[mythtv-users] Looking for good specifications for mythTV

[Gavin Haslett]

The Epia P is a great board for a Myth-like box... my next frontend will probably have that (for my bedroom) because a fanless configuration would be nice.
 
However, it's not without its flaws. The 600Mhz CPU is barely powerful enough to run a frontend and backend together... forget trying to use it to transcode. The core is based on the old Cyrix core, so a lot of the math takes a back seat to integer performance. Not a big deal with video, but when dealing with compression/decompression of MPEG-2 or 4 streams this can start to saturate these 600Mhz CPUs pretty quickly. All Pentium-class CPU's are not made equal... bear that in mind when shopping for a media-PC.
 
Oh, and on the 600Mhz, if you're running MythMusic then better not try to run full-screen visualizations either :)
 
I would also point out that even with the XvMC support for these boards, don't try HD content. You need a LOT more muscle than this to pump HD to the screen, even the 1Ghz version of the board won't handle it. 
 
Be aware of the specs also; I'm not sure if the Epia P does come in a 1.3Ghz form, I think it tops at 1Ghz as I recall. Either way, as pointed out above since it's based on the Cyrix core some of the floating point ops are a little slower than a similarly clocked Intel or AMD. However, the heat and electricity used are a lot nicer in these cores.
 
We're still in a phase where embedded systems are a huge compromise... but the situation's improving dramatically and continues to. Now, if we can only see some lower prices on the hardware :)

	-----Original Message----- 
	From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org on behalf of Chris Weisiger 
	Sent: Tue 1/17/2006 10:53 PM 
	To: Discussion about mythtv 
	Cc: 
	Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Looking for good specifications for mythTV
	
	

	Here is the link
	
	http://www.via.com.tw/en/products/mainboards/mini_itx/epia_sp/index.jsp
	
	Chris Weisiger wrote:
	
	>The thing is with the mini-itx stuff is that I have an old NES and i was
	>reading about
	>building mini-itx systems and thought while im building it...to build it
	>in a way
	>to use it as a pvr system.....which i was looking at getting a mini-itx
	>board
	>that can handle a 1.3 or so processor
	>
	>This is the motherboard that I was looking into getting....thats if i
	>cant locate
	>a mini-itx to handle a pentium processor
	>
	>
	>
	>Gavin Haslett wrote:
	>
	> 
	>
	>>So long as you're not trying any HD content, this is probably good
	>>(though that one's obvious given the 350). I run mine on an AMD 800 with
	>>768MB RAM and it runs like a champ. Single PVR-250 and an NVIDIA card
	>>running XvMC for playback.
	>>
	>>-----Original Message-----
	>>From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
	>>[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Chris Weisiger
	>>Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 10:02 PM
	>>To: Discussion about mythtv
	>>Subject: [mythtv-users] Looking for good specifications for mythTV
	>>
	>>What are some good specs for a mythTV box..I have seen specs for high
	>>end machines doing multiple recordings....I am not looking into doing
	>>such things...
	>>
	>>All i am looking for is to record a single channel while watching
	>>it....and the possibility to pause live tv...
	>>just a basic recording box....
	>>
	>>I am looking into buiding a mini-itx box with laptop components....slim
	>>line cd/dvd, laptop hard drive, dimm or sodimm memory depending on what
	>>type of mini-itx motherboard i get or is recommended....
	>>
	>>What is the lowest possible processor speed to accomplish recording and
	>>pausing live tv....
	>>
	>>i was looking into getting a mini-itx with a 1.3 processor? and a
	>>pvr-350 card?
	>>
	>>i know memory helps the system..so i was planning on maxing out the
	>>memory..i found a mini-itx board that can support 2 gig or ram...and the
	>>hard drive space of course is not an issue for me to deal with...it is
	>>basically the processor speed..
	>>being this is the first
	>>attempt at creating a mythTV box...
	>>
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	>>
	>>.
	>>
	>>
	>>
	>>   
	>>
	>
	>
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	>
	
	
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