[mythtv-users] Re: help me check parts list before I buy...

[Jay Goldberg]

...hope I'm not too late with my $.02...


Malcolm writes:
 >
 > OK I'm but just a few days away from purchasing the parts for my myth box
 > and I was hoping those who've actually built one could look over it and
 > make sure I'm doing alright.
 >
 > Depending on what ever case I end up going with I'm going to have either a
 > full size MB or a micro-atx.  Board brand doesn't really matter does it?
 > For the most part all drivers etc. should work.
 >
 > Either 80 or 120 Gig drive (not to important now, can always add or
 > upgrade).

bigger = better :)

 > 1 x unknown video card with hardware decoding.  I don't plan on using the
 > 350 for play back just yet.  I see to many things on this theard that
 > don't work right yet.  My plan is to have an easy to use "finished" box
 > that the kids and wife can all use from remote control with no problem.
 > So why a 350 you ask?  Well I'll upgrade to using it for TV out at a later
 > date when drivers are more mature and existing issues have been worked
 > out.

My exact experience.  Life got great and the whole project became
usable - and by my wife! - when I went this route.

 > Do I also need a sound card even though the 250/350 have sound?

Yes - the PVR's cannot be used as your generic sound card.  I send the
audio-out of my PVR-350 to the line-in of my sound card.

 > What's a good video card for video playback that doesn't have any issues
 > or problems?  I see nvidia show up on the list a lot.  Is there a specific
 > card or model that is good?

I ordered:

V-MSI-8903-060          MSI 8903 GeForce FX 5200 128MB 8X DDR TV-Out

from Target-USA (I had never heard of them before - www.target-sale.com)
Works great, and was $53 + $12 shipping.  Not the amazing OpenGL frame
rates some folks get, but no fan, S-Video out, acceleration is great.

	HTH,
		Jay