Preinstall questions: play vett the config

[webwalker]

Windows Version: XP SP2
CPU Type: AMD 64 1.8ghz
HDD: 40gb SATA
Memory: 1gb
Motherboard: Shuttle SN85G4_v3
Motherboard Chipset: nforce 3 250
Motherboard Bios:
Video Card: PNY-Nvidia 6200
Video Card Driver: nvidia current
Sound Card: nforce embedded
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: pvr-150 MCE
1. TV Card Type: PCI
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card: SiliconDust HDHomeRun
2. TV Card Type: outboard
2. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider: DirecTV
HTPC Case: Shuttle SN85G4_v3
Cooling: I.C.E.
Power Supply: Shuttle 250W
Remote: Tivo
TV: Mitsubishi 48" HDTV
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI-HDCP/Component/Svideo

I'm a refugee from TIvo. Presently I have a Pioneer Tivo 810, which integrates a DVD player and burner in the unit, controlled from the Tivo. It is a sweet set up, but it only does 480P. It is fronting a directv box putting out Svideo and controlled by the tivo via the Tivo IR blaster. I have used the Galleon software as my back end for the Tivo, acting as storage for additional programming, music, .etc.

My initial goal was to move to MythTV with the following configuration:
Backend: AMD XP 1.8ghz, 1gb RAM, PVR150<-->DirecTV, HDhomeRun, 500GB storage, 40GB OS drive. Serial IR Blaster to send channel change command to to the direcTV unit.
Frontend: AMD64 1.8ghz, 1gb RAM, PNY-Nvidia 6200 AGP 8x<-->Component breakout box, 40GB SATA disk. WinLIRC compatible IR receiver. TIVO remote. nforce3 250 chipset including optical SPDIF out to Amplifier.

My goal is to record and store programming and mp3 audio collections on the backend, using the front end system only to present the media on the HDTV and send the sound to the amplifier.

I have found myth to be needlessly complicated and inflexible, especially concerning the menu system and layout. Previously an interface designer, I now herd several thousand Linux servers for a living. I'm not scared of Linux, nor am I ignorant of the technologies involved in modern video encoding.

But I'm shaky on whether media portal is the best choice for me. The goal described above is all I'm looking for. No web browsing, streaming audio, game play, or photo gallery. Just what I had on my Tivo, but split between two systems...one that can be noisy and in the utility room, and one that can be small and silent in the living room. I have 1 TV, and no desire to add more.

I've seen a lot of posts here and everyone seems really friendly. Perhaps you can steer me in the right direction.

Sincerely,

M