On 14/06/2010 11:03, James Courtier-Dutton wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I am looking for a STB that I can install Linux onto.
> I need:
> 1) Net boot.
> 2) Wake on USB (for the remote control. I want the STB to be in a
> cupboard, with just the remote control eye outside, so a USB attached
> remote sensor.)
> 3) HDMI output
> 4) Able to decode MPEG4.
> 5) Fanless
> 6) Small, so probably mini-itx.
>
> Essentially, It will be a mythfrontend accessing content from across
> the network.
> All my TV aerials etc. connect to a central PC, with the STB linking
> to them via Ethernet cables.
> I tested using a laptop as the STB, and wireless to the central box,
> the this kept breaking up the image, so I have to use Ethernet cables.
>
> Content will be recordings I have made from TV, and also my HD Video
> camera, jpeg pictures, you-tube etc.
>
> I cannot seem to find one that can do MPEG4/AVC and is fanless.
>
> On another point, I have quite a few IR remote sensors that plug in
> using a 3.5mm jack to DVB cards.
> Does anyone know how I might be able to interface these to a PC that
> does not have the DVB card in it.
> Maybe some serial interface or something.
>
> Kind Regards
>
> James
>
I use one of these:
http://www.asrock.com/nettop/spec/ion%20330.asp
It does have a small fan, but on the book shelf in the lounge I can't
here it sitting on the sofa, only if I'm looking for a book on the shelf
do I notice the fan noise.
It uses the Nvida ION chipset, with the binary driver from nvidia I can
playback full 1080p perfectly, although flash in the browser isn't very
good as the CPU is low horsepower. And 6 USB ports is great for external
connectivity.
There are instructions on configuring it for Freevo & Fedora here:
(basically a brain dump of my setup) which might help if you go down
that route, it covers things like audio output over HDMI, configuring
mplayer for VDPAU etc.
http://doc.freevo.org/ASRockIon330Fedora
If you really want to go fanless then there is another ION board that
you could use to DIY from Zotac:
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/?c=53#ION-B-bundle
But I decided for the extra cost / hassle I would just get the off the
shelf solution with a small quiet fan :)
