First Post Warning. Experienced in Linux, but never built a custom case.

I'm upgrading a 266MHZ network server, and want small size, low noise and high reliability. I looked at the Dell Dimension C521 and HP Pavillion Slimline, but when I saw that 4-year support doubled the price (Heck - I could buy 2 systems for $1000) I started to think of building a system from scratch, and maintaining the hardware myself.

I'd really like to add analog DVR capability while I'm at it.
I expect to control it via remote connections (X-Windows) and will probably watch my recorded TV shows from a laptop on my home network.

There are a zillion choices I suppose I am looking for a minimum MythTV functionality hardware setup with reliable components.
I'd like Firewire (access to some existing external disks).

Any suggestions? I don't want High Definition.

Start here: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=HardwareConfigs

I have. The only reference KRP platform is more than $1000 (Dragon).

There are more than a hundred combos listed in Tier1, and few give the price. I was trying to avoid spending hours trying to find a low-cost package.

I've been looking at the LX8100-AM2BB-M2NPV
http://www.lixsystems.net/lix/index.htm

That may be the way for me to go.