Hi,

I'd like to use an old pc to install knoppmyth on it. Could you confirm me if this config should work (or if i should change components).

What i'd like to do:

- watch TV/DVD/DIVX
- burn DVD
- use time-shifting function
- no more than one time encode and decode simultaneously

What I have:

- PC with intel (?????) motherboard (model with network/graphic/sound on board)
- processor PIII 733
- 384 Mo ram

What I plan to buy:

- Happauge WintTV-PVR-150
(because it has hardware encoding and remote control)
80EUR
- HDD hitachi deskstar T7K250 160Go
55EUR
- Cheap sound card with optical out
(i have an external decoder for sound)
18EUR
- Video: MSI NX6200AX-TD128LF - 128 Mo TV-Out/DVI - AGP (=nvidia6200)
(because it has yuv component out, and I'd like to use my existing yuv cables, because it is fanless, and because of linux drivers)
51EUR
- DVD RW Nec ND-3550
37EUR

TOTAL 241EUR

Do you think:
My motherboard/proc can do the job?
The configuration seems good?
It's a good idea?

Thank you,

belese

With the exception of the Nvidia 6200, everything else should be OK as long as you're only talking about SD (not HDTV). You might struggle to play DIVX unless the Nvidia Xvmc does hardware assist on that as well as MPEG2. I just about manage to play DIVX on a PIII 866 without any hardware assist.

I can't comment on the 6200 as I don't have any experience with Nvidia, other than the 5200 seems to be the preferred (cheap) Nvidia. I'm sure someone else can comment or otherwise seach the forum for references to nvidia 6200 to get an idea of peoples experience.

I assume the HDD is IDE, not SATA, given you're unlikely to have a SATA controller and IDE is simpler to install. And you might want to buy a bigger HDD because its amazing how fast it fills up if you're using it, even with a single tuner.

_________________
HP VL400 (PIII 866), Skystar2 2.6D, PVR350, Nvidia FX5200, 384MB, 200GB, KnoppMyth R5.5

Hi,

Just an opinion, however the 350 gives both hardware encode/decode which will let the cpu loaf and be available for "extras" that may get added. Also the 150 seem to change this every few months and you may have problems. I have one that is serving as a wedge for a table leg, good picture, can't get audio.

Don't know about the 6xxx, I use 5200 agp, pci isn't as good. Also the bios tip about 50% apt reduction seems to help (where available)

160 gig is a lot of viewing time.

Mike

Sure, I've got the 350 and its great, but it doesn't aid in DIVX decoding, only MPEG, so the nvidia XVMC might have an advantage in that regard (no idea myself).

And yes 160Mb is lots of viewing - but if you're buying a new disk then I'd say the 'sweetspot' of Mb/$ is a bit higher at 200GB+ at the moment. When I upgraded from 20MB (!) to 200 I thought that would be more than enough but I'm starting to feel a bit constrained Of course, very dependant on your usage, family members (kids shows) etc.

_________________
HP VL400 (PIII 866), Skystar2 2.6D, PVR350, Nvidia FX5200, 384MB, 200GB, KnoppMyth R5.5

I have that exact video card working perfectly in my R5C7 setup with the Nvidia 8178 drivers. Those are the only ones that have worked for me so far but component output (480P to an HDTV) works (and looks) great. I would use 720P but my TV doesn't support it and 1080i is to hard on my Processor (2.4Ghz). Good luck

These have a reputation as being hot and loud. Samsung, Seagate (especailly older .7 and .8 models), and the latest WD drives are all quieter and cooler. See http://www.silentpcreview.com/ or http://www.storagereview.com/ for more information. As the PickingComponents page on the wiki says:
Not being able to hear the TV because the disk is so loud could be really annoying.

Thanks for all this replies!

No HDTV, but i'd like to be able to upgrade it later (box-alim+motherboard+cpu+memory+HDTV card) and keep all what I'll buy now.



Do you think PIII733 is not enough for software divx decoding? I can do it on win xp and vlc with this pc , so it should work, no?



Nvidia 5200 has not component out. (or I didn't find nvidia 5200 with it). I want to have yuv out to my benq 5120 (res. 854 x 480) videoprojector.

Nvidia 6200 seems to work with MythTV (but I saw in forums that configuration can be more difficult for component out). If it works for md10md, i hope it should work for me




It's IDE




This one seems to be better:
Samsung SpinPoint P - SP2014N - 200 Go 7200 RPM 8 Mo IDE (bulk)
67EUR

If there is not other problems, I'll chose this new config. But I still have hesitations about the graphic card... (i don't want to have it and not be able to make it working)

belese

It'll probably be fine, I'm just pointing out that occasionally I have had dropped frames when watching DIVX (from CD). This could easily be due to other things going on at the same time, eg a recording and commercial flagging (the latter being quite resource intensive). I don't have a lot of DIVX movies so its not something that I've worried about.

_________________
HP VL400 (PIII 866), Skystar2 2.6D, PVR350, Nvidia FX5200, 384MB, 200GB, KnoppMyth R5.5

That CPU should do SDTV with a PVR card and be able to playback DVDs, but it definitely won't cut it for HDTV. For other folks who are really squeezing the most of out low end CPUs search for aovermy's posts amoung others. I think mjl also has some very low powered boxes.