[mythtv-users] OT -- Dream FE hardware coming soon?

[Wander Winkelhorst]

On 7/8/06, Dewey Smolka <dsmolka at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Just saw this article on a new Via chipset that may be the key to
> building small, efficient and quiet frontends.
>
> There are a lot of claims in the short piece about what this chip can
> do, and I am aware of problems with Myth and Via chipsets in the past.
>
> Here's hoping that this thing can do what they claim, and while
> running Linux. If so, then the truly silent, truly inconspicuous,
> truly beautiful FE for the livingroom may well be within grasp.
>
> Disclaimer: I am in no way affiliated with Via or linuxdevices.com
> (and will not likely buy this until the second or third generation,
> when it's affordable).
>
> http://www.linuxdevices.com/news/NS6545457181.html
>
> FTFA:
>
> Via says its "single-chip" chipset targeting UMPCs (ultra-mobile PCs),
> ultra-small notebooks, and other portable devices will ship in Q3. The
> VX700 combines north- and south-bridge functions into a single
> 35mm-square chip that mates with Via's x86-compatible C7-M and C7-M
> ULV (ultra-low voltage) processors. It supports Linux.
>
> [...]
>
> Additional touted features include:
>
>     * UniChrome Pro II IGP core with 200MHz, 128-bit 2D/3D graphics
>
>     * Chromotion Video Engine for MPEG-2, MPEG-4, and WMV9 acceleration
>
>     * "DuoView+" dual-display technology
>
>     * Supports up to 4GB of DDR SDRAM, or low power, high-bandwidth
> DDR2 memory modules, including 32-bit DRAM modules for
> size-constrained designs
>
>     * 533MHz FSB (front-side bus)
>
>     * Vinyl HD audio controller
>
>     * I/O includes 2 x SATA II devices, 2 x PATA 133/100/66 (IDE)
> devices, 6 x USB2.0 ports, and 4 x PCI slots
>
>     * Multi-configuration LVDS/DVI transmitter for connection to LCD,
> and CRT/HDTV interfaces
>

To me this sounds like a slightly updated version of their existing
unichrome chipsets (CN400, CLE266 et al) I don't this this is going to lead
to a "revolution" in mythtv frontends.

Supposed they make a small mainboard, like the existing 17 by 17 cenitimeter
boards, much smaller than that, and you'll run out of space to put the PCI
slot, can't use normal memory etc. so 17x17 is about the minimum.
Then you'll need a powersupply and a DVD drive. (I'll omit the HD and
tuners, because we're talking frontend-only here) and all over sudden, your
frontend isn't all that much smaller than what you can do today.

It's an allright looking chipset, though. Nothing revolutionairy, but it'll
be nice if it would do HDTV, which the current VIA board don't quite do yet.

But don't EVER buy one unless your SURE that it is supported. And don't fall
for the CRAP that VIA calls "drivers for linux". Wait for it to be supported
(fully!) by opensource development. Your shiny new board is useless without
opensource drivers.
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