[mythtv-users] Mac Mini and Broadcom Crystal HD PCI Express mini-card

[Brian Wood]

On Thursday 31 December 2009 07:01:29 pm Frank Merrill wrote:
> On Thu, Dec 31, 2009 at 6:47 PM, Brian Wood <beww at beww.org> wrote:
> > I never thought the mini to USB was a good idea, it's nice to have a
> > valid reason for thinking so.
> >
> > I just hate to toss those old AGP motherboards. Most of them that I have
> > have reasonably fast CPUs, some dual-core (FX-60s), and I can't use the
> > CPUs, the AGP cards or the RAM in newer mobos. Socket 939 mobos with
> > PCIExpress are not common items these days.
> >
> > I guess the planned obsolescence worked.
> >
> > But I have some thin clients with mini-pcie, and Intel graphics, it will
> > be nice to be able to use them as HD display devices.
> 
> I looked through this thread again and never saw mention of a mini to
> USB adapter, but if you are referring to my mention of an adapter, it
> was a PCIe Mini to PCIe X1 adapter.
> The PCIe Mini spec has both PCIe X1 and USB 2.0 buses, but my point
> was about using the adapter to put the Bcom into a PCIe X1 slot, not
> to connect it via USB (the adapter card will actually do both though).
>  That would allow the throughput it needs.

Correct, but the unit you mentioned had a USB connector as well as the two 
slots. Wouldn't help in this case, as has been pointed out.


> 
> FWIW, that adapter is $25USD plus shipping.  So for about $50 USD you
> could get the Bcom card, and the adapter card and use it with a
> motherboard that has an available PCIe X1 slot (or any available PCIe
> slot), and use any Intel, ATI, Nvidia or other IGP that can at least
> support the resolution desired.
> 
> The adapter schematic here shows that it's a pretty simple adapter:
> http://www.aeneas.com.cn/PDF/ex/MP1_schematic.pdf
> 
> I did see that Jarod mentioned one of his had a PCIe X1 interface
> instead of a PCIe Mini interface, which would eliminate the need for
> any adapter.

I had wondered about the price, I guess $25 is not unreasonable. 

The VDPAU approach is probably the best at this point, but you never want to 
put all your eggs in one basket, depending on products from a single maker 
(nVidia) is risky, though they have been kind to the Myth community as far as 
supply.

A little competition might also make outfits like  Sigma loosen up on access 
their specs.

Some comparisons between CrystalHD and VDPAU would be interesting, we'll 
probably start to see some data soon.