Final decisions...

[serpins]

I´ve been reading almost all new topic´s in the past months and
there is no doubt that in gonna build a MCE system with one hybrid and two MD´s.
But i still have 1 or 2 questions....
Mobo´s: I think that with a little more time and patience in the install (New Nvidia Drivers installation), Abit AN-M2HD it´s almost full compatible, new Nvidia VGA,HDMI etc..
but with your experience what are the main advantages/disadvantages for the (old) Asus M2NPV-VM that it´s 100% compatible and plug & enjoy ?
Since i gonna use for start two mobo´s (1 Hybrid + 1 MD connected to a HDMI LCD, using MythTV to see and record some programs,Photo gallery, etc),
and forgetting about installation issues and time lost.

Thanks in advance for a future help

Best Regards

Serpins

[super]

Hi,
did you decide on the ABIT motherboard? Any findings / suggestions that you can share with the group?
Thanks.

[serpins]

Hi Super...
Until know nobody with this hardware experience answer.....
And i still didnt decided ... i´m waiting for some help.


Best Regards

Serpins

[tkmedia]

I have ordered this mobo hope to have it soon I will let you know how I make out.
I anticipate using envy to get the proper video drivers installed.

Unless we have 0710 

[serpins]

Let me know everything about Abit MB..
I´m waiting for the 0710 too..
But know there is another competitor... MSI MS-7329.... proved to work 720p with HDMI and VGA output...
Let´s see who goes to win.

Best Regards

Serpins

P.S.-New house in February i still have plenty of time to decide.

[tkmedia]

Fedex says it just delivered.

Should have my mobo and new case.

can't wait to try them to bad I am at work.

[serpins]

Dont forget to update the group

Serpins

[tkmedia]

Ok here it goes

here is what I have so far
My Specs for those interested
4200+
2Gb Ram

Board Specifications:   

CPU
- Designed for AMD® Socket AM2 Processors with 2000M T/s system bus using Hyper Transport Technology
- AMD® Cool 'n' Quiet Technology

Chipset
- NVIDIA® GeForce®7050PV/nForce 630a
- Dual Head Display Controller Full NVIDIA nView multi-display technology capability, with independent display controllers for one digital HDTV and one analog monitor.

Memory
- 4 X 240-pin DIMM sockets support max. memory capacity 8GB
- Supports Dual Channel DDR2 800 un-buffered ECC / Non-ECC memory

HDMI
- Integrated TMDS interface with HDCP key

Graphics
- Integrated GeForce7 Series Shader model 3.0 DirectX9 graphics
- Programmable PureVideo HD Video Processor

LAN
- Gigabit Ethernet (Marvell 88E1116)

Audio
- On board 7.1 CH HD Audio CODEC (Realtek ALC888)
- Auto Jack Sensing and optical S/P DIF Out

IEEE 1394
- Supports 2 Ports IEEE 1394 at 400Mb/s transfer rate (Texas Instruments Chip)

Serial ATA
- 4 x SATA (RAID) 3 Gb/s
- Supports SATA RAID 0/1/0+1/5 and JBOD

Internal I/O
- 1 x Floppy Port supports up to 2.88M B
- 1 x Ultra DMA 133/100/66/33 IDE Connector
- 4 x USB 2.0 header (support 8 ports)
- 4 x SATA 3Gb/s connector
- 1 x IEEE1394 header
- 1 x S/P DIF Out header

Expansion Slots
- 1 x PCI-E X16
- 1 x PCI-E X1
- 2 x PCI

Back Panel I/O
- 1 x PS/2 Keyboard, 1 x PS/2 Mouse
- 7.1 CH HD Audio connector (Front, Line-in, MIC-in, Center/Subwoofer, Surround, Rear Surround)
- 4 x USB2.0, 1 x RJ-45 LAN Connector, 1 x 1394
- 1 x HDMI, 1 x D-Sub, 1 x S/P DIF Out

Form Factor
- mATX form factor 244 x 244 mm
- PCB Color: Blue


Pros: HDMI , Firewire, Gigabit Lan
Cons: Spdif to close to HDMI. Could not connect monster cable spdif at same time as HDMI.

Testing results:
Connected 17 lcd monitor

1. PXE boot as MD (enable boot rom in bios -set boot order)
Observations: quick detection of dhcp
Ran Diskless Install under 2o mins (went for sandwich not sure exactly how long it took)
Wizard came up, it went crazy when I moved the mouse. (Later found loose connection on kvm switch).
Thought mouse problem might be related to vid driver so installed eny to install latest nvidia drivers again (Later found loose connection on kvm switch). So  I may not have needed to install envy and the latest drivers.

2. Fixed mouse and ran wizard set video to vga 1024 x768 ui3 alpha blending with transparancies

Observations: Notice flashing when using menus and some tearing during video playback.

3. Ran AV wizard set video to vga 1024 x768 ui2 alpha blending with no transparancies.

Observations: No more flashing on menus no tearing during video play back.

Testing results:
Connected Sony Vega 720P 34" TV using HDMI

Identical to VGA test

UI3 flashing,tearing

UI2 Seems fine.

Watched about twenty mins of HD NBC from my HD Home Run - looked great.

Unfortunately cant test 1080P for I missed out on the black friday special on the 1299 cc 46"Sharp aquos

Will do more testing as Core/ Hybrid when I get a chance.

Zarec I have not done a wiki page before would it be too much trouble for you to cut and paste some of this and put it in the proper places, and I will update it as I test further.

If I am beeing to lazy tell me to use the damn hardware wiki and I will get to it when I can.

[Zaerc]

Zarec I have not done a wiki page before would it be too much trouble for you to cut and paste some of this and put it in the proper places, and I will update it as I test further.

If I am beeing to lazy tell me to use the damn hardware wiki and I will get to it when I can.

Just go to: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/ABIT AN-M2HD hit edit and paste away, add the categories at the top as described here and you're done.  Just to get you started I've already done it for you so happy wikki-ing you lazy butt and thanks for sharing your experience with the rest of us.

EDIT:

Oops, I just noticed I forgot to save the page, still had it open in my browser, should be there now.

[serpins]

tkmedia, really nice job, thanks in advance for your help.
Zaerc thanks too.

Serpins