HTPC Ideas

[tremble]

Ok at the moment I have a box here set up as a server. It's pretty much sitting there doing nuthing, I mess around with some web pages once in a while so its handy to have for that. Its a Soltek QBic something or other, running a Pentium IV 2.8GHz CPU.

My idea's are to purchase something like this http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1249.html and stick my current board in it with the CPU for the moment with the plan to change it to something like mabey a Pentium M in the future.I was also thinking of getting one of the PCI thingy-ma-bobs and sticking my Hauppauge Nova-T. The plan is to run it as a Linux box and use MythTv for the TV card rather than the windows P.O.S. and run it as more of a media pc rather than a server but still have the option of apache for messing about with web pages.

I have a couple of queries about my idea. First one is to do with heat. Would things overheat in that small box and what sort of HSF should I be looking at, I realise its gotta be low profile and I want it to be as quiet as possible.

Second thing is graphics. The board has onboard graphics but do you think this will be enough for watching films and TV ect or should I go for a dedicated graphic card, mabey something along the lines of an ATi 9250 or even a 9600.

So what do you think of my idea in general. Any recommendations or advice?

[brumster]

Onboard graphics wise, I'm guessing you don't have video out so you'd need some converter. In all fairness you're probably better off going for a cheapy nVidia graphics card with tv-out as the results are good and the support in linux is equally impressive.

What P4 is it? If it's a northwood then you'll probably be alright heat-wise, even with the slimline case. Then again, a P4 is more than enough to power a myth box so you might even consider using it elsewhere and getting a lower-spec CPU for the existing motherboard.

Slimline might be nice, but once you've got the bug and want two DVB-T cards so you can simultaneously record two channels you'll be stuffed; no more room ;). Might be limited on hard drives too, I'm guessing?

As a simple, basic media box though, it's a nice bit of kit, yep.

[tremble]

At the moment im just planning on connecting the box up to a monitor as I dont have a tv in my room but im hoping to mabey get a LCN tv a few months down the line so I can worry about what connections I need then. Not too worried about a second TV card, its only for general use really, so I dont miss my favourite tv progs while im doing work as I dont have a TV in my room and watching films on.

As for the CPU, I really want to spend as little as possible for now to get it up and running so I think I'll just stick with what I have for now. Tho as I said my intentions are to mabey switch to a Pentium M later. The only things im really planning on buying are the case, harddisk and if necissery graphics card. The CPU is a northwood core, can anyone reccomend a cooler for it as I think my current one mught be too big for that smaller case.

[brumster]

I imagine a 2U server HSF will do the job; Kustom should be able to help in that regard if you ask nicely :) you might find the reference HSF is fine in that case, though, and as you're not going to be overclocking it anyway, it'll probably suffice?

Your onboard graphics will probably suffice in terms of linux support and if all you want is monitor output, you're sorted.

Your idea makes sense if this is your first venture into HTPC and Myth - spend minimal money first, get comfy, upgrade later ;). My first Myth box was just spares I had lying around to test the theory.

[tremble]

Thanks for your advice Brumster, I will definetly speak to the kustom guys before ordering and see if they have any suggestions about a HSF.

[Big Adam]

I'd certainly agree with the advice r.e. enclosure size. Unless you have a burning desire for neatness, my personal recommendation is to try and maximise your potential for expandability while working within the confines of any furniture / rack arrangements you might have.

Amazing how many HTPC builders begin with a Shuttle and then move to a desktop because, whilst the Shuttle is small, it ends up sitting beside the telly because it is too tall for a shelf or rack.

Unless you need to go for teeny-tiny, definitely consider some of the more conventional HTPC cases, some of which give you the option of ATX power supplies and the obvious noise benefits these bring.

I'd say stick with the 2.8 P4. Sure it's overkill for an MP3 jukebox but how do you fancy a bit of big screen gaming? Not so OTT now is it? :D

[tremble]

Unless you need to go for teeny-tiny, definitely consider some of the more conventional HTPC cases, some of which give you the option of ATX power supplies and the obvious noise benefits these bring.

Well to be honnest im looking to get something as small as possible so I can just stick it out the way...although that is a rather compact case it is also a great price

I'd say stick with the 2.8 P4. Sure it's overkill for an MP3 jukebox but how do you fancy a bit of big screen gaming? Not so OTT now is it? :D

...drools...

[tremble]

I spose then next real question would be, what distro of Linux to use? Anyone got any reccomendations?

[brumster]

stdRaichu will undoubtedly pop in here now you've asked that ;)

Debian, Gentoo or Fedora. My personal choice is Fedora (Redhat FC4 is the latest) but it really is just personal taste. My advice would be pick whichever one you fancy, and stick with it rather than changing your mind or trying to evaluation them all.

If it's a new venture in Linux for you, you could do a lot worse than Debian or FC. They're quite user friendly, by all accounts.

[tremble]

stdRaichu will undoubtedly pop in here now you've asked that ;)

Argh what have I started!! :p

[tremble]

Unless you need to go for teeny-tiny, definitely consider some of the more conventional HTPC cases, some of which give you the option of ATX power supplies and the obvious noise benefits these bring.

Starting to reconsider my choice in cases. The problem with that case is it will only suppoer one expansion card. that means If im using my Nova-T then I can't use a graphics card aswell which really restricts me when it comes to an LCD TV.
Im now looking at something along the lines of this (http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1235.html), has two card slots AND can support ATX motherboards if your picky about what you get.

[Big Adam]

Starting to reconsider my choice in cases. The problem with that case is it will only suppoer one expansion card. that means If im using my Nova-T then I can't use a graphics card aswell which really restricts me when it comes to an LCD TV.
Im now looking at something along the lines of this (http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1235.html), has two card slots AND can support ATX motherboards if your picky about what you get.

Pay careful attention of the warning provided at the end of the item description. A lot of sites don't tell you this which has led to a few grumbles.

[tremble]

Yup I noticed that Adam(hency why i said 'if your picky') but cheers for pointing it out.

[Feldman]

...use MythTv for the TV card rather than the windows P.O.S...

Beautifully put! ;)