[mythtv-users] Advice required on low wattage combined system

[Paul Harvey]

On 5/28/06, Tom Abnett <tom at abnett.plus.com> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I'd like to set up a dual DVB-T combined mythbox for TV, DVD, mp3s etc. One
> of my main requirements however is that I want to keep the mains consuption
> down to as little as possible. I'm not sure whether to go for a low power
> box (e.g. EPIA), or go for a more powerful (e.g. Athlon XP) unit.
>
> I've looked at Socket A mobo's that support wakeup_clock (I'm guessing that
> mythtv does a good job of powering down/up as required), but there's not
> many. The ASUS A7V8X looks like the best bet. I've also wondered about
> putting in an Athlon XP Mobile, but many motherboards (including this) don't
> seem to be able to set the Vcore low enough to get the most benefit. I'd
> also want to get WOL working so I could use mythweb to schedule recordings.
> Can you send a WOL packet through a NATting ADSL router? I'm not fussed
> about my MAC being visible.
>
> As for the EPIA option - how well does it support DVD, browsing, running
> mysql etc - is it ever frustratingly slow? It seems some boards output RGB
> for SCART which would be great. Are there any other annoyances?
>
> Any advice you have on running a usable mythbox and minimising power drawn
> would be much appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
> Tom
>
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If you aren't in a hurry to build the machine, I would recommend
waiting until the new Energy Efficient Small Form Factor Athlon 64
processors come out.  They are supposed to use only 35W.  They are
suppposed to be available some time in June.

Anandtech has an article about the AM2 platform and includes
information here...
http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2762&p=4

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