[mythtv-users] upgrade to low-power-consumption-system query

[Tom Lichti]

On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 3:31 PM, Tom Lichti <tom at redpepperracing.com> wrote:

>
> On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 2:44 PM, James Miller <gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org>wrote:
>
>> Due to impending changes by my cable provider--having to do with
>> switching current analog channels over to DTV--I've begun thinking about
>> upgrading my myth system, which is a combination FE/BE. Of my system's 3
>> capture inputs, only one is digital-capable. This upgrade could also be a
>> good opportunity to implement a system with much lower power demands than
>> the desktop box I currently use. I'd like to make some inquiries of this
>> list relating to those factors.
>>
>> First, let me state that I'm located in the US. Most programming I record
>> comes through an unencrypted cable TV connection: I get a "standard" cable
>> package included with the apartment where I live, and do not have enough
>> desire to get more channels to justify paying extra for things like a
>> set-top box or an expanded channel subscription: just the "free,"
>> unencrypted stuff suffices for my TV-viewing needs. Along those lines, I
>> recently set up a rabbit ear antenna in my apartment and hooked it to a
>> spare input on one of my current capture cards so I could record some OTA
>> DTV broadcasts as well. As mentioned, I have 3 inputs (two in one capture
>> card and one in a second capture card) in my current myth box: two are
>> devoted to the building's cable connection and the third to OTA programming
>> that I pick up through rabbit ears. I'd like to stick with 3 capture
>> connections, btw.
>>
>> I'd like to ask to begin with how feasible it might be to use a laptop to
>> replace my current myth desktop box? Laptops have very low power
>> consumption, and bottom-of-the-line models that are quite reasonably-priced
>> have better specs than my current myth box. I do understand the
>> drawbacks--namely, there are no expansion slots in which to insert capture
>> cards and hard drive space will be limited. I suppose video quality could
>> be a drawback as well, since these low-end laptops tend to have crappy
>> display hardware. I'm not sure that would present a problem for me since I
>> am not much of a video connoisseur and my display is only capable of 720p
>> anyway; so I'm not too concerned with the sub-par video issue.
>>
>> So, going the laptop route would necessitate acquiring either 3 USB
>> capture devices (like maybe the WinTV-HVR-950Q), or perhaps one such USB
>> capture device and an hdhomerun (e.g., the HDHomeRun HDHR-US). It would
>> also likely entail adding an external hard drive (again, via USB) so as to
>> increase storage space for rapidly-expanding HD broadcast recording. So,
>> this is one option for a low-power myth system--one that I might be able to
>> put together for around $400 USD, a price which fits my budget well.
>>
>> Has anyone on this list tried using a laptop as a myth BE/FE like I'm
>> proposing to do? Any hidden pitfalls I may have overlooked? Also, what are
>> some other low-power options for running a myth box like the one I have?
>> Input on this topic will be appreciated.
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>>
>
>
Apologies for top posting, too used to gmail...

I am using a laptop as a slave backend, but the only thing connected to it
is an HD-PVR. I think your biggest hurdle will be having enough dedicated
USB ports. For sure the HD-PVR *really* wants to be on it's own USB 2.0
port unshared, For reliability I would think you'd want the same for the
HVR's or whatever other USB tuners you want to use. I do not use the laptop
as a frontend at all.

Tom
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