Will Asus EeeBox B202 work as hybrid for playing SD video?

[iScape]

Hi,

I'm thinking about starting my linuxmce network with a hybrid. One of options is to use B202. Later network will be expanded with dedicated core and multiple MDs. B202 may become one of them.
My tasks for hybrid will be: playing music, playing SD video and rarely HD 720p (SPCR article says it handled 720p for most videos) and also web surfing.
I was not able to find any explicit topic on using B202 as hybrid. It is only mentioned as MD (WiKi, forum).

Could you pls let me know if B202 is capable to work as hybrid for my tasks?
If there will be some kind of limitation of B202/LinuxMCE functionality like "it will fit but without UI2, etc), pls, let me know.

[Marie.O]

I have watched test clips on my test core, which happens to be a B202 running 720p. Albeit it is using UI1, because I am exclusively using off-screen orbiters, like the Cisco 7970, the Nokia n810, and tkmedia's WebDT 366 atm. Worked fine for me.

[totallymaxed]

Hi,

I'm thinking about starting my linuxmce network with a hybrid based on B202. Later network will be expanded with dedicated core and multiple MDs. B202 will become one of them.
My tasks for hybrid will be: playing music, playing SD video and rarely HD 720p (SPCR article says it handled 720p for most videos) and also web surfing.
I was not able to find any explicit topic on using B202 as hybrid. It is only mentioned as MD (WiKi, forum).

Could you pls let me know if B202 is capable to work as hybrid for my tasks?
If there will be some kind of limitation of B202/LinuxMCE functionality like "it will fit but without UI2, etc), pls, let me know.

Yes the B202 will work fine as a small Core... we have some demo units and we are looking at building a small customer system using them too. We use UI1 & UI2 + Overlay on these systems.

Andrew

[Marie.O]

It might even make sense to use a eee PC, like the 901. Built in UPS. Just need to get one with a HDD instead of SDD.

[totallymaxed]

It might even make sense to use a eee PC, like the 901. Built in UPS. Just need to get one with a HDD instead of SDD.

As the hardware is almost 100% identical I am sure it would work fine ;-)

Andrew

[Marie.O]

he,he, makes you think of having a full LinuxMCE install ready to be deployed using a single suitcase 

[totallymaxed]

he,he, makes you think of having a full LinuxMCE install ready to be deployed using a single suitcase 

...we have one...fits in a rucksack and my co-worker Steve takes it out 'on the road' to customers/installers etc for demo's. Can be setup and working in about 5 mins.

Andrew

[iScape]

It might even make sense to use a eee PC, like the 901. Built in UPS. Just need to get one with a HDD instead of SDD.

Tnx, makes sense for me. Prices are the same in my region and I will have portable PC with 901.
Can you pls help me with pros/cons of EeePC 901 vs EeeBox B202 (excluding "portability" of 901)?

901 / B202:
Size, weight: almost the same
Heat, noise: both are actively cooled but B202 claimed to be very quiet. What about comparison to 901?
Storage: 12GB SSD / 80GB HDD
Video output: VGA / DVI
Communication:
 bluetooth / no BT
 LAN 100Mb / 1Gb
 WiFi 802.11g / 802.11n
OS: WinXP Pro / Home
UPS: battery / no battery
Other: B202 supports VESA mounting naturally (that is kind of important for me for media centre usage)

What else in general and from linuxmce prospective)?

[Marie.O]

The 901 was more meant as a joke.

For any stationary hybrid, I would take the B202.

[iScape]

The 901 was more meant as a joke.

For any stationary hybrid, I would take the B202.

Then I definitely still not getting it fully:) I'm sorry, but what am I missing that makes 901 not applicable comparing to B202 from you point of view?

[iScape]

The 901 was more meant as a joke.

For any stationary hybrid, I would take the B202.

Seriously, why not?

[Marie.O]

Then I definitely still not getting it fully:) I'm sorry, but what am I missing that makes 901 not applicable comparing to B202 from you point of view?

The size of the package.

The B202 can be mounted someplace behind the monitor using the VESA mounts. You can't do that with the notebook. Another one is S/P-DIF optical out. You have that with the B202, but you don't with the 901. Lastly, the B202 has the ability to attach an external Wifi Antenna, which might be helpful for your connection to the internet (not that this connection is supported out of the box, but I think it is quite doable, and no, I have not had the need for it).