[mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations

[Robert Seaton]

Did you ever buy this case? If so what was your experience? 

-----Original Message-----
From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Stroller
Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 4:20 PM
To: Discussion about mythtv
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations


On 25 Dec 2006, at 06:20, Rich West wrote:
> Robert Seaton wrote:
>> Your absotivly right, and I simply can't afford to buy the wrong 
>> case.
>>> ...
>>> First, be a bit cautious about low profile cases.  I got burned 
>>> because one of my tuner cards did not have a LPCI bracket available.
>>> ...
>>> Robert Seaton wrote:
>>>
>>>> I'm building a dedicated mythbox. I'm looking for recommendations 
>>>> for a computer case.
>>>>
>>>> 1. Case must be high quality
>>>> 2. Must be desktop form factor
>>>> 3. Must be small enough to fit on top of my TV 4. Must look good 
>>>> sitting on top of my TV 5. Must fit an ATX board
>>>>
>>>> Any recommendations, or links would be appreciated.
>
> The Antec Overture II is a nice looking case with LOTS of room and it 
> is VERY quite.  I had one for about two weeks before I decided to sell

> it since it didn't really suit my needs.  It's a BIG case.  I mean, 
> it's like taking a tower, and leaning it on its side (with all of the 
> drive trays and such properly oriented).  Yes, it is expandable with 
> lots of room for hard drives and such, but, for me, since I was just 
> planning on using it as a FE, it was overkill.
>
> I ended up going for something very small.. a Shuttle XPC barebones.
> ....
> If you have a separate backend server that is hidden away in a closet 
> somewhere, then it doesn't really matter how loud or ugly that case 
> is; it just matters what the frontend server looks like....

Whilst I prefer bottom posting myself, don't you find that consistency
aids readability? Whatever one's objections to top- posting, don't you
find that when two other people have top-posted in a reply already, that
_then_ bottom-posting compounds the problem?

Anyway...

Seems to me that there are two schools of need here.... I understand the
desire of experienced Mythers to have a Honking Big back-end server and
dainty little front-ends scattered around the house, but it seems to me
that for Myth-n00bs (certainly myself, I'm not sure about Robert?)  the
case for a combined FE/BE is quite compelling. It reduces wiring, the
risk of network issues, it's only one PC to get working and is generally
less emotional / financial / intellectual investment in the initial
instance.

In this case the combined FE/BE should really have a reasonable number
of PCI slots - unless I'm mistaken Shuttle & mini-ITX cases generally
accommodate only one, or maybe two, PCI slots (?) and that's pretty
limiting in expandability for a Myth system. You might get a PCI card
with two tuners on it, but what about a wireless PCI card? What should
you find it necessary to add an additional tuner for its hardware MPEG
decoding?

If you're unable to commit to a complex Myth network in the first
instance then IMO ATX or mini-ATX form factor is the way to go for a
general-purpose Myth box - that'd seem to give you enough room to play
whilst you get the bugs ironed out. Whilst the 5 or 6 PCI slots of a
full-sized ATX case may not be necessary I'm pretty sure that mini-ATX
cases can offer 3 slots... and a full-sized ATX case gives you the
option of using either. I don't fancy the Overture II, myself
- it looks kinda plasticky to me, and not as classy as the Fusion - but
I can see why someone would choose it.

The option that is leaping out at me is the Silverstone LC16M [1], tho'
- it's admittedly large, and has more 3.5" bays than you'd probably want
to use in a living-room FE, but it has plenty enough room for tuners
inside and (surely?!?) a large passive heat-sink. I know hi-fi
components are smaller these days, but the size of the Silverstone LC16M
doesn't seem to me to compare unfavourably with the high-end and
fashionable hi-fi separates of only a dozen or so years ago. It has a
built-in IR receiver and LCD display and in particular the door for the
optical drive seems particularly well-made & class [2]. I'm sure this is
not the cheapest option, but perhaps neither is making the mistake of
buying the wrong case & having to replace it?  
I'm generally of the belief that buying quality is rarely a mistake, and
even if you decided after some time the Silverstone wasn't the job for
you, I'm sure it would hold its value well for resale.

Stroller.



[1] http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-lc16m.htm
[2] http://www.avkorea.co.kr/account/LC16M/IMG_0089-S.jpg
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