[mythtv-users] Backend/Frontend hardware (new system)

[Damian]

Hello all,

I'm still looking for my new TV solution since my last MythTV setup bit 
the dust in a power surge.

At the weekend, I was getting so fed up with the permutations that I 
came to a drastic conclusion....

"To hell with this! I'll buy 3 new pieces of kit:
1 - Big hard drive attached to the network (I believe this is called a 
NAS, right?)
2 - Something like a WDTV box to play videos from the network storage.
3 - A cheap freeview box (UK) for the live TV."

My thinking was that those 3 things should 'just work' and the total 
would be less money than buying a new MythBox that would do the job of 
all three of them.

It pains me to move away from Myth though. I can't stand it when it's 
not working and I have to come begging for help on here, but most of the 
time, for the last few years, it's been great.

I'm now wondering if I could get a big networked attached drive (to be 
low power and always on) and a new mythbox for a reasonable amount of money.

I 'think' that my music system (what used to be Squeeze centre, but is 
called logitec media server or something) can install onto some NAS, so 
all the new computer would have to do is play freeview TV and videos 
from the NAS.

Is there an 'off the shelf' box that I can buy to do this with Myth that 
isn't going to break the bank? I have built many machines in the past, 
but don't have the free time that I used to. Don't mind a bit of getting 
my hands dirty though if it saves a few £££.

A quick look around makes me think that I need to pay £600 for a 
computer to act as the FE/BE. If that's the price tag, then with regret 
I think I may have to go for the cheaper option I came up with at the 
weekend.

Am I missing something?

Thanks,
Damian

PS This new machine no longer has to be quiet and pretty. It can live in 
a different room.
PPS Quiet and pretty so that it 'could' live in the same room would be a 
bonus .. but I'd expect to pay an extra few £££ for that privilege.