Replacing Arctic MC001

ArthurG

Hi,

I got one of those Arctic MC001's back when they were all the rage, however the time has come to replace it. I like the simplicity of the thing (just bunged in an SSD and some RAM), and Openelec runs well on it. However a few things are bugging me and will make me replace it:

(i) Couldn't ever get it to WOL
(ii) It gets really warm
(iii) Its huge (relatively speaking)
(iv) It keeps turning itself on randomly

I like the idea of the NUC or something of that scale. I know you get loads of these threads asking what to buy, so sorry for being annoying......

What I'm after is:

(i) Something small and tidy (NUC-ish)
(ii) Will run Openelec fast and silent
(iii) Can be controlled by a remote (include power on/off)
(iv) Can reuse the components from the Arctic

While I'm ok with setting up Openelec etc, the finer points of modding it to get things like IR receivers to work are a bit beyond me I think. I wanted to keep away from Windows as I assume (maybe incorrectly) it will be slower to boot, will need to open XBMC etc after it turns on - but happy to be corrected if thats not the case.

Any advice?. I don't mind spending a few quid to get the right setup, and ideally it will last a few years.

Thanks in advance!!

neacy69

ArthurG wrote: »

Hi,

I got one of those Arctic MC001's back when they were all the rage, however the time has come to replace it. I like the simplicity of the thing (just bunged in an SSD and some RAM), and Openelec runs well on it. However a few things are bugging me and will make me replace it:

(i) Couldn't ever get it to WOL
(ii) It gets really warm
(iii) Its huge (relatively speaking)
(iv) It keeps turning itself on randomly

I like the idea of the NUC or something of that scale. I know you get loads of these threads asking what to buy, so sorry for being annoying......

What I'm after is:

(i) Something small and tidy (NUC-ish)
(ii) Will run Openelec fast and silent
(iii) Can be controlled by a remote (include power on/off)
(iv) Can reuse the components from the Arctic

While I'm ok with setting up Openelec etc, the finer points of modding it to get things like IR receivers to work are a bit beyond me I think. I wanted to keep away from Windows as I assume (maybe incorrectly) it will be slower to boot, will need to open XBMC etc after it turns on - but happy to be corrected if thats not the case.

Any advice?. I don't mind spending a few quid to get the right setup, and ideally it will last a few years.

Thanks in advance!!

Havent much to add other than I am still happy with my arctic!!

I also have a Raspberry PI which works perfect for openelec if you might consider one of those...

Remouad

I have the MC001 too. Great little machine

ArthurG wrote: »

(i) Couldn't ever get it to WOL

I didn't have any problem setting up wol. I think there was a bios setting change. I'll look it up later.

(ii) It gets really warm

Sure does but that's how it can be literally silent - no fan noise

(iii) Its huge (relatively speaking)

Not really if you compare it to most htpc builds

(iv) It keeps turning itself on randomly

ok I can't say I've experienced that one.

I think you're going have a hard time finding a machine that will warrant moving.

neacy69

ArthurG wrote: »

Hi,


(iv) It keeps turning itself on randomly


Thanks in advance!!

This happens me sometimes but its because the Sky remote setup for controlling the TV uses the same IR frequency as the Arctic...only happens sometimes tho...i just leave it on and it turns itself off again (15 min shutdown set on mine)

stooge

ArthurG wrote: »

(i) Couldn't ever get it to WOL

In case this helps:

According to Amazon feedback/reviews you "Have to turn off the European setting to get WOL to work "

Supercell

I just ordered a replacement for my Pii which has been fantastic but lack of browser really is a big downpoint for me.
I just ordered a MINIX-NEO-X8-H from geekbuying.com . It wont arrive for a few weeks but the specs look promising.
It won't reuse any of your components but at €114 I dont think its specs can be beaten. Hope it lives up to the hype!

ArthurG

That looks surprisingly good, keen to hear how you get on. Did you order a remote or just use app?

Supercell

ArthurG wrote: »

That looks surprisingly good, keen to hear how you get on. Did you order a remote or just use app?

Comes with a remote (when ordering from geekbuying) which I'll use in Chrome mostly, also has HDMI CEC so my TV remote should work for XBMC as is, same as the Pii

Kur4mA

I'm running OpenElec on an Intel NUC DN2820FYKH purchased from Tranquil PC and I would highly recommend it over any Android or Windows boxes tbh. I've used XBMC on android and Windows but this beats everything I've used before hands down.

ArthurG

kyub wrote: »

I'm running OpenElec on an Intel NUC DN2820FYKH purchased from Tranquil PC and I would highly recommend it over any Android or Windows boxes tbh. I've used XBMC on android and Windows but this beats everything I've used before hands down.

Do you have it working with a remote - particularly power on / off?

Kur4mA

Yes, I'm using an Xbox 360 Media Remote... this one here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Media-Remote-Xbox-360/dp/B005F28GYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402225385&sr=8-1&keywords=xbox+media+remote&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

It's not a great remote tbh, but it does the job to switch on/off. I also use the Yatse android app when needed once the system is booted up.

ArthurG

kyub wrote: »

Yes, I'm using an Xbox 360 Media Remote... this one here:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Microsoft-Media-Remote-Xbox-360/dp/B005F28GYU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1402225385&sr=8-1&keywords=xbox+media+remote&tag=fczbkkcom04-21

It's not a great remote tbh, but it does the job to switch on/off. I also use the Yatse android app when needed once the system is booted up.

Thanks. Which version of Openelec are you using?. Did you have to do any fiddly stuff to get the remote working??

Thanks

Kur4mA

Nope, no fiddly stuff to get it working. The IR drivers are already built into OpenElec.

ArthurG

Got the NUC that Kyub suggested, works perfectly, thanks for the advice

maik3n

Would either of these be an option?

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-android-4-2-jellybean-dual-core-hdmi-network-media-player-x-4-usb-with-hdmi-cable-and-remote-control

http://www.7dayshop.com/7dayshop-android-4-2-jellybean-dual-core-tv-box-media-player-with-x-4-usb-ports-2-5-sata-hard-drive-slot