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Pastimes : Computer Learning

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To: Mike McFarland who wrote (75055)	4/20/2011 11:41:05 AM
From: Sexton O Blake	Read Replies (1) of 110652

At home I am using Sage TV as my delivery agent. I was initially going with MythTV but to get there I needed a Linux box (server) and money was an issue. The cheapest/fastest path was Sage. I had toyed with buying a small Linux box to play media. The plan was cheap cheap cheap to populate all over the house - ie wired (save on wireless card); no HDD - less cost and no noise - run off a memory stick. I ran into serious headwinds though - the cost of the box would be at a minimum $300 and for that coin I would have to ensure it was future HD proof - tricky at the time with the CPUs and video card considerations (the video had to have the necessary output connectors ...); remote v. wireless keyboard. The more time I spent looking the more money it would cost at the time (couple of years ago). I opted for the Hauppauge MediaMVP box - for $130 I would get basic SD but at least it was up and running. (Have 4 of those). I figured give it some time and maybe I will replace the MVP SD box with an HD box. Caveat: Future proofing in the computer world usually comes to bite you in the ass. I figured if I get a good little box that plays HD, and it turns out the HD won't fly, at least the box ends up being something that can be used for something else - like a regular PC somewhere. Where as buying a dedicated HD box - if there is a new tech, you will need to throw it away. Pros and cons as with everything else. It is one thing to have an HTPC in one room v. throughout the house. I haven't done it, but today I can add speakers and sit and listen to music in any room, look at pictures and play recorded media. Even have a commercial skipper. My only advice is - plan it out before executing. Try not to dig yourself into a hole - keep the implementation open for expansion and know your estimated costs. I think today HP sells a great HTPC - something like $2000 - one room. For that kind of dough I probably could come up with something wickedly better throughout the house. Further links - both have complete forums for discussion. mythtv.org sagetv.com (FWIW: I was sold on the MediaMVP box at the time partly because it too would work with the MythTV system - you won't find that out at the Hauppauge site, but MythTV + SageTV sites spoke of it)

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