Best Mini-ITX board for Linux MCE

[adsjr]

Hi!

Is there any mini-ITX mobo I could use to build a Linux MCE? I am not thinking of a media director, but a standalone Media Center.

Thanks,
Ailton

[gazzzman]

hi there!
Linux MCE is not really designed as a "one box solution" and if all you want is a media center in a single machine... there are simpler projects you could use
also you haven't really indicated what you want to do exactly so it is difficult to quantify your needs (SD HD etc)
hope this helps a little!!

[adsjr]

Hi!

First of all, thanks for the fast reply!

To be more specific, I would like to build a Media Center that would allow me to see AVI videos, DVDs, and TV in High Definition (720p at least). I am not concerned about the capture card for now, as I live in Brazil and the digital standard for TV is quite different.

As you said there are other simple solutions for a standalone MediaCenter, could you please specify?

What if I wanted a Media Center with MediaDirectors around the house, would there be any mini ITX mobo able to do that?

Regards,
Ailton

[gazzzman]

there seem to be a reasonable selection of ITX boards that work fine as media directors..
the core however (from what I have seen) should be something more substantial
especially runnung multiple 720p streams!
also you will want to have quite a lot of storage at the core!
I see Brazil is quite strange about its TV standards as you say
maybe satellite capture may be easier ?
but anyway..
the cor..
make it as powerful and big as is reasonable
if you don't you (like me) will just end up building another core when you run out of slots / drive bays

[skeptic]

If you do not want any of the home automation features, you are likely better off with MythTV.  There are a couple MythTV specific distros such as Mythbuntu and Knoppmyth.

[adsjr]

Hi!

Yeah! Strange Digital TV standard we have here, I have to admit. Actually this is the japanese standard with some changes. The intention was to develop our own standard and force it to other south american countries, but it seems it is not gonna work as many countries down here decided to use either the ATSC or DVB standards.

I think the MythTV is what I was actually expecting.

Thanks!
Ailton

[fearingsept]

Is there any mini-ITX mobo I could use to build a Linux MCE?

To get back to the original question, are there any recommended mini-itx motherboards for building a MD? I am currently looking into investing in to a few to scatter around my home but I want to make sure I get something that is going to work well.

[Thingie]

http://www.mini-itx.com/

This store is specialized in the boards. If you keep using LinuxMCE I would suggest to buy an Intel based ITX-board because it has better hardware support. As I understand from reading in the forums there are still some (big) issues with VIA-drivers.

grtz

Thingie