[mythtv-users] Cost of MythTV Machines

Nick knowledgejunkie at gmail.com
Fri Feb 3 00:42:33 UTC 2006


On 02/02/06, Rudy Zijlstra <mythtv at edsons.demon.nl> wrote:
> Nick wrote:
>
> >On 27/01/06, Ow Mun Heng <Ow.Mun.Heng at wdc.com> wrote:
> >
> >
> >>On Mon, 2006-01-23 at 09:02 -0500, Tom Hines wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >>>I assume the systems to which you are referring are HD capable and
> >>>"just work".  My motive for building my own box was that I wanted to
> >>>tinker with VIA min-itx mobos and it was just time for another DIY
> >>>project.  I forget what the price breakdown was, but I'm in it for
> >>>over $600 now.
> >>>
> >>>VIA EPIA M10000 (provides networking, video out, sound)
> >>>
> >>>
> >>A Via is nice, but seriously underpowered. PLaying DVD uses up to 80-90%
> >>of CPU and let's not even talk about playing RealVideo. That's even
> >>worst. It won't even play smoothly!!
> >>
> >>Nice Form Factor though. What's nice would be the new Omega-sd boxes
> >>using a Pentium M chip.
> >>
> >>
> >
> >My next MythTV machine (hopefully not required until HDTV hits the UK
> >shores) will likely be based on a Pentium M CPU (I currently run
> >Celeron 2.4/1.3 CPUs). My laptop (wireless FE) uses the 1.8GHz P-M and
> >the fan is hardly ever on, but the power is there. Now if only
> >Silverstone would drop their prices a bit - £185 (KustomsPcs) for a
> >LC16M case in the UK - any better prices out there?
> >
> >
> If HD will be H.264 (likely), i do not think your P-M will have enough
> power.

Bugger! Looks like you're correct on the HD -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/H264. Bearing in mind a 2GHz Pentium-M
has roughly the same power as a P4 3.2GHz or a A64 3000+, what kind of
CPU power do you think is necessary for HD H264 content?

Nick


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