minimum hardware spec

chenks · 2006-10-19, 15:03

has there been any discussion about what the minimum hardware spec might be for the tv server part.

am i right in thinking that it won't need much graphics power as its not actually displaying any TV etc ?

what are we looking at in terms of memory and cpu ?

kerpow · 2006-10-19, 23:24

The answer is YES. But the info that I can find is hidden away in the gargantuan (and therefore increasingly unhelpful

) thread called “methods of using TV server - discussion thread”. (Its great to see there is a new section in the forum for Server related issues.)

This is what I have complied:

infinityloop:
“i am using an Athlon64 3500+ | onboard gfx | 1024MB DDR PC3200 | as Server with
1x Nova-T
1x Skystar 2
1x floppy-dtv

With latest build:
If all 3 cards are recording at the same time the CPU load is below 20%.
If one client is connected its ~10%

But, other tasks are running on this server too. ftp, web, sql, ect.

A dedicated TV-server does not require a powerful CPU or gfx card. only a huge harddisk to store all your recordings “

AND

“About the SystemSpecs:

Single-seat configuration:
If you can use MediaPortal 0.2.0.4 on your HTPC, the single-seat configuration will work too. without eating much more system resources

Networkconfiguration:
Server:
the Server Hardware depends on a few things:
- do you want to use multiple TV-Cards?
- do you want to use HDTV?
- which other applications are running on the server?

Client:
If you can use MediaPortal 0.2.0.4 on your HTPC, you will also be able to use it as Client in a networkconfiguration.

Detail system specs will follow as soon as we get close to the final version.
Please be patient “

joboehl:
“As for the CPU question, my server is a Celeron 2.66Ghz and hardly comes over 10% of CPU when streaming to one client (haven't tested 2 yet). It's amazing.”

Of course this does not mention a minimum hardware spec, but its a start!

idioteque · 2006-10-19, 23:29

I had a Pentium 3 with 384 Mb RAM
used all features except TV

everything runs OK, I now have a AMD 3200+ and 1,5 Gb Ram and using same features,

browsing large shares is faster but a bit

so I think RAM has to be 384 minimal and for 720 Xvids ( the 700 Mb files ) a celeron 900 is the absulute minimun

gfx is FX5200

Brutus · 2006-10-26, 12:58

Why so high CPU load on TV Server 80% (PIII, Win2003, 512MB, 860MHz, 1 TV-card KNC1 DVB-C), with spikes to 100%, is it because of unpacking the dvb-stream and epg parsing, don't know if this is the reason why I get sometimes at the client side some small freezes (P4 AMD 2400, NVIDIA 6600 GT, 512MB, Win XP) ? For the rest is works PERFECT !!! First time right! Now using it from beta-version onwards, I hope the CPU can be lowered, so I still can used it from my server PC !! Once again, good job !

JockeFors · 2006-10-26, 15:12

Iam running the client on a Dell Inspiron M510.

It works perfect. Iam planing to bild small via itx system as a client

------------spec-------
Dell Inspiron M510
PENTIUM M 735 (1.70 GHZ)
512MB RAM
4XDVD+RW & 24XCD-RW
60GB HDD (4200RPM)

THDBASED · 2006-10-26, 18:31

I would reconsider using a small VIA Eden setup as your client. Not powerfull enough; onboard GFX is a BIG no no, speaking out of experience...

VIA Eden for the server side is possible, I think, but then you will have to use a different database server (mysql, ...).

[XStream] · 2006-10-26, 18:53

I was also considering using a 1000mhz via micro itx system for client.
However i would say there could be some issues from time to time with such a weak cpu. i thought the server would be capable of decoding compressed video and send to the client as regular mpeg2. This not being the case the client must still, in any regular config, be capable of transfering data from the server, decode whatever format the video uses, decode whatever format the sound uses, most likely wrap everything up for the sound card and then output all of this to its destination, i.e. the sound card and video card.
Even though running an xp system and decompressing ac3/xvid from hard drive isnt really a problem for an older p3 800mhz, i still wouldnt take the chance of having as little as 200-300 mhz left over for future compatibility.

im going for a 1.73ghz pentium m instead.

2006-10-19, 15:03	#1 (permalink)
chenks Portal Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Scotland Age: 32 Posts: 728 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	minimum hardware spec ?? has there been any discussion about what the minimum hardware spec might be for the tv server part. am i right in thinking that it won't need much graphics power as its not actually displaying any TV etc ? what are we looking at in terms of memory and cpu ? Last edited by chenks; 2006-10-19 at 23:09.

2006-10-19, 23:29	#3 (permalink)
idioteque Retired Team Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 618 Thanks: 5 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts Country: My System	I had a Pentium 3 with 384 Mb RAM used all features except TV everything runs OK, I now have a AMD 3200+ and 1,5 Gb Ram and using same features, browsing large shares is faster but a bit so I think RAM has to be 384 minimal and for 720 Xvids ( the 700 Mb files ) a celeron 900 is the absulute minimun gfx is FX5200 __________________ go to the new My Music Wiki, to expand the capabilities of your music collection: http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/UsingMyMusic

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2006-10-19, 23:24	#2 (permalink)
kerpow Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Brisbane Posts: 35 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	The answer is YES. But the info that I can find is hidden away in the gargantuan (and therefore increasingly unhelpful ) thread called “methods of using TV server - discussion thread”. (Its great to see there is a new section in the forum for Server related issues.) This is what I have complied: infinityloop: “i am using an Athlon64 3500+ \| onboard gfx \| 1024MB DDR PC3200 \| as Server with 1x Nova-T 1x Skystar 2 1x floppy-dtv With latest build: If all 3 cards are recording at the same time the CPU load is below 20%. If one client is connected its ~10% But, other tasks are running on this server too. ftp, web, sql, ect. A dedicated TV-server does not require a powerful CPU or gfx card. only a huge harddisk to store all your recordings “ AND “About the SystemSpecs: Single-seat configuration: If you can use MediaPortal 0.2.0.4 on your HTPC, the single-seat configuration will work too. without eating much more system resources Networkconfiguration: Server: the Server Hardware depends on a few things: - do you want to use multiple TV-Cards? - do you want to use HDTV? - which other applications are running on the server? Client: If you can use MediaPortal 0.2.0.4 on your HTPC, you will also be able to use it as Client in a networkconfiguration. Detail system specs will follow as soon as we get close to the final version. Please be patient “ joboehl: “As for the CPU question, my server is a Celeron 2.66Ghz and hardly comes over 10% of CPU when streaming to one client (haven't tested 2 yet). It's amazing.” Of course this does not mention a minimum hardware spec, but its a start!

2006-10-26, 12:58	#4 (permalink)
Brutus Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Belgium Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Why so high CPU load on TV Server 80% (PIII, Win2003, 512MB, 860MHz, 1 TV-card KNC1 DVB-C), with spikes to 100%, is it because of unpacking the dvb-stream and epg parsing, don't know if this is the reason why I get sometimes at the client side some small freezes (P4 AMD 2400, NVIDIA 6600 GT, 512MB, Win XP) ? For the rest is works PERFECT !!! First time right! Now using it from beta-version onwards, I hope the CPU can be lowered, so I still can used it from my server PC !! Once again, good job !

2006-10-26, 15:12	#5 (permalink)
JockeFors Portal User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Iam running the client on a Dell Inspiron M510. It works perfect. Iam planing to bild small via itx system as a client ------------spec------- Dell Inspiron M510 PENTIUM M 735 (1.70 GHZ) 512MB RAM 4XDVD+RW & 24XCD-RW 60GB HDD (4200RPM)

2006-10-26, 18:31	#6 (permalink)
THDBASED Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 468 Thanks: 72 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country: My System	I would reconsider using a small VIA Eden setup as your client. Not powerfull enough; onboard GFX is a BIG no no, speaking out of experience... VIA Eden for the server side is possible, I think, but then you will have to use a different database server (mysql, ...).

2006-10-26, 18:53	#7 (permalink)
[XStream] Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Behind you... scared? Posts: 27 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I was also considering using a 1000mhz via micro itx system for client. However i would say there could be some issues from time to time with such a weak cpu. i thought the server would be capable of decoding compressed video and send to the client as regular mpeg2. This not being the case the client must still, in any regular config, be capable of transfering data from the server, decode whatever format the video uses, decode whatever format the sound uses, most likely wrap everything up for the sound card and then output all of this to its destination, i.e. the sound card and video card. Even though running an xp system and decompressing ac3/xvid from hard drive isnt really a problem for an older p3 800mhz, i still wouldnt take the chance of having as little as 200-300 mhz left over for future compatibility. im going for a 1.73ghz pentium m instead.