[mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?

[Daniel Dunning]

Again, great feedback.  Based on the feedback and suggestions, I've done some research and came up with an alternative configuration that saves me some money and probably does not leave me wanting, albeit I will have to put it together.  I've come up with the following:

	* Nvidia XFX GeForce 8200 Motherboard
	* AMD Athlon 64 X2 5800+ Processor 3.0Ghz
	* Thermaltake TR2-R1 Heat Sink

	* Kingston PC6400 800MHz 4GB DDR2 Desktop Memory
	* Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS Hard Drive - 1TB

	* WinTV-HVR-1800 Hybrid Video Recorder (2)

	* FUSION V2 PC Case with IR Sensor 430W
	* Logitec Cordless Desktop S510I can get a system like for about $670 and that for the most part includes shipping and taxes.  I have an old hard 132GB HD that I can use for the OS, which will save me about $100.  Is this something that I can use for Verizon FIOS?  I know that the Nvidia GeForce 8200 mobo also includes the VDPAU integrated into it.  

Thanks again.

Dan




________________________________
From: Brian Wood <beww at beww.org>
To: Daniel Dunning <dan3501 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2009 4:10:00 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?

On Thursday 02 April 2009 09:30:30 you wrote:
> Wow... great feedback.  I actually had the purchase queued up and ready to
> go, just needed to click purchase. Now I will spend more time thinking. 
> I've been looking for a bundled solution, something that I can toy with and
> configure, but not something that I wanted to fight with, so I am willing
> to pay a premium for that.   But I think that you're right, I need to get a
> better handle on what I want and whatever money I save can go towards
> building a better system.
>
> The cost of the setup at Costco is $799.

Not too bad a price, the main thing you want to avoid is buying gear you will 
wind up not using.

>
> Originally, I thought that a combination Front-end / Back-end system is
> nice, but I am buying for the front end.  I have computers on my network to
> serve as the back-end.
>
> Higher CPU -- gotcha.  Suggestions?

People seem to like the Intel units these days, but I've always stuck with 
AMD, mostly from inertia, I realize they are probably not the best choice 
today.

The choice of frontend CPU these days really depends on whether you plan to 
use VDPAU or not, and, if not, whether you need the horsepower to decode h264 
at high rates.

Backend CPU power really depends on whether you plan to do a lot of 
transcoding, or need very fast commflagging.

> Blu-Ray -- it was bundled.  I can easily live without Blu-Ray.
> Bigger HD -- gotcha.  That's cheap and easy.
> Separate the OS and DB.  I'll go with a backend-setup for the DB.
> TV-Tuner just said digital / analog.  I'm not sure of the brand.  Probably
> should make sure that is also compatible. Suggestions? Serial port.  Hadn't
> thought of that. Good catch.

You only need a serial port if you need to drive an IR blaster. Some tuner 
cards include blasters, but without knowing what the tuner is it's hard to 
tell.

> Expansion. Hmm... good idea.
> System appears to have wired networking.  I've just completed pulling a
> cable to the LR, so you're right -- that's key. Sony, as a rule, is
> expensive.   Agreed.
>
> I guess I'm really just looking for a good well put together starting
> point, something that is bundled nicely and would look good in my stereo
> cabinet. 

Looks can be important in a living room. The other LR factor is noise, which 
is hard to know about without actually having the unit.

> Somethign that will work with Verizon FIOS.

So you really want to check out if it has baseband inputs.

> I liked the HDMI  
> output on this computer (one line to my Onkyo Surround Receiver) as well as
> the wireless keyboard and mouse.  But you're right, since Ubuntu/Myth is my
> preferrred platform, it probably doesn't make sense to pay extra for BluRay
> and Windows.

Especially buying them from Sony, as you said, they are expensive. Buying a 
non-Sony product (Windows) from Sony is to be avoided.

I avoid Sony totally if I can, any outfit that sees nothing wrong with 
installing a rootkit on my machine without asking is not worthy of my 
patronage, IMHO.

-- 
beww
beww at beww.org
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