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Cheapest possible frontend? Mini-ITX? MicroATX?
http://forums.linhes.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=2306		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  Tazzytazzy [ Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:50 pm ]
Post subject:  Cheapest possible frontend? Mini-ITX? MicroATX?
Okay. I got the KnoppMyth frontend/backend up and running. YAY. We love it.

I'm a MythTV noobie. Soo. I'm assuming I can have a frontend with no tuner, and the system will use an available tuner from the backend.

SO. What's the cheapest/best way to get a front end up and running? I was looking at the VIA mini-itx with everything built in for ~$150. Just add a case, and a power supply.

I'm looking for the absolute cheapest way to get some front ends going.

1) I'll need PXE boot so I can network boot - no harddrives - no noise, less heat. Smaller PSUnits.

2) Won't need a harddrive, since i'll PXE boot, and use NFS to stream everything.

3) Can I stream MythDVD from another machine so I don't need to buy a DVD drive? I'd like the frontend to replace the DVD player.

4) I'll need the whole thing. Case, PSU, Mobo, CPU (integrated?).

5) The backend is connected with gigabit over copper. I'll eventually need another backend with some more tuners. Just information so you know that I know this already.

6) Putting a PVR-250 in the front end would be a plus so I'd only have to have one backend server, but it's not required.

Which Mini-ITX is the best to get for this work? 1gig C3 processor?

Can I get the whole thing going for under 200 bucks?

I see many links around, but they are at least 6 months old - and in the computer world they make good references to what was done, but not what could be used with newer hardware.

Where is a good source of Mini-ITX in the states?

-Tazzy
Author:  Xsecrets [ Wed Sep 01, 2004 1:58 pm ]
Post subject: 
currently pxe boot would be a major undertaking with knoppmyth.

The problem with the miniITX systems is the lack of cpu power. they have the hardware mpeg2 decoder, so it would be great, but the drivers are in some various form of completion, which changes rapidly and are not included in knoppmyth by default, again another large undertaking, involving kernel patching and recompiling.

no you cannot stream dvd, you would have to have a dvd drive in the front end.

I have though about this exact thing. And it's a great idea, but still has some major hangups. Not the least of which is that the stupid cases for the miniITX boards cost as much if not more than the boards themselves.
Author:  cesman [ Wed Sep 01, 2004 2:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
1.R5
2.R5
3.You cannot stream a DVD with MythDVD. You're want to look into VideoLAN. Or simply backup your DVDs and use MythVideo.
4.?
5.?
6.?

Like ATi, I'd suggest skipping mini-ITX. Why?
Cost: miniATX w/ processor is cheaper than 1 gig C3(and more powerful!).
Ease of setup: With KnoppMyth, it is easy to setup mini-ATX than mini-ITX.

If you do want to do mini-ITX, check out MiniMyth. I do believe someone was instructions somewhere on making KnoppMyth serve MiniMyth.
Author:  Tazzytazzy [ Wed Sep 01, 2004 5:38 pm ]
Post subject: 
Okay. Then, microATX is the way. Now....

What is the cheapest MOBO that will have all i need on board? :-) Video, audio (SPDIF out because the master bedroom has surround), network. USB is a plus, don't need firewire.

I just really need help with the Mobo selection. I can find the case, psu, etc etc.

Just for overview, the pricing is looking something like that:

Mobo - $50?
Case - $35?
PSU - $29 - 300watt silent fan - LINK
Ram - $84 - guna need 512meg with diskless right? LINK
CPU - $50 - AMD Duron 1.8GHz (1.6GHz is only $3 less) LINK

Total 50+40+29+84+50=$253

Any ideas on where to shave this down?

OH. Just did a quick search. Officemax has kinsington value ram (is it any good?) on sale for $30 - 333MHz DDR Ram.

With that, my total drops to about $229. (I love answering my own questions in the same thread.) Any other ideas though?

BTW. If you ever need a 400watt PSU.. Get the CMax 400. I just bought one a week ago, and I can't hear the thing. The harddrive is now the loudest component of my front/backend system. I'm thinking about getting two samsung quiet drives in a few months (when budget allows), for now I'd rather have a second frontend for the same price as two new HD's.

-Tazzy
Author:  tjc [ Wed Sep 01, 2004 9:02 pm ]
Post subject: 
Don't get carried away on the penny pinching as it will lead you astray. Think best value rather than simply cheapest.

For example a small price delta you can get much better CPUs. (Hmm. the price of the Barton core chips seems to have gone back up. This is the same price I paid months ago, although it can be had as cheaply as $63 elsewhere...)
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-370
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-103-378

This MoBo is a bit more expensive but known to work flawlessly because it's what Cesman uses in his master backend. ;-) http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-152-020

I still regret some of the corner cutting I did when building my MythTV box, to the point that I strongly suspect that it'll be "my first MythTV box" before too much longer.
Tazzytazzy wrote:
Just for overview, the pricing is looking something like that:

Mobo - $50?
Case - $35?
PSU - $29 - 300watt silent fan - LINK
Ram - $84 - guna need 512meg with diskless right? LINK
CPU - $50 - AMD Duron 1.8GHz (1.6GHz is only $3 less) LINK
Author:  pete-edworthy [ Thu Sep 02, 2004 6:34 am ]
Post subject: 
If going EPIA http://linpvr.org/ already does PXE, but doesn't include MythGame/MythDVD/Backend options

XBoxes are cheap $99 I here over there and work as frontends, the PXE requirement is a bit hard, but you can't beat the price for the functionality. Would the hard drive still be offensive if it was powered down after boot?

Harpagee MVP, myth on this is not yet ready for prime time but this will be a great way to go, cheap quite includes all the right hardware if using a PVR250 backend.

Oh and on money saving $35 for a case! whats wrong with duct tape?

Bye
Pete

Who's settup of a EPIA M10,000 PVR250 120Gb HD & PSU has come to $500 and so is not recomended as a cheap route.
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