[mythtv-users] Another HW Question

[David Watkins]

On 25/06/07, Bryce Ostenson <bostenson at gmail.com> wrote:
> I need to build a general-purpose file server and am moving towards
> building it out as a myth-tv box.

Well I wouldn't necessarily want a fileserver next to my TV.  Have you
thought about building a combined fileserver/backend, with a separate
frontend?  It would add to your cost of course, but give you a bit
more flexibilty, and probably a better upgrade path for the future.

>
> I've got a Celeron D 3.5Ghz.  Key items I need are the tuner and gfx
> card.  I'm debating the following scenarios:
> * Hauppauge PVR-350 - ~$130 - Serves both purposes.  Integrated video
> for the monitor.

Not sure what you mean by 'monitor'. AFAIK the PVR-350 only has
S-Video/Composite outputs ie no (VGA).  Great for SD TV-Out but not so
hot as an X monitor.  Also, when I was using one, it had a fixed
overscan that made it difficult to use with the X desktop, though that
may be different if you don't use the hardware decoder driver (which I
guess you wouldn't need to do with a 3.5GHz machine).

> * XFX GeForce 8500 GT 256MB PCI Express ($60 after-rebate) and PVR-150
> (~$65 on ebay).  Total $125.
>
> Close enough to be a wash on price.  I only have 2 PCI and 1 PCI-e
> slots.  No HD right now but the capability of the GeForce 8500 GT to
> do HD sometime in the future is nice.

Though the PVR150 doesn't support HD.

HTH