suggestion for USB IR receiver for MythTV?

[jarod-ajLrJawYSntWk0Htik3J/w at public.gmane.org (Jarod Wilson)]

On 06/13/2009 01:59 PM, Derek Atkins wrote:
> Quoting Jarod Wilson <jarod-ajLrJawYSntWk0Htik3J/w at public.gmane.org>:
>
>>> Doing this instead of using the Dell Studio Hybrid?
>>
>> Yeah...
>>
>>> Any particular reason?
>>
>> Yes and no... There has historically been an issue with tearing with the
>> Intel graphics driver, which hits on the Hybrid. It was at least
>> somewhat fixed, but the fix caused other problems, so its been disabled.
>> While debugging some kernel mode-setting stuff on my hybrid, I
>> temporarily swapped in a box with nVidia graphics using the binary
>> nVidia driver. I forgot how damned good it is at video playback. The
>> intel driver isn't *BAD*, but I can tell the difference when watching
>> video with it vs. watching straight from my cable box, while the
>> difference between cable box an nVidia video is pretty much
>> indistinguishable. Then throw in the recent VDPAU support (video decode
>> offload to the GPU), and nVidia looks even sexier... Plus, I'd like to
>> make use of this LCD device, which does integrate quite well with MythTV.
>
> Interesting point. I guess you can't really get an nVidia graphics
> with the D.S.H. can you?

Nope, its got onboard Intel graphics, and nowhere to put an add-on 
graphics card. Wouldn't be surprised if there was eventually a product 
refresh that included an onboard nVidia option though... Since the DSH 
is supposed to be Dell's competitor to the Apple Mac Mini, which is now 
decked out with nVidia graphics goodness...

> granted, this is only going to be on a 720p
> 25-30" TV (yet to be acquired), and it's going to be in the guest
> room.. So really video output quality isn't necessarily the top-most
> of importance. Firewire access most certainly is important..

Yeah, you would probably be fine w/a DSH, or even a prior generation 
refurbished Mac Mini.

> Part of this project is to fix my "two cable boxes on one myth backend
> cause Firewire bus resets and timeouts in the middle of shows when the
> second box starts to record" problem. I'm also hoping having the boxes
> on separate machines will also help fix the "can't open port: -1" problem
> that I get periodically..

Sadly, not enough people w/multiple firewire cable boxes to get this one 
figured out proper-like, I'm afraid.

>> This is the board I wanna get to go w/that case an LCD:
>>
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813500030
>>
>> Atom 330, so dual-core x86_64, but still relatively low-power (and
>> fanless) and nVidia GeForce 9400M graphics, which means full-fledged
>> VDPAU support. Even has both DVI and HDMI out onboard, along with
>> digital audio, eSATA, etc. Only down side w/it that I can see is the
>> lack of FireWire. Damn, didn't notice that 'til now, that would make
>> talking to my cable box less optimal...
>
> Yep... No F/W would be a problem for me.

It would force me to use my HD PVR for all cable box stuff, and an IR 
blaster for channel-changing, but I suppose could make do. I suspect 
there will be more ion boards eventually too though.

--jarod