Orange Pi PC - a good media server for $ 19

If you want a media server to connect to a TV or monitor, you may suitable this fee for developers. It is almost like a Raspberry Pi, only cheaper.

Orange Pi PC - Chinese clone of the Raspberry Pi to processor Allwinner ARMv7. This platform is faster than that used in the first version of the original board with Broadcom ARM11 architecture. Of course, Orange inferior performance Raspberry Pi 3. But the original board costs $ 36And a copy - only 18.5.

Characteristics

The board has all the necessary interfaces and can work not only as a media server. Who can see this to find the necessary materials

The important point is the board design as the main output interface - HDMI. The Orange Pi PC it can not only output a signal directly to the TV, but also to work with a variety of additional devices: converters and splitters. It extends the capabilities of the card.

OS

At this time, the following OS Orange Pi PC:

• Android (Orange OS);
• Lubuntu;
• Ubuntu 15.0 (Mate);
• Debian 8 (XFCE);
• Raspbian;
• Fedora;
• kali Linux;
• Arch Linux;
• openSUSE.

On the choice of software depends on the board's capabilities. Orange Pi family is less popular than the Raspberry Pi, therefore, in some systems, not all the functions. For media server suitable Android and Ubuntu with the superstructure Kodi (Shell to create a media center).

Implementation of a media server

For work boards need quality food. Unlike other similar devices, Orange Pi PC is working through a proprietary connector (cylindrical the connector with an external diameter of 3.9 mm and an internal 1.2 mm) or a GPIO (+ 5V at the 2- or 4-pin, «land" on 6-pin). The required current settings: 5 V / 2 A (minimum) to 5 V / 3 A (recommended by manufacturer). At the slightest drawdown operation of the system stops: there are friezes fade. In some cases, the system may hang completely, reboot is required.

Furthermore, due to the strong heating of processor cooling is required: a radiator or cooler. Perfect fit cooling set for Raspberry Pi. Wireless interfaces on the board are not available, so need a Bluetooth- or Wi-Fi-dongle. The best option would not require drivers USB-adapter. can be purchased DVB-T2 tuner if desired.

For stable operation require high-quality memory card is not below the 10th grade. Better - UHS.

Once all the components are assembled, must be installed on a USB flash drive operating system. Suitable and Ubuntu, and Android (in the last of the hardware video decoding). For detailed instructions in English can be found here, in Russian - here.

With any chosen system device can play back files to 1080p / 60 fps (1920 × 1080 at 60 frames per second). The set of codecs can vary, you can always install extra if desired.

Conclusion V stream can be carried out via an analog or digital output, so to connect the Orange Pi PC is possible even to the old TV with a cathode-ray tube. When using the adapter HDMI - VGA card may connect with the old monitor. The more that system performance will be enough for surfing or working with small office files (and Quake III works well).

conclusion

If possible, stretch Ethernet-cable, this version of the home media center - the most affordable of the existing ones. Cheaper - only broken smartphone.

cost of Orange Pi PC from Wi-Fi module It reaches $ 24. And with the purchase of housing (5-10 dollars) and tuner (to $ 15), it becomes comparable to the cost of TV Box. But is it ready version will replace the pleasure of working with your hands? Especially the installation and setup takes just a couple of hours.