[mythtv-users] 2nd try at a MythTV FE/BE design

[Chuck Rudolph]

After reading over the many welcome comments in my first attempt at designing my
first MythTV box (http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/289526),
I've put together my revised shopping list.

I'm tired of VHS tapes and multiple VCRs so I've decided to build a MythTV box.
While I've used various flavors of UNIX for the last 20+ years as both a user
and a developer, this will be my first Linux machine and my first build. I'm
planning on following the instructions in "Practical MythTV" and using Ubuntu to
set up a combined FE/BE. I want some room for expansion - more disk and capture
cards.  If this works out like I hope, I'll probably split the FE and BE in a
couple of years. I'd also like it quiet. It'll be in the entertainment cabinet
with the TV.

I'm looking for recommendations to the following. Over built? Under built?
Too noisy? Too hot? Too ugly? Too geeky? Not geeky enough?

The TV is not digital and wont be for a few years yet.
I have 3 different inputs:
* analog cable
* cable converter box for scrambled channels - Motorola DCT2224/1662/ACDEG
  - It has a 9 pin Female D connector labeled data
  - It has what looks like a phono plug labeled IR
* and the afore mentioned VCRs - I'd like to convert some of those tapes...


Here's my current http://www.newegg.com shopping list...

I'm not sure which case I like better. The 288 supports a VFD display. But it
doesn't look like it is Linux compatible. Is there a consensus as to which of
these is better? How about other cases - preferably < $100?
      nMEDIAPC HTPC 288BA Black Steel & Aluminum Panel MicroATX Media Center / HTPC Desktop Computer Case
      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204022
      Model #: HTPC 288BA
      Item #: N82E16811204022
      $99.99

      nMEDIAPC HTPC 200BA Black Aluminum/Plastic/Steel MicroATX Media Center / HTPC Desktop Computer Case
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811204004
      Model #: HTPC 200BA
      Item #: N82E16811204004
      $89.99

      FSP Group (Fortron Source) FSP400-60THN ATX2.0 400W Power Supply - OEM
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16817104032
      Model #: FSP400-60THN OEM
      Item #: N82E16817104032
      $41.99
Not sure if this is quite enough. Just going by what the reviews say about it.
Is 400W enough for this base system plus a couple of more disks and another
capture card?

I'm also considering the Antec Fusion cases. They come with a PSU, so I
wouldn't need the above. Do both of these VFDs work with Linux? Or just the
Veris model? Not sure I'm happy with only 2 HD slots.
I've gone cross eyed looking at cases. Does anyone have a better suggestion?
      Antec FUSION Silver Aluminum/steel MicroATX Media Center Computer Case 430W Power Supply - Retail
      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129131
      Model #: FUSION
      Item #: N82E16811129131
      $179.99 - $20.00 instant rebate

      Antec Veris Fusion Black 0.8mm cold rolled steel/ Aluminum plate front bezel MicroATX Media Center Computer Case430W Power Supply - Retail
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16811129030
      Model #: Fusion Black
      Item #: N82E16811129030
      $219.99 - $20.00 instant rebate

      ASUS M2NBP-VM CSM AM2 NVIDIA Quadro NVS 210S Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16813131072
      Model #: M2NBP-VM CSM
      Item #: N82E16813131072
      $76.99

      Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500 MCE White box PCI Interface Personal Video Recorder
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16815116628
      Model #: 1081
      Item #: N82E16815116628
      $139.99
I picked up a Hauppauge WinTV GO-Plus cheap from my local CompUSA when it was
going out of business. Don't know if the card will work with Linux or not yet,
but I figured I could make use of the IR Blaster and remote that came with it.
I'd like to add another PVR 500 in the not too distant future.

The HD Homerun looks interesting when I go digital (probably in a couple of
years).

      AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA4200CUBOX
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16819103747
      Model #: ADA4200CUBOX
      Item #: N82E16819103747
      $74.00
Do I need a fan or heat sink for this? It and the MOBO do support Cool'n'Quite.

      Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16820134117
      Model #: KVR800D2N5K2/2G
      Item #: N82E16820134117
      $98.99
This is Non ECC memory. Is ECC memory better?
Do other brands have better reputations?

      Seagate Barracuda ES ST3500630NS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16822148151
      Model #: ST3500630NS
      Item #: N82E16822148151
      $149.99
I'll add more disk as I need it. Is the ES version worth the extra $40?

      SAMSUNG 20X DVD±R DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S203B - OEM
      http://www.newegg.com/product/product.asp?item=N82E16827151153
      Model #: SH-S203B
      Item #: N82E16827151153
      $30.99
Is it better to use a PATA burner? Keep the SATA connectors open for HDs?
Although, the reviews for the PATA version of this burner weren't very good.

What about keyboards? Do the MCE ones, with all of the their special video 
function keys, work with Linux? I'd like to go wireless. Probably not IR though;
I suspect line-of-sight could be a problem.

I'm also thinking about wireless LAN. My wired switch is half way across the
house. It's a Netgear WGT624v2. Any card/USB dongle recommendations?

Am I forgetting anything?

Thanks for you shared expertise...

-Chuck Rudolph
Email: rudolph4404 at comcast.net
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