[mythtv-users] The Perpetual Front End Debate

Dennis Cartier pvr at trigger.net
Thu Jun 19 07:17:30 EDT 2003


Hello All,

I am finally to the point where I feel that I am ready to start building the
actual production front-end systems for my setup. I would like to get some
input from other people about what works well.

I use PVR-250 cards, so the front ends must be able to handle 720x480 Mpeg2.
I have narrowed my search to either Asus Pundit systems with a 2.0G Celeron
and a CF card (on an IDE adaptor), or a Microsoft XBox.

Pundit Pros:
1. Has a PCI slot so I can add a PVR-250 to make it into a slave backend as
well as a front-end should my backend prove to be too weak (with multiple
tuners installed).
2. Plenty of CPU power, can use a P4 if necessary.
3. Ram can be expanded to whatever is required.

Pundit Cons:
1. Expensive (compared to the XBox), DVD, etc. must all be added (if
wanted).
2. No infrared receiver is built-in, must be added externally.
3. Vertical tower form factor is a bit odd for an entertainment peripheral.


XBox Pros:
1. Cheap!! Easily 1/2 the cost of the Pundit once you add in CPU, Ram, boot
media, DVD, infrared capability, etc.
2. Already has a DVD and infrared receiver built-in.
3. Small and looks like an appliance already (sort of).
4. Good TV-out capability (supposedly).

XBox Cons:
1. Only has 64MB of ram, might be tight for MythTV and the whole OS.
2. CPU is only a 733Mhz P3.
3. Not expandable.


I especially would like to hear from anyone attempting to use the XBox as a
front-end. I am wondering how hard it is to get the remote control working
under Lirc and whether or not the TV-out driver supports over scan properly.
As well knowing that it can play 720 x 480 DVD quality Mpeg2 without
stuttering would also be nice.

I plan on reflashing the XBox BIOS so no ModChips will be required, though
it will cease to function as a normal XBox. C'est la vie.



Thanks for any insight you may provide,

Dennis Cartier

---
A Microsoft Certified System Engineer is to information technology as a
McDonalds Certified Food Specialist is to the culinary arts.
	Michael Bacarella commenting on the limited value of certification.




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