Mailing List Archive: MythTV: Users

General purpose frontend for 300 bucks?

Index | Next | Previous | View Threaded

jason.m.weida at gmail

Nov 22, 2009, 3:21 PM

Post #1 of 12 (1214 views)
Permalink

General purpose frontend for 300 bucks?

Any reason this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac
MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general purpose frontend? I'm assuming that
Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback
right now, but I don't currently have any ION systems to test with. No OS
installed, just the hardware in an attractive package. Not available to
order today, so I'm signed up to be notified.

I *almost* ordered
this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856158007&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-158-007-_-Product>(ASROCK
ION 330) for 50 bucks more and stumbled upon this guy. I think the
Zotac would be worth the wait.

beww at beww

Nov 22, 2009, 3:33 PM

Post #2 of 12 (1193 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:21:13 Jason Weida wrote:
> Any reason
> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=
>ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general
> purpose frontend? I'm assuming that Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU
> accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback right now, but I don't currently have any
> ION systems to test with. No OS installed, just the hardware in an
> attractive package. Not available to order today, so I'm signed up to be
> notified.
>
> I *almost* ordered
> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856158007&cm_re=
>ion_330-_-56-158-007-_-Product>(ASROCK ION 330) for 50 bucks more and
> stumbled upon this guy. I think the Zotac would be worth the wait.

What about the Revo:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228&cm_re=revo-_-83-103-228-_-Product

$100 less. Granted it has the ION-LE, but folks seem to think that will work
OK, and there have been some posts here that seem to indicate the Revo will
work well as a F/E only.

I'm real close to ordering one, realizing that $200 is not all that much to
lose if things don't work out.

--
Brian Wood
beww [at] beww
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

nick.rout at gmail

Nov 22, 2009, 3:33 PM

Post #3 of 12 (1193 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:21 PM, Jason Weida <jason.m.weida [at] gmail> wrote:
> Any reason this (Zotac MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general purpose
> frontend? I'm assuming that Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU
> accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback right now, but I don't currently have any
> ION systems to test with. No OS installed, just the hardware in an
> attractive package. Not available to order today, so I'm signed up to be
> notified.
>

They were commented on in the mythtvnz list recently
http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/mythtvnz/407482

They look good, but you are probably paying for a HD that you might
not want in a quiet frontend. Personally I would put the hard drive to
use in my laptop (assume it is 2.5" drive from the overall size).
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

nick.rout at gmail

Nov 22, 2009, 3:43 PM

Post #4 of 12 (1182 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:
> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:21:13 Jason Weida wrote:
>> Any reason
>> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=
>>ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general
>> purpose frontend? I'm assuming that Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU
>> accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback right now, but I don't currently have any
>> ION systems to test with. No OS installed, just the hardware in an
>> attractive package. Not available to order today, so I'm signed up to be
>> notified.

Actually should have said, I saw a thread recently which indicated
that hardware accel for flash for Linux was not available yet.

>>
>> I *almost* ordered
>> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856158007&cm_re=
>>ion_330-_-56-158-007-_-Product>(ASROCK ION 330) for 50 bucks more and
>> stumbled upon this guy. I think the Zotac would be worth the wait.
>
> What about the Revo:
>
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228&cm_re=revo-_-83-103-228-_-Product
>
> $100 less. Granted it has the ION-LE, but folks seem to think that will work
> OK, and there have been some posts here that seem to indicate the Revo will
> work well as a F/E only.
>
> I'm real close to ordering one, realizing that $200 is not all that much to
> lose if things don't work out.

Well it'll be usable for SOMETHING, and eBay will reimburse you some
cost if it doesn't work.

IIRC the revo lacks spdif, which may or may not be a consideration.
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

nick.rout at gmail

Nov 22, 2009, 3:45 PM

Post #5 of 12 (1192 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM, Nick Rout <nick.rout [at] gmail> wrote:
> On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:
>> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:21:13 Jason Weida wrote:
>>> Any reason
>>> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=
>>>ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general
>>> purpose frontend? I'm assuming that Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU
>>> accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback right now, but I don't currently have any
>>> ION systems to test with. No OS installed, just the hardware in an
>>> attractive package. Not available to order today, so I'm signed up to be
>>> notified.
>
>
> Actually should have said, I saw a thread recently which indicated
> that hardware accel for flash for Linux was not available yet.

thread is here http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/408509
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

beww at beww

Nov 22, 2009, 3:51 PM

Post #6 of 12 (1195 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:43:45 Nick Rout wrote:

> > What about the Revo:
> >
> > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228&cm_re=rev
> >o-_-83-103-228-_-Product
> >
> > $100 less. Granted it has the ION-LE, but folks seem to think that will
> > work OK, and there have been some posts here that seem to indicate the
> > Revo will work well as a F/E only.
> >
> > I'm real close to ordering one, realizing that $200 is not all that much
> > to lose if things don't work out.
>
> Well it'll be usable for SOMETHING, and eBay will reimburse you some
> cost if it doesn't work.
>
> IIRC the revo lacks spdif, which may or may not be a consideration.

I'm aware of no SPDIF, but reviewers have said they can get audio out of the
HDMI port, which would imply digital audio. Of course you have to be careful
of N/E's reiewers.

Even if it were limited to analog audio, I still think it's a good deal for
the money, and as you say, it's got to be good for *something* :-) A
secondary "bedroom" frontend, that might not want digital audio, for $200
seems quite reasonable to me.

--
Brian Wood
beww [at] beww
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

nick.rout at gmail

Nov 22, 2009, 4:30 PM

Post #7 of 12 (1174 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:
> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:43:45 Nick Rout wrote:
>
>> > What about the Revo:
>> >
>> > http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228&cm_re=rev
>> >o-_-83-103-228-_-Product
>> >
>> > $100 less. Granted it has the ION-LE, but folks seem to think that will
>> > work OK, and there have been some posts here that seem to indicate the
>> > Revo will work well as a F/E only.
>> >
>> > I'm real close to ordering one, realizing that $200 is not all that much
>> > to lose if things don't work out.
>>
>> Well it'll be usable for SOMETHING, and eBay will reimburse you some
>> cost if it doesn't work.
>>
>> IIRC the revo lacks spdif, which may or may not be a consideration.
>
> I'm aware of no SPDIF, but reviewers have said they can get audio out of the
> HDMI port, which would imply digital audio. Of course you have to be careful
> of N/E's reiewers.
>
> Even if it were limited to analog audio, I still think it's a good deal for
> the money, and as you say, it's got to be good for *something* :-) A
> secondary "bedroom" frontend, that might not want digital audio, for $200
> seems quite reasonable to me.

<rant>Pity the poor kiwi, can't get the revo here except on the odd
auction site:

According to my bank $200US=$260.04NZ. The kiwi has been strong
against the greenback for quite some time too.

The only revo for sale on our biggest auction house:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Desktops/No-monitor/auction-255117833.htm

$620.00 starting bid and thats second hand!!!

I guess they are probably made in Asia, so both US and Kiwi retailers
have to freight them in. We simply get ripped off here.

</rant>
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

kevin at familyross

Nov 22, 2009, 4:45 PM

Post #8 of 12 (1171 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

Nick Rout wrote:
> On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:51 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:
>
>> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:43:45 Nick Rout wrote:
>>
>>
>>>> What about the Revo:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16883103228&cm_re=rev
>>>> o-_-83-103-228-_-Product
>>>>
>>>> $100 less. Granted it has the ION-LE, but folks seem to think that will
>>>> work OK, and there have been some posts here that seem to indicate the
>>>> Revo will work well as a F/E only.
>>>>
>>>> I'm real close to ordering one, realizing that $200 is not all that much
>>>> to lose if things don't work out.
>>>>
>>> Well it'll be usable for SOMETHING, and eBay will reimburse you some
>>> cost if it doesn't work.
>>>
>>> IIRC the revo lacks spdif, which may or may not be a consideration.
>>>
>> I'm aware of no SPDIF, but reviewers have said they can get audio out of the
>> HDMI port, which would imply digital audio. Of course you have to be careful
>> of N/E's reiewers.
>>
>> Even if it were limited to analog audio, I still think it's a good deal for
>> the money, and as you say, it's got to be good for *something* :-) A
>> secondary "bedroom" frontend, that might not want digital audio, for $200
>> seems quite reasonable to me.
>>
>
> <rant>Pity the poor kiwi, can't get the revo here except on the odd
> auction site:
>
> According to my bank $200US=$260.04NZ. The kiwi has been strong
> against the greenback for quite some time too.
>
> The only revo for sale on our biggest auction house:
>
> http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Desktops/No-monitor/auction-255117833.htm
>
> $620.00 starting bid and thats second hand!!!
>
> I guess they are probably made in Asia, so both US and Kiwi retailers
> have to freight them in. We simply get ripped off here.
>
> </rant>

There are sellers on ebay.com selling them for a reasonable price, that
ship worldwide.

-- Kevin

_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

jason.m.weida at gmail

Nov 23, 2009, 6:22 AM

Post #9 of 12 (1139 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

Hi,

On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 6:45 PM, Nick Rout <nick.rout [at] gmail> wrote:

> On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:43 PM, Nick Rout <nick.rout [at] gmail> wrote:
> > On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 12:33 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:
> >> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:21:13 Jason Weida wrote:
> >>> Any reason
> >>> this<
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=
> >>>ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect
> general
> >>> purpose frontend? I'm assuming that Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable
> GPU
> >>> accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback right now, but I don't currently have
> any
> >>> ION systems to test with. No OS installed, just the hardware in an
> >>> attractive package. Not available to order today, so I'm signed up to
> be
> >>> notified.
> >
> >
> > Actually should have said, I saw a thread recently which indicated
> > that hardware accel for flash for Linux was not available yet.
>
>
> thread is here http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/408509
>

Gaaaa. This is a deal breaker. Maybe I will have to dual boot :-(.

I was thinking the dual core would reduce boot time since I like to turn off
my frontend when not in use. I also figured the dual core would help in the
case of general web browsing, etc. I don't mind a quiet fan if it means a
little more responsive UI. But no Flash playback is a tough one to work
around. When I saw the 10.1 announcement, I figured it would not be perfect
off the bat, but I figured there was a good chance it would get pretty
stable w/in a couple months. This makes it seem like GPU accel Flash on
Linux is on the cutting room floor for good.

jason.m.weida at gmail

Nov 23, 2009, 6:28 AM

Post #10 of 12 (1139 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

Hi,

On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 6:51 PM, Brian Wood <beww [at] beww> wrote:

> On Sunday 22 November 2009 16:43:45 Nick Rout wrote:
>
> I'm aware of no SPDIF, but reviewers have said they can get audio out of
> the
> HDMI port, which would imply digital audio. Of course you have to be
> careful
> of N/E's reiewers.
>
> Even if it were limited to analog audio, I still think it's a good deal for
> the money, and as you say, it's got to be good for *something* :-) A
> secondary "bedroom" frontend, that might not want digital audio, for $200
> seems quite reasonable to me.
>
> --
> Brian Wood
> beww [at] beww
>
>
Yeah, I think that's what I like about the ZOTAC unit. I can get dual core,
with a media reader, built in WiFi and SPDIF. It seems perfect, but no
Flash playback is disappointing. I will probably just go for it anyway with
hopes that the nerds will figure out some way to get it working in the long
term.

jedi at mishnet

Nov 23, 2009, 8:07 AM

Post #11 of 12 (1149 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 06:21:13PM -0500, Jason Weida wrote:
> Any reason this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product>(Zotac
> MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general purpose frontend? I'm assuming that
> Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback
> right now, but I don't currently have any ION systems to test with. No OS
> installed, just the hardware in an attractive package. Not available to
> order today, so I'm signed up to be notified.
>
> I *almost* ordered
> this<http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856158007&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-158-007-_-Product>(ASROCK
> ION 330) for 50 bucks more and stumbled upon this guy. I think the
> Zotac would be worth the wait.

...you will have to tell us what the fan noise is like.

I have both a Revo and an Asrock 330 and find the fans slightly disapointing.

Although I don't think they are $250 - $400 worth of disapointment. '-)
_______________________________________________
mythtv-users mailing list
mythtv-users [at] mythtv
http://mythtv.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mythtv-users

totallymaxed at gmail

Nov 23, 2009, 8:32 AM

Post #12 of 12 (1123 views)
Permalink

Re: General purpose frontend for 300 bucks? [In reply to]

On Mon, Nov 23, 2009 at 4:07 PM, JEDIDIAH <jedi [at] mishnet> wrote:

> On Sun, Nov 22, 2009 at 06:21:13PM -0500, Jason Weida wrote:
> > Any reason this<
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856173001&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-173-001-_-Product
> >(Zotac
> > MAG HD-ND01) is not a perfect general purpose frontend? I'm assuming
> that
> > Flash 10.1 will give me reasonable GPU accelerated YouTube/Hulu playback
> > right now, but I don't currently have any ION systems to test with. No
> OS
> > installed, just the hardware in an attractive package. Not available to
> > order today, so I'm signed up to be notified.
> >
> > I *almost* ordered
> > this<
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16856158007&cm_re=ion_330-_-56-158-007-_-Product
> >(ASROCK
> > ION 330) for 50 bucks more and stumbled upon this guy. I think the
> > Zotac would be worth the wait.
>
> ...you will have to tell us what the fan noise is like.
>
> I have both a Revo and an Asrock 330 and find the fans slightly
> disapointing.
>
> Although I don't think they are $250 - $400 worth of disapointment. '-)
>
>
We have quite a few Revo's deployed and we have had no feedback that the fan
noise is obtrusive... or even audible even in rooms like bedrooms where they
might be more noticeable. I have one running as a FE at home in a bedroom
mounted on the back of a TV and we have never heard the fan at all (and
believe me I would definitely here about it if it were!!).

The Asrock's fan noise on the other hand is definitely noticeable and would
not be a very good choice for a bedroom or other room where the unit might
be left on for extended periods.

All the best

Andrew

--
Head of Software & Technology
Convergent Home Technologies Ltd
www.dianemo.co.uk
www.cascade-media.co.uk

Index | Next | Previous | View Threaded

Interested in having your list archived? Contact Gossamer Threads