[mythtv-users] One machine for it all or Xbox frontend, and Program Guide outside US

[Chris]

On June 16, 2004 12:35 am, Scott Nicholson wrote:
> > * For the same reasons as above, the noise level of the machine is less
> > of a problem, so I don't need to spend as much on silent cooling.
>
> The Xbox isn't the quietest machine in the world. I've got mine behind a
> glass door, but I can still hear it. It's not distracting, but it's there.
>
> > * Graphics and sound card... I assume I don't need as good graphics and
> > sound card for the back end machine if I run the front end on the xbox,
> > is this correct? Does the backend use that hardware for anything (like
> > doing hardware mpeg encoding or something like that)?
>
> If the backend will only be a backend, you don't need a soundcard at all,
> and any video card that will work with X should be fine. (You need to run X
> to run the setup program).


You need a soundcard if you have a bttv based card that doesn't support 
btaudio.

Chris

> As far as encoders go, you can either get cheap BTTV-based cards and a
> hefty CPU, or you can get hardware MPEG encoders (the PVR-250s are the most
> popular) and get by with a pretty weak CPU (mine's an Athlon 1200).
>
> > * It seems like it might be harder to stay completely up-to-date with
> > this solution, and it might be harder to run any custom software that
> > might be wanted.
>
> When .15 came out a week or two ago, it was only a matter of a day or two
> before the xbox packages were available. If that's too long to wait, you
> can always compile it yourself, assuming you're fairly handy with Linux.
>
> > * I have to have an Xbox next to my TV... People might think I support
> > it...
>
> Everyone who has looked at my Xbox-Myth system has been blown away by what
> it can do, and not a single person has accused me of being a Microsoft
> lover. :)
>
> Needless to say, I'm a big fan of the backend+Xbox approach.
>
> Scott
>
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