Thanks again guys, lots of good advice.
I read up on unraid, and it looks like a pretty good way to set up media server. Easy to set up, stable, expandable, don't need all drives the exact same size so I can use my numerous older drives. I also like the fact that the drives are still readable outside of the raid (array isn't striped, the data drives are normal file systems). I will have to look and see if I can use some of my current hardware with it (i have an old amd xp2100 system with 4 pata ports and a 4 port sata pci add on card, promise tx4200 i think i remember that sata controller card listed on their site, but the cpu might be too slow, ill have to see). I dled the free version for now and I'll try to get something up and running before getting a license. Can't wait to try it.
Yes, I agree 500 watts is a little overkill. I will probably still get that same power supply for a mediaserver, but I picked out a 380w seasonic for my hybrid. I've had 2 psu's die in the 6 months
, so I think I'm done with el-cheapo psu's that come free with the case.
I also noticed that the 8600gt took up two slots, but only after I posted, oops. I did like the look of the specs on the 8600gt compared to the 8500gt (another 2x faster), and for only $20 more. However, all I need is something fast enough to run UI2 w/ ablending or overlay at 1366x768.
I haven't done a lot of research on hdd's lately, but I will look into the samsungs.
I was planning on getting a USBUirt, but I didn't think I would need one until I set up my 3rd room (no rs-232 tv there). My cable company DVR is a model DCT 6416 III, which I was hoping to control/stream/record with firewire, but some quick research finds this is kind of spotty at best. I will definitely want to control this device, so a USBUirt may be the way to go. (this device also has an IR-in plug, if that will help me any)
As far as getting a xorg.conf MODELINE for my display from an XP system, I don't have a system with a pcie slot. But if I have issues, I can always install xp on my hybrid on a spare drive, and get it there. (I'm getting a card with dvi, vga, and s-video, just in-case there are issues with one or the other)
Also FYI, the display for this hybrid will be a LG 42LG30- 42" and my other is a 20" LG 20LS7D. They both have RS-232. They are not in the wiki yet (i will add them), but the wiki says LG's with rs-232 are generally plug and play.
And about the tearing, I'm aware that there is no fix, unless the opensource ati drivers can surpass nvidia, or nvidia patches it. I'm not too worried about it, it can't be any worse than streaming over wireless B (with a flaky router) to my laptop, which is what I do now. (i'm serious
)
I looked at the GIGABYTE GA-MA78GPM-DS2H. Its got a lot of good features, and is much newer. The cons for me compared to the asus are: less expansion slots because it is microatx, no 2nd nic, no coaxial spdif, need to buy a serial/rs-232 header or usb to serial adaptor, and the spdif is untested so far. After a little more research, it seems to be popular for MCE under windows, but many linux users are reporting problems with the on-board ALC889a audio chip, mainly spdif doesn't work for 5.1 and the driver won't capture audio with the audio-in jack (mythtv). Anyways, I'm not ruling this board out. I do like the onboard video, I gather that in the (near) future, it will be possible to decode h.264 with this chipset. Here are some links discussing the audio issues:
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?p=4653915http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16813128341 (newegg review, not entirely reliable but it was one user that had problems)
http://article.gmane.org/gmane.linux.alsa.devel/55108 (probs with the spdif)
http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=755110most of these are a few months old, maybe realtek released a new driver since then.
indulis, have you experienced any of these issues? I know you haven't tried the spdif yet, but have you used the on-board audio-in to capture yet? and is the volume control problem only with the orbiter?
I do have one other question that I can't seem to find in the wiki or forum. What network card/chipset are best supported for a 2nd network card. I would like to look at a usb nic to save pci slots if I were to get the gigabyte board. Would this question best be answered by looking up the general linux compatibility of the different chipsets. I do remember reading about issues where you have to have certain ones on the internal/external network or you run into issues.
Most of the hardware above still stands, but I'm still deciding on mobo. here are some links to my most recent selections:
psu: SeaSonic S12 II SS-380GB 380W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151032vidcard: MSI 7300GS 256MB 64-bit GDDR2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814127241 (thanks for warning colin)
cpu: AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz Socket AM2 45W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255For the cpu, since this one comes with a hs-fan, I will probably see for myself how that performs noise-wise before I purchase a fanless.
Anyways, I'm trying to be really careful about my hardware selection (if you haven't noticed
), This is because my linux experience is Zero. But, I have built several PC's, can troubleshoot most hardware or software issues (i think), and can do some light programing, so I think I should be able to catch on. The biggest thing is, if I spend this much, it better work, or my wife will kill me
