Aldi $300 PC, good for use as a media player for TV?

LMelBourne on 29/08/2015 - 14:54

Hi all, I wonder what you would compare this with and if you think it's a decent deal for something I can just pop down to the shops and pick up as opposed to ordering something online that may take weeks to arrive.

I must admit, I have not done much research in to all the different devices that are available, but I wanted to start a new discussion here as I think shops like Aldi will start to sell more of these types of devices now that a lot of those chinese android boxes are becoming pretty popular.

This product seems like it would be great to have a hidden, low power PC for the TV and offer a range of cool features for my home theatre system. (I'm a bit sick of running Plex Connect through the trailers App on my Apple TV, as I have to keep fixing it and changing the DNS address).

However for $300 Im sure there are wayy better alternatives out there, and the keyboard/mouse are probably not worth a lot.

I myself would probably like to look more in to the Raberry Pi projects (and others like the Orange Pi I just read about). I could probably set that up easily myself and enjoy the process, and it would still be cheaper.

But Im also shopping for a TV for my mum today, and I wanted a really simple way for her to access smart features like Netflix or Youtube on her TV. Smart TVs tend to be stupidly more expensive than their non-smart counterparts. (For example, Dick Smith 40" Samsung with Smart TV built in = $989, almost the same 40" HD Tv with no smart-computer built in = $764).

Please do share, what do you use? What devices out there are a fairly cheap option to run Plex, maybe KodiXBMC, Netflix, Internet browsing and maybe even more powerful software?

Here is the ALDI item:

[ALDI Bauhn PC] (http://www.lasoo.com.au/offer/television-accessories/bauhn-p…)

Computing

Comments

  • chazfg on 29/08/2015 - 15:36

    I use Popcorn Hour (old C200) just to be sure I can play AVI, MKV and Bluray files. PC can do that too, but you probably need to source a better graphic card with HDMI output to get the full HD and a sound card for the stereo. It won't be sub $300.
    I also have HP microserver for my file server, which I add extra graphic card with HDMI out just in case. Still pulls about 90w in power.
    Lots of options out there, especially with XBMC. Most people just use the smart feature of their TV, but I can tell you are not most people.

    • MelBourne on 29/08/2015 - 16:13

      Thanks for the response!!

      I guess I will need to see how those sub $100 android media players are able to handle high definition video, if you think I would really need a proper GPU and sound card in a PC

  • pointless martyr on 29/08/2015 - 15:50
    +1

    Can grab an xbox 360 off gumtree for $50 if you are quick. Will suit most needs for both you and yo momma. Buy a cheap remote off gumtree and you are sorted for netflix, youtube, windows media centre or even plex if you want.

    • MelBourne on 29/08/2015 - 16:11

      Oh yess, you are right . I forgot about that! I'm about to try and fix my old Xbox , which is in great nick aside from the fact it has the red ring of death.

      Still think I would like something simpler for my mum.

      Also at the time I last looked in to it, please wasn't easily available on PS3 , so that would be better for me but I will have to look in to it.

      Thanks guy!

      • pointless martyr on 29/08/2015 - 16:38

        Plex will work but you have to pay. Free option is a combo of windows 7 media centre and media browser add on. W7 MC can also record free to air tv as a bonus

  • tonyjzx on 29/08/2015 - 16:52
    +1

    $300 seems expensive for what it is?

    its basically like those ~$100 mini pcs except they throw in a cheap wireless KBD and mouse + AU tax… I doubt a Baytrail 2gb system will output 1,080p reliably?

    I can see maybe $200 value at best but $300? nah

    • MelBourne on 29/08/2015 - 23:38

      fair enough, at my brief first glance, that's what I thought!

  • paulbrown073 on 28/09/2015 - 15:35

    I purchase one of these and have just set it up.

    Couple of surprises, 1 it prompted me if I wanted to update to Win 10! and secondly I have a hp touchscreen monitor (pavilion 23tm) which I just connected the touch interface usb cable from the monitor to the pic and it works.

    • MelBourne on 29/09/2015 - 23:30

      Cool, thanks for the post! This is a bit late, I hope you got a reduced price for buying it a few weeks after it was released for sale in Aldi?

      Let us know how it goes in terms of power and what you are using it for. I wonder if it has much advantage over the $100 mini PC's that you can order from China or overseas.

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