[mythtv-users] Interesting fanless VESA-mount PC

[Rich West]

Matt Emmott wrote:
> Engadget has an article about a promising PC from Via, the vm7700.
> It's a small fanless device that looks something like a car stereo
> amplifier. It's designed to mount directly to the back of an LCD, but
> it's sch a small design that it could be a great Myth FE, if the specs
> are there. It claims to have hardware video acceleration via Via's
> Unichrome Pro II architecture. There's no mention of price unfortunately.
>
> Links:
> Engadget:
> http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/09/vias-vm7700-bolt-on-vesa-pc-the-modern-prometheus/
> Technovoyance (with video):
> http://www.technovoyance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38
> <http://www.technovoyance.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=38>
>
> Via's product page: http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/embedded/vm7700/ 
>
> What's everybody think?

My only issue with it would be with regard to playing HD video.  We (my
family) are recording and playing more and more HD content which is
heavily CPU dependent.  It does mention "Hardware-based MPEG-2/4 ..
acceleration" which might be the answer, though. :)

If it could do HD, it would make a great frontend.  Of course, the price
factor comes in to play, like you said..

-Rich