[mythtv-users] Cost effective front-end/back-end combo

[Dave MythTV]

On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 3:03 PM, Thomas Mashos <thomas at mashos.com> wrote:

> On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 12:43 PM, Tom Lichti <tom at redpepperracing.com>
> wrote:
> >
> > On Tue, Jan 6, 2015 at 12:57 PM, LC Mac <lchristina26 at hotmail.com>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi,
> >>
> >> I want to record 1 or two shows at a time, I don't require a separate
> >> front and back end. Does anyone have suggestions on the most cost
> effective
> >> device to use for my mythbuntu setup? I am not looking for something
> pretty,
> >> but I don't want to spend more than $150. Maybe this isn't possible?
> >
> >
> > You haven't given us any information on your location or what you want to
> > record (digital OTA via antenna, digital satellite/OTA via DVB, analog
> via
> > cable, digital/analog via STB etc). Before anyone could even begin to
> answer
> > the question we would need more information. We would also need to know
> what
> > components you already have (computer, hard drives, networking gear)
> versus
> > what you would need to buy.
> >
> > Tom
> >
> >
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> >
>
> Without already having some components, I don't see this as possible
> with a budget of $150.
>
> --
> Thanks,
>
> Thomas Mashos
> _______________________________________________
>
>

I'm positive you could do it well within that budget, even starting from
scratch, if you were willing to buy used and older generation hardware.


PC?  A quick check of eBay finds that $25 buys you a 3GHz Core 2 Duo / 4GB
RAM / 250GB HD desktop.  There are some options under $15 if you're
desperate, and a budget of $40-50 opens up a huge selection.

Tuners?  5-packs of used PCI pcHDTV 5500s have been selling on eBay for
$19.95.

Drives?  Used 750GB IDE hard drives (Apple Xserve) are $32.50/each, and the
500GB drives are $20 or less.

What's left...  LIRC-compatible remote receiver...  Take your choice of USB
MCE or serial receivers for $8 or less.

Buying local to save on shipping would of course be preferred...  but even
with shipping, $150 actually gives you a comfortable cushion.



Now for the catch.   :-)     Sure you saved a bundle by building the
machine on such a low initial budget.  But if you have an older beast that
uses 125 watts of power, running 24x7, and electricity at $0.14/kWh....
that's $153/year in electricity costs.     But if you doubled your initial
budget and used newer components to build a 25-watt power efficient machine
instead, you're down to ~$30/year in electricity.  The upgrade will have
paid itself off completely after just a few months into your second year,
and it will be saving you money every day after that.


- Dave
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