Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH versus Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE
I tested two NUC units to give a good scenario comparisons in the hope that other owners of these two units could benefit from my findings. I would greatly appreciate feedback on these tests. I know that most of you will delve into the 'missing' detail. So let me stop you there. This is outlines of the tests performed. It is a matter of trying to see the differences in behaviour of the two NUC units. Those familiar with XBMC will know the settings and where to get to them. So please respond if you are a XBMC user. The last Scenario is OpenELEC version of XBMC to show that the hardware at least is all good. but this does highlight concerns about Windows drivers for the DN2820FYKH.
Basic Conditions:
Windows 8.1 and XBMC 13.2 (both units with latest drivers, updates and BIOS as of 04-Nov-2014), Running full DTS-HD Master Audio format Video file @ Full 1080p
Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH
Memory: 8Gb Samsung
HDD: 120G SSD (Corsair)
OS: Windows 8.1 (Fully up to date with Windows Updates).
Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE
Memory: 4GB Samsung
HDD: 32GB mSata
OS: Windows 8.1 (Fully up to date with Windows Updates).
AVR System:
Marantz NR1604
(http://us.marantz.com/us/products/pages/ProductDetails.aspx?CatId=avreceivers&ProductId=NR1604)
AUDIO DRIVERS : All Windows 8.1 audio settings are set and tested to 7.1 with Marantz AVR. (AVR shows : M in 7.1 (Multi-in 7.1))
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TEST SCENARIOS
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Scenario 1: Running Windows 8.1 and XBMC (Gotham 13.2). I have set the XBMC Audio settings to WASAPI: marantz-AVR (Intel(R) Display Audio) and Enabled Passthrough.
Playing a DTS-HD Master Audio format Video file @ Full 1080p
Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH - Result FAILED: In this mode the Intel NUC does not play back any audio! It does not do the passthrough. The Marantz AVR does not change to DTS-HD MA settings. I cannot get DTS-HD MA Passthrough to work with XBMC (Gotham 13.2) on Windows 8.1 on Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH.
Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE - Result PASS: the Marantz AVR is set to the expected DTS-HD MA setting and plays back full DTS-HD MA surround.
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Scenario 2: Running Windows 8.1 and XBMC (Gotham 13.2). I have set the XBMC Audio settings to DIRECTSOUND: HDMI - marantz-AVR (Intel(R) Display Audio) and Enabled Passthrough.
Playing a DTS-HD Master Audio format Video file @ Full 1080p
Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH - Result FAILED: the Marantz AVR sets to DTS only setting (NOT the Expected DTS-HD MA setting) and in this mode the Intel NUC does play back audio! Again I cannot get DTS-HD MA Passthrough to work with XBMC (Gotham 13.2) on Windows 8.1 on Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH in DIRECTSOUND settings in XBMC.
Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE - **No result - this test was not done performed on this device as it passed the preferred WASAPI settings in Scenario 1.**
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Scenario 3: Booting OpenELEC XBMC Gotham 13.2 (Linux)- the driver sets to HDA Intel PCH, MIJ marantz-AVR on HDMI and Enabled Passthrough.
Playing a DTS-HD Master Audio format Video file @ Full 1080p
Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH - Result PASS: the Marantz AVR is set to the expected DTS-HD MA setting and plays back full DTS-HD MA surround.
Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE - Result PASS: the Marantz AVR is set to the expected DTS-HD MA setting and plays back full DTS-HD MA surround.
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My Conclusions:
It appears that the Intel® NUC DN2820FYKH cannot do Passthrough in Windows 8.1. Therefore is not suitable for Media Center use with XBMC (Gotham 13.2) on Windows 8.1.
Under all conditions the Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE (Ivy Bridge) passes with the Preferred WASAPI Passthrough settings.
Also the hardware too had only 4GB ram and 32GB mSata (Samsung) HDD.
So if running Windows 8.1 and XBMC (Gotham 13.2) - the Intel® NUC Kit DCCP847DYE I would recommended media center system in the Celeron NUC range