<html><head><style type="text/css"><!-- DIV {margin:0px;} --></style></head><body><div style="font-family:times new roman,new york,times,serif;font-size:12pt"><div>I see my mistake now, though. The backend typically would house the tuners and do the processor intensive work of capturing the video streams, right? With the way my system needs to be set up, I cannot use my other computers for this, so I need to make this machine a combo-box. While I can offload the DB, the tuner will need to be part of the machine that I buy/build.<br></div><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Daniel Dunning <dan3501@yahoo.com><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> beww@beww.org; Discussion about mythtv
<mythtv-users@mythtv.org><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, April 2, 2009 11:30:30 AM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?<br></font><br>
<div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><div>Wow... great feedback. I actually had the purchase queued up and ready to go, just needed to click purchase. Now I will spend more time thinking. I've been looking for a bundled solution, something that I can toy with and configure, but not something that I wanted to fight with, so I am willing to pay a premium for that. But I think that you're right, I need to get a better handle on what I want and whatever money I save can go towards building a better system.<br><br>The cost of the setup at Costco is $799.<br><br>Originally, I thought that a combination Front-end / Back-end system is nice, but I am buying for the front end. I have computers on my network to serve as the back-end. <br><br>Higher CPU -- gotcha. Suggestions?<br>Blu-Ray -- it was
bundled. I can easily live without Blu-Ray.<br>Bigger HD -- gotcha. That's cheap and easy.<br>Separate the OS and DB. I'll go with a backend-setup for the DB.<br>TV-Tuner just said digital / analog. I'm not sure of the brand. Probably should make sure that is also compatible. Suggestions?<br>Serial port. Hadn't thought of that. Good catch.<br>Expansion. Hmm... good idea.<br>System appears to have wired networking. I've just completed pulling a cable to the LR, so you're right -- that's key.<br>Sony, as a rule, is expensive. Agreed.<br><br>I guess I'm really just looking for a good well put together starting point, something that is bundled nicely and would look good in my stereo cabinet. Somethign that will work with Verizon FIOS. I liked the HDMI output on this computer (one line to my Onkyo Surround Receiver) as well as the wireless keyboard and mouse. But you're right, since
Ubuntu/Myth is my preferrred platform, it probably doesn't make sense to pay extra for BluRay and Windows. <br><br>Any suggestions as to solutions from Dell, HP or anyone else that would get me a good way towards the development of a sleek front end would be great. I'm willing to pay a few dollars to save some time and frustration, but as you mention, don't want to just throw money away.<br><br>Thanks again.<br><br>Dan<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br></div><div style="font-family: times new roman,new york,times,serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br><div style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><font size="2" face="Tahoma"><hr size="1"><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">From:</span></b> Brian Wood <beww@beww.org><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">To:</span></b> Discussion about mythtv <mythtv-users@mythtv.org><br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sent:</span></b> Thursday, April 2, 2009 10:23:44
AM<br><b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Subject:</span></b> Re: [mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?<br></font><br>
On Thursday 02 April 2009 07:36:20 Daniel Dunning wrote:<br>> I'd love some feedback regarding a configuration I am considering. I am<br>> thinking about purchasing a Sony Vaio (from Costco online). Obviously, I<br>> would trash Windows add an external HD. Is this a configuration that would<br>> work, I would love to see feedback. The specs are as follows:<br><br>Are you thinking of a combination FE/BE system? If so,<br><br>The video hardware will not do VDPAU (you need 512MB).<br><br>The CPU might be marginal for high bitrate h264 software decoding. I'm not <br>sure, but it should be looked into.<br><br>You will not be able to play Blu-Ray disks with Myth, so why buy the drive? <br>They can only get cheaper.<br><br>An external USB drive might not be the best solution for HD storage, some here <br>have stated it's not fast enough, though I have used them for SD without <br>problems. Of course you could replace the
internal drive with a larger one.<br><br>It's best to have a separate drive for the OS and database, not possible with <br>a single-drive system.<br><br>What sort of TV tuner? It's not specified. Do you really want or need NTSC <br>(analog)? Is there a baseband (composite or S-Video) input? I don't see it <br>mentioned. If you want to use a satellite receiver or cable STB, you don't <br>want to have to use an RF input for it. I see an "A/V cable adapter", is that <br>for input or output? No guarantee the tuner is usable with Myth, and hard to <br>verify without a model #.<br><br>I don't see a serial port, for an IR blaster or direct control of some <br>devices. The "IR output" may not be LIRC compatible.<br><br>While wireless can work for video, it's not the best answer. If you really <br>want WiFi a (draft) 802.11n setup might be better.<br><br>I'd like to see a Gigabit NIC, though it's probably not necessary.<br><br>You're paying for Vista Home
premium, if you're going to throw it away, I'd <br>try to get the cheapest version available (Home Basic).<br><br>Just some thoughts. You didn't mention the asking price, but Sony is in my <br>experience over-priced. I think you could do better for your money. Look <br>especially at the graphics H/W, the video capture and the network <br>interface(s).<br><br>Looks like no empty expansion slots, so you would have to use an HDHR or a USB <br>device to add tuners, nothing wrong with that, but be aware of it.<br><br>I'd start by defining your needs, how many tuners and what type? How about <br>interface to STBs (control and capture)? Drive capacity? Start with the <br>requirements for the system, not with a pre-decided machine configuration.<br><br>I might buy it if the price was really great, but that's pretty much up to <br>you.<br><br>-- <br>beww<br><a rel="nofollow" ymailto="mailto:beww@beww.org" target="_blank"
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