[mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?

[Daniel Dunning]

You're right about how difficult it can be to plan the configuration.  It just goes to demonstrate how important it is to think about everything, and underscores the importance of this list and feedback such as yours.  What a wonderful thing.  I've made the following changes to my configuration.


Asus M3N78 PRO ATX AM2 GeForce 8300 - This motherboard has the two X1 PCI slots as well as 512mb of shared video memory.
Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 1TB Hard Drive - This is marketed specifically for video playback.  And its $10 cheaper too.

Another quick question.  I got the recommendation for two capture cards from another website. I am using Verizon Fios.  What does having two capture cards provide for me? Is this the means by which I can record two channels at once?  Is that even possible going through the STB?  Can I do this with just one card since it appears to have two TV tuners on the card itself?  I have to admit that the TV Tuner part of pulling this configuration together is really confusing to me.

Appreciate your help here, I'm looking to pull together a final shopping list soon.

Dan



________________________________
From: Brian Wood <beww at beww.org>
To: Daniel Dunning <dan3501 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 2, 2009 6:16:25 PM
Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Sony Vaio, perhaps?

On Thursday 02 April 2009 15:54:04 you wrote:
> 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.

The mobo specs say you can use "up to 256MB" of RAM for graphics, but I think 
VDPAU requires 512MB.

I think the HVR-1800 is an X1 PCI-Express card, and I see only a single X1 
slot on that mobo. I think you can put the card into an X8 slot, but I'm not 
sure about an X16. You could put a serial card into one of the two standard 
PCI slots, as you will need to control the FIOS STB.

You may be able to find a USB blaster of some sort, and thus not need a serial 
port.

If you only need one analog capture device, you could go with an HDHR in 
addition to a single 1800. Costlier, but they are very nice units. You could 
also use a PVR-150 or equivalent in one of the standard PCI slots.

As you are finding out, sometimes finding the right combination of what you 
need for a Myth system can be difficult.

There was some discussion here about the "Green" WD drives being slower than 
some, but I'd guess they are fast enough.

-- 
beww
beww at beww.org
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