User:Alx9r
Contents
My Benchmark System Attempt
Note that I am in Canada and all prices are as paid before tax in CAD.
In May 2008, I began building a LinuxMCE test system. I wanted to see if I could replicate at least part of what I saw in the Video. The test system system will hopefully become my main working home theatre system.
AV gear-wise, I started with a completely clean slate here as I had nothing: No TV, no speakers, no receiver, no remotes -- a blank canvas. Nice. This is gonna be fun.
My criteria for the design of this system is as follows:
- Wherever possible use known-compatible and mainstream components.
- Wherever possible follow recommendations from forums, reviews, Video and wiki.
- Use components in the price/performance sweet spot.
- Aesthetics should be living-room friendly.
- Keep it simple, but still test the broad capabilities of LinuxMCE.
I intend to document the design and results from this system as completely as I can. That way, it can hopefully serve as a benchmark for others to replicate or at least learn from.
Hybrid Box
I am starting with a hybrid topology to keep my costs down. If all goes well, this hybrid box will become my core server that lives in a closet, and I will go to a smaller dedicated media director in my living room.
Criteria
In addition to the criteria I already mentioned, the design of my hybrid was also guided by the following:
- Only components available through ncix.com, preferably in stock.
- Tend toward components that lend themselves to eventual use as a dedicated core serving 2 or 3 media directors.
Bill of Materials
| Component | Model | each | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motherboard | ASUS M2NPV-VM | $94.01 | used in Video |
| breakout | ASUS SPDIF-OUT/OPT | $9.02 | SPDIF breakout board |
| breakout | ASUS 9PIN Serial Port Header | $6.60 | two of these to breakout COM ports |
| CPU | AMD Athlon 64 X2 4600+ EE Dual Core Processor AM2 Windsor 2.4GHZ 512KBX2 65W 90NM | $80.92 | Video used 4400+, 4600+ is cheaper and maybe faster |
| heatsink | Scythe Mini Ninja Heatpipe Fanless Heatsink AM2 | $38.98 | should be good enough to cool w/o CPU fan |
| RAM | Kingston PC2-5300 512MB DDR2-667 CL5 240PIN DIMM | $16.70 | 2 sticks |
| second ethernet adapter | ENCORE ENL832-TX-RENT | $8.68 | based on Realtek_8139 |
| TV Tuner | Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE | $79.78 | comes with Windows MCE Remote |
| HDD | Hitachi Deskstar P7K500 500GB | $87.20 | |
| optical drive | Pioneer DVR-212D Black | $32.19 | |
| case | Silverstone Lascala LC17B | $129.99 | HTPC form factor, big enough to accomodate conversion to core |
| power supply | OCZ StealthXStream OCZ500SXS 500W | $61.99 | cheap, works, apparently quiet |
TV
A 40" wall-mounted LCD seemed like the right thing for my condominium's living room. The Video showed a Sharp Aquos LC-26D6U in the bedroom. Sharp seems to have good RS-232 control support -- as long as the control port is actually there.
I settled on the Sharp Aquos LCD LC42D64U because it met the following criteria:
- Has RS-232 control.
- Very close to the TV used in the Video.
- Countless positive reviews, only a few reported issues.
- 1080p
- Got it for a decent price ($1499) and in my neighborhood. No shipping, brokerage, or duty.
Orbiter
The Hauppauge card in my kit comes with a Windows MCE Remote. Hopefully it will do the trick.
Glue
Miscellaneous items I ended up needing to put this system together:
- Wall Mount for Sharp Aquos LC42D64U
