[mythtvnz] (no subject)

[Toby Mills]

I run a backend only on 512Mb,
Used to be only 256Mb, but once you start adding multiple tuner cards it 
just can't keep up any more and starts getting very jittery when trying 
to record 3 programs at the same time and watching another :)
Same with hard disk, my orignal 200Gb disk wasn't enough, so i've tacked 
on more drives which has started getting messy.
Currently looking at replacing all the extra drives with a single 750Gb, 
but once we go HD then that won't last long either.

One bit of advise, I started on the cheap with spare bits from old boxes 
and I severely regret putting it into 'production'.
Suffered a lot of negative WAF points for a long time due to 
unreliability, running out of space / RAM, grunt etc.

Now that my system is just about bulletproof in terms of reliability, it 
still gets blamed when something external affects it. i.e, if we have 
rain fade, then its Mythtv's fault. If a program didn't record because 
someone set the time wrong then it MythTv's fault. You know what I mean.

If you have a family who will be using it, then don't make it their only 
option for watching TV until you can afford to build a bulletproof system.

The optiplex will also be noisy so it may not last long in your lounge.
I would be tempted not to spend too much money upgrading it but use it 
as a proof of concept for testing.
Then you can put together a 'Business Case' for investing in the parts 
to do it properly and reliably (ie UPS etc) and your family can then 
make the choice on what level of reliability they expect.

I'm really glad I went to a split frontend backend solution. Now the 
noisy backend is out in the garage with tonnes of disk space and giant 
cooling fans that sound like a 747 taking off. And I have silent shuttle 
PC's in the house with no disks acting as frontends only. Also, people 
can turn off the shuttles while I have full control of the backend 
environment.

It also allows you to dick around with one of the frontends testing 
upgrades etc without messing with the whole familys Television viewing.

Cheers
Toby