Mini pc for netflix (and an OS)

[ThalesSousa]

Hi, I've been looking for a mini pc to watch netflix and youtube, preferably in 1080p. So, no heavy tasks, I just wanted something cheap, small and fast.

My primary choice right now is the Intel NUC Dccp847dye, it's got an Intel Celeron 1.10ghz, 2 GB of ram, and a 26 GB SSD, I have no problems with buying an external hard drive. (I'm not sure if it can do what I'd like it to do, but it's pretty basic stuff, so I guessed it would be alright).

The thing is, I'll be using it on my living room, so I can't have a wired mouse or keyboard, and I'd also like to avoid wireless versions of those. I mean, I'd like an easier way to control it, maybe an app on my phone.

I'd really appreciate suggestions on other pcs I could get, ways I could avoid a keyboard and mouse and what OS to install.

Thanks in advance.

EDIT: I've analyzed other options you guys suggested me, and I think a Chromecast is actually a much better option, since it's cheaper, doesn't need any cables and I would be using my phone to control it the whole time anyway. Thank you all very much.

 

[James Mason]

Yes, it should be possible, you won't need an external HDD unless you want to store your own videos on it.
Nuc and Linux: http://www.legitreviews.com/intel-nuc-dn2820fykh-bay-trail-system-review_135053
Iphone remote: http://hipporemote.com/
You can probably google around and find others, and more guides, but yes it's very possible.

 

[bootcher]

Have you considered a Roku device? They can be hardwired through ethernet and come with a remote control, but can also be controlled by your phone. You can also add a USB stick in them if needed for storage.

 

[Anarkie13]

How about something like this?
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1126597-REG/iview_iview_cyber_pc_bay_trail_z3735g_2gb_32gb_windows_8_1_hdmi.html

Mini PC made just for such purposes, made to be attached right to the TVs HDMI port

 

[Solandri]

Yeah, if all you're gonna do is stream Netflix and the like (Amazon, Hulu, YouTube), then a Roku or Chromecast or its equivalent is the best way to go. Those decode the video stream in hardware so they don't need to be very powerful to provide a good 1080p streaming experience.

If you're going to do other other computer stuff or stream movies from your media server in formats not supported by the above boxes, then you want a mini PC or HTPC. When you stream Netflix (or Amazon, Hulu, etc) to a PC, the decode is done in software,* which is why the CPU needs to be a lot more powerful.

*The reason for this stupidity is Hollywood and DRM. They don't want you capturing and saving the stream as a copy of the movie, so they layer it in DRM. On fixed hardware devices like the Roku, there's no way for the end user to mess with the DRM so they can't capture the stream, so they're free to use hardware h.264 decoders and the like. On generic computing devices like the PC, the user could capture the stream. So Hollywood requires the DRM decryption be run in software in an encrypted virtual machine (usually in Flash or Silverlight). Which takes a lot more horsepower to decode h.264 streams than dedicated hardware decoders.

 

[James Mason]

I actually agree that a Roku Stick would probably be the best solution for just watching netflix/youtube and not doing any actual computer stuff: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00INNP5VU/ref=psdc_13447451_t1_B00DR0PDNE

 

[TechyInAZ]

Another good option is the SHIELD console.

 

[logainofhades]

You could do Netflix and Youtube with Chromecast.

http://www.google.com/chrome/devices/chromecast/

 

[George Phillips]

Roku Stick should be the best if the purpose is just media and video streaming from the Internet.