[mythtv-users] HP Thin Client as Frontend

[Richard Freeman]

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Greg wrote:
> Has anyone looked into using one of these as a frontend?
> _http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF05a/35123-342039-342039-342039-637507-12733734.html_
> 

Don't see why it wouldn't work - couldn't find the pricing online
though.  That could be a big issue - you can build an EPIA for $300.

One issue with the HP is that it doesn't have any info on hardware
MPEG-2 decoding - which would probably be nice (although at 1GHz
probably unnecessary).  It also doesn't seem to have SPDIF or S-Video
out - so you're limited to 2-channel sound and will need a VGA-TV
converter (add $50 to the price).

It seems like the ideal box would be designed for multimedia - the
outputs would be important since converters are expensive and bulky (the
two reasons for using an embedded front-end).  Hardware MPEG2/4 would be
nice as well.  A built-in IR receiver would be great.  You'd need maybe
256MB of flash for MythTV and another 128-256MB of RAM.  Distros like
minimyth support grabbing everything over the network, so you can
tradeoff one for the other (my EPIA has no durable storage at all - just
PXE booting and it is really quick especially since it stays on 99% of
the time anyway).
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