[mythtv-users] Questions about new hardware purchase

[Brian Wood]

On Mar 28, 2008, at 9:02 AM, Fred Firestine wrote:
>>
>
> I was looking into putting one together myself, but I couldn't get
> prices this low. I guess I am looking in the wrong places? I had
> priced out parts for a system based on the Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core
> 4400+ at over $500, and another with Intel Core 2 Duo E4500 2.2GHZ
> Desktop Processor for over $600. Total price on the above is $485. I
> have been trying to do things "on the cheap" as much as possible, but
> I was hoping this system could handle HD when I get the TV for it. My
> tube TVs are still going strong.  ;-)
>
> Why is it low-end for HD? Are there no hardware encoder/decoder cards?
> If someone can forward specs for a system under $500, using my PCI
> capture cards, I'm all for it. Still time to cancel with Dell.

If you're using PCI capture and need to add a sound card you'll be  
limited to one device.

Especially without XvMC support (probable with server class video)  
that CPU might be marginal for HD with Myth.

I'd keep looking. With refurbed hardware you can probably put  
something together for $500, but as always it's better to get what you  
need up front rather than try and fix things later.

Have you checked Dell's "outlet" for refurbs?

beww