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Budget KnoppMyth box
http://forum.linhes.org/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7839		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ColdFusion [ Wed Jan 11, 2006 10:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Budget KnoppMyth box
Hello! This is an allsome piece of software you have here! I want to make a KnoppMyth box but I don't have much money so I want to make it as cheap as possible. I'll buy everything exactly for the mythbox so I want to be sure that everything works seamlessly. The problem is that I don't understand much from hardware and since this is a crucial part here, I have some questions.
I have a satelite dish where I watch digital tv and cable where I can watch analog tv. So I need a digital DVB-S card and an analog tuner card. I also want to be able to watch and rip dvds so a simple dvd player should also be there. The sound card should be able to play 5.1 sound.
Could you tell me what CPU, motherboard, RAM, Video card, DVB-S, tuner, dvd, HDD and soundcard I should buy. Please tell me the cheapest variant there is, but if there is some feature that I could use if I get a more expensive part please tell me that too. Like "If you want to watch satelite and at the same time record with the tuner then you have to get this and that...", or livetv or any other feature there might be if I get more expensive parts. And what parts that should be.
Does the remote have to be ATi or can I use any remote control with many buttons and configure it with lirc?
I want to use the box as a router too, so I'll need 2 ethernet cards, but that's easy. :wink: Or is there going to be some problem if I use it as a router and to watch tv?
Thanks in advance!
Keep up the good work! :D
Author:  afrosheen [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:34 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
I have a satelite dish where I watch digital tv and cable where I can watch analog tv. So I need a digital DVB-S card and an analog tuner card.



Actually, no. The DVB-S is unneccessary. You just need a dual tuner card and some way to control both boxes, probably a pair of IR blasters. Or you could get a pair of tuner cards (pvr150 and/or pvr250). Might even be able to use dual firewire.

Quote:
I also want to be able to watch and rip dvds so a simple dvd player should also be there.


Sure, that's no problem at all, might even consider a DVD burner since they're hovering around $50 for OEM flavors of Samsung and other burners.

Quote:
Could you tell me what CPU, motherboard, RAM, Video card, DVB-S, tuner, dvd, HDD and soundcard I should buy.


Alot of that stuff is up to you, and you really need to read the Tier 1 posts where people explain what hardware they're using and how easy it was to get it all setup. I suggest to keep costs down you get a decent motherboard with onboard audio. Already mentioned the tuner cards. For video out to the TV, you can't go wrong with Nvidia 5xxx and up cards. When choosing a hard drive, most drives are equally fast and quiet these days so just shoot for capacity, preferably an ATA133 drive, not SATA.

Sorry but I know nothing about 5.1 sound. There have been a few posts on here and searching the forum should turn up some answers.

Quote:
Does the remote have to be ATi or can I use any remote control with many buttons and configure it with lirc?


Doesn't have to be an ATi remote, and due to issues with ATi drivers, I suggest you stay far away from them. My tuner card, the Hauppauge pvr250, came with a remote that works perfectly. The range on it kinda sucks but that seems to be the status quo for these devices. Again, refer to Tier1 for remote recommendations.

Personally I'd stay away from using it as a firewall/router/egg timer. Knoppmyth is complicated enough by itself, then you throw it into dual roles and you may have problems nobody can help you with. Better to get a Linksys WRT54G for $50 and throw custom firmware on it than try to treat your set-top box like another commodity linux box.
Author:  mad_paddler [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 2:52 pm ]
Post subject: 
If you need really cheap, your best bet is getting second hand parts from ebay etc. I wouldn't even consider using it as a router aswell.
Author:  ColdFusion [ Thu Jan 12, 2006 11:18 pm ]
Post subject: 
afrosheen wrote:
Actually, no. The DVB-S is unneccessary. You just need a dual tuner card and some way to control both boxes, probably a pair of IR blasters. Or you could get a pair of tuner cards (pvr150 and/or pvr250). Might even be able to use dual firewire.

I have a satelite dish and an analog receiver right now. I'll be getting a digital convertor for the satelite dish so I'd have to buy a digital receiver (or a DVB-S card for the computer). So i think It'll be better to get a DVB-S card rather than an externel receiver because it's cheaper and it'll be all integrated in the Mythbox.
DVD - yeah I might get a burner also, I just now saw how cheap they are.
I'll check out the Tier 1 threads, thanks! :D
I'm wary about onboard audio because most of the time it's very bad and doesn't have 5.1. I'm considering a Sound Blaster Live!, but I'm not sure yet if it's really 5.1/7.1 capable or a Sound Blaster® Audigy® 2. I hope it all works on linux >_<

About the router... Isn't it just Debian? I have made a Debian router before using this script and it all runs out of the box.
mad_paddlerq nah not that cheap. :wink: I can afford to buy new parts, the problem is that I don't want to buy expensive hardware that is used only by 60% or so from it's capacity.
Author:  hari_seldon99 [ Sat Jan 14, 2006 4:54 am ]
Post subject: 
Well I probably have among the cheapest mythtv boxes around. Works fine & my TCO was around $300. Specs are in my sig
Author:  ColdFusion [ Sat Jan 14, 2006 7:32 am ]
Post subject: 
I have to hunt down some old parts after all because there's nothing under 2Ghz in the computer shops anymore :x
Author:  Darth_tater [ Sat Jan 14, 2006 12:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
afrosheen wrote:
Quote:
I have a satelite dish where I watch digital tv and cable where I can watch analog tv. So I need a digital DVB-S card and an analog tuner card.



Actually, no. The DVB-S is unneccessary. You just need a dual tuner card and some way to control both boxes, probably a pair of IR blasters. Or you could get a pair of tuner cards (pvr150 and/or pvr250). Might even be able to


actuly if you have a directv box then you dont even need to use an IR blaster (there a bit of a pain in the ass 2 set up)
u can use a modiifed cabel to control your directvbox. search the wiki for info.
Author:  ColdFusion [ Sat Jan 14, 2006 2:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
I don't have a directv box or a digital receiver. :D Like I said:
Quote:
I have a satelite dish and an analog receiver right now. I'll be getting a digital convertor for the satelite dish so I'd have to buy a digital receiver (or a DVB-S card for the computer). So i think It'll be better to get a DVB-S card rather than an externel receiver because it's cheaper and it'll be all integrated in the Mythbox.
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