[mythtv-users] ION boards, 230 vs 330, fans?

[Jim Stichnoth]

On Tue, Dec 1, 2009 at 3:31 PM, jedi <jedi at mishnet.org> wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 01, 2009 at 10:35:44PM +0000, Greg Cope wrote:
>> On 30 Nov 2009, at 14:50, JEDIDIAH <jedi at mishnet.org> wrote:
>> >   Whether or not the fan in the Revo or other 330 based systems is
>> >an issue is a matter of personal preference and how you deploy the
>> >unit.
>>
>> Worth mentioning that in my experience the revo 330 fan is no louder
>> that a reasonable laptop.  Not silent, but virtually silent from a
>> few metres away.
>>
>> I struggle to hear mine when at the other end of the room and this
>> in in a quite location.
>>
>> If you want silent go for something fanless.  If you are willing to
>> accept laptop levels of noise then I doubt you will be disapointed.
>
>    The two type of IONs I have are louder than my Macs are.
>
>    Unfortunately they can't handle what comes out of the HD-PVR.
>
>    One ION is in a play area. Another is in a cabinet and the 3rd is
> turned off when it's not being used. Otherwise, the fan annoys the wife.
> However, the fan isn't loud enough to be a problem when the unit is in
> operation.
>
>    Not a bad tradeoff. You can buy/build quieter machines if you're really
> motivated. You will spend more time or money though.

I'm surprised to hear this experience.  I have 3 ION frontends that
handle HD-PVR output with no problem:
  Zotac IONITX-C board
  2 GB DRAM (1 GB would probably be sufficient)
  USB IR receiver
  $5 box from a craft store
  $5 power button
  All of them net-booting, all of them completely silent
  Photo gallery at
http://picasaweb.google.com/stichnot/20090614TinyHomeTheaterComputer

This probably cost slightly more time, but certainly less money than
alternatives.

Jim