SBC for Digital Signage
 

Hi,

Can anyone suggest a good SBC for a linux based digital signage project?

I have been evaluating an MSI MS-9893 which is based on Intel Atom D2550 but have read that the Intel GMA 3650 device is really poor at video playback under Linux. Testing shows it uses cpu intensively, making it a very poor choice, as I'd like to use cpu for web server.

Rather than try and test loads of SBC's I thought I'd see if anyone else had some ideas.

There are some pre-requisites to any suggestions...

hardware supported video playback
must have total driver support by linux (preferably arch)
fanless, x86 based
2 x lan connectors (preferably gigabit)
audio output
sata hd connection
preferably 12v jack power rather than ATX connector
mini-itx form factor or similar.
no 3D required

thanks

The x86 kind of rules out most current options. The Linux Gizmos site has a few listed. But if you went with arm based, there's probably dozens of OTS options now. The i.MX6 board for arm has just about everything you listed except x86. There's a few x86 atom boards I suppose. But lack either the low watts or temp range or comparable cpu speeds. And many of the current atom ones have fans.

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I specced x86 because I'm unfamiliar with arm and various packages may need compilation instead of just using a package manager (i'm sort of a newbie). Not out of the question though.

The i.MX6 does look very good.

Member Response
 

Hi,

Look at this thread: Arduino compatible $39 SBC runs Linux on x86
:)

Would an SBC based on i.MX6 be able to run a small web server/database (nodejs/mongodb, 10 concurrent users) as well as running 1080 video?

Member Response
 

Hi,

Read the specs: http://linuxgizmos.com/arduino-compa...-linux-on-x86/

I've been looking at a utilite myself. But there's only 1x SATA port. It probably could, but you might have to play with nice levels to keep the video the higher priority. Or have some form of USB or Ethernet data storage for movies and/or database.