[mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations

Robert Seaton bobs at itproscorp.com
Fri Jan 26 22:47:05 UTC 2007


Good info, so you say that the buttons on the front worked out of the
box, or did you have to configure them? Also if you bought a different
remote, how did you hook up the IR receiver? 

-----Original Message-----
From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Steven Adeff
Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:50 AM
To: Discussion about mythtv
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations

On 1/26/07, Robert Seaton <bobs at itproscorp.com> wrote:
> I think I have narrowed my search down to either the Antec fusion, or 
> the Silverstone LC16M. The LC16M has more features, and has an 
> integrated IR receiver which in my opinion is a major plus. It also 
> has buttons for manual operation. I'm just wondering since this case 
> seems to be built for MCE, how hard it would be to get all of these 
> extra features working on Linux. The Antec fusion has a much better 
> design, however I would have to hack it in order to integrate the IR
receiver.
> Any opinions here from anyone? Input would be grateful.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Robert Seaton
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:02 AM
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations
>
> 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

I've got an LC16M, great case. I haven't found much use for the front
panel buttons, but they do work, as does the scroll wheel. If you do go
with this case, I would HIGHLY suggest purchasing a learning remote to
use instead of the stock one, which *sucks*, but it has lots of buttons,
which is *awesome*. A Harmony or MX-500 are good choices imo (I own an
MX-500 personally). Also, heed their notes on the compatible DVD drives!
I used an already owned lite-on drive and had to rig the button setup to
work properly, so if your buying a new drive to put in, I'd suggest
looking over their list to make sure the one you pick will work.

Oh, getting everything working in linux isn't too bad. Theres a patch
floating around to allow the remote's "mouse" act as a basic
up/down/left/right control, but getting it and the LCD working is easy.
I should probably put together a page on the wiki to compile all the
information...

--
Steve
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