[mythtv-users] My first MythTv box, first linux box and first build

[Chuck Rudolph]

Good call on the video card. Like I said, I've not built a PC before and I didn't understand the whole north/south bridge thing. I've since done a little more homework...

The AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ does support the Cool-n-Quiet technology. But a later post did suggest a less powerful processor. But I was thinking that I might need the extra power to support the software RAID 5. I was thinking of using some of that disk space as backup for the other PCs in the house - including digital pictures that we don't want to loose. I picked the memory that I did to support this CPUs dual channel processing.

I also wanted 3 PCI slots for capture card expansion. Viewing habits in the house means recording multiple programs at the same time. I have yet to see an HD capture card with dual tuners like the Hauppauge PVR 500.

The case got picked because it supports everything that the ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe does. The PSU got picked for similar reasons.

The missing DVD burner was an oversight. But my understanding is that these are pretty much a commodity item and that I can pick one up for < $40.

-Chuck Rudolph
Email: rudolph4404 at comcast.net

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Mitch Gore 
  To: Discussion about mythtv 
  Sent: Wednesday, September 12, 2007 8:29 PM
  Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] My first MythTv box,first linux box and first build





  On 9/12/07, Chuck Rudolph <rudolph4404 at comcast.net> wrote:
    I'm tired of VHS tapes and multiple VCRs so I've decided to build a MythTV box.
    This will be my first Linux machine and my first build.
    I'm looking for recommendations to the following. Over built? Under built? Too noisy?

    I wanted some room for expansion - more disk and capture cards.
    I'd also like it quite. It'll be in the entertainment cabinet with the TV. 
    The TV is not digital and wont be for a few years yet.
    I have 3 different inputs: 
      a.. analog cable 
      b.. cable converter box for scrambled channels - Motorola DCT2224/1662/ACDEG 
        a.. It has a 9 pin Female D connector labeled data 
        b.. It has what looks like a phono plug labeled IR
      c.. and the afore mentioned VCR - I'd like to get rid of some of those tapes...

    Here's my current http://newegg.com shopping list... 


         
         SILVERSTONE SST-LC17-B Black Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body ATX Media Center / HTPC Desktop Computer Case - Retail 
          Model #: SST-LC17-B
          Item #: N82E16811163055 



  I would suggest going with a mATX case.  especially if you are puting it in your living room.  mATX cases are the size of stereo recievers so the 'blend' better than a full ATX case. 



          $139.99  -$20.00 Instant    $119.99 


          ASUS M2N-SLI Deluxe AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail 
          Model #: M2N-SLI Deluxe
          Item #: N82E16813131013
          $139.99     $139.99 


  Again...go to mATX.  I would suggest the Asus M2NPV-VM it a great board.  It has onboard nvidia 6150 graphics card.  Comes with a TV bracket so output too S-video, composite, or Component HDTV (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i).  all of that is configureable in linux.  Plus its only $89.99 



          Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500 MCE White box PCI Interface Personal Video Recorder - Retail 
          Model #: 1081
          Item #: N82E16815116628
         $139.99     $139.99 

    I picked up a Hauppauge WinTV GO-Plus cheap from my local CompUSA when it was going out of business. Don't know if the card will work with Linux or not yet, but I figured I could make use of the IR Blaster and remote that came with it.
    I'd like to add another PVR 500 in the not too distant future.


  good choice 



          XCLIO STABLEPOWER 500W ATX 500W Power Supply - Retail 
          Model #: STABLEPOWER 500W
          Item #: N82E16817189014
         $69.99     $69.99 - Tried a couple of the online PSU calculators which told me I need something at least 440W. 


  may be overkill but with all your HDD wont hurt. 



          AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 2.8GHz Socket AM2 Processor Model ADA5600CZBOX - Retail 
          Model #: ADA5600CZBOX
          Item #: N82E16819103771
          $149.50     $149.50 


  good choice.  this will give you some great HDTV  when you deside to upgrade.  Does this support AMD Cool-n-quiet?   Thats a nice feature may want to look into it. 



          Kingston ValueRAM 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KVR800D2N5K2/2G - OEM 
          Model #: KVR800D2N5K2/2G
          Item #: N82E16820134117
          $119.99 



  overkill in IMHO.  I run 512mb RAM in my FE/BE.  I have 1 pvr, 2 OTA (HDHomeRun), and firewire HD have never had an issue while all are recording and I am playing HD.  Thats with a P4 3.4ghz too. (with XvMC)



          $119.99 


          Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST3500630AS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM 
          Model #: ST3500630AS
          Item #: N82E16822148136
          $119.99   x3  $359.97 - Thinking of software raid 5 with LVM. 


          Subtotal: 
         


   wow, thats alot of storage.  I would stay away from LVM.  also why do raid 5?  You going to loose alot of storage.  is you TV that important to you?  I would mount each drive on a differant point then add them in storage groups.  This way if one dies you will only loose that disks recording and the rest of the system will be fine. 

  One thing maybe you already have it but what about a DVD burner?  Are you going to want to rip your DVD collection to your Myth box?  Or archive you recording to native Myth backups or regular DVD's?  


  overall good chioces.  This advice comes from lesenser learned from buying the wrong hardware and suffering or buying the right hardware and then having to rebuy stuff to upgrade to my needs.  This system will really do alot and has lots of room for expansion.  For only doing SD now its going to be way overkill.  When you move to HD it will still be overkill but it will be nice to get the fast comm flaggin and transcoding. 

  let me know how it turns out for you

  Mitchell



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