[mythtv-users] PVR500 in a Pundit?

[Niklas Brunlid]

On Thu, 14 Apr 2005 14:15:34 -0700, Christopher David Petersen  
<christopher.david.petersen at gmail.com> wrote:

> On 4/13/05, Niklas Brunlid <nbr at ticalc.org> wrote:
>>
>> As I'm probably about to replace the PVR250 in my Pundit I have to  
>> decide
>> between a new 250, a 150 (or 150MCE or 150LP), or a 500. Has anyone  
>> used a
>> 500 in a Pundit (old or new)? Is it a tight fit? The 250 fits but there  
>> is
>> less than 1mm between the edge of the card and the metal case...
>>
>> / Niklas
>
>  I also would like to know if the PVR-500 will fit into the Pundit.
>  Interesting that your PVR-250 has 1mm clearance in your Pundit. I have  
> to
> contort my Pundit case to insert the PVR-250 and the card has less that  
> zero
> clearance (I'm probably stressing the PCI riser card).

It could be because I have PVR350 in the lower PCI slot - maybe it pushes  
the case outwards, giving more clearance to the PVR250. :)

> I wonder if the
> Pundit's PCI slot is in violation of the PCI mechanical spec. or the
> PVR-250?

My guess would be the 250 (and the entire PVR line, except the 150LP) -  
the edge of the circuit board is way outside the end of the metal bracket!

>  I find that the Pundit is nearly a perfect low-cost machine for MythTV.  
> Its
> only drawbacks are:
> - the PCI card size problem
> - the lack of optical sound ports on the back
> - the lack of FireWire on the back

I've never used those ports, but with the exception for DV I don't see the  
point of having them in the front. Lack of space in the back?

> - the lack of linux drivers for the 4-in-1 card reader

Would be nice to have.

> - single IDE header, single serial header

Never use the serial, but I'd very much like a SATA connector or two.  
Makes more sense in such a compact box.

>  But for only $130 you get a lot of what you need for a MythTV box:
> - Svideo, Composite, DVI, and VGA out.

Well, the SVideo/Composite is as good as most other GFX card TV-out  
offerings, i.e. ties to the GFX card and sucks at "real" TV out. :)

> - small, quite form factor
> - integrated CPU fan

Mine gave up after less than 6 months and the new one doesn't fit the  
funnel.

> - good linux driver support (except the 4-in-1 reader)
> - Integrated LAN
> - Integrated LPT port (for useful LEDs

/ Niklas