ion vs ion-2

[latinyoungn]

Hello everyone (first time poster),
I have a few questions id like to ask. I am currently using hulu on an old p4 system. it works amazing by the way. I am in the process of building a new htpc/always-on-server and Id like it to use as little power as possible. I am debating between ion and ion-2 and I cant find any good documentation comparing the two for video purposes. I was wondering if anyone has any input for me regarding this. I am really leaning toward the "at3iont-i deluxe" but I saw the new at5iont-i with ion-2 and users reporting lots of issues with ion-2. does anyone advise me not to get the atom all together?

also, I cant find any videos of hulu running from within boxee with the ion set up. I am well aware of hulu blocking boxee and the new hack. Does anyone know of any videos or webpages discussing hulu running from within boxee with ion? Does anyone have personal experience with hulu within boxee with atom/ion? My p4 can play hulu from hulu.com fine but struggles with hulu in boxee which worries me.

thanks, dave

[haveringcottage]

i would definitely say -do not get ion altogether-

go for something slightly more beefy.

you're literally talking a 5w difference. just boil half a kettle instead of a full one once a week and you'll be saving more power.

[darcilicious]

Boxee is a bit of resource pig -- video that plays back fine in a web browser may not play back all that well in Boxee.

This is good to review: http://boxee.zendesk.com/entries/171...ested-hardware

And also, JudgeSChambers' posts has info in his .sig about getting best possible performance on the low-end stuff.

[judgeschambers]

I would not agree with the second poster as my ION-1 boxes work just dandy. There were some issues with the UK versions of the Acer Revo version of the Atom 330 Ion -1, but mostly performed well overall. Never could figure out if it was a hardware/build/software issue with all the people I've worked with on that topic.

Do not get any ION-2 box as the Nvidia chipset location on the board, due to restrictions implemented by Intel, severely hinder the performance of flash or HD video playback. Utterly useless.

Without recovering all the ATom/Ion details again, please see my sig for reading material and youtube postings I have. Run it lean and it will work well even with boxee.

The next option for more beefy is an i5 box with any Nvidia GF 8XXXX video card and at least 2 gig ram and Windows 7 64 home premium at the minimum. Doable around $600.

[its__]

My box with IONITX (Dual Core Atom 330 1.6GHz + 2GB DDR2 800MHz RAM) runs FLAWLESSLY!

I was also running on an old P4 system with 1GB ram and 6600GT before, that also worked pretty well..

Actually, I've tried running Boxee in a virtual machine from my Mac (on WinXP), and even that plays 720p MKV without any hiccups.

[Randall_Lind]

Same board I am planing to build my HTPC around not sure what case to buy but. If you watch Revision 3 show Hak 5 they have 2 shows that talks about making a boxee with Asus A3iont-1 Deluxe

[latinyoungn]

thanks for your responses everyone. I decided to pull the trigger on an ION setup so I can use this as a server down the road with little power drain.

judgeschambers & its__, You said your ion setups run boxee fine. Can you confirm that you are able to play HULU videos within boxee without stutter? I didnt get a clear answer and I would really love to know

I am looking to order the parts this week

[judgeschambers]

thanks for your responses everyone. I decided to pull the trigger on an ION setup so I can use this as a server down the road with little power drain.

judgeschambers & its__, You said your ion setups run boxee fine. Can you confirm that you are able to play HULU videos within boxee without stutter? I didnt get a clear answer and I would really love to know

I am looking to order the parts this week

Yes, I can play Hulu videos without stutter in boxee on the Atom 330/Ion-1.

But, remember, hulu videos were pulled from Boxee PC, Mac and Linux. So, when you try to play them now you get a Hulu warning saying that Hulu Plus is coming to boxee shortly.

But prior to this change I could play them just fine. You could check some of my newer Youtube videos for proof. I think I have a couple with Hulu rolling....

Of course, playback in a browser is flawless.

Just be sure to install FFox and the Flash 10.1 or the new beta 10.2 Add-in for Fire Fox and it will work fine. Follow my Set Up link in my sig.

Please, keep us posted on the hardware combo you use and how it works out. Also, you could register and post on my Revo forum as well. Link at the top page of my blog.

[its__]

@latinyoungn: I live in Denmark, so no Hulu for me, unfortunately.

But Youtube-videos plays just fine in both 480p and 720p, so I guess it won't be a big problem.

[cmendill]

I have Ion 2 and have no problem with web flash in boxee. Though I've heard that some people do. The 1st gen ION should be fine.