Sage Client running on a $60 ($48) system

[jchiso]

On the heels of this thread about the Zotac Pico as extender, and having taken some lumps in getting that unit configured, I had a surprisingly easy and productive time getting Client up and running on a $60 WinBook Tablet. MicroCenter has been blowing these things out for $59.99 since December and I wanted to prove a point to myself and a coworker about this unit's being a viable desktop unit.

On a whim (and in a huff) last week I bought an open-box unit, so it only set me back $48. I felt like I had to give this thing a shot because it has the same quad-core processor as the Pico, and though it only has 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage it had a few (critical) features not generally found on low-end tablets: (mini) HDMI out (at up to 1080p), and a full-size USB port for expansion, in addition to a micro USB port for power and charging.

Setup was very easy, particularly after going through similar steps with the Pico. I set it up as I've done with all of my Windows 8.1 systems: which means disabled the startup in Metro mode and defaulting everything to a "Windows 7"-like desktop. I checked online for some more tips on removing unneeded programs to free up the sparse disk space and performed some other system optimizations.

Consistent with my "desktop pc" paradigm I loaded SageTV Client, Kodi (XBMC), HDHomeRun View, SlingPlayer Desktop, Audacity, Handbrake, and VMWare Horizon View Client (for actual work). All the apps installed and ran as expected. Granted, you can't really intensely run more than two apps like these simultaneously, but you can run an app like Kodi while Sage is still open, or vice versa. I was able to run either app with a four-track Audacity project opened.

The Client plays flawlessly at 720p. The wireless adapter is rock solid. I used a USB-based RF keyboard/mousepad for wireless control, though I do have a Flirc I could pop into it as well. I also connected it to a couple of different desk setups in which I have powered USB hubs and used it with a KVM switch as well as powered USB switch. It did not exhibit any connectivity glitches. In fact, since I used the thing exclusively attached to the monitor (with the tablet's panel disabled) it does not seem to be anything other than a computer.

The Client runs at 1080p but there is some noticeable degradation. Some of that may be my less-than-stellar wifi setup, but I was able to watch live HD golf (captured via an HD-PVR at 720p) with little distraction. As I mentioned in the Zotac Pico thread, the Windows 8 HDMI audio configuration is annoying to me, but I was able to get that sorted out for the Client, though it's much easier to do in Kodi, since you can set the passthrough in the setup menu.

All in all, I could not be any more pleased with what this does for this price. Some will say that it's missing a, b, or c feature, but these days I'm more inclined to get a device that can do a great job of one thing rather than sinking a ton of time and money into a "bells-and-whistles" special.

So there you have it: I think we have another legitimate entry in the "HD-300 replacement/alternative category ...

[KeithAbbott]

So it sounds like the WinBook is acceptable as a client connected to an external monitor and speakers. Can you speak to using it standalone (but connected to the Sage server via wifi), with the internal display, speakers and battery? I'm thinking in terms of being able to watch a 2 to 2 1/2 hour long movie, would the user experience be acceptable (considering the price tag of the device), or more of a frustrating experience?

[KryptoNyte]

Did you have a chance to test 1080i content in Sage Client to see how it handles deinterlacing?

[jchiso]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

... Can you speak to using it standalone (but connected to the Sage server via wifi), with the internal display, speakers and battery? I'm thinking in terms of being able to watch a 2 to 2 1/2 hour long movie ...

I've not tried to do so yet, though I will. The tablet should be able to stream video for at least 4 hours. The speakers are surprisingly adequate. I've also not plugged in headphones yet.

Originally Posted by KryptoNyte

Did you have a chance to test 1080i content in Sage Client to see how it handles deinterlacing?

I played a couple of MPEG2 HD clips in the Client as well as streamed from an HD Homerun. This may be the device's weakest area. I say "may" because I did not install a quality MPEG2 codec. Any suggestions or recommendations for MPEG2 HD playback would be appreciated ...

[mechling-burgh]

I use LAV filters on my HP stream and can view 1080i in full screen exclusive only, but does seems to work okay for me.

[jchiso]

Update: I watched some 1080i OTA live sports and while the deinterlacing was imperfect it was very watchable on the 7-inch screen. I'm using the standard Microsoft decoders ...

[mikejaner]

Wow, I am trying this one today.

[mikejaner]

Ok, so I grabbed one on the way home today, and here is my half hour review. WOW!! for $60, regardless of the SageTV capability, this thing is a charmer. it performs well enough to surf the web, mess around with files play full 1080p video when needed etc..... It has a nice screen, solid build, and what appears to be a decent battery.

Now for my quick SageTV Client observations. I installed SageTV Client, and the FFDshow codec's thinking I might get good performance out of it. HDHR Prime recorded shows are studdery and not easy to watch. I got dragged away by my wife and kids, but in seeing only about 45% CPU usage and using an USB Network adapter, I am hoping it's a simple thing, maybe with the audio settings etc..... I will try some more stuff later tonight.

After plugging it up via HDMI to my TV and seeing what it can do I really like this thing at this price....

[mechling-burgh]

Try the Lav filters that did the trick me om the HP Stream. Like I said I need to run full screen exclusive but it works.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by mechling-burgh

Try the Lav filters that did the trick me om the HP Stream. Like I said I need to run full screen exclusive but it works.

Tried that. Installed LAV with the defaults, set:
Full Screen Exclusive Yes
MPEG2 Video Decoder: Lav Video Decoder
MPEG2 Audio Decoder: Lav Audio Decoder
Renderer: EVR
3d Acceleration Yes
Audio Renderer: Default

Any ideas?

I loaded Plex Home Theater, and it plays buttery smooth on the SageTV Recordings.

[mechling-burgh]

My wife has the tablet in Dallas with her on a trip I can't check my settings till Friday. When she gets back I will check and let you know what I have my settings at. I don't think I used the EVR if I recall that gave me problems.

[mikejaner]

Ok, got it working. Set the top option to Default instead of EVR

[Edit] Update, video is smooth yes, but the image is cropped way beyond the screen edges, and it's running in overlay mode. I will test some more tomorrow.

[mikejaner]

@mechling-burgh, I hope you are able to look at that tablet your wife has, because I cannot for the life of me figure out what is preventing the smooth playback of MPEG2 in SageTV vs literally everything else (Kodi, VLC, Plex). I am suspecting SageTV being out of date on applying some type of new graphs or something Graphedit might be able to fix.

On a side note, I once again went venturing into DVR software while testing all of this, and I started testing many things. I got to a point where I said "Let me see what MythTV looks like this year."
I installed MythBuntu on a virtual machine, and configured it to use my HDHR tuners. Setup was pretty easy, tedious, but easy. That may have been because I have set it up many times over the years. After configuring the tuners, and setting up Schedules Direct for Guide data, I fired it up. It works really well now! I set up Kodi clients on my Nexus7 (2012), Windows 10, Windows 8.1 Tablet ($60), Dell $200 Laptop, Lenovo Q190, and they all worked. I even booted the MythBuntu USB key I made on the Lenovo Q190, and used the frontend flawlessly. I only had to tweak it for a few things, like tell it to use OpenGL for video, and HDMI for audio out etc... The built in MythWeb is really nice, and works quite well too. The Kodi plugin is way more robust and stable than the the other plugins I have tried. Pretty neat, and the closest replacement I have run into now.

[phelme]

anyone tried one of these tiny PC's as a network encoder server?

I'm considering swapping out my large 8 year old PC serving a DirecTV receiver for something more efficient and quiet. A bit worried that the network adapter in these boxes wouldn't be quick enough while handling the USB duties of an HD-PVR. I had to install Intel gigabit adapters on both ends of the connection to get my current setup to work reliably.

[Wirenut]

OK. I just bought one of these too. Seems pretty slick. A full size USB port rocks!

[mechling-burgh]

okay video set to evr lav for mpeg and h.264. then i set the lav filters to dxva2 native under hardware acceleration in the lav settings. Then start sage in full screen mode.

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by mechling-burgh

okay video set to evr lav for mpeg and h.264. then i set the lav filters to dxva2 native under hardware acceleration in the lav settings. Then start sage in full screen mode.

Success!! Thanks!
The key was putting LAV filters settings for Hardware Accelleration to dxva2 native

Other notes:
Full Screen Exclusive does not need to be set. Windowed and Full screen mode seem to playback just fine.
You can turn off Deinterlacing in the LAV Video Filter settings if your TV does it for you automatically. It seems to reduce the very small and infrequent but random judders when interlace content switches scenes etc. Most people won't notice. I bet a little tweaking there might be eliminate that.

Thanks again to mechling-burgh.
I can now say these tablets fully replace HD300s for me. The additional ability of Kodi/MythTV, Plex, and VLC are added bonuses.

[jchiso]

How do you go about installing the LAV decoders? They do not show up on the Sage list of decoders for MPEG; I only get Microsoft and Sage decoders as options ...

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by jchiso

How do you go about installing the LAV decoders? They do not show up on the Sage list of decoders for MPEG; I only get Microsoft and Sage decoders as options ...

They are available at this site https://code.google.com/p/lavfilters/. (Actually https://github.com/Nevcairiel/LAVFilters/releases )
After installing, you select them by choosing "List All Decoders" and choosing LAV Video decoder. Then select LAV Audio Decoder for audio etc. I chose LAV Decoders for all of the option in SageTV, like MpEG2 and h.264 etc..

Make sure you open the LAV Video Decoder settings after it installs and change the Hardware Decoder option to DXVA2 Native before playing back content.

[jchiso]

I had the decoders installed and configured, but I could not designate them for use in Sage. I'm use STV3, and while the 'List All Decoders' option exists for h.264, it is not available for MPEG2. I changed to STV7, designated the LAV decoders and attempted playback of an MPEG2 HD clip. Unfortunately, it would not play at all ...