[sllug-members]: Building MythTV Front end systems

[Chad]

On Sat, Mar 29, 2008 at 1:30 PM, u235sentinel <u235sentinel at gmail.com> wrote:
> So I'm at the point now where I'm looking to build several MythTV
>  frontend systems running Ubuntu Linux and am looking for decent hardware
>  on the cheap.  I've been hearing a lot about the shuttle and was hoping
>  for an opinion on them.
>
>  I'm looking at the SD30G2 for $170
>
>  http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3535112&CatId=31
>
>  Looks like I will need memory, hard drive and a CPU.  Been thinking of
>  using an lcd monitor (I have spare parts for about everything there).
>
>  Thanks
>
>  ______________________________________________________________________

Hi,

The thing I don't like about the Shuttle (especially for a frontend)
is that it *looks* like a computer.  If I am going to build something
that looks like a computer and put it next to my TV, I really don't
need what the shuttle is offering.  And for roughly the same cost you
can build a barebones using a larger selection of parts.  But by and
far the best advise I can give you is that you don't want to skimp on
the case or power supply.  The second best piece of advise is do your
best to find a case that doesn't utilize anything smaller than an 80mm
fan, and preferably nothing smaller than 92mm.  An ugly case will
negatively counter any positive experience your MythTV system
provides.  Furthermore it will deter others from potentially looking
into setting one up and/or asking your help in the process (maybe
that's a good thing :D).  The case fans are purely a noise thing; more
noise = a drop of several magnitudes in the usability factor.  If you
can hear it when the TV is on, it's way too loud.  If you can hear it
from more than 1-2 feet away when the TV is off, it's too loud.
Larger fans pass more air without creating a significant amount of
noise when compared to smaller fans trying to push the same amount of
air.  At the same time, you don't want your system to overheat, so be
sure to look into really good fans that can be strategically placed to
blow across very large heatsinks.

I've had very good luck with the SilverStone cases and I recently have
been customizing a few systems that utilize a Cooler Master RC-280 and
it is really a VERY nice case; but it might be outside your budget
since it is just the case and pushes what you have posted above in
terms of cost for the whole barebones system.

Either way, good luck!

-Chad

-- 
Prebuilt HDTV capable PVR systems powered by MythTV available at:
http://www.pauselivetv.com