[mythtv-users] Frontends all around the house

potuncle at enjoyingeugene.com potuncle at enjoyingeugene.com
Sun Dec 12 22:46:03 UTC 2004


I'm not sure how much this info is going to answer your final question,
but hopefully you (or someone else) will find it helpful.

I use an ASUS Pundit as my single front/backend computer and think the
Pundit may work as good remote frontends for you. They are relatively
inexpensive at about $130 (case, mainboard, CPU) and you just add Hard
Drive, Memory, and Intel CPU. The Pundit has very decent S-Video out via a
SIS chipset. It is compact, has a quiet fan, and looks good. Main
disadvantage is that it only has 2 PCI slots and no AGP.

I use a IR remote keyboard/mouse with my box and instead of configuring
LIRC to use a remote and seperate IR receiver, I got a learning remote and
programmed it using my wireless keyboard. I used the following Radio Shack
remote:
http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=15-2116.

I was able to program all the keystrokes I use into buttons on the remote
and also use that remote to control my TV, DVD player, and VCR.

Hope this helps,

Jason

> Hi,
>
> For sometime now, I've been running MythTV in the living room and the
> experience has been great. Now, I'd like to add more frontends in the
> house but I'm stuck with hardware decisions.
>
> Currently, my backend is also my main file server running on a used
> PowerEdge 1400 server with p3/800 cpu witch is enough for my DVB card.
> The (current) frontend is a clone p3/866 with an Nvidia MX440 and a
> 9gig HD.
>
> The only problem with this setup is the lack of remote control. I have
> to use my wireless keyboard. While I never lost it like a regular
> remote control, it's cumbersome. :)
>
> The backends holds my archived mp3, dvd and recordings as well as my
> dvd writer when the HD capacity reaches a critical point. :)
>
> After much googling(tm), I found myself with more questions then
> answers so I thought I'd ask this mailing list.
>
> I'm looking for something cheap with a as-small-as-possible footprint
> (for example an openbrick or one of mini-itx.com's projects) while
> getting enough CPU for mpeg4 processing.
>
> Living in an apartment, I'd rather not add more cabling to the place
> so a Wi-Fi setup would be ideal _and_ portable. My Wi-Fi router is a
> 802.11g, I believe it's enough bandwidth even for LiveTV but I rarely
> use this feature; I record everything and watch what I want when it's
> TV time. Else, MythVideo is my friend.
>
> Just the thought of only plugging power and A/V cables is soothing. :)
>
> Eliminating the need for a hard drive would also be great. Booting
> from LAN or from a CF (tho, expensive solution) would be great.
> Optionally, for a frontend, KnoppMyth could boot on CD but cdroms can
> be noisy.
>
> Speaking of KnoppMyth, I realise that this frontend box would also
> need to be widely supported by the community, I've read that Epia 6000
> boxes suffer a Unichrome driver issue (I have read as much as I'd like
> on this issue.)
>
> So, in short, does a small, cheap, wi-fi (fanless?) box with enough cpu
> exist?
>
> Optionally, a pre-assembled box would be great. I've been building PCs
> for years now and frankly, I'm tired of it. But if price is an issue,
> I'm prepared for it. :)
>
> Thanks!
> cythraul
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