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<blockquote cite="mid8D149763-46E4-4AFD-BAC3-47CE927C5EF6@beww.org"
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<pre wrap="">Hello all,
I'm new to MythTV and based in the UK. I've been reading around it for
the last couple of weeks, but have a lot of questions. I'll list my
hardware first, then what I'm trying to achieve.
I have my old PC:
AMD Athlon 120MHz processor
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120Mhz ??? Do you perhaps mean 1200 or is that machine *really* old?
Since you say it has DIMMs I'm assuming you mean 1200Mhz.
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Sorry, yes, it's a 1200MHz!<br>
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<pre wrap="">512 DIMM memory
KT7-Raid motherboard
USB2 additional ports card
ATI All in Wonder 128 Pro graphics card (I read somewhere that this
can't be used with Myth. Not sure if that just meant as a tuner, or as
neither a tuner or TV out)
Here's what I would like to achieve if possible:
-Media Centre (obviously)
-Freeview (UK) TV channels - I've not currently got Freeview, just the
normal 5 channels.
-Would like to be able to plan and record at the same time, but one
at a
time would be fine for now if it's relatively painless to add an extra
tuner down the line.
-I want to use this with a Projector (don't have one yet .. not sure
what to get yet. Thought I'd wait until the box was doing what I
wanted
first)
-I don't think I need HD, as the projector will just be in our front
room. Only 8-10 feet away.
-I would like the entire system to be run in the one box and probably
based around Ubuntu (KnoppMyth doesn't like my hard drive being
connected to the raid port on my motherboard)
-I'd like this PC to be the family PC, so ideally email and web
browsing
should be pleasant to use. I guess this would just mean using Ubuntu
with the projector? Should I/Could I use a higher resolution for email
etc on the big screen. I've seen friends projectors (running window)
have very small type.
Ok, that should do for my list of demand :-)
Now for the questions.
I'm really quite lost when it comes to TV tuners, and the output.
I've been reading lots saying that the Hauppauge PVR 150, 350, 500
cards
are great. But then I read (here
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/products/compare_products.html">http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/products/compare_products.html</a>) that
they are analogue. Does that mean those cards are no good if I want
freeview and are only good for the 5 main channels? Doesn't sound too
great, but maybe they make more sense for the American system?
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<pre wrap=""><!---->
The PVR cards will not help you with the reception any digital TV in
the UK. You could perhaps use the MPEG decoder output of a PVR-350
but that would be a waste of money as the nVidia cards are much
cheaper, and the 350s output is no longer being actively developed
and won't do the OpenGL stuff or HD. The tuners would be useless but
the encoders could be used with composite SD material if you had some
sort of STB that output that sort of signal.
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Right, thanks for that. I'm left wondering what to buy again though.<br>
<blockquote cite="mid8D149763-46E4-4AFD-BAC3-47CE927C5EF6@beww.org"
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<pre wrap="">Also, the output.
Can my ATI All in Wonder Pro do the output? What kind of output do I
need? Is it different if I use a projector? Different if I'd like
higher
res graphics when emailing etc using the projector?
</pre>
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<pre wrap=""><!---->
The nVidia 5200s are pretty much the baseline for Myth systems. You
don't mention if you have an AGP slot - if you don't you'll have to
try and get a PCI card, but if you *really* have a 120Mhz. system you
may need an ISA or VESA video card.
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Right, I'll look into the nVidia 5200, thanks. And yes, I believe the
motherboard has an AGP2 slot.<br>
<blockquote cite="mid8D149763-46E4-4AFD-BAC3-47CE927C5EF6@beww.org"
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<pre wrap="">
Some folks are using ATI cards but they seem to have a lot of trouble
with them. I don't think you can use XvMC with them, which you may
well need on a slow machine.
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Right, I'll ditch the ATI card then. Does the nVidia5200 have the XvMC
you mentioned? I'll have a look.
<blockquote cite="mid8D149763-46E4-4AFD-BAC3-47CE927C5EF6@beww.org"
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<pre wrap="">
The output required depends on your monitor/projector. VGA or DVI
work, S-Video and composite will only work at SD resolutions. If your
display device needs a SCART cable/connector you will have to get
some sort of adapter, you'll have to talk to the EU resident folks
about that, I live in the land of the stupid president.
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:-)<br>
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<pre wrap="">Phew,
Sorry that's such a lot, but that's all of my ponderings over the last
few weeks condensed into one email.
I'm basically just trying to get my shopping list ready so that I can
start playing.
Oh yes, is my system going to be up to the task is the other thing?
I'd
really rather not have to upgrade it all. I'll rethink if this is all
such a good idea at the moment if that's the case. I'm happy to buy a
couple of tuners and whatever TV/Projector out I need.
</pre>
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<pre wrap=""><!---->
You don't mention how much disk storage you have, you'll want plenty.
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There's a 250GB disk in there at the moment. I'll maybe add more when I
see how it's getting used.<br>
<br>
Thanks for your help.<br>
<br>
Can anyone offer advice on TV tuners for Freeview in the UK? Someone
posted on another tread that I'd need a satellite dish. Is that right?
I thought it came though a normal aerial.<br>
<br>
Cheers<br>
Damian<br>
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