[mythtv-users] My mom wants a DVR...

[Greg Oliver]

On Sun, Apr 11, 2010 at 11:02 AM, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
> On Sunday 11 April 2010 09:44:18 am Robert Johnston wrote:
>> On 11/04/2010 9:00 AM, Jeff Jensen wrote:
>> > Hi,
>> >
>> > We've had MythTV .21 running since last fall, and has been going well
>> > (good WAF!) with our simple setup.  I moved to it from a nice DVR due to
>> > no digital tuner in it (US OTA).
>> >
>> > My mother has asked me to get her a DVR for her nice 42" HDTV.  It needs
>> > to have a digital tuner (US OTA) and prefer HDD.  Naturally, I'd like to
>> > use Myth.  However, she doesn't have a "convenient" setup for it (TV is
>> > in a "loft" area, no computer around).  Additionally, I'm afraid of time
>> > requirement to support a second Myth system (I have difficulty just
>> > making time to upgrade mine!).  So I've been looking into other
>> > stand-alone ideas and traditional DVRs.
>> >
>> > I've been to some brick stores, online stores, Googled around, and have
>> > not found a DVR that has HDD, digital tuner, HD output.  It seems "pick
>> > your two features" exist, but not all three?  Anyone know of one?
>> >
>> > I also tried to find a "device", but other than Tivo, what is there?
>> >
>> > How have others solved the "remote TV location" problem without wires for
>> > a computer-based solution?
>> >
>> > What ideas do you have/what would you do?
>>
>> Acer Aspire Revo mounted on the VESA mounting plate, with a USB
>> ATSC/ClearQAM stick. As the retail boxed version of the Revo comes with
>> a wireless keyboard and mouse already, you've got the remote issue
>> covered (Though you could use a USB MCE remote for higher MAF). If more
>> storage than the on-board 160GB is needed, an NAS somewhere else in the
>> house would work fine, and as the Revo has built-in 802.11g (IIRC) you
>> should be okay for bandwidth. If not, an external USB HDD would be easy
>> enough to add.
>
> Hmmm, my retail, boxed Revo came with a wired keyboard and mouse, nothing
> wireless.
>
> It also didn't come with 802.11 anything, which is fine with me, WiFi can
> barely handle SD in some circumstances, I would never try it for HD. The
> included 2.5" drive has typical laptop drive performance (crappy).
>
> The Revo is indeed a nice machine, I think it makes a very nice frontend, but
> it's a bit slow for a backend, especially if you want to do commflagging and
> transcoding, and expect the job to complete on the same day it started.
>
> Using an external eSATA drive, or a network-connected storage system, it will
> work fine, just don't expect too much from it.

I read an review where some of the EU and all of the JP versions had
802.11 and different keyboard/mouse combos.  BUT - they also have a
warranty void if removed sticker over the little screw that keeps the
case together!  I'd rather have no wifi and corded keyboard than void
my warranty adding the necessary ram anyday..