[mythtv-users] Zotac ZBOX front end - input needed

[Jason Portwood]

On 12/12/2012 3:48 AM, Rune Evjen wrote:
> 2012/12/12 MythTV MythTV <mythtvuser10 at gmail.com>:
>>
>> On Tuesday, December 11, 2012, Nick Rout wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>> On Wed, Dec 12, 2012 at 7:20 AM, Jason <jason at wkrp.com> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I wanted to get some input on using a Zotac ZBOX as a Mythtv front end.
>>>> Either the ID11 or ID41 I think is the way to go since they have the NVIDIA
>>>> ION in them.
>>>>
>>>> I am currently rebuilding my backend and it will support HD video now so
>>>> I need to upgrade my front end, which is an OLD 8+ year old system.  The HD
>>>> video will be recorded from a HD-PVR.  I may keep a PVR-500 around for a
>>>> while until I add a second HD-PVR.
>>>>
>>>> I do plan on converting the video for long term storage using mythical
>>>> librarian.  I also play videos off the backend system using Plex on Roku and
>>>> a Samsung TV Plex app.
>>>>
>>>> Also do the ION systems work well with Live TV?
>>>>
>>>> I would like any advice on if this is the way to go or if I should look
>>>> into something else for a front end.  I have the back end worked out I
>>>> think.  I just need some help on the front end since I've always just went
>>>> with an old PC that didn't support HD video output...  Or am I better off
>>>> going with an older LGA775 motherboard, a decent video card, small hard
>>>> drive (or netboot), and a duo core processor with a couple gig of memory?  I
>>>> could see using that but then Ilike the idea of a small all-in-one system
>>>> for the bedroom that's quiet.
>>>>
>>>
>>> My (revo) ion1 and ion2 systems work well. Many will tell you that they
>>> have little cpu power for the video files that do not have hardware support,
>>> but frankly if you get ion2 you won't find much video it doesn't handle.
>>>
>>> specs often don't tell you if it is ion1 or ion2, but ion2 is usually
>>> coupled with the d525 processor.
>>
>> I bought a ZBOX ID41 for my kitchen about a month ago.  I upgraded the ZBOX
>> memory to 4Gig at the same time.  I run Linux Mint (Maya) 64 bit on it.  I
>> installed all the MythTV dependencies using apt, used git to get the MythTV
>> 0.26 fixes branch and compiled Myth and MythPlugins from scratch.
>> Everything works perfect for me - Live TV, Recordings, and an occasional Air
>> Play.  I use NVidia VDAPU Normal and I see only about 15% CPU use when
>> playing back.  For a remote I use LIRC with the StreamZap remote that is so
>> nicely supported by mythbuntu LIRC installer.  BTW I do not actually use a
>> Mythbuntu Installation, I just used their quick and easy LIRC installer.
>> Very happy with the ZBOX.
>>
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>>
> I have been using a ZOTAC HD-ID 11 daily for over two years as the
> main frontend, with no hardware difficulties. I ran the qvpdautest
> utility on this box, see
> http://www.mythtv.org/pipermail/mythtv-users/2010-September/296380.html
>
> I am using the High Quality Profile, with mixed content, both SD and 720p/1080i.
> In addition I am using XBMC with vdpau as well, and some games using Wine.
>
> The only thing I havent used/tested is the HD Audio capabilities since
> this box is connected using HDMI to my LCD TV, which doesn't support
> TrueHD og DTS-HD
>
>

Thank you all for the input.  It sounds like I can't go wrong with 
either the ID11 or ID41.

Thank you,

Jason