Radxa x4

[fla]

Sorry for the hijack, got distracted by a side quest.

With my copper heat sink there aren't many moving parts to worry about and it's not too hot to the touch plus I am not concerned since there are no kids to worry about.  Now with so many USB devices there is a lot those little fingers can do even with a case.

I use it more that  my Chuwi boxed N100.  From that little box I can choose internal (Windows - SSD or Linux emmc) plus netboot LibreElec so it is great for the home lab not worrying about a permanent server.  I was really lucky that my RF remote has an F7 key that works to select the boot drive.   My only regret was only buying 4GB so I don't have to worry about too many.   If I wasn't triple booting for sure a bundled PC is more convenient and probably cheaper.

Points above making my choice still uncertain:

• bundled PC is more convenient and probably cheaper
  
• use it [Radxa x4] more that  my Chuwi boxed N100
  
• regret was only buying 4GB [Radxa x4]
  

My main options Radxa x4/pi 5/budget mini PC

Please help to make the call on Radxa x4 go/no-go:

• I do use CEC with pi 3 but Flirc or pulse 8 USB would be OK too.
  
• I'm OK with ugly case/heat sink as device out of sight/reach
  
• I'm not OK with fan noise
  
• Budget is limited so cheaper is better
  
• Don't want to upgrade again soon to some future-proofing is good
  

[mvallevand]

If you want help selecting a new device open a new thread with your requirements. I don't even know if you want a client or a server, Windows or Linux, what is wrong with your current system and I certainly don't want to discuss that here.

Specific to the Radxa X4.

- remote control - no CEC/IR but 4 USB ports, (the one I show in use was for an RF remote.
- my PC showed the heatskink, most users probably get a fan. Cooling is required.
- cost is relative the Radxa X4 is cheap as a NextPVR server but relatively expensive as a client. No idea about the impact of Trump tariffs.
- The N100 has been superseded already. Nothing is future-proof

Martin

[fla]

Very good information about Radxa x4 cooling, cost and remotes. Thanks!

Why is the Radxa x4 used more in your case than the "more convenient" Chuwi boxed with the same CPU?
Why is the Radxa x4 4GB RAM model not satisfactory in your case? (I'm leaning towards the 4GB for cost)
Are bundled N100 mini PC's like Chuwi boxed able to network boot like the Radxa x4?

Sorry for picking your brain but if the NextPVR power user likes the Radxa x4, a regular NextPVR user needs to listen why.

[mvallevand]

I originally bought the X4 as moderate priced LibreElec x64 for testing pvr.nextpvr and nextpvr installs. Previously I was doing this with vmware where I couldn't easily use USB tuners. I had the USB powered adapter and didn't even bother with a dedicated cooling source so it wasn't too expensive. I buy many devices and for fun I thought I would test a really minimal Windows 11 setup 4 GB RAM and 32GB emmc. I rarely post about these experiences I but I figured I'd post here showing tht Windows 11 NextPVR 4GB/32GB was possible but just barely with the recommendation in post #1 that most users should just get a prebuilt mini PC

I decided to add an internal m2 2230 drive for Windows so I could have a headless Win 11 in my backroom, booting Ubuntu from the emmc and LE from netboot. So my X4 model with 4GB/32 GB at $110 + $50 (CDN) was $30 dollars more than the 8GB/64GB model. Clearly the 8GB model with the extra RAM and emmc would have been better for me and cheaper

Going back to the original intent of using LE my plan was to reuse a USB fan I already had for cooling. That worked but annoyingly USB was always powered.so while I could wake up the device with WOL the fan was always on too. So I had to buy cooling. I choose copper cooling for fun.

In the end I spent $260 CDN $190 US without a case, power adapter or Windows 11 license. Figure those in and it way more than an mini PC. My Windows licensed Chuwi was less with 16GB/512GB which I use on my desktop not in the backroom. Instead of junking my $110 X4 like I do with most SBC's, I was able to salvage something usable but in hindsight I could have bought a traditional mini PC for the backroom instead of buying the X4.

I do think the 4GB/16GB X4 compared to a RPi5 is a bargain since both really need the same extras Both need that annoying mini HDMI too.. For Linux Kodi clients I only like LibreElec. A remote X4 or RPi5 Linux server feeding Android at the TV can be a nice setup. However the size of that server depends on many things and for anything beyond a basic setup you quickly get into mini-pc pricing. For Windows a mini PC (or a refurb) is a no brainer, but that really is predicated on the fact that you need to replace the server and not just buy a better client for a working NextPVR setup.

I did get my JetKVM shipping conformation today so in a few weeks so I will be able to report on that.

Martin

[fla]

Super interesting and educational read. I for one vote you report on your experiments more often. Thanks for sharing!

Looking forward to the JetKVM news.

[SickBoy]

My JetKVM is now with USPS so I should have it sometime next week. Though I won't really be using it directly for any NextPVR purpose. Their Discord had a link for someone re-selling one on eBay for $229! Wild.

[mvallevand]

Maybe that is the new norm for Americans and not as wild as you think. I know here in Canada I've also get sticker shock sometimes because of taxes, exchange rates and tariffs. Sometimes when ordering online and a US seller sends UPS ground not USPS thinking its cheaper, I get dinged with $30 brokerage fees too. My JetKVM was $88 US but I expect it will be over a $150 CDN depending on the shipper.

Say yours was $88 like mine and the Trump tariff is 120% and if they charge you state tax that could easily be over $200 US.

Martin

[SickBoy]

No, this was, like.... **the eBay list price**. The folks in the US who have them in hand right now have them from the pre-tariff times.

[mvallevand]

Yeah but they are lucky and just charging market price now, helped by apparent product demand. Lots of companies here stocked up on parts pre trade-war and likely in the US too and no doubt they will charge more now.

Martin.

[Markuuus]

Today in the Vatican, Zelensky flipped Trump's cringe switch, and now Trump will become good again and taxes will be lowered