[mythtv-users] What to replace the AppleTV - but with?

[Brad Fuller]

On Thu, Apr 8, 2010 at 18:09, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
> On Thursday 08 April 2010 06:42:08 pm Brad Fuller wrote:
>> I've been using the ATV, modified Apple TV, for my front room FE. I'd
>> like to upgrade it to a small unit but with a bit more power. Any
>> suggestions? ION boards are what I've heard of and researched a while
>> back, but that's been about a year now. ZOTAC ION are still the best
>> bet? Anything better out there? What about a complete system? Are the
>> ZOTAC computer systems any good? I'd like a fanless system.
>
> Lots of options, let me put in my vote for a Revo 1600. The internal drive is
> slow, but can be replaced, or used in conjunction with an eSATA drive, or you
> can netboot it.
>
> It's got at least a little bit of future-proofing: it can take a CrystalHD
> module, should that ever develop into a better solution. Other mini-PCIe
> modules may come along as well.
>
> You need to add some RAM, so you can give VDPAU all it wants, but for $230
> total it's still an  economical choice IMHO.
>
> I'm sure others have other suggestions, you're certainly right that the ION is
> no longer cutting-edge hardware, but it works well, doesn't draw all that much
> power (especially netbooting) and isn't as bad looking as some electronics
> often is.

Sounds like the way to go. What speed will it accept for the DDR2
memory? I ask because I have a couple of 2GB 800s

I see from the thread from John that  there are a couple of
limitations that I'd like to see fixed: no SPDIF, no IR.

But, I think I'll order it right now.