[mythtv-users] New MythBox H/W Check - 7NIF2/A7N8X-VM/7NIL1 + 512MB/80GB/PVR-250/A106SB Case/200W PSU

[Sean]

> Pvrman,
> 
> You are 100% right in everything you said. The only thing that bares pointing
> out is that your video-out card would likely be AGP, in other words a slot
> that won¹t be used for any other type of card. Any bracket can be placed here
> instead of taking up a PCI slot. The other side to the issue is that on-board
> video will not save space for more PCI expansion.
> 
> Like I said, Firewire was high priority for me, and I , like you, did not want
> all the expansion slots filled. The way I got around this issue was to
> physically mod the back of my case. I was able to mount the SPDIF connector
> and a Firewire port here that utilized the mobo headers while still leaving an
> expansion slot free.
> 
> The Chaintech is likely the best, most available option to you. But here are a
> few others I was looking at:
> 
> Aopen makes a board that supports TV-Out and firewire:
> http://usa.aopen.com/products/mb/MK79G-1394.htm
> 
> Leadtek makes a board that supplies the SPDIF and TV-Out on a bracket:
> http://www.leadtek.com/motherboard/winfast_k7ncr18gm_1.html
> 
> The best back panel audio I have seen in the microATX size is from ABIT, but
> they don¹t have a nForce2 solution. The KM400 chipset will support your
> processor so check out the VA-10 or VA-11:
> http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/
> 
> Finding a board with both SPDIF and TV-Out on the back panel (without
> brackets) is hard if not impossible at the moment. Please let me know if you
> do find one, just to satisfy my curiousity.
> 
> Again, good luck, I agonized over the purchase for just about as long as
> getting my system built (total Linux and Myth nOOb)
> 
> -Sean
> 
> P.S. Here are my system specs if they can help you out:
> 
> Enermax 10073 Black microATX case
> Shuttle MN31/N nForce2 MOBO
> 2 x 256MB Value Select Corsair RAM (what¹s overclocking again? ;) )
> 60 GB IBM ³Death²Star HD (actually had good luck with these guys)
> 200 GB Western Digital WD2000JB HD (I had this in another box, could possibly
> go to a 5400 RPM drive)
> Sony DDU1621 Black DVD-ROM
> Chaintech 5200 FX AGP Video Card (VGA/DVI/SVIDEO)
> 2 x Hauppauge PVR-250 OEM Capture cards (so very glad I spent the bucks on
> these, they rock!)
> 
> If I had to do over again, I would likely do the same thing, but possibly go
> fullATX with an appropriate case. I still have my eye on a Coolermaster
> ATC-620 case, esp if I decide to add more storage.
> 
> 
>  
> 
> Hi Sean,
> 
> Thanks very much for your feedback and words of encouragement  :)
> 
> I like the features of the Shuttle M31N in general, but I see a couple of
> problems with this (for me). First of all, it has two VGA outs, which I really
> don't need ... and in order to make room for the second VGA out, they have
> removed the serial port, which I do plan to use (in case the Hauppauge remote
> doesn't work and I need to use IRMan). Looking at the detailed specs
> (http://www.shuttle.com/share/product_data/spec/MN31N_DM.pdf) I see that they
> have headers for two serial ports, and it seems a serial port bracket is
> included in the package (see picture here --
> http://www.newegg.com/app/Showimage.asp?image=13-150-041-02.JPG/13-150-041-01.
> JPG/13-150-041-03.JPG/13-150-041-04.JPG) but that means I will have to give up
> a precious PCI slot in order to make way for the serial port bracket.
> 
> This being a micro atx board, I am already running short of PCI slots, so I
> would prefer to use as little number of brackets as possible; for which it is
> essential that the mobo back panel include most (if not all) of the connectors
> I am looking for, namely S-Video, SPDIF out, VGA, COM port, analog sound, PS/2
> KB/Mouse, USB, Parallel Port etc.
> 
> Thanks nonetheless for your valuable feedback !
> 
> I am still looking for suggestion from folks on their experience using the
> ASUS A7N8X-VM  vs. Chaintech 7NIF2 ... specifically I want to know if the
> A7N8X-VM is as well supported for MythTV usage as the 7NIF2.
> 
> I will also highly appreciate suggestions for any other nForce2 based board(s)
> that is very well supported under Linux (for MythTV usage) and has most, if
> not all, of the above listed mobo back panel connectors.
> 
> Any other feedback on my proposed hardware configuration will be great too.
> Here is a quick refresher (so that you don't have to scroll all the way down
> to the bottom of this mail :)  --
> 
> * Motherboard - ASUS A7N8X-VM/Chaintech 7NIF2/Chaintech 7NIL1
> (A7N8X-VM http://www.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=A7N8X-VM&langs=01#)
> (7NIF2 http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=15)
> (7NIL1 http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=14)
> 
> * Processor - AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (Palomino core)
> * Video/Audio/Network - Prefer to use on-board support, but can use an AGP
> nVidia Video card if necessary
> * Memory - 512MB PC2100 RAM (as a single stick ... can add another 512MB stick
> if dual channel RAM is /that/ much better)
> * Hard Disk - 80GB Maxtor 7200RPM (DiamondMax Plus 9 series). Will add a
> second 200GB disk later.
> * Vid Capture Card - Hauppauge WinTV PVR 250 or 350 (retail box with remote
> control)
> * Second Vid capture card - Thinking about Avermedia M179 or M150
> 
> * Case - Athenatech A106SB case (note: this only supports micro-atx mobo)
>   (Case Spec -- http://www.athenatech.us/Brouchures/A106.pdf)
> * Power Supply - 200W PSU that comes with the case
> 
> * Optical Drive - LiteOn 52x CD-RW drive ... may upgrade to DVD drive later
> * Floppy - prefer not to use one, but can use if it is absolutely essential
> * IR Device - prefer to use the PVR-250/350 remote if that works well with
> Myth. But I have a spare IRMan that I can use if necessary.
> * Linux Distro - I will be using RH 9.0 and will follow Jarod's instructions,
> since that seems to be the most failproof way to get up and running quickly
> 
> 
> Thanks !
> 
> 
> 
> Sean wrote:
>>  
>> Pvrman,
>> 
>> Welcome!
>> 
>> I was in your exact shoes a few months back and you have come to the right
>> place for all types of advice and news concerning the phenomenon that is
>> MythTV.
>> 
>> I too was looking at a micro-Atx based system as I wanted a device the size
>> of a VCR or other home theater component. I looked at all the boards out
>> there and was kind of going towards a VIA KM400 varient (the ABIT VA-12 was
>> my prime choice) or an Intel 865G series board. However, I like you it
>> sounds, have had very good results from the nForce2 chipset in an Asus A7N8X
>> Deluxe. Finally (and I believe it was Jarod), someone suggested that I take
>> a look at the Shuttle MN31/N. It has all the usual nForce goodies including:
>> 
>> 6 USB 2.0 connectors (2 on the back-plane/4 on the mobo)
>> 2 Firewire 400 connections (2 on the mobo/included PCI bracket)
>> 6-ch audio with SPDIF on-board (NO connection on the backplane, Shuttle
>> makes an adapter)
>> 10/100 Ethernet
>> Dual-Channel 333MHz RAM (3slots, up to 1.5GB)
>> Dual VGA Video connect on backplane from Geforce4 IGP
>> 
>> Now, the most important thing to me was the firewire because I have several
>> external firewire enclosures already. I did not care about IGP support,
>> because I felt (and still do) that sharing the system RAM with the video
>> card could cause its own issues (I got a Chaintech 5200 FX 64MB with VGA,
>> DVI and Svideo and have been very happy with it). Of course, this board also
>> does not give an NTSC video out option though its IGP either.
>> 
>> About the only thing that would be a downside to this board would be it
>> inability for really serious overclocking. Again, this wasn't an issue to me
>> as the thing has MORE than enough power for Myth (usually less than 6% CPU
>> with both PVR-250s running, while watching recordings or DVDs). It has been
>> very stable (despite MY screw-ups with Linux) and reliable for me thus far.
>> 
>> In any case, good luck and enjoy...in less than a few days you will wonder
>> how you ever lived without it.
>> 
>> -Sean
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>   
>>  
>>>  
>>> Hi All,
>>> 
>>> I am new to MythTV and fairly inexperienced in Linux in general. I am in the
>>> process of building (actually still researching, but close to start
>>> building)
>>> a new MythTV box (primarily for TV recording). I may use the other modules
>>> of
>>> MythTV in the future, but for the time being I mostly want to watch and
>>> record
>>> TV and may be use the Weather module from time to time. I have recently
>>> found
>>> this list and wanted to check with you guys if my hardware selection looks
>>> okay.
>>> 
>>> As mentioned above, I don't have much experience with Linux, but I have a
>>> fair
>>> amount of experience in building PCs. For my new MythTV box, I want to get
>>> up
>>> and running with as little effort as possible, and hence I have been reading
>>> this list quite a bit to figure out which hardware configuration and Linux
>>> distro is likely to give me the least headache. Here is what I have come up
>>> with so far. Please give me feedback if you know about /any/ known issues
>>> with
>>> /any/ of the items below alongwith other possible alternatives, if you know
>>> of
>>> any.
>>> 
>>> * Motherboard - ASUS A7N8X-VM -or- Chaintech 7NIF2 -or- Chaintech 7NIL1
>>> (please see below)
>>> (A7N8X-VM Specs -- http://www.asus.com/prog/spec.asp?m=A7N8X-VM&langs=01#)
>>> (7NIF2 Specs --
>>> http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=15)
>>> (7NIL1 Specs --
>>> http://www.chaintechusa.com/tw/eng/product_spec.asp?MPSNo=13&PISNo=14)
>>> 
>>> * Processor - AMD Athlon XP 2000+ (Palomino core) with Alpha PAL8045
>>> heatsink
>>> * Video/Audio/Network - Prefer to use on-board support, but can use an AGP
>>> nVidia Video card if necessary
>>> * Memory - 512MB PC2100 RAM (as a single stick ... can add another 512MB
>>> stick
>>> if dual channel RAM is /that/ much better)
>>> * Hard Disk - 80GB Maxtor 7200RPM (DiamondMax Plus 9 series). Will add a
>>> second 200GB disk later.
>>> * Vid Capture Card - Hauppauge WinTV PVR 250 (retail box with remote
>>> control)
>>> * Case - Athenatech A106SB case (note: this only supports micro-atx mobo)
>>> (Case Spec -- http://www.athenatech.us/Brouchures/A106.pdf)
>>> * Power Supply - 200W PSU that comes with the case
>>> 
>>> * Optical Drive - LiteOn 52x CD-RW drive ... may upgrade to a DVD ROM drive
>>> later
>>> * Floppy - prefer not to use one, but can use if it is deemed absolutely
>>> essential
>>> * IR Device - I prefer to use the PVR-250 remote if that works well with
>>> Myth.
>>> But I have a spare IRMan that I can use if necessary.
>>> * Linux Distro - I will be using RH 9.0 and will follow Jarod's
>>> instructions,
>>> since that seems to be the most failproof way to get up and running quickly
>>> 
>>> 
>>> The area where I need the most amount of feedback is in motherboard
>>> selection.
>>> I prefer to go with the ASUS A7N8X-VM board simply because I have had very
>>> good luck with ASUS A7N8X Deluxe boards before (in Windows though) ... but
>>> if
>>> the Chaintech board is considered more hassle free for MythTV use, then I
>>> will
>>> go with that. I see that Jarod also wanted to go ahead with the ASUS board
>>> at
>>> first, but later decided to go ahead with the Chiantech board.
>>> 
>>> I understand that the ASUS board doesn't include the S-Video and SPDIF
>>> brackets and these need to be purchased separately. However, this additional
>>> cost is NOT my primary concern. What I really want is maximum support under
>>> Linux for onboard accessories (e.g. audio, ethernet, video, USB/IEEE1394,
>>> I/O
>>> etc.) ... so whichever board is considered better in that respect, will earn
>>> my business.
>>> 
>>> Based on better Myth/Linux support, if anyone wants to suggest a different
>>> motherboard, I am very willing to listen and possibly change my selection.
>>> The
>>> only three constraints I have are --
>>> 
>>> - It MUST be an AMD board that supports AXP2000+ and above (266MHz FSB)
>>> - it MUST be a Micro-ATX form factor
>>> - should PREFERABLY be based on the nForce2 chipset
>>> 
>>> Other than these, if the board has on board video that is good, but this is
>>> not necessary at all. I have two spare nVidia video cards that I can use in
>>> this system (one is GeForce2 Ti200 w/64MB another GeForce4 Ti4200 w/128MB).
>>> 
>>> I see that the Chaintech 7NIL1 board is almost identical to the 7NIF2 board,
>>> only lacking onboard video and has 4 channel sound as opposed to 6 channels
>>> ... but about $20 cheaper as well. What do you guys think about this board ?
>>> Since this doesn't have onboard video, I will have to use either the
>>> GeForce3
>>> Ti200 or GeForce4 Ti4200 card ... which is okay with me as long as these are
>>> well supported by RH 9.0
>>> 
>>> Thanks very much for ANY feedback about my configuration ! Like I said, I am
>>> VERY open to suggestions about ANY of the above components, and will highly
>>> appreciate any feedback about known issues or other possible choices.
>>> 
>>> Thanks once again and wish you all happy holidays !
>>> 
>>> pvrman at xemaps dot com
>>> 
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> mythtv-users mailing list
>>> mythtv-users at mythtv.org
>>> http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users
>>>     
>>>  
> 
> 
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