Zotac Zbox AD10 and OpenElec

[Ilia]

Was wondering if anyone here has experience with Zotac Zbox AD10?

Does the remote work out of the box?

Do you get smooth playback of 1080p with DTS/DD?

Do most addons work?

Any issues like jerking of video/etc?

Would be good to get a review from someone with the box.

Thanks in advance.
Ilia

[Questionario]

Remote works out of the box unless you want customizations.
smooth playback of 1080p with DTS/DD (pass-thru to AVR) except of one bug OpenElec seems to have, sometimes I need to restart the movies as it keeps flipping between frames and the video stutters and flimmers, restarting the movie or rewind/forward usually does the trick though.
the wlan does connect but there seems to be something wrong with it (even with latest stable build), with dev builds I get 20-30kbytes/s, with latest stable I get about ~140kbytes/s. with ubuntu live I get about 2mbyte/s, havent tried windows.
Both computers are within 3m of the access point with no wall in between.
as a silent freak (my other PC does not make a sound, the harddrives are even in special custom built box made of many materials to keep the harddrives cool and quiet) I think the box is pretty noisy though, with a 2,5" harddrive it is unbearable, without and with tuning the smart fan settings its bearable as long as the box is not under too heavy load.

basically if the wireless were working better and PVR would work out of the box I would be completely satisfied.
what I am missing though is that the internal Zotac AD10 IR-receiver does not work in the bios etc.
I need to have a wireless keyboard/mouse (diNovo mini from Logitech) connected at all times to be able to go into bios, etc.
With the external IR-receiver it is possible to navigate at least through for example boot menus, i havent figured out how to get into the bios with it though. not sure why they are actually different, would have thought they are the same...

if you want to know anything else, ask away!

[jackster1961]

Yes My remote works out of the Box

No i dont get smooth playback of 1080p - i get pixelation and bleeding with some 1080p MKVs

All the add on's i have tried work including all On demand add on for UK TV...the skin im using is Aon NOx everything is working smooth...i did have a problem with PNP randomly rebooting XBMC but it stopped when i disabled it.

Only had jerky video with Mp4 video files all MKV and Xvid work fine streaming from qnap T-210 Nas serever.

The fusion build on dailys have come on leaps and bounds thanks to the Devs here at openelec i love my AD10..So much so my Asrock 330 HT is now relegated to the bedroom setup.

.....JAck

[Ilia]

I got a revo 3700 and the noise it makes is bearable if its not sitting next to you.

I was thinking of using SSD which should make less noise and make less heat? have you considered this? and I am using wired lan as streaming with wireless a 1080p file is always problematic.

the only reason I am thinking to swapping to ad10 is that I want to get DTS-HD sound once xbmc get it working.

which openelec version are u using?

Thanks for the reply

[Ilia]

@jackster1961 - thanks

[jackster1961]

Im using Fusion Daily -r9616... 22nd of jan release and its working fine for me

I swapped the 320 gig drive in my Ad10 with a Samsung 1TB ( Cant Afford SSD) ... no extra noise as far as i can tell..i hardly notice the noise from THe unit but im not that sensitive to sound in any case...Mine is wired Lan.

...Jack

[Questionario]

I am using the latest development build (PVR-9616).
DTS-HD does not work yet because of xbmc as you stated but the ad10 supposedly would support it!
PS: I updated my first post regarding the remote
I also forgot to mention that the suspend function within OpenElec does not work, you will need to shut down everytime (not sure if that is fusion only or all builds).

I am not using an internal HDD anymore, I connected a USB stick for openelec as that is all I need.
I have also connected a 3,5" HDD (in a custom built box casted out of silicon carbonate, aluminium oxide, special silicones, extender, etc. etc. which makes the harddrive noiseless) via eSata. no need for an SSD just to have 5seconds faster boot time ;-)
Here is a picture of the box:
    sdc100327mq81.jpg[/attachment]

[Questionario]

@jack: I am VERY sensitive to noise, therefore I could not stand the AD10 without tuning the smart fan settings, I tried the Samsung 1TB M8 drive. It's nice but too loud for me!
I have the 1TB Samsung inside a Zotac ID41 which is used solely as a music player (xbmc on win7 because of the touchscreen driver) for parties.
The AD10 as I said as a harddrive connected via eSata.
so far I am glad I bought the AD10 although the bios beeps give me the creeps everytime!
just waiting for some openelec bugs to be sorted, mainly wireless,suspend and PVR. then I am happy with it

[Ilia]

i am seeing a pattern with playback issues, how common is it? 1/10 movies? only 1080p affected?

@Questionario, the bios beeping is that on boot?

[jackster1961]

Hi Questionario

That custom HD case sounds the Biz..Just a quick question alot of people seem to be hinting updating the Bios fixes the 1080p Pixalation and bleeding of some video files...sooo my question is have U updated the Bios on your AD10 from purchase ?

Thanx in Advance ...JAck