[mythtv-users] Building another system, hardware questions

[Greg Foster]

On 3/7/06, Chad <masterclc at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello!
>
> I'm in the process of building another frontend.  This time I want
> something small and quiet :D  Who doesn't right?  So I'm looking at
> using the VGA output from the P4V8X-MX since it has the Via P4M800
> that does the hardware mpeg2/4 acceleration.  So...  I assume I won't
> need such a beefy CPU, which I figure translates to less heat and in
> turn translates to quieter PC (less power for smaller CPU, less heat,
> quieter fan to dissipate heat).  But I'm still not sure what to do.  A
> Celeron D looks cheap and puts out 2.5Ghz for 50 bucks.  However, I
> would think that a 1.9Ghz P4 (533mhz FSB) would put out less heat and
> has a 512KB L2 versus the Celly's 256KB, but the P4 costs about 70
> bucks (20 bucks more than the Celly).  Any hardware nut out there to
> clarify this for me?  More importantly, can anyone tell me if running
> a MythTV frontend would enjoy using the extra L2 cache, or if I'm just
> being a paranoid delusional freak?
>
> Ok, so onto the other part of all this:
> I want, I REALLY want, DVI output.  I don't see it as an option with
> any motherboard that has the P4M800 chipset from Via (unichrome Pro).
> So, I looked for CN400 motherboards.  The motherboard I found was a
> Commell LV-667D (
> http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/78_76/products_id/406
> ).  Another option was the SP series Epia's and get the LVDS to DVI
> addon daughterboard (
> http://www.logicsupply.com/product_info.php/cPath/78_72/products_id/507
> ) But with either of those options, just for the motherboard I'm into
> it ~260 bucks.  Add on a decent case and RAM (from caseoutlet.com )
> and I'm touching $420.00 bucks.  Why?  Because I want DVI?
>
> Form factor is important, but the P4 is mATX and is still small, AND
> has a slew of cases to choose from (some of which are very nice
> looking and very nicely priced).  The case choice is limited and cost
> is outrageous for an Epia with a CN400 chipset.
> Ok, so what am I getting at?  I've recently acquired a decent
> projector (an Optoma H27).  The projector is not an HD projector.  Do
> I really need the DVI?  Would the average human see a difference in
> the DVI versus the VGA output from these 2 different motherboards?
>
> A few trailing questions:
> Does anyone think 128 is too little RAM to run a MythTV frontend that
> is doing *most* of it's decoding through hardware, and not much else
> (no comm flagging, no transcoding, yes deinterlacing).
> Does a standalone videocard exist (for us average buyers) that has
> mpeg4 acceleration as well as full frame HD mpeg2 hardware decoding?
> I'd just stuff an FX5200 in there and call it good except I would be
> cooking my system anytime I watched a transcoded (mpeg4) file.

[snip]

Chad,

Just wondering how you made out with this board.  I've *just* picked
one up myself, and am wondering whether the onboard P4M800 worked for
you with this config ? Have the setup stuffed in an Antec Aria case. 
Not the slimmest in the world, but the built-in cardreader might even
allow for a completely HD-less setup if I can store my setup config
for Knoppmyth on a CF/SD card.

Any gotchas one should look out for ?

Thanks in advance,
Greg.