[mythtv-users] Fronted advice

[Damian]

Hi all,

I'm doing some computer juggling. Planning on giving the kids the old 
'tank' of a machine that's in the garrage at the moment (working as an 
over powered frontend), so I'm looking for a new frontend machine.

I got a bit excited todat when I started to read about the Rasbery Pi 2. 
I love the idea of buying one of those as a MythTV frontend. 
Unfortunately, further reading seemed to conclude that that's still not 
an option.

As it's not my main machine, I'd rather not get into builing a system 
from scratch. I'd like to just buy a front end box if possible.

I need it to be capable of HD playback and it will be connecting to a 
BenQ W1300 projector (if that's relevant).

Pretty much the only other use for the frontend will be a bit of 
browsing in firefox and 'catchup tv' via iPlayer and ITV player etc.

Any recommendations? And what sort of price am I looking at? Fingers 
crossed for something in the Rasbery Pi type of price bracket, but not 
holding out much hope for that :-)

The other option is keeping the tank in the garrage and finding a 
reasonably priced desktop machine for the kids. However, I was guessing 
that that would be the more expensive option?

The kids machine will also be a MythtV frontend, but will be used much 
more heavily.

I may even get two new machines if the prices are right, so if you have 
recommendations for either machine, please let me know.

I've set up the kids with a new desk area and set up a machine that has 
been handed down from my wife's office. I was hoping that it would be 
good enough for an Xbuntu system, but it's not. I've done a clean instal 
and it's crashing contently.

Anyway, I'll shut up now! Looking forward to any tips :-)

Cheers,
Damian