UnRaid Box as HTPC?

[cablecutter]

Hi all, thinking that I'd like to consolidate a bit and was wondering if anyone is using a UnRaid box as an HTPC (directly).  

 

What I do now:

• Unraid in the closet (hard wired)
  • Running Plex / hosting content / backup for PC's in the house
• Wifi
• Nvidia Shield (plex or SPMC[kodi]) -> AVR -> Samsung 4k

 

Reasons I want to do this:

• Nvidia shield is good, but the content scaling is terrible and it's a little laggier than I'd like.  It's one more thing to troubleshoot.  
• There exist some great 1080p scaling algorithms and smooth motion algorithms that are better than what exists on the shield or in the samsung TV - I'd like to leverage these to improve playback of 1080 content.
• The Unraid server will have a better processor than any set top box
• I feel like my server is underutilized
• The network would not be taxed when streaming content.
• Potential for gaming down the line?  Windows VM?
• Better upgrade path for video output / compatibility with future standards
• Cheaper / fewer devices
• More flexibility in HTPC applications than an android or amazon box
• My unraid server will finally have a monitor...a glorious 65" monitor.

 

Can I do this?  Are there any guides?  I had a surprisingly hard time finding one.

Edited July 14, 2017 by cablecutter

[cablecutter]

Still looking for any suggestions.

 

Should I use a VM with Windows or one of the Linux HTPC builds?  Is there any native support without VM?

[Squid]

5 hours ago, cablecutter said:

Is there any native support without VM?

Nope.

5 hours ago, cablecutter said:

Should I use a VM with Windows or one of the Linux HTPC builds?

Personally I and many others run a vm with LibreElec.  (Linux -> so next to no resources required)  But, if you need say madVR running then the easiest would a Windows VM, and all the overhead and resources that will entail.

[cablecutter]

Thanks, I was hoping to leverage MadVR.

[graywolf]

There is also Sagetv docker. Many of the Sagetv folks use that