[mythtv-users] Is this the ultimate HTPC motherboard so far?

[Kirk Bocek]

On 3/29/2010 12:47 PM, Brian Wood wrote:
> On Monday 29 March 2010 01:25:29 pm Matt Emmott wrote:
>> I was just browsing Newegg and came across the ASUS PBGA437 Atom / ION
>> motherboard. I clicked on it because it had a picture of a remote and
>> I like shiny things, and almost passed it right by before I read the
>> specs. For $199 US you get:
>>
>> * Dual-core Atom 330 (Fanless)
>> * Onboard GeForce 9400M
>> * Built-in b/g/n wifi and gig Ethernet
>> * HDMI and S/PDIF ports
>> * A PCI-E x16 port
>> * 4 SATA ports, up to 6 USB ports and support for 4GB RAM
>> * A (terrible looking) remote with what looks like a USB IR receiver
>>
>> And the thing that really stands out and made me want to share:
>> * DC power onboard with included power brick
>>
>> So, what we have here is a 100% silent running motherboard / CPU / GPU
>> combo with a DC power supply included. With 11n networking onboard you
>> could conceivably stream HD wirelessly (Although I know there have
>> been discussions already and I don't pretend that this is reliable),
>> and an IR receiver is included! All you need is a case, HDD and memory
>> and you've got what looks to be an awesome all-in-one HTPC!
>>
>> Here's the link:
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131635
>>
>> At only $199 I think this is the best candidate for HTPC
>> motherboard/CPU/Video combo so far. What do you guys think?
> 
> Interestingly that's the same price as a Revo R1600. Of course the Revo is 
> missing one core, and the SPDIF port, but has a nice case, 1GB of RAM and a 
> Dog-Slow 2.5" HDD.
> 
> If that "built-in" WiFi is actually a mini-PCIExpress module, you would be 
> able to remove it (when you discover that WiFi isn't a good solution for HD) 
> and replace it with the CrystalHD module, should you ever want to do that.
> 
> Whether the added CPU core, additional RAM capacity and the audio port is 
> worth the additional cost over a single-core Revo, only you can determine.
> 
> Plus you get that wonderful OS (XP) with the Revo :-)

My thoughts too. I doubt you could get any smaller form factor right now than
the Revo. Mine is front-end only but I suspect it would have enough power to
encode a channel or two. Especially digital channels.