ECS LIVA for Streaming?

[Doyle]

Anyone have any idea if this would work for Steam In--home streaming? Or is it too under powered even for that?

I like how small it is, and the fact it can run a Windows OS. Link Below.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856501007

[robert_macoon]

I think it might do a good job. The N2807 processor supports QuickSync, so it will support H264 decoding when used as a client, so it probably won't matter that that CPU is not too powerful.

[Doyle]

Could this use the steam OS by chance? What does the steam OS require?

[robert_macoon]

I think it could. SteamOS requires 64-bit, which this has. SteamOS has hefty hard disk space requirements, but I think that can be worked around. I suspect though that you'll have issues with hardware decoding using Intel graphics on Linux. See the post below. You won't have that problem if you run Windows.

I have an Intel NUC with Celeron CPU, running Windows 8.1 and it does a brilliant job as a streaming client.

http://steamcommunity.com/groups/homestream/discussions/0/37470847899048216/

[Doyle]

Well I just picked it up. I'll let oyu guys know what I find. This may be one of the best "smallest" streaming machines out there for the price if it all works out.

[robert_macoon]

Thanks, I'd be interested to hear how it goes, especially if you can get hardware decoding working in SteamOS. Maybe I could install it on my NUC one day.

[Yorick]

I've just set this up. Works really well, even over 802.11n WiFi. No delay in fighting and driving games. I'm quite happy with the game performance. Now if only Valve added 5.1 sound to streaming I'd be in hog heaven.

I am still going to return the Liva I got, though, and try a "ZBox CA320 Nano plus Windows" instead, provided I can find one. The CI320 would do just as well for streaming, but I think I'll go for the better graphics in the CA320.
A couple reasons I am returning the Liva:

Until SteamOS is out and supported in the Liva, I need a Windows license. That adds to the price to where I might as well buy something with an ultra-cheap Windows copy bundled.

The Liva comes with 32GB HD - or 64GB in the new "White" edition. 32GB is very tight for Windows. 64GB will be enough.
That drive is really really slow though. Installing Windows patches took overnight. Installing the Windows 8.1 upgrade took 6 hours. You get the idea. The ZBox has an SSD.

The Liva comes with 2GB RAM, and so does the ZBox. But the ZBox can be upgraded to 8GB.

So, verdict: Great little machine for streaming. Consider the White edition. If you want better performance and a bundled Windows license, consider the ZBox CI320 / CA320 Nano Plus Windows . It may come out cheaper than a Liva after buying a Windows license for the Liva, and I expect it to be a much faster machine.

[Doyle]

The Liva ended up being crap for streaming.

I ended up getting a brix. It cost more, but it's a hell of a nice small PC.


This is the combo I got for $388

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboBundleDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.1699946

[Yorick]

Odd that we had such different results. Did you use Windows 8.1 or Linux? What does "crap for streaming" mean? Tearing? Low FPS? Control latency?

When I tested, I didn't display client performance. Subjectively, it worked perfectly. I ran Windows 8.1 with all of the Liva drivers installed, which means it did use hardware decode, something that I am told doesn't work yet in Linux for Intel graphics.

[robert_macoon]

I'm guessing he tried Linux/SteamOS? I think with Windows 8.1 it would do a really good job... The Brix is overkill if you use Windows and only need to stream.

[Doyle]

I used W 8.1 on both systems. The Liva constantly gave slow decoding errors and the cpu was maxed the entire time.

[robert_macoon]

Did you try asking in the forums for any tips? Usually if you upload the logs, there are people around that can see where something may have needed tweaking.

If you have an old copy of the logs still, it'd be interesting to look at them. I'm surprised you had such bad results.

[Dilly Dilly]

I purchased the ECS BAT-I intel cpu on board with the J2900. I know its a different processor and more powerful than the N2807 that comes with the Liva. But, the J2900 streams like butter on Windows 8.1 and cpu isnt near to being maxed out. I would think the Liva with hardware decoding properly working it should be fine. Another thing i noticed about ECS, if you dont install the drivers on the disc/website, the system will run like crap. Dont expect windows to install the correct drivers. Once I got all the drivers in... it ran perfectly.

Currently I am using my AMD AM1 5350 setup for my steam streaming and using the J2900 to host dedicated insurgency servers off of it. Quiet fanless server and its handling it without a hiccup.

I tried installing SteamOS on the ECS BAT-I and I was getting tons of errors. Even the display driver didnt load properly that i really couldnt continue from. I dont think the ECS chipset is implemented into SteamOS yet. I remember some posts using the J1800 and J1900 from other brands and they are in the same family cpu.

[UbuntuAddicted]

im betting someone with knowledge of linux and the proper optimized mesa and intel graphics driver stack this little thing could be used for a steam in home streamer. maybe not 1080p but 720p. i may risk it and give it a shot.