[mythtv] Video playback problems

[Yan-Fa Li]

I agree with your evaluation of ECS too, however in my experience it 
depends on the chipset.  VIA based ECS tend to be crap.  SiS ones are 
ok.  I'm in no way recommending all ECS.  I'm recommending this one 
particular model because I've had good experiences with it running a 
PVR250 with FC1 Linux with a 2.4.27 kernel with ALSA and onboard audio 
and it implements what looks like a solid power solution with separate 
12V rails.  It also comes with NO other features.  Which is perfect for 
isolating problem with chips like Promise HD controllers, and the like.
The other downside of ECS.  No regular BIOS updates.  I had to go to a 
site in Taiwan to get the latest BIOS and it ONLY ran on windows.  So I 
had to slap a quick win2k install on to upgrade my freaking BIOS :O

Therefore it is through personal experience.  Another factor with AMD 
based boards is power supply.  You MUST have at least 350W of decent 
power to run an AMD.  A lot of AMD problems can be traced to crap power 
coming from cheapo chinese and taiwanese PSUs.  I peronsally use PC 
Power and Cooling (Pricey and only on mission critical boxes), Antec (a 
little less money but very good quality) and lately Enermax, since they 
seem to have come a long way in the quality department.

The trick with Fry's is to ask them what the board is before you buy the 
Combo, then take a look at the shelf and examine the board.  I took a 
long hard look at the ECS board before plunking down the money and it 
looked pretty good so I took the risk.  I've had multiple buddies tell 
me exactly the same tale of woe you have and it's usually a chipset 
issue.  VIA - just say no.  At least for Intel and AMD.  The EPIA on the 
other hand is a fantastic piece of kit.

Joe Barnhart wrote:

> --- Yan-Fa Li <yanfali at best.com> wrote:
> 
> 
>>If you can dump that sucker ASAP on Ebay and buy
>>yourself an nice NForce 
>>2 based board and just move all the components over.
>> ECS makes a good 
>>inexpensive one (N2U400-A) which can be purchased
>>for less than $50 in 
>>the US.
> 
> 
> While I agree with your endorsement of nForce based
> motherboards, I can't agree with the recommendation of
> ECS as a quality provider.  I have purchased four
> different designs of ECS boards (they are heavily
> promoted by Fry's) and have returned every one as
> being unusable.