how is streaming performance to a Celeron (Bay Trail) NUC-type client?

[VexV]

I'm moving to a smaller apartment and looking to downsize my current HTPC from a mATX (Athlon II X4, AMD 6850, 4GB DDR2 RAM) to a book-sized computer like a NUC/BRIX/Nano etc that can be mounted behind my HDTV and has minimal noise. I know that for a similar price (or even better price), I could probably get better value and performance by going with an ITX setup with a Core i3 processor and a discrete GPU (perhaps GTX 750 Ti), but of course that form factor is bigger, likely noisier, and hotter.

I see that there are Celeron/Bay Trail NUC's on the market in the $150 range. These are not Haswell processors, but do support Quick Sync. Has anyone tried streaming to one of these types of clients? Is there hardware decode? What is the experience and performance like?

Thanks

[robert_macoon]

I have the DN2820FYKH with the Celeron processor, with gigabit LAN. It supports H264 decoding (it doesn't support the full QuickSync, but it doesn't need too). It's in my bedroom and hooked up to a 720p TV. It does 60 fps no issues (or, it did until Nvidia hardware encoding was disabled, but that's got nothing to do with the NUC). My ION2 in the lounge room runs at 1080p, 60 fps (when Nvidia encoding is enabled on the server), and I think the NUC would do it too, no problem.

[VexV]

thanks for the feedback!

[Lucky Lars]

I was also considering getting the Celeron NUC for this very reason. Glad to see it will work. I am wondering however how it will perform on a WIFI connection as I have no access to a wired connection where I'd place the NUC.

[robert_macoon]

I haven't tried out the Wi-Fi sorry.

[Lucky Lars]

Originally posted by megafluffles:

I haven't tried out the Wi-Fi sorry.

Oh well I bought it anyways, I'll post some test results once it comes in.

[VexV]

I went ahead and bought a Zotac i3 system: http://goo.gl/1Id0Fi They also have a quad-core Celeron Bay Trail-M processor model (that includes Quick Sync) in that same series, but I felt better to have extra processing power in case I needed it in the future. My issue now is optimizing my host system (AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE, unlocked to essentially a X4 940 w/ Radeon HD 6850)...

[Lucky Lars]

Originally posted by VexV:

I went ahead and bought a Zotac i3 system: http://goo.gl/1Id0Fi They also have a quad-core Celeron Bay Trail-M processor model (that includes Quick Sync) in that same series, but I felt better to have extra processing power in case I needed it in the future. My issue now is optimizing my host system (AMD Phenom II X3 720 BE, unlocked to essentially a X4 940 w/ Radeon HD 6850)...

How much did you pay for that? I'm seeing a Zotac i3 one for €370, while a Intel NUC with i5 is €312.

[vieja'l visillo]

Hi.

I also have a DN2820FYKH device. It doesn't implement QuickSync but it does for DXVA2 that is enough for H264 harware accelerated decoding of IHS and movies. For movies I also had to install LAV video and audio decoders. That's the only way I found for the MKV movies to use DXVA2 and the AC3 audio to work with my home theater.

I've also read about a new hardware version that includes DN2830 processor that fully implements QuickSync (http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-bay-trail-nuc-kit-dn2820fykh-gets-n2830-cpu-quick-sync-video_140784).

[vieja'l visillo]

If you don't want to install LAV decoders and filters, you can use MPC-HC that brings its own decoders and filters.

[VexV]

my zotac unit arrived a few days ago; i linked it in my post, but looks like link was removed. the model is CI 520; it's part of their C series that is passively cooled. it cost me $280 USD on Newegg. i had some issues getting it to install on my initial SSD (Corsair F60, seems to be an incompatibility), after 2 days finally got it installed on an intel SSD. i like the device, but am concerned about possible heat/temperature issues. i havent tested streaming yet. and my desktop system probably (phenom ii x3 720 BE unlocked to 4 cores, and AMD HD 6850) needs to be better to be an accurate assessment of IHS. looking to upgrade my desktop's GPU next and am considering something that supports hardware h264 encoding. any suggestions for that? i've heard R9 270 or GTX 760, but other users have been advocating the Radeon for Mantle.

[powerarmour]

Only the J1800's and J1900 BayTrail-D boards include full QuickSync support AFAIK.

[ReBoot]

Originally posted by Lucky Lars:

I was also considering getting the Celeron NUC for this very reason. Glad to see it will work. I am wondering however how it will perform on a WIFI connection as I have no access to a wired connection where I'd place the NUC.

Me neither, but I've bought a pair of Powerline adaptors to get decent Ethernet to my TV/living room PC.