Computers for A/V

71.146.61.219

Posted on January 9, 2019 at 08:23:29

lokie
Audiophile

Posts: 1989
Location: Georgia, USA
Joined: January 28, 2003

I'm researching for a value engineered A/V Computer and looking at some I7 Gen6 desktop refurbished business computers on Ebay. They go for around $400.

Any advice?

Worried I cant put a video card in them.

I have a subscription to Outlook 365 but thinking I'll need to pony up for Windows as well??

Will be the hub for network streaming video/movies (maybe using Plex??), Direct TV NOW, and Audio/ROON Core and used in conjunction w a Cisco Hub and Synology NAS among other network stuff.

Attached is a link to an example but there is tons of these available in many configurations.

Thanks

https://www.ebay.com/itm/HP-ProDesk-600-G2-SFF-Quad-Core-i7-

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Have you thought of using a Roku box ?

Ross

13:56:44 01/20/19

RE: Have you thought of using a Roku box ?

lokie

11:12:00 01/23/19

...

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Have you thought of using a Roku box ?

Ross

13:56:44 01/20/19

RE: Have you thought of using a Roku box ?

lokie

11:12:00 01/23/19

Have you thought of using a Roku box ?, posted on January 20, 2019 at 13:56:44

Ross
Audiophile

Posts: 1814
Joined: January 24, 2000

I use one to connect my TV to my newtork and stream A/V content. I have a NAS drive. There is a Plex app for roku; unsure about a Direct TV app.

Roku DAC leaves a lot to be desired, and would be a limitation if you want to stream high quality audio. I use a (former) TOTL Marantz AV receiver with a good DAC for audio streaming throughout my house.

You could pair a Roku box for video with a used Denon Heos 2 Preamp, or Blue Sound Node 2 for audio for less than $400. Both the Denon and Blue Sound will connect to a NAS and stream all of the popular services.

RE: Have you thought of using a Roku box ?, posted on January 23, 2019 at 11:12:00

lokie
Audiophile

Posts: 1989
Location: Georgia, USA
Joined: January 28, 2003

Thanks for the response. I'm separating the 2 channel and AV sound via two separate set of speaker cables.

I would love to run ROON and the AV computer from the same unit.... which is in a dedicated AV closet.

BTW.. I have crawl sapce above and below my one story house... so running LAN lines is very easy.

What do you think of running a LAN line to an outboard video card/box about 30' away from the AV computer. The card would be connected to a 65" TV Screen. Most of the outboard video cards/boxes have Ethernet ports these days. But not sure what they are used for??

Video Asylum

Computers for A/V

71.146.61.219