[mythtv-users] Recommendations for new Mythtv Box

[John Rives]

After reading through hundreds of messages on this list I find that I have
more questions than answers. So, for anyone who has a minute to help a
newbie to Mythtv out, please keep reading...

Objective:
To build a Mythtv box capable of recording two programs concurrently while
serving one previously recorded program or DVD locally. This system will be
dedicated to TV/Video content, and will serve as both Front End and Back
End. In the future I will most likely want to add an additional Front End
system to serve a second TV.

Content desired to be played back:
MP3, OGG, DVD, Divx (.avi), Xvid (.avi), SVCD, VCD

Hardware already owned:
4 x Maxtor 80gb Ultra 8mb cache IDE hard drives
1 x Maxtor 200gb Ultra 8mb cache IDE hard drive
2 x WinTV dbx-Stereo capture cards
1 x SB Audigy SB1394 (Model SB0090)

31" NTSC TV, non HDTV capable

Proposed Hardware / Suggestions:

Case:
Black or silver. Currently considering two different cases. Neither case
will hold all of the HDs I have, but that is fine. Does anyone have either
of these cases? Any other recommendations? My concern is that the case look
acceptable in an A/V cabinet, and that the case can support whichever
motherboard is recommended....
http://www.crtcinema.com/cases.html - Vision II Case + VFD
or
http://www.ahanix.com/dvine5.html - D.Vine Series 5 case + VFD
Budget: ~$350

Processor:
Athlon XP 2600+ - This is the best bang for the buck right now, IMHO. The P4
series is too pricey, but if there was a case+mb+P4 combo that came out
close to the Athlon pricing I would be very interested.
Budget: ~$100

Motherboard:
Perhaps this section should be labeled: "Chipset HELP!". The nforce2 is
everywhere, and seems to have good performance. The 48khz audio problems
scare me, however. Also, I have seen references to issues with the IDE
controller. The KT333 and KT400 chipsets look like a good value - any
suggestions? My preference, for what it is worth, is to get something that
is Mythtv/Linux friendly. The more that can be integrated onboard the
better.
Budget ~$120

Video Card:
TV-Out or converter cable?!?!?! Geforce? ATI + Cable? This and the
motherboard are major issues for me right now. I'd absolutely love to hear
some comments or recommendations from list members. If the motherboard has
onboard video / TV-out that works, that is fine with me. The most advanced
GAME that will every be played on this will be something in MAME, so high
end is not important to me.
Budget: ~$60

Memory:
PC2700 or PC3200, hopefully on Sale! 512mb enough??
Budget: ~$60

Sound Card:
Audigy? Integrated? One or the other, hopefully.
Budget: ~$0

Linux Distribution:
Gentoo? Mandrake? RedHat? Anything that will work with Mythtv. I'm willing
to put in the time to figure it out, but the more Myth-friendly it is the
better. Also, aside from XMLTV it will be behind two layers of firewalls so
once it works, I don't plan to mess with it much.

Optical Drives:
Preferably two, unless using the D.Vine series 5 case. Many of my SVCDs and
Divx content is spread on more than one disk, so more than one optical drive
would be great. Black in color, quiet in operation.


Any suggestions? Can an Athlon XP 2600+ handle two encodes + one decode
concurrently? Am I completely out in left field with expectations? Any
feedback is greatly appreciated!!