[mythtvnz] Basic hardware help

[Karl Leaning]

The GX50 uses the 810E chipset which has embedded video and does not 
support AGP. The 810 is ok for what you need but don't expect too much 
from it. I understand there are problems in driving non 4:3 displays and 
there are patches around to force it to support a 16:9 display.

As an ex Dell service engineer, I do have to mention a known fault with 
these units. There are a  series of tallish round capacitors with a 
cross stamped on the top. Due to manufacturing problems (and this does 
not just affect Dell machines), these have a habit of drying out and 
stop working (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capacitor_plague). When 
this happens often the top of the cap busts and brown "pus" oozes out 
(don't touch it is very toxic). The PC will exhibit a large number of 
faults from not working to random freezes with the bios complaining of 
thermal errors.

I guess, what I am saying is don't invest too much money in this box (or 
any P4/celeron pc of this era).

matthew pearce wrote:
> Ok
>
> Thanks for all comments
>
> Sorry to be asking all these dumb questions, but I have got some more.
>
> About ram. I will get 256 as soon as I can. Upgrade to 512 if its
> available and needed. If I make a propoer system (built specially with
> new or near new hardware) 1GB will be the minimum.
>
> Hauppauge 150/500. The 500 has two tuners allowing you to watch two
> channels at once. Will my puny little 1.2Ghz allow me to watch 1
> channel while recording another, or record two chanells while watching
> neither? If not then I will get a 150 which my hardware can use. Is
> this right?
>
> If I got a 150/500 and then got a freeview card, could I watch most of
> the channels on freeview and get Prime of the 150/500?
>
> Which dedicated distro (knoppmyth/mythdora/mythbuntu (are there more))
> has the most drivers built in. I have dial up (dont laugh too hard)
> and so to minimise downloading I would like a distro that has just
> about everything built in. Do any of them have libdvdcss built in?
>
> Why are PCI graphics cards bad? what is XVMC?
>
> Ok
>
> Thanks
>
> Matthew
>
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-- 
================================================
 The gift of life is just a shot in the dark
                 Karl Leaning
              Phone +64 21 619 897
        karl.leaning at objectivity.co.nz
 PO Box 56-278, Dominion Road, Auckland, N.Z.