[mythtv-users] Remote front-end questions

[David Levine]

Hi, all.  I have a 0.16 backend w/2 tuners that is running great in a
closet.  I am planning in the next month or so to set up 2 remote
front-ends.  Possibly X-Box, although I'm not sure.

In the meantime, I wanted to do a bit of front-end testing.  I have an
EPIA M10000 machine that I got cheaply on eBay a while back, although
it is loud (CPU fan + powersupply fan).  This computer is currently
running Win2K and is my wife's, so I can't actually permanently make
it a MythTV front-end (besides the fact that it is too loud to sit by
a TV), but I can experiment with it.  I tried booting KnoppMyth from a
CD (no installation, just the front-end) but found the video playback
to be very poor... I'm assuming that KnoppMyth simply isn't optimized
for the machine, right?  I think I've read on the list that people who
actually install KnoppMyth onto the harddrive (not just use it from
the CD) of an Epia machine then go on to download and install
Epia-specific drivers.  Not an option for me.  Should I be trying
MiniMyth instead?  From what I can tell it is built specifically for
Epia M machines, so I'm assuming it will perform better.  Any personal
experiences anyone can relate?

As far as my permanent front-end hardware goes, I'm curious to hear
some personal experiences of people who went the X-Box route.  I've
heard it might actually have a loud fan... is that true?  And how's
the performance in general?  If not X-Box, what's the lowest end (i.e.
fanless) Epia board I could get that still performs well w/something
like MiniMyth (I assume I'll want to get a DC power supply, too)?  If
I do go the X-Box route, I notice that software-only modifications
can't be done on the most recent (1.6) boxes, and a modchip is
required.  Any recommendations as to the simplest chip to install
(that would still allow gameplay, although I don't care about using
X-Box Live)?

Thanks,
David