[mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations

Steven Adeff adeffs.mythtv at gmail.com
Sat Jan 27 00:01:42 UTC 2007


On 1/26/07, Robert Seaton <bobs at itproscorp.com> wrote:
> Good info, so you say that the buttons on the front worked out of the
> box, or did you have to configure them? Also if you bought a different
> remote, how did you hook up the IR receiver?
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Steven Adeff
> Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:50 AM
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations
>
> On 1/26/07, Robert Seaton <bobs at itproscorp.com> wrote:
> > I think I have narrowed my search down to either the Antec fusion, or
> > the Silverstone LC16M. The LC16M has more features, and has an
> > integrated IR receiver which in my opinion is a major plus. It also
> > has buttons for manual operation. I'm just wondering since this case
> > seems to be built for MCE, how hard it would be to get all of these
> > extra features working on Linux. The Antec fusion has a much better
> > design, however I would have to hack it in order to integrate the IR
> receiver.
> > Any opinions here from anyone? Input would be grateful.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> > [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Robert Seaton
> > Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 7:02 AM
> > To: Discussion about mythtv
> > Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations
> >
> > Did you ever buy this case? If so what was your experience?
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> > [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org] On Behalf Of Stroller
> > Sent: Monday, December 25, 2006 4:20 PM
> > To: Discussion about mythtv
> > Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Computer case recoomendations
> >
> >
> > On 25 Dec 2006, at 06:20, Rich West wrote:
> > > Robert Seaton wrote:
> > >> Your absotivly right, and I simply can't afford to buy the wrong
> > >> case.
> > >>> ...
> > >>> First, be a bit cautious about low profile cases.  I got burned
> > >>> because one of my tuner cards did not have a LPCI bracket
> available.
> > >>> ...
> > >>> Robert Seaton wrote:
> > >>>
> > >>>> I'm building a dedicated mythbox. I'm looking for recommendations
>
> > >>>> for a computer case.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> 1. Case must be high quality
> > >>>> 2. Must be desktop form factor
> > >>>> 3. Must be small enough to fit on top of my TV 4. Must look good
> > >>>> sitting on top of my TV 5. Must fit an ATX board
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Any recommendations, or links would be appreciated.
> > >
> > > The Antec Overture II is a nice looking case with LOTS of room and
> > > it is VERY quite.  I had one for about two weeks before I decided to
>
> > > sell
> >
> > > it since it didn't really suit my needs.  It's a BIG case.  I mean,
> > > it's like taking a tower, and leaning it on its side (with all of
> > > the drive trays and such properly oriented).  Yes, it is expandable
> > > with lots of room for hard drives and such, but, for me, since I was
>
> > > just planning on using it as a FE, it was overkill.
> > >
> > > I ended up going for something very small.. a Shuttle XPC barebones.
> > > ....
> > > If you have a separate backend server that is hidden away in a
> > > closet somewhere, then it doesn't really matter how loud or ugly
> > > that case is; it just matters what the frontend server looks
> like....
> >
> > Whilst I prefer bottom posting myself, don't you find that consistency
>
> > aids readability? Whatever one's objections to top- posting, don't you
>
> > find that when two other people have top-posted in a reply already,
> > that _then_ bottom-posting compounds the problem?
> >
> > Anyway...
> >
> > Seems to me that there are two schools of need here.... I understand
> > the desire of experienced Mythers to have a Honking Big back-end
> > server and dainty little front-ends scattered around the house, but it
>
> > seems to me that for Myth-n00bs (certainly myself, I'm not sure about
> > Robert?)  the case for a combined FE/BE is quite compelling. It
> > reduces wiring, the risk of network issues, it's only one PC to get
> > working and is generally less emotional / financial / intellectual
> > investment in the initial instance.
> >
> > In this case the combined FE/BE should really have a reasonable number
>
> > of PCI slots - unless I'm mistaken Shuttle & mini-ITX cases generally
> > accommodate only one, or maybe two, PCI slots (?) and that's pretty
> > limiting in expandability for a Myth system. You might get a PCI card
> > with two tuners on it, but what about a wireless PCI card? What should
>
> > you find it necessary to add an additional tuner for its hardware MPEG
>
> > decoding?
> >
> > If you're unable to commit to a complex Myth network in the first
> > instance then IMO ATX or mini-ATX form factor is the way to go for a
> > general-purpose Myth box - that'd seem to give you enough room to play
>
> > whilst you get the bugs ironed out. Whilst the 5 or 6 PCI slots of a
> > full-sized ATX case may not be necessary I'm pretty sure that mini-ATX
>
> > cases can offer 3 slots... and a full-sized ATX case gives you the
> > option of using either. I don't fancy the Overture II, myself
> > - it looks kinda plasticky to me, and not as classy as the Fusion -
> > but I can see why someone would choose it.
> >
> > The option that is leaping out at me is the Silverstone LC16M [1],
> tho'
> > - it's admittedly large, and has more 3.5" bays than you'd probably
> > want to use in a living-room FE, but it has plenty enough room for
> > tuners inside and (surely?!?) a large passive heat-sink. I know hi-fi
> > components are smaller these days, but the size of the Silverstone
> > LC16M doesn't seem to me to compare unfavourably with the high-end and
>
> > fashionable hi-fi separates of only a dozen or so years ago. It has a
> > built-in IR receiver and LCD display and in particular the door for
> > the optical drive seems particularly well-made & class [2]. I'm sure
> > this is not the cheapest option, but perhaps neither is making the
> > mistake of buying the wrong case & having to replace it?
> > I'm generally of the belief that buying quality is rarely a mistake,
> > and even if you decided after some time the Silverstone wasn't the job
>
> > for you, I'm sure it would hold its value well for resale.
> >
> > Stroller.
> >
> >
> >
> > [1] http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-lc16m.htm
> > [2] http://www.avkorea.co.kr/account/LC16M/IMG_0089-S.jpg
>
> I've got an LC16M, great case. I haven't found much use for the front
> panel buttons, but they do work, as does the scroll wheel. If you do go
> with this case, I would HIGHLY suggest purchasing a learning remote to
> use instead of the stock one, which *sucks*, but it has lots of buttons,
> which is *awesome*. A Harmony or MX-500 are good choices imo (I own an
> MX-500 personally). Also, heed their notes on the compatible DVD drives!
> I used an already owned lite-on drive and had to rig the button setup to
> work properly, so if your buying a new drive to put in, I'd suggest
> looking over their list to make sure the one you pick will work.
>
> Oh, getting everything working in linux isn't too bad. Theres a patch
> floating around to allow the remote's "mouse" act as a basic
> up/down/left/right control, but getting it and the LCD working is easy.
> I should probably put together a page on the wiki to compile all the
> information...

They work out of the box, you just need to know how to configure them
properly =) I'll dig through my work and compile it all for the wiki.

As for the remote, I just learned buttons from the remote it came with
to my MX-500, so I'm still using the ir receiver part built into the
case, I'm just not physically using the remote it came with

-- 
Steve
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