Zotac MAG Mini-PC

xrapidx

xrapidx

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Anyone know how well this would work as a media center, especially playing HD content? My Media center really can't handle 1080p.

special%20panel_11.jpg
 
Yes!
I have one and i am very happy with it, running windows 7 and Fedora 13 with XBMC, playing 1080p perfectly.
 
I want to run boxee on it :)

The problem with dedicated media players is that they're limited in terms of customizability - and new formats might not be supported.
 
Last edited:
xrapidx said:
I want to run boxee on it :)

The problem with dedicated media players is that they're limited in terms of customizability - and new formats might not be supported.
Click to expand...

Never tried boxee, just make sure it supports hardware acceleration.
 
xrapidx said:
Anyone know how well this would work as a media center, especially playing HD content? My Media center really can't handle 1080p.

special%20panel_11.jpg
Click to expand...

Go read some reviews on this first. A lot of people are complaining that it can't play 1080P movies without stuttering. Others say it's because you need to use certain media players that support hardware acceleration or whatever. So the issue might be what software you want to install on it?

Oh, and apparently it's noisy.
 
I can play 1080p just fine, and i heard it's bit noisy compare to other htpc but i can't hear it sitting on the couch, only if i am very close to it.
the only problem with the unit is the wireless N is not that great.
 
For R3300 you can get a proper pc that will play 1080p, and can be upgraded later to play whatever they think of next
CPU 800, mobo 800, ram 500, case+psu 1200. Just missing a HDD and remote
 
Why not consider the PS3? It's R3000, plays games, plus plays blu-ray's and most formats of videos, up to 1080p. It's also quite small and attractive. The only limitation is the maximum file size it can handle is 4gb since it only reads FAT32. However, with a good x.264 encode of a blu-ray at 1080p, 4gb is almost flawless quality!
 
You don't perhaps have any links? The review's I've read say its dead quiet after boot-up?

RE: HD movies - I think you might be right about hardware acceleration.
 
Archer said:
For R3300 you can get a proper pc that will play 1080p, and can be upgraded later to play whatever they think of next
CPU 800, mobo 800, ram 500, case+psu 1200. Just missing a HDD and remote
Click to expand...

Might reconsider it... just so much hassle :p

Synaesthesia said:
The PS3 makes for an excellent media player, it's R3000, plays games, plus plays blu-ray's and most formats of videos, up to 1080p. The only limitation is the maximum file size it can handle is 4gb since it only reads FAT32. However, with a good x.264 encode of a blu-ray at 1080p, 4gb is almost flawless quality!
Click to expand...

I have a PS3 - doesn't cut it for me :)
 
Archer said:
For R3300 you can get a proper pc that will play 1080p, and can be upgraded later to play whatever they think of next
CPU 800, mobo 800, ram 500, case+psu 1200. Just missing a HDD and remote
Click to expand...

If you want something that will look nice in your living room, buy the Zotec.
It's so tiny, and quiet!
You can upgrade the Ram and HD, but i don't see the point...it plays 1080p, and you'll probably use an external hard drive or a NAS device...
 
bar1 said:
If you want something that will look nice in your living room, buy the Zotec.
It's so tiny, and quiet!
You can upgrade the Ram and HD, but i don't see the point...it plays 1080p, and you'll probably use an external hard drive or a NAS device...
Click to expand...

What I was saying is that if 3D catches on, or 1440p (or whatever higher resolution) then a PC is far easier to upgrade to be able to watch that content. All in one solutions are once off units that can easily become obsolete. But it is easier to buy one part, than to buy many and still assemble it. And the all in ones do tend to look a bit better in my opinion
 
Archer said:
What I was saying is that if 3D catches on, or 1440p (or whatever higher resolution) then a PC is far easier to upgrade to be able to watch that content. All in one solutions are once off units that can easily become obsolete. But it is easier to buy one part, than to buy many and still assemble it. And the all in ones do tend to look a bit better in my opinion
Click to expand...

good point, but i think it will be cheaper (or smiler price) to get a new zotec then to start upgrading (new MB/Cpu/ maybe PCIE graphics card..)
 
Synaesthesia said:
Really? Because I heard you can play pretty much any file with a PS3. Why are you dissatisfied (just curious coz I might wanna get one)
Tip: If you need to play h.264 files in MKV format, you can convert them to MP4 or AVI with MKV2VOB -> http://hubpages.com/hub/How-To-Play-MKV-Files-On-Playstation-3
Click to expand...

I have around 6TB of stuff now - I tried streaming it over the network to the PS3, but the PC I was using couldn't decode it fast enough.

RE: converting - you want to explain the process to the girlfriend? :p

Archer said:
What I was saying is that if 3D catches on, or 1440p (or whatever higher resolution) then a PC is far easier to upgrade to be able to watch that content. All in one solutions are once off units that can easily become obsolete. But it is easier to buy one part, than to buy many and still assemble it. And the all in ones do tend to look a bit better in my opinion
Click to expand...

I can't see 3d - so I'm not too concerned :p


Roger.Wilco said:
http://www.pcbg.co.za/threads/11595-Zotac-MAG-HD-ND01-Review



Links to your reviews saying it's dead quiet? ;)
Click to expand...

http://www.techtree.com/India/Reviews/Zotac_MAG_Mini_PC/551-107194-621.html (I think - its not loading at work for some reason).
 
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