TV Server On VIA EPIA Mini-ITX System (1 Viewer)

[Kaisershmarren]

Hello!


I'd like to build a low-power consuption and low noise tv server to stream in my home tv shows.

I'm considering to build the system around a VIA EPIA board (1.0 Ghz Fanless) with 1 Ghz Memory, two Hauppauge (1 Nova-T-500 and 1 HVR 4100), two 2".5 HDD and a wireless lan (via USB).

First of all: Do you think a VIA EPIA could be enough to stream and record tv shows?

How Much Power do u think I need? Do u think 120W could be enough?


As it's the first time I'm writing in this forum, I hope to be in the right place. I'm sorry If I was writing in a wrong part of the forum.

Thanks in advance for any reply!

Bye

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

VIA EPIA board (1.0 Ghz Fanless)

Personally would avoid VIA like the plague, especially if you ever want to use standby.

 

[Kaisershmarren]

First of all thanks for the quick answer!

What do you mean about standby problems?
Does not via epia go in stand by mode?

Which platform do u suggest me to use in order to have a silent and low power tv-server?
Thanks a lot!

 

[alexeix]

I'm interested in this too; are there any suggestions for the hardware?

Thanks in advance.

 

[fromaron]

I tried the VIA board before, the TV playback was very sluggish. Got rid of it as I didn't believe it has enough guts to do the job, especially if you are interested in HD contents.

 

[Ruud]

Hello!


I'd like to build a low-power consuption and low noise tv server to stream in my home tv shows.

I'm considering to build the system around a VIA EPIA board (1.0 Ghz Fanless) with 1 Ghz Memory, two Hauppauge (1 Nova-T-500 and 1 HVR 4100), two 2".5 HDD and a wireless lan (via USB).

First of all: Do you think a VIA EPIA could be enough to stream and record tv shows?

How Much Power do u think I need? Do u think 120W could be enough?


As it's the first time I'm writing in this forum, I hope to be in the right place. I'm sorry If I was writing in a wrong part of the forum.

Thanks in advance for any reply!

Bye

Hi Fromaron,
I agree with PD that Via has some issues that would limit your HTPC. But as always, it is all in your requirements: if you want the server to be on 24/7 then there is no need to go to standby etc.
My guess would be that the VIA EPIA 1.0 Ghx is up to the job when used only as a tv server and with hardware encoding TV cards.
The power consumption is all about doing the math (and google for power consumption specs): look at my TV server specs: I'm running this with a 80 watt power supply. Even running the client on similar hardware with a Nvidia GT8500 video card (takes on somewhere betheen 10-30 watt at maximum). In the end I decided not to go the VIA route because of bad press and slow performance. When I had to do it all again, I would go the Atom route: prices and power consumption are extremely low.
For the client I would wait for a better on board graphical chipset as the current ones in the Mini-itx arena are not up to the MP task.

k.r.
Ruud.