[mythtv-users] New mac mini The frontend for mythTV?

[James Walker]

> On Tue, Jun 15, 2010 at 09:03:20PM +0200, Jurgen Kramer wrote:
>> So Apple launched the new mac mini with built in HDMI and PSU. Sounds
>> like a good frontend for MythTV (although a bit on the expensive side
>> 799 Euros).
>>
>> BTW Does the included Geforce 320M have VDPAU rev C capabilities? My
>> quick search did not find me the answer.
>
> ...as fast as the CPU is on those boxes, it's somewhat moot. Rev C
> only adds divx and you can brute force that on an Atom. Nevermind
> a decent speed C2D.
>
>    Although there might be some more subtle benefits of a 320.
>
>    The last 2 revisions of the mini were no less suitable as Myth boxes..
>

The MacMini is a very slick looking little box. No doubt about it and with
HDMI it is a very attractive option for a MythTV fronend.

Another and perhaps cheaper option which I have and which just works and
works VERY well is an Asus EB1012. It spits out Video and Audio over HDMI,
does 1080p with <30% cpu load.  Mythbuntu 64bit install with zero hassles
off a bootable USB stick. The only hic-up is if you want to use the built
in wireless is you need to perform less than 6 actions to get the right
NIC driver from Realtek and run an install script under sudo.

The ION chipset gives you VDPAU rev B which as noted above is not a big
difference on Rev C and when you are running a dual core Atom isn't an
issue that I have noticed.

Cheers.