[mythtv-users] Building a Simple, Barebones, Minimalist, Cheap Backend

[Maatt]

> Were you thinking Atom or some kind of Celeron?

I run a core 2 duo (lowest model in the 1mb cache range), because I
transcode and generally run other servers
(webserver/mythweb/ssh/vncserver/samba,etc). I think its about 60W. I
got a SFF case with builtin PSU (200w) but it fits a 5 1/4 DVD writer.
To save power get the backend to use ACPI sleep/wake to suspend to RAM
when nothing is happening. The success rate of this will vary with
your hardware but my intel/gigabyte all-in-one board and nvidia card
work suprisingly well. I measured about 25W in suspend to RAM state,
about 75-85w while watching TV.
I run two USB tuners (dib0700 based). There is easy enough horsepower
to be doing any combination of watching/capturing, including Picture
in picture with this setup (Opengl rendering). I think I tried HD
picture in HD picture and it was OK but this is probably not that
relevant to you. I only have a SD TV so the HD stuff is moot. I also
had mythweb transcoding HD to flash video in realtime.
With the gigabyte board I have control of the CPU and system fan
speeds from linux also. I would like it to be quieter (ideally,
silent), although it's better than my last attempt.
I think CPU/Mobo/RAM was about $160 although I'm sure its cheaper now.
It's very rare I upgrade parts of a machine (unless they wear out),
usually I just start from scratch again and somehow it costs half the
price of the last PC I built.