[mythtv-users] PVR-350 vs PVR-250 + GeForce4MX

[Steve Dobson]

Micah

On Wed, May 19, 2004 at 04:34:56PM -0400, Micah wrote:
> I'm rolling around the idea of putting together a dedicated Myth box, and I'm 
> trying to nail down my choice of hardware.
> 
> My current problem is deciding between a PVR-350 or a PVR-250 + GeForce4MX 
> with TV-out.
> 
> My issues and priorities are in this order:
> 1. Stability <-- Highest priority
> 2. Ease of setup
> 3. Image quality
> 
> I was leaning heavily toward the PVR-350 because it simply seems better suited 
> to a dedicated Myth box.  However, after reading Jarod's guide, it seems that 
> stability and ease of setup are issues with the PVR-350.

There is a reported race condition where the sound encoding may not get
configured correctly.  I believe this is being worked upon, and in the
mean time a reboot is need to fix is.  Once up and working, however, I've
found the system to be stable - so it is only a minor niggle.
 
> I will be using composite TV-out.  I don't have S-video on my TV.  Future 
> TVs will probably have S-video or better.

I've had both working and have found both to be acceptable (on my 50Hz PAL
Sony widescreen telly).
 
> * I want to be able to use the console emulators.  I don't know if they can 
> leverage the 3D capabilities of a video card (like the GeForce).  Can they?

Haven't explored this, and I'm not sure I have XF86 configured correctly.
But if this is to be a "dedicated Myth box" then why do you need 3D
capabilities?
 
> * My Linux knowledge is spotty at best.  I have compiled kernels and such, but 
> not much more.  I still don't understand things like KDE vs Gnome, X-Windows, 
> etc.  I am an experienced Linux user, not admin.

You don't need to run either KDE or Gnome - X yes - but it is very easy to
configure.  Currently I am running a window manager (sawfish) but that is 
only to help while I develop the platform.
 
> * The addition of the GeForce would take up the AGP slot, so I'm not losing 
> any PCI slots by putting it in.

The system I'm putting together is based on miniITX - so I only have the one
PCI slot to play with - with a cheap CPU/motherboard (Via EPIA 5000) the
PVR-350 is the better option.
 
> So, any advice would be quite helpful.

Well you have my $0.02 worth :-)

Steve