[mythtv-users] upgrade to low-power-consumption-system query

[Tom Lichti]

I am using a laptop as a slave backend, but the only thing connected to it
is an HD-PVR. I think your biggest hurdle will be having enough dedicated
USB ports. For sure the HD-PVR *really* wants to be on it's own USB 2.0
port unshared, For reliability I would think you'd want the same for the
HVR's or whatever other USB tuners you want to use. I do not use the laptop
as a frontend at all.

Tom


On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 2:44 PM, James Miller <gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org>wrote:

> Due to impending changes by my cable provider--having to do with switching
> current analog channels over to DTV--I've begun thinking about upgrading my
> myth system, which is a combination FE/BE. Of my system's 3 capture inputs,
> only one is digital-capable. This upgrade could also be a good opportunity
> to implement a system with much lower power demands than the desktop box I
> currently use. I'd like to make some inquiries of this list relating to
> those factors.
>
> First, let me state that I'm located in the US. Most programming I record
> comes through an unencrypted cable TV connection: I get a "standard" cable
> package included with the apartment where I live, and do not have enough
> desire to get more channels to justify paying extra for things like a
> set-top box or an expanded channel subscription: just the "free,"
> unencrypted stuff suffices for my TV-viewing needs. Along those lines, I
> recently set up a rabbit ear antenna in my apartment and hooked it to a
> spare input on one of my current capture cards so I could record some OTA
> DTV broadcasts as well. As mentioned, I have 3 inputs (two in one capture
> card and one in a second capture card) in my current myth box: two are
> devoted to the building's cable connection and the third to OTA programming
> that I pick up through rabbit ears. I'd like to stick with 3 capture
> connections, btw.
>
> I'd like to ask to begin with how feasible it might be to use a laptop to
> replace my current myth desktop box? Laptops have very low power
> consumption, and bottom-of-the-line models that are quite reasonably-priced
> have better specs than my current myth box. I do understand the
> drawbacks--namely, there are no expansion slots in which to insert capture
> cards and hard drive space will be limited. I suppose video quality could
> be a drawback as well, since these low-end laptops tend to have crappy
> display hardware. I'm not sure that would present a problem for me since I
> am not much of a video connoisseur and my display is only capable of 720p
> anyway; so I'm not too concerned with the sub-par video issue.
>
> So, going the laptop route would necessitate acquiring either 3 USB
> capture devices (like maybe the WinTV-HVR-950Q), or perhaps one such USB
> capture device and an hdhomerun (e.g., the HDHomeRun HDHR-US). It would
> also likely entail adding an external hard drive (again, via USB) so as to
> increase storage space for rapidly-expanding HD broadcast recording. So,
> this is one option for a low-power myth system--one that I might be able to
> put together for around $400 USD, a price which fits my budget well.
>
> Has anyone on this list tried using a laptop as a myth BE/FE like I'm
> proposing to do? Any hidden pitfalls I may have overlooked? Also, what are
> some other low-power options for running a myth box like the one I have?
> Input on this topic will be appreciated.
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