Simple advice needed

[JoeFrat]

Hello all.

I've been struggling with MythTv for a few weeks now and have decided to try something else. MythTv is good, but the setup just stinks, too many hurdles for me. Here's the hardware I have:

Silverstone HTPC case
Jetway mini-itx (Via eden 1.2ghz, cn700)
Pcmcia daughterboard for wireless card (very cool add on btw)
512mb ddr 667
Hauppauge pvr-350
Samsung 250gb
DVDRW
Sony 32" tv. nothing fancy, standard cable.

Primary purpose for this box is DVD playback and Recording/Watching 1 hour tv shows (around 5 - 10 per month)

The connection I want to use is s-video out from the pvr-350. If that is no good then I can use the s-video from the mb.

Will this setup work? Upgrades are out of the question for the time being, all the funds I had were used to get these parts thinking MythTv wouldn't be such a hassle...

[sub]

Will this setup work?

Sorry - but I want you to have realistic expectations. It will probably run, but there are two things to be aware of:

1) Support for the PVR350 tv out was dropped nearly two years ago, mainly due to problems in the drivers that would cause half the machines to lockup or blue screen. Hauppauge were not going to fix these bugs, so it wasnt worth proceeding. Also, due to limitations that wouldnt allow DVD playback etc.

What does this mean exactly? The tv out still works for most people (unless they're in the half that locks up), but I dont test new releases against this feature, or develop any new features that require special effort for the PVR350.

2) The recommended minimum CPU for GB-PVR is a 1GHz PIII class CPU. Unfortunately the CPU in your mini-itx is significantly slower than this, so it'll probably be pretty sluggish.

[JoeFrat]

Ouch and ouch.

Ok then, what can I do with what I have to make it better? Would more ram help? I might be able to swing a pvr-150 if that would help as well...

[sub]

You're welcome to try it and assess for yourself. Some people are happy with using EPIA setups, but I personally think they're too slow. Adding memory, and tweaking isnt really going to help too much. To improve things you'd really need to be using a faster CPU and a decent video card instead of the tv out.