[mythtv-users] Hardware ideas

[David Wood]

I'm getting ready to build a MythTV box. I've been reading a lot (hardware 
db, google, blogs), and I wonder if anybody has an opinion about my ideas 
so far (or if this will help others)?

So far it sounds like an Athlon XP 2xxx+, a big HD, and a Hauppauge 
PVR-350. But I have some reservations about the 350, since it sounds like 
the TV output device driver is in flux and not reliable/stable. And is it 
true that I won't be able to play movies through it that aren't in MPEG2 
format? Will I have to awkwardly switch between using it as a decoder and 
using it as a regular X display?

I see a lot of people going with PVR-250 etc and an geforce mx440 for 
output. Is that a better idea, even though the quality might not be as 
good? It's certainly cheaper. But I'm most concerned with whether there'll 
be fewer headaches...

I want to put this in the entertainment center like a stereo component. So 
minitowers are out, as are many desktops (has to fit in 18"W x 14"D). I 
don't see any reasonably priced, prepackaged systems that are in this 
formfactor. I'd consider "fancy" entertainment center cases (i.e. ahanix) 
but would just as soon take a cheaper, simpler, more standard case that's 
the right size. So far this is the best I've come up with:

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=11-116-159&depa=0

But I get the feeling there's a lot out there I don't know about. Is 
anyone else using a case they'd like to recommend? In general, is there 
anything else I should be wary of?