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Users / new builder needs feedback on parts list

« on: May 19, 2008, 09:27:40 am »

Hi all,
I'm about to build my first LMCE rig and the list below is what I've picked out. Suggestions and pointers are welcome

Intended Use:
Hybrid server
watch video in 1080i - the video card & TV can do this.
record TV shows - using SVideo for now
play DVDs
change channels on the STB/DVR - possibly a DirecTV HR21
three hard drives in RAID 5 and be able to add more later (using software MDADM)
run HDMI (video + audio) from LMCE to TV
run Svideo from STB to LMCE
install/configure other server apps from within Kubuntu, backup 3 PCs, share folders, more..
SSH or otherwise remote into the Hybrid for admin tasks
output stereo or 5.1 sound

Parts:
 ASUS M3N78-EMH
 Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 150 MCE 274 PCI
 AMD Athlon X2 4450e 2.3GHz Socket AM2 45W
 2x  G.SKILL 1GB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066
 3x  Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB
SIIG IC-710012 7.1 PCI
Antec Neo Power 430
 (random DVD drive)
 (custom case)

Notes:
I expect I will also need a couple of dongles for the blasting & remotes. I'd like to get the fiire remote but it's way too much, so for now I'll probably get a cheap remote or gyro mouse. Eventually, I'd like to add the new Hauppauge DVR.

Two Questions:
Can LMCE record in h.264 (mpeg4)?
How good would the video look when watching live HD? (STB >> s-video >> LMCE >> hdmi >> 1080i Samsung TV)

Thanks.