[mythtv-users] Best Hardware

[Brian Wood]

On May 9, 2006, at 7:28 PM, MythBox wrote:

> Howdy there all!! I am new to the mailing list and proud to be a  
> MythTV
> user!! :-D
>
> I am wanting to know what would be the best hardware setup for a NEW
> mythtv box. It would be connected to an HDTV via DVI. I would like to
> have it with 5.1 or 7.1 digital sound using a standalone sound system,
> but unsure what to use! (suggestions please)
>
> I would like to know everyones input on this theoretical setup that  
> I do
> not plan to keep theoretical for very long.(2-3 months)
>
> Possible OS: Fedora Core 5
>
> Basic setup:
> 3.4 +/- P4 OR Duel Xeon (64bit)
> SATA HDDs (4-6 drives, all 300G+)
> SATA DVDRW DL
> 2 or 3 TVtunercards (HD if possible)
> Remote Control (standalone or from tv tuner)
> 10/100/1000 Ethernet
> 5.1 or 7.1 surround sound
> nVidia PCIX GPU
>
> Any suggestions on any aspect would be appreciated.


You seem to have started with a solution, which is backwards.

You should first set out what your requirements are:

How many TV sets/display devices do you have and of what type?? Where  
are they located?What inputs do they have?

What sound system(s) do you need to drive and of what type?

What are your available programming sources?

How many in your household will be using the system?

How many hours of SD and how many hours of HD programming do you want  
to store?

Will you be wanting to store DVD content on the system ? How many ?

Will you be wanting to store a music library on the system?, of what  
size ?

What sort of remote control(s) will you want? Will you want the  
controllers to be integrated with your other components ?

Will you be wanting to burn DVDs of your content?

How large is your bank account? How well do you tolerate stress?



A Myth system is a link between your programming sources and your  
display devices. Without knowing what the endpoints are you cannot  
design a proper link.

Don't forget things like UPS system(s), backup devices for your  
database and your content, and things like blank media costs, time to  
import programming, time to educate the rest of your family and time  
to troubleshoot the inevitable little glitches.

Things like cases, noise levels, ease of remote usage and schedule  
accuracy will be of far more importance to a wife or GF, if you have  
such troubles. Most "civilians" do not care if you have dueling Xeons  
or a PIII, they will care if they can watch what they want when they  
want to watch it.

Plan the system from the ground up before you go deciding that you  
need "A SATA DVDRW DL" and the like (Why SATA BTW?)

The above is a *little* bit tongue-in-cheek, but I believe contains  
some valuable advice :-))

Welcome to the list.