based in Israel.
> >
> > I'm considering getting myself the CuBox-i4Pro, and perhaps do it
> > while I visit Israel next Passovah (not sure yet).
> >
> > Everything I read about this unit so far is just 100% positive. Does
> > anyone here have experience with it, the service? hardware quality?
> > Cost of shipping in Israel? Is pick-up from their offices an option etc?
> >
> >
>
>
> What about one of those Chinese Android tablets without a screen? Google
>
> To clarify - I don't currently have a TV and am more interested in a "home
server" to enable me to run Bittorent client 24x7, very occasionally serve
media to my laptop and tablet over WiFi and perhaps offer backup storage
space. If/when I buy a TV I'd consider buying the Google Chromecast to send
the media to.

Now - what's the advantage of buying those "Chinese Tablets" for a couple
of years over the cubox, which seems to be a more open platform? The cubox
can run both Android and multiple Linux distributions.

> sells one dedicated to streaming videos using various US based services,
> and there are many of them on eBay. Google calls theirs the Chromecast.
> I don't know if it would be worth buying one for use outside of the US,
> but as I said, there are plenty of them out there. I read an article
> from one of the US financial websites complaining that they sell for
> very little money in China and come preloaded with so many pirate movies
> that they have become the latest media in video purchase and rental.
>
> You plug them into your HDMI port (which powers it) and it connects to
> the outside world via wifi. I don't remember how they connect to remote
> controls, but they do.
>
> added:
>
> I was looking around eBay and found some nice looking devices. They run a fixed version of Android
> (no updates promised) so I guess they are good for a year or two. For around $100 US, you can get
> a quad core CPU, HDMI output, wifi, USB, ethernet and even a place to insert a laptop SATA drive
> directly.
>
> It also comes with a remote control.
>
> I also found this page: http://apcmag.com/how-to-stream-video-to-an-android-device.htm
>
> Following the instructions I was able to watch videos on my various computers (e.g. Linux file servers,
> Windows workstations) on my Chinese android tablet. It has an annoying Android interface, not a smooth UI,
> like AppleTV or XBMC, but it worked. I lack the HDMI mini or micro cable to connect my tablet to my TV, but
> it should work there too.
>
> XBMC does not run on my tablet as it lacks the necessary video hardware, but if it did, it would be a lot easier
> to use than my WD LIVE streamer.
>
> So what's the advantage of this "Chinese Tablet"? It's limited to old
Android (I found them on eBay too now, they all list Android 4.2 or 4.0),
can it run a Bittorent client properly? No HDMI cable etc. So why?

Thanks for your response.

--Amos
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