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Dedicated Front End Recommendation Needed
http://forum.linhes.org/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=22219		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  ethernut [ Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:09 pm ]
Post subject:  Dedicated Front End Recommendation Needed
Hello all. I've moved recently into an area with a new cable provider and haven't had my myth system up for about 6 months. I must say the craptastic DVR's they use are very frustrating. I'm wanting to bring my MBE back online with a fresh install of LINHES 7 and put some FE's at our core watching points. I've done a LOT of reading about FE's but I haven't seen any real magic bullets, I'm not really up to date on the latest technologies though and would really appreciate some solid suggestions.

I'm looking for:

1. The ability to do VDPAU
2. The ability to playback at least 720P for non-mpeg2 video
3. Infrared capability so I can use my Logitech Harmony's
4. HDMI output with audio over HDMI
5. Quiet and Small, something that would look good in plain view.
6. Great hardware compatibility with LinHES (read *easy*, the older I get the less I like the challenge)

It'd really be nice if it wasn't expensive too, but hey ya cant have everything. I have Gigabit everywhere I need network so, that's no issue. I just want to watch TV *my* way again.

What would you do?

Thanks a bunch!

Ether..
Author:  bigtoedsloth [ Thu Aug 18, 2011 6:54 pm ]
Post subject: 
I just bought one of these

http://www.ebuyer.com/267867-emachine-er1401-desktop-pt-nbzec-004

Has Nvidia's version of Ion for AMD (so should do VDPAU), has HDMI, adequate processing power for a frontend, should be quiet and is small and amazingly cheap (£120!)

However ... I haven't tried installing anything yet (haven't even turned it on), so I can't personally vouch for any of the features or hardware compatibility with linux. It looked good enough for me to take the plunge and buy one, though.
Author:  ethernut [ Thu Aug 18, 2011 7:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Pretty slick looking, wonder if the base comes off so it could lay flat? Let me know how it goes!
Author:  tjc [ Thu Aug 18, 2011 8:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Some booksized barebones mini PC with a dual core Atom and a 2nd gen ION chipset should do the trick. These typically run $200-$300...
Author:  ethernut [ Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:18 am ]
Post subject: 
Thanks tjc, is there a popular manufacturer/model that folks are using these days? Also with no serial port available for the IR receiver, what is the best way to do IR?
Author:  tjc [ Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:03 pm ]
Post subject: 
Zotac, Giada, Foxconn, Jetway, Shuttle, and ASRock all have models.

If you check the customer feedback on NewEgg or the like you'll see lots of notes on Linux compatibility.

I've definitely seen folks around here talking about using one of the Zotac models.

http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20757 - mihanson
http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20288 - graysky (also rpete)
http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=22021 - Digriz77

There are also some ASRock boxes listed:

http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20225 - simonf (also steeve)
http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21998 - chael (needed to use R7)

A quick survey shows no references to the Giada boxes, and people mostly reporting problems with the Foxconn products.

Frankly given a reasonable sized hard drive you could pair one of these with an external tuner like an HDHomeRun and use it as a backend too.
Author:  spideyk21 [ Sat Aug 20, 2011 12:00 pm ]
Post subject: 
I have set up two Acer Revo units (http://knoppmyth.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=21062). They don't make this model any more, but works like a champ. The newer models would work, but they are a bit pricier.
Author:  mattbatt [ Sun Aug 21, 2011 6:49 pm ]
Post subject: 
there was some talk about getting googleTV and the boxee box to work with mythtv did anything come from that? Google TVs are cheap.
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