NextPVR back-end server build

[steeb]

Dear all,

I am finally getting around to building a new back-end server dedicated to a NextPVR set-up.

Due to money limitations (as always!) and what I can get my hands on I am customising this around an old Dell 1600SC server. Any budget I do have I would prefer to pump into new DVB cards (and another donation to Sub ).

I've chucked in 2 x 3.2 (HT) Xeons and have 3GB RAM installed. Though I have read that some appear to have had issues running XP with NextPVR I haven't noticed any issues while testing NextPVR on my current GB-PVR server and given that microsoft now look to be supporting XP until 2014 I would prefer to stick with XP rather than fork out for Windows7 (once again preference in spending on new DVB cards).

I would hope that this system is as 'future proofed' as possible until the end of the life of XP and could handle the advent of more HD channels etc.

Question 1: Any of you good people see any reason as to why I may have problems with this set-up?
Question 2: Given that the 1600SC is a server by design the onboard/integrated graphics leave much to be desired and have a wopping 8MB of memory I stress this would be a back-end only server and not used to watch TV/Recordings etc directly. Any issues I am not aware of if I run with the very limited integrated graphics? A test install of an XP system shows that the integrated GPU supports DirectX. I could of course install a separate graphics card but this would eat up a nice PCI slot waiting for a new DVB device

many thanks in advance

steeb

[imagn]

Just wanted to make a few comments. As you said backend and you do not plan on watching recordings on your server, i do not think you will have an issue here.

recording with NPVR is not very processor intensive. You should be aware and make sure that any post processing can be handled by the server if you plan to do any, not sure about your CPU's but i dont think this should be a problem anyway.

Second, XP is only a problem when playing back video (perhaps live TV as well, but never used it for that) as some interlaced video does not display correctly when using hardware excellerated codecs. everything else works great just as it should, under XP.

We thats it for me

[mvallevand]

With the advances in technology in the past 7 years I don't why anyone would be thinking of trying to plan on getting 3 more years out of this hardware.. Machines are cooler, quieter and faster now. SATA2 drives are cheap, BIG and very fast, which is exactly what you want in an HTPC, not just more DVB cards.

XP while it might be ok, it is also dead, IE9 is certainly the start you might not even get support for new cards you might want, 3GB+ drivers and there are daily issues reported with BDA on XP. Power management on new boards with Win7 is much improved too.

However, I will get get a kick joking about steeb's noisy old clunker for the next three years. Seriously although I really think you need to upgrade your MVP's too, this doesn't sound like a solid base for 3+ years of HTPC use.

Martin

[Snooze]

I got a 3 year old build i decided i would dedicate as my pvr. all the hardware rocks, but its not rocking together... (i got the black screen on resumr from syandby issue im trying to resolve)... sigh. I cant figure if its hardware or drivers. The machine that the sig replaced worked perfect.

On steebs post though, i been weening my way into npvr, and xp isnt coughing at all at it. running fine, on my original server.

Edit: If I could put an OEM Sony VGC-RA834g into an aftermarket case I would do it.... I have an old reliable machine I know can work well with NPVR!

[steeb]

Just wanted to make a few comments. As you said backend and you do not plan on watching recordings on your server, i do not think you will have an issue here.

recording with NPVR is not very processor intensive. You should be aware and make sure that any post processing can be handled by the server if you plan to do any, not sure about your CPU's but i dont think this should be a problem anyway.

Second, XP is only a problem when playing back video (perhaps live TV as well, but never used it for that) as some interlaced video does not display correctly when using hardware excellerated codecs. everything else works great just as it should, under XP.

We thats it for me

Many thanks imagn, I can't see anything yet stopping me. As it is back-end server I am hoping not to encounter any XP related issues. No doubt I will be setting up some post-processing, although the Xeons are Hyper Threading not Dual core, with 1MB cache (and not as fast as the latest CPU's) with 2 installed that is still giving me a theorectical 4 x 3.2 which I hope would be enough. Although I guess the only way to find out is try it.....

cheers

steeb

[steeb]

With the advances in technology in the past 7 years I don't why anyone would be thinking of trying to plan on getting 3 more years out of this hardware.. Machines are cooler, quieter and faster now. SATA2 drives are cheap, BIG and very fast, which is exactly what you want in an HTPC, not just more DVB cards.

XP while it might be ok, it is also dead, IE9 is certainly the start you might not even get support for new cards you might want, 3GB+ drivers and there are daily issues reported with BDA on XP. Power management on new boards with Win7 is much improved too.

However, I will get get a kick joking about steeb's noisy old clunker for the next three years. Seriously although I really think you need to upgrade your MVP's too, this doesn't sound like a solid base for 3+ years of HTPC use.

Martin

Hiya Martin,

yes I do get all of your very good points. Of course in an ideal world if money was no object......... And yes agree about the MVP's which is another reason to see where savings could be applied to totally move over to NMT's, (although I'm still trying to figure out how to get a PCH under my Kitchen Cupboard, tucked away as neatly as an MVP is!).

Bottom line is it is all a trade off. Also Steeb became Mr Steeb a few years ago and now I am going to become 'Dad' Steeb (for the 1st time) so money around Chez Steeb is going to be even tighter!

Yes this machine is certainly not as cool, quiet or as fast as a modern one. And it will be running with SATA150's (RAID1) for the O/S. I would hope I may be able to squeeze in a SATA300 for the storage.

Yup XP I do realise is not exactly the future I guess ultimately if the XP system doesn't appear to be doing the job then it should be a fairly easy switch to stick Win7 on it. Truth be known if I had a copy Win7 I would certainly be heading straight for that. BDA drivers and XP are certainly a concern as is new cards without XP support. And power management is also important to me but with a new PC build where do you stop?

Motherboard
CPU, Heatsink, Fan
RAM (old stuff won't fit new board)
Probably New PSU (old one no doubt no good)
Then will want new SATA's to take advantage of speedier SATA connector's on motherboard
Then Win7
Then New DVB cards etc

that's adding up to some serious expenditure.

and that's before I've even got round to getting my hands on more NMT's.....

And of course I don't think it would be fair to take away the chance for you to mention my 'noisy old clunker' everytime I pop up on the forum's with a problem

steeb

[Jaggy]

(although I'm still trying to figure out how to get a PCH under my Kitchen Cupboard, tucked away as neatly as an MVP is!).

For this one I would look at getting an M34a instead of a PCH as they are basically the same size as an MVP.

[steeb]

For this one I would look at getting an M34a instead of a PCH as they are basically the same size as an MVP.

Hiya Jaggy, hope all is good with you.

Yeh I looked @ these. Problem is they don't appear to be as common/easy to get hold of, cheap, over here. I think they are about same width as MVP are they not? Just a little taller?

The PCH A110 would be perfect if they had made one without the room for the HDD, great slim form factor on the height. I did even consider taking out the innards of one and mounting it in my own box

steeb

[martint123]

I did even consider taking out the innards of one and mounting it in my own box

I have a feeling they just might squeeze into a 3.5" fdd enclosure ???

[steeb]

I have a feeling they just might squeeze into a 3.5" fdd enclosure ???

Hmmm that got me thinking........ or perhaps even in one of the old HDD pull out trays I have lying around? Drill a little hole for the IR sensor at the front and cables out the back. I have a faulty A110 I haven't got round to sending off for repair yet, have to take it apart anyway to send the board off, that may be the time to play?