[mythtv-users] Zotac ZBox HD-ID11-U (ION 2?)ships

[Jarod Wilson]

On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 10:27 PM, Steven Adeff <adeffs.mythtv at gmail.com> wrote:
> On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 7:12 PM, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
>> On Monday 10 May 2010 04:50:27 pm Steven Adeff wrote:
>>> On Mon, May 10, 2010 at 5:09 PM, White, Joe <wwhite at bankofamerica.com>
>> wrote:
>>> > The first of the ION 2’s.  I was kind of excited about this until the
>>> > reviewer at NewEgg poked some holes in my balloon.
>>> >
>>> >
>>> >
>>> > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173005&cm_re=ato
>>> >m_d510-_-56-173-005-_-Product&nm_mc=AFC-C8Junction&cm_mmc=AFC-C8Junction-_
>>> >-na-_-na-_-na&AID=10440023&PID=2403526&SID=zotac-zbox
>>>
>>> what was poked exactly?
>>>
>>> I think the big disappointment in the ION2 platform is that the GPU
>>> doesn't look fast enough to do Advanced 2x on 1080i material, so it
>>> looks to be no better than an original ION for MythTV/VDPAU.
>>>
>>
>> A serious consideration, since the only advantage I was expecting from the
>> ION2 was the ability to do Adv2x.
>>
>> Opinions:
>>
>> I'd like to see a couple of RAM slots instead of just 1. Single-channel memory
>> is so 20th Century.
>>
>> I don't like being forced to buy WiFi whether I want it or not. A mini-PCIe
>> slot would allow the user to go with WiFi if desired, and also use a CrystalHD
>> module, also if desired.
>>
>> The card reader is unnecessary, the user could just connect a USB reader is
>> needed. A cheap "feature" to boost the price without raising the cost.
>>
>> The list of "features" seems mostly software-related, and not anything Myth
>> would want.
>>
>> I don't see any real advantage over the Revo 1600. The second core isn't
>> really needed for a Myth frontend.
>
> I'll politely disagree with some of your assessment of the feature set
> (minus the RAM thing, and why no mini-pciexpress?).
>
> does the dual-core help any with flash content like the Hulu and YouTube stuff?
>
> I need to get something, and if the ion2 doesn't add advanced then a
> 1600 or 3610 seem like the better bet, I just wanna make sure I can
> play the flash stuff.

Even a dual-core ion 330 box sucks horribly at playing back flash
video right now. Need either gpu acceleration or crystal hd
acceleration to see the light of day. But then a single-core will be
just as good as dual-core. That said, both ion systems I have are
dual-core ones.

-- 
Jarod Wilson
jarod at wilsonet.com