[mythtv-users] RE: Anyone familiar with Shuttle computers?

[Andreas Weder]

> I'm thinking of building a dedicated computer for MythTV purposes based
> on a "Shuttle" XPC case.
> 
> Does anyone have anything good/bad to say about these as a basis?
> 
> What processor should I choose, given that the box is only for running
> Myth (with a TV card with hardware MPEG)? I don't want to spend more
> than necessary but also don;t want ot to struggle.
> 
> Does the TV output need a separate output card, or can a TV output from
> the graphics controller be used if the motherboard has one?

I bought one and am currently installing MythTV on it. I used
SuSE 8.2 as a basis and must say, I had quite some hassles so
far even to get things working. I could have installed WinXP 
and get everything working with supplied software in roughly 
1 hour, but my ambition was to try it with a current version 
of Linux. So I kind of have the patience necessary to make 
mistakes and start all over again :-)

But things are improving. The problem I am facing seems to be
that for top-nodge hardware, a Linux distribution which is
several months old is not adequate enough. I wanted to go with
built-in features only, with officially available RPMs, but I
ended up spending hours and hours compiling my own kernel with
the right settings, compiling more current ALSA drivers (for
on-board sound support), getting rid of SuSE-specific additions
and compiling IVTV for my TV tuner card.

Why the basic hardware was recognized by hardware probing
right away, all additional stuff was not. E.g. the TV tuner
card, although a very common one (Hauppauge WinTV PVR 350) was
not recognized.
 
As for the PC, I like it a lot: it's a small almost-commodity,
looks decent enough, has audio and I/O ports in front; it's 
certainly fit for the job. It's my cheapest PC, but my fastest,
and I'm looking forward to get it out of my room crammed with
equipment next to the TV set and let it run there forever.
Basically, this type of PCs, which you tailor for a specific
use and which don't have to be able to cover all your needs for
two years, is a glimpse of the future for me. I'm not going
to spend any money on a high-end do-it-all PC anymore.

My system is a superb XPC SB61G2 with 2.4 GHz Pentium 4 
(supportd hyper-threading - you can use an SMP kernel on it),
512 MB RAM, 160 GB hard disk (make sure you ask for a QUIET
one - it's definitely worth it) and a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 
350 in the PCI slot.

I'm currently compiling a description how I installed every-
thing, but since MythTV is not entirely up and running yet,
that list is not complete and thus not online yet. I have 
MythTV running, but have not found a way to set the channels
yet (libing in Switzerland, I have no XMLTV settings and the
German/Austrian ones are not working for me), LIRC running,
video capture over S-Video In is working, sound is working
and my kernel is now 4.2.22.

I'll let this list know if a anything is available.
Andreas