[mythtvnz] atoms and ions

[Nick Rout]

On Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 2:13 PM, Robin Gilks<g8ecj at gilks.org> wrote:
>
>> I see hads has managed to import some ion-based atom-powered boards.
>>
>> https://nicegear.co.nz/zotac/
>>
>> Only need a molex power connection too.  No idea about cases but could
>> probably fit this inside a shoe box.
>>
>> And its passively cooled too.
>>
>
> I wonder if a Minibox - PW-200-M PSU powered from an external 12v brick
>   http://www.itx.co.nz/product_info.php?cPath=25&products_id=231
> will power it correctly. I'm using one on my Via Epia SP13000 OK.
>
> Or maybe there is a PSU that takes a standard (hence cheap) laptop 19volt
> brick that will substitute for the onboard Zotac version.
>
>

the zotac comes in 2 cpu versions and two power versions, giving 4
total versions (althouth nicegear seem to only have 2, the B and the
D:

Model     Power   CPU
=================
A          Brick     Atom 330
B          ATX       Atom 230
C          Brick     Atom 230
D          ATX       Atom 330

The 330's are dual core, 230's single.

The 330 models also have a wifi card.

The 230's will run fanless, the 330's have a fan recommended, but
people have run them fanless.

The power brick models run from an external supplied power brick, like a laptop.

There is a very thorough review (although not linux oriented) here:

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Zotac-NVIDIA-Ion-Motherboard/?page=10
(I point to the page with the model summary on it).

There are pointers to other reviews here:

http://www.engadget.com/2009/05/13/zotac-ion-based-ionitx-a-sff-motherboard-review-roundup/

They are also discussed at length on the mythtv-user mailing list.
They look like a good thing to use. VDPAU will improve your SD
viewing.