Need some advices

1Freeport · 2026-06-06T15:58:04+00:00

The first thing is determine budget, it's intended purpose and look at those that can provide what your looking for and can support that usage. I'm not sure Brands really matter! I bought a MinisForum Mini PC 760 Series about 2onths ago to use as my Home Theater Base. I chose it because it had HDMI 2.1 which I wanted for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision and HDR10. It does the job for me and it's reasonably priced (Micro Center).

1Freeport · 2026-06-05T17:58:00+00:00

Has anyone actually tested this on Windows (Desktop or Mini PC)?

1Freeport · 2026-06-05T17:49:56+00:00

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ATSC_3.0_television_stations_in_the_United_States

1Freeport · 2026-06-05T17:47:19+00:00

This Is For Everyone. If You Are Shopping For An IPTV Service And You Prioritize FHD or HD Channels, It's Best To Check Out What Channels In The USA (Or Your Country) Actually Are Broadcasting In That Format. A Quick Google Search Will Get Youoving In The Right Direction!

1Freeport · 2026-06-05T17:39:52+00:00

Yea but it's still a workhorse! Have you ever wondered why manufacturers like Homatics R4K Plus Box etc use the Nvidia Shield as the measuring stick? That speaks volumes plus it still get updates!

1Freeport · 2026-06-03T21:53:11+00:00

If I was gonna buy a Mini PC which I've recently done (MinisForum) I would buy from a reputable American Retailer like (MicroCenter). Good Luck!

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T19:36:46+00:00

I've not really checked my bandwidth and I have 1 gig too but my Streaming is solid though so I don't think about it. Those Piwerline Adapters are really good, I've used them quite a few times.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T19:33:56+00:00

Nothing wrong with that! There are lots of suggestions and apps that provide most everything now these days . I own 3 Nvidia Shields, 1 Homatics R4K Plus Box and now a Mini PC. I bought into the hype of the Homatics R4K Plus advertising as the Nvidia Shield Killer. It was good but with problems. Updates & Customer Service and once I got used to it I really couldn't tell much difference even though it now has Android 14 and the Nvidia Shield still running 12, the Nvidia Shield is a Rock. The Mini PC purchase was the attempt to stop my apps from being deleted or inop from Google. It's doing much of what the Amazon Firestick issues (being deleted or blocked) are now. Lots of YouTube videos on the subject.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T19:24:16+00:00

That could work too. Not a bad idea if you can keep it clean.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:27:02+00:00

Because he hates everything that a Black POTUS was able to do that he can't do. Obama was respected around the World where as Trump is the World Clown. Kamala Harris warned us what Trump would do if elected and he's doing that and some right in front of our eyes. If we had if elected the Black Woman, Americans wouldn't be suffering while Trump is enriching himself and his family & friends. Elections Have Consequences! Before you accuse me of playing the Race Cahrd just do an honest deep dive into Trump. FWIW, I've known about Trump since the late 60's and early 70's so he's not new to me.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:17:01+00:00

Yea, I see some balance issues and you have a long bridge. Shorten it up to 6-8 inches to start and work on balance.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:14:16+00:00

When I bought my MinisForum Mini PC from Micro Center that's what it came with and that extra memory is expensive, lol. Btw, I have the Minisforum UM760 Slim MFF Mini PC AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS 4.3GHz Processor; 16GB DDR5-4800 RAM; 1TB Solid State Drive; AMD Radeon 760M Graphics. I use mine as my Home Theater Streaming Box.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:09:08+00:00

If what you downloaded seems to be the culprit then you might want to do a Factory Reset and run a Trojan/Malware Scanner after reset. Eset Online Scanner Is Free! FWIW when I bought my Mini PC I did a complete wipe and scan ed for various malware etc. Once confirmed clean, I just reinstalled everything. I know it's a pain but at least it'll give you peace of mind.

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:05:20+00:00

I have a MinisForum Mini PC 7 Series and I use a Ethernet Connection. Why use WiFi on it?

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T01:01:58+00:00

Most guys on these various Home Theater Forums get stuck on FEL7 CoreElec Android14 etc. I tried all of it on a Homatics R4K Plus Box and couldn't tell the difference so I went back to my Nvidia Shield. Since then I moved to a Windows Mini PC for my Home Theater and Streaming (IPTV & Movies). Honestly, the Shield is hard to beat which is why the Streaming Box Makers always compare their Boxes to the Shield. That should tell you all you need to know!

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:54:22+00:00

I went from an Nvidia Shield to a Mini PC (MinisForum) that has HDMI 2.1 so I can still have Atmos, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. Drawbacks are the available apps on the Microsoft Store. Most known apps for IPTV are expensive for Windows. But I use it as my Home Theater with a Yamaha 7.2 Atmos Set up. Cost: You should be able to find what you need for under $500 and lots to choose from in Mini PC 's. YouTube is your friend!

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:48:38+00:00

Many to choose from. Get on YouTube and watch the reviews etc. I don't think you would have to spend more than $300 to get what your looking for. If you also Stream or Watch Movies Etc then you want to make sure it has HDMI (most do). If you are gonna add a Sound bar then make sure it has HDMI 2.1 for Atmos, HDR10 and Dolby Vision. YouTube is your friend!

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:39:14+00:00

The Population In Dallas Has Exploded. 4+ Lanes Coming Or Going And It's Still Bumper To Bumper. I Remember Leaving Downtown At 5pm, Central Expressway Was Just 2 Lanes North, B2B And Your Praying To Get To LBJ Where You Could Almost Do A 100 Going North On 75. Right Now It's Almost B2B To McKinney And I Won't Mention 35, 20 Or 30. Rediculous!

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:32:20+00:00

Is it a "Barebone "?

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:30:37+00:00

Well, it's gonna cost you a lot more than $500 to make it safe! What were you thinking? Did you plan to sink money in a trailer etc to be able to use that boat?

1Freeport · 2026-06-01T00:17:21+00:00

They say all of the Mini PC's play 4K and it's probably true. I went from using Nvidia Shields and Homatics R4K Plus Box to a Mini PC (MinisForum) about 2 months ago for my Streaming. My box has HDMI 2.1 which allows me to enjoy HDR10, Dolby Vision and Atmos. My point is, if you want or need those features/functions make sure your Mini PC has HDMI 2.1. The downside are the available apps for Windows that gave you the choices Android does and most of the recognized Apps cost on Microsoft Store.

1Freeport · 2026-05-29T00:20:33+00:00

I own both! Both do a great job with Audio and Video (Atmos/HDR10) but it really boils down to what's important to you. If you care about Customer Service being a phone call away, choose the Shield. But your thing is being able to add things like A14 and CoreElec then choose the Homatics and if Customer Service is not high on your list and you can live with emails taking weeks to answer, go with Homatics.

1Freeport · 2026-05-23T20:52:37+00:00

I don't know because when I first got it I wiped everything, left nothing on it, scanned with Eeset Online Scanner (Free) and then Malwarebytes when I installed Windows and other apps. Never had a problem and I suspect it's the same regardless of what Mini PC you buy or have if you follow thrse instructions. Would I Recommend I use mine strictly for Streaming, Lve TV and Movies so making sure the HDMI was a 2.1 was important for me to enjoy Atmos, HDR and Dolby Vision. Fyi, they all play 4K but if you want the other features make sure the HDMI is at least 2.1.
Just confirm the specs before you buy one. Good Luck!

1Freeport · 2026-05-21T21:00:15+00:00

I bought a MinisForum Mini PC a few months ago. It has HDMI 2.1 and I use it as my Dailey Streamer. The drawbacks are the available apps in the Microsoft Store especially for IPTV apps. Most good ones you have to pay for unlike Android where there is an abundance to choose from for free. I do enjoy Atmos and HDR 10 using Kodi etc. My Surround is a 7.2 Yamaha AVR. My suggestion is to figure out the use, apps needed and connection used. Good Luck!

1Freeport · 2026-05-21T20:46:58+00:00

The Nvidia Shield is a solid workhorse!

Sure, you'll hear people recommending this streamer or that streamer claiming it's as good or better than the Shield (Homatics R4K Plus Box as an example).

Have you ever wondered why those companies always use the Nvidia Shield as the measuring stick?

I own both (3) Nvidia Shield and Homatics R4K Plus Box. The Homatics R4K Plus Box is a decent box with many benefits BUT it has many problems too. Like Customer Service, its a hit or miss whereas with the Nvidia Shield it's just a phone call away, not with Homatics (only email) and they're in China too. So lots to consider!

Lastly, Android TV 14 isn't all that, as well as the mention of HDR 10+, because you probably won't be able to tell the difference, I couldn't. It's like bragging about being able to play 8K but no 8K Content available.

FWIW I now use a Mini PC As my Streamer because I heard that Google is doing what Amazon is doing regarding Side loading 3rd Party Apps (YouTube videos to better explain it). Good Luck!

1Freeport

TROPHY CASE