[mythtv-users] My whole house setup

[Gene Stapp]

On 10/23/07, Marvin Match <match at ece.utah.edu> wrote:
>
> On 23 Oct 2007 at 12:32, Jeffery Swan wrote:
>
> >
> > This is just a quick post for anyone interested in my (quite large)
> > MythTV setup and extras. I have had many people ask me for details so
> > I set up a Blog at:
> >
> > http://ultimatemythtv.wordpress.com/
> >
> > The Blog is pretty new but I will add content as time allows. I also
> > have a spot where I talk about future upgrades and modules I would
> > like to add. So,
> > If you are interested in a nearly 10 TB system, check it out.
> >
> > As always comments and suggestions are welcome and encouraged (to my
> > personal email not this group as it would be off topic).
> >
> > -Jeff
>
> I'd like an estimate of what your power bill is every month with that many
computers in your house.
By your network topology I count at least 8 always on computers - but from
reading your blog it sounds like more. I'm all for recycling older hardware,
but new hardware is a one time cost as opposed to handing the utility
company your bank account every month.

I feel I could get the same or better performance and only use 3 24/7 boxes.
I'd consolidate my nas boxes into one large system. I'd use dual bonded
gigabit for it especially since it already appears you have a nice gigabit
switch that probably has the option to do link aggregation. With port
multipliers you can put in up to 20 sata drives in a cooler master stacker
case (or add some externals for more if you need it). The sata port
multiplier code will even be native in the linux kernel starting in 2.6.24.
You would also save more money by being able to invest in a really
effiecient power supply (750 watts or so should do it with an efficiency
rating over 80%). Throw a q6600 in that new nas box, and a 2.5" low power
usage notebook drive as the main drive and it could also be your main myth
backend that does all your transcoding/commercial detection. It would also
have no problem handling your dns/dhcp/mail/http/asterix(not sure you have
asterix) server duties. That would allow you to drop 4 constant use, power
sucking computers and would probably pay for itself in a year due to lower
power bills.
I also feel looking at your network map that you could drop a few slave
backends and not lose any performance. I don't see the need for an entire
slave backend for just 4 cameras. If you don't want to use the cheap 8 input
pci/pci-x camera recording cards, you could throw in 4 pvr-500s and
accomplish the same thing you have now with one box. Add in one other slave
backend to do all your satellite receiver recording with either 4 pvr 150s
or again some pvr-500s.
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