Best media box suggestions

[Tom Bombadildo]

Fair enough. CEC is pretty common these days though, isn't it? Even my 4 year old LG non-smart TV had it.

I've seen more TVs without it than with, but I suppose it depends on how old the TV is and what the manufacturer is. I've got a 2 year old JVC "pseudo-smart" TV that doesn't have any CEC options, whereas my generic ass Element TV in my bedroom that's only a year old does.

 

[vayanui8]

the raspberry pi 2 is definately the best bet in your price range, but if you are really dead set against it I'd just go a little over budget and build a cheap pc.

 

[RevPokemon]

the raspberry pi 2 is definately the best bet in your price range, but if you are really dead set against it I'd just go a little over budget and build a cheap pc.

Build a PC?
You could just buy a used one. I mean I see decent ones under a 100 USD and they include windows and have specs good enough for lots of media use

 

[yusuo]

So raspberry pi 2 with a WiFi adapter is good enough

 

[RevPokemon]

So raspberry pi 2 with a WiFi adapter is good enough

for what you want then yes

 

[Depravo]

So raspberry pi 2 with a WiFi adapter is good enough

Raspberry Pi2
Some kind of case
5V 2amp power supply
HDMI cable
WiFi adapter if ethernet is out of the question
MicroSD card min 4GB
OSMC/OpenELEC disk image
External storage

Bob's your uncle.

 

[FAST6191]

On the CEC stuff I have also found various implementations somewhat lacking. That said I control my XBMC pis with a plain old media remote ( http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windows-Control-Infrared-Receiver-Ultimate/dp/B003ZV3J72/ ) or a basic web browser (replace the default plugin and it gets very nice).

I will have to join the chorus of pi XBMC or bust, unless you really want some of the various streaming services that it struggles with (I am not sure what goes with netflix, and though iplayer works, as does youtube, the others are more troubled) or are willing to perform the necessary rituals and incantations to have DNLA work reliably. If DNLA is your thing then you also have the option for a roku TV box, Tesco used to (and may still) sell "now TV" boxes for next to nothing which have remotes, wifi and could be hacked into those with relative ease -- http://www.engadget.com/2014/04/08/sky-now-tv-plex/ .
That said XBMC as far back as the original xbox played things over good old SMB file shares, off local/attached storage, had a top notch library system you only otherwise see better in manually curated libraries and was generally a pleasure to use. Other the streaming services and the xbox not having enough grunt to decode H264 I would still pit it against anything I have seen as far as standalone media boxes, with a pi taking the H264 thing then you are golden.

 

[vayanui8]

Build a PC?
You could just buy a used one. I mean I see decent ones under a 100 USD and they include windows and have specs good enough for lots of media use

I personally don't like buying used electronics, so I don't usually recommend it. Just something I don't personally like.

 

[RevPokemon]

I personally don't like buying used electronics, so I don't usually recommend it. Just something I don't personally like.

Fair enough, just depends I guess. Walmart has some decent returns that aren't terrible for the price though

 

[LightyKD]

Buy an OUYA. You can find them between 55 and 100 USD and there's enough support that you won't be confused using it.

 

[mercuryshadow09]

You want a Micca, I've had mine for three years and it plays everything I throw at it including ISO.