[mythtv-users] Mythtv nube questions...
Dan Ritter
dsr-myth at tao.merseine.nu
Mon Mar 24 19:12:14 UTC 2008
On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 11:37:30AM -0700, allene222 wrote:
>
> I am trying to decide what to do. I am totally new to Mythtv. I have been
> running a small linux web and email server since RedHat 4 so have some
> limited experience there. I have read tons on MythTv but have some
> questions. I want to do OTA ATSC only and display on either a 4:3 TV or a
> 720p projector. I am favoring the HD-HR box for the tuner.
>
> How much computer power do I need if this is in one box?
> I have read that splitting it into a backend and a frontend box would mean
> the backend would not need to be that powerful. What does that mean?
> Specifically, would the 1.2GHz embedded microATX Intel computer be enough
> power for the backend?
Here's what the backend does:
- maintains the database (can be offloaded to another machine
over a good network, but then the other machine needs to be
up, too.) Not much CPU, a little disk space and bandwidth.
- gets scheduling information. Very little CPU, about once a
day.
- stores recordings. Very little CPU, lots and lots of
diskspace. It's good to have multiple disks.
- records television. From an HDHR, that's a small amount of
CPU and a moderate amount of network and disk bandwidth.
- commercial flags and transcodes shows. Lots of CPU is helpful
here.
A 1.2GHz Intel CPU can probably do all of that except transcode
at a decent speed. But if you don't transcode much, or don't
care if it takes all night, no problem.
> What would I need power wise for a frontend for the 720p HD box?
My current rule of thumb is one of:
- AMD 2800 + XVMC-capable NVidia video card
- AMD 4000 CPU
- Intel 3000 + XVMC NV card
- Intel C2D 2000
This may change in a few months when Intel ships the XVMC X.org
drivers.
> If I use a MediaMVP for the SD-TV, would that be all I need for daily
> viewing?
For SD TV, sure. In that case you might want to transcode some
programs. You should probably talk to some of the folks who use
MediaMVPs, though.
> Would MythTV be able to fill the 4:3 screen by cutting off the edges of the
> picture or would I always get letterbox output?
4:3 pictures fill the screen; 16:9 can be letterboxed or zoomed.
> I need SD-Tv in 2 rooms so could I watch both at once using two MediaMVP
> boxes?
Yes, if you had sufficient disk and network bandwidth.
> Would I be able to watch a show recorded in HD using the MediaMVP and the
> simple backend I described (or the minimum you think I need)?
No, you would need to transcode to an SD resolution to watch on the
MediaMVP. The backend you describe will not transcode in realtime.
-dsr-
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