[mythtv-users] $500 Myth Box

[Jeff Clowser]

 From what I understood, the EPIA M10000 has onboard video/tv out and 
mpeg decoder, which is the difference between a PVR-250 and PVR-350 I 
thought.  Is there a reason not to go with the pvr-250 and onboard 
mpeg2/tv out on the EPIA (and about a $60-70 saving?) - were there 
problems with this combo, or am I missing something (or was it just 
easier to go with the 350?).

 - Jeff

>--- Roy Lee <rlee1 at pobox.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>I went the Mini-ITX route for $500.  I paid more for
>>the small size, 
>>considering I could have gotten more CPU power, etc.
>>for less money.
>>
>>For case, I used the Morex Cubid 2699R.  It's about
>>the size of a 12" pizza 
>>box (much smaller than the VCR that it replaced!),
>>and uses a 50W external 
>>power supply, which *significantly* cuts down on
>>noise.  My hard drive is the 
>>biggest contibutor to noise with this setup.  I got
>>my case for about $80 US.
>>
>>I keep it in my TV cabinet without an attached
>>mouse, keyboard, or monitor. 
>>Just connected to TV and my LAN, and controlled via
>>remote control.
>>
>>You can see pics and a review of its older cousin
>>at:
>>http://www.mini-itx.com/reviews/2688R/
>>
>>As for the rest, I got:
>>
>>Motherboard: 
>>	VIA EPIA M10000 ($150-$160 US) - Has onboard
>>ethernet, 5.1 audio, video,
>>		and one PCI slot.  Processor is already on it. 
>>Processesor has
>>		exceptionally low power requirements  (compared to
>>high-end AMD/Intel).
>>Memory:
>>	Crucial 512mb DDR (if you do decide on the 2699R
>>case, make sure the RAM
>>		height is below 34mm or it won't fit - the Crucial
>>fit just fine)
>>Tuner:
>>	Hauppauge PVR-350 (less than $200 via
>>pricewatch.com)
>>	Its included remote works really well under LIRC
>>
>>DVD:
>>	Some generic slimline DVD player for $55.
>>	If you get the 2699R case, you need a slimline
>>which means more $$
>>	Note that as of current date, MythDVD and MythVideo
>>don't work
>>		with the PVR-350, so you won't be able to watch
>>DVD's (yet).
>>	Thus, not much use for a CD/DVD with a PVR-350
>>except for initial
>>		OS install.
>>
>>Hard drive:
>>	I used a IBM GXP 60gb that I had laying around. 
>>They don't make these
>>	anymore but if you happen to get your hands on one,
>>I'd 
>>	recommend NOT using it due to its "famous" failure
>>rate.
>>	I know I'm playing with fire here but soon I'll
>>plan on swapping it out
>>	with a Seagate 160gb later on.
>>
>>For prices, I used http://www.pricewatch.com and
>>picked out where I wanted to 
>>buy my components, paying attention to additional
>>tax and shipping charges 
>>with different vendors.
>>
>>Now the pros and cons of my setup:
>>
>>Pros:
>>	Very small, very quiet
>>	PVR-350 with the Epia M10000 uses only 3% (!!!) CPU
>>utilization during
>>		playback and record
>>	Front of case has firewire/usb connections if I
>>need later on
>>	Even without MythDVD or MythVideo support, it's
>>already better than a
>>		commercial Tivo because (1) I can record at higher
>>bitrate and resolution,
>>		and (2) I have direct access to the recorded
>>videos, so that (3) I can
>>		archive to DivX or DVD...
>>	Friends say "holy crap you can do all that with
>>that little thing?"
>>
>>Cons:
>>	No DVD or file playback yet (hopefully soon
>>though!)
>>	I couldn't use the already built 0.11 .deb packages
>>since I was using the
>>		PVR-350.  I ended up compiling both IVTV and
>>MythTV CVS instead.
>>	Since there's no attached keyboard/mouse/monitor, I
>>need to ssh from
>>		a different computer on the network, but I
>>actually prefer it this way
>>	I'm not too sure about future DivX hardware
>>decoding with this setup,
>>		unless I switch to the Epia's onboard video for
>>video output instead
>>		of the PVR-350's.
>>
>>Hope that helps.
>>
>>
>>    
>>