sage client on 'chinook-15' intel M mini itx

[skorson]

Greetings,

I am looking to have a sage tv client (no tuner cards) running on a mini-ITX system. I have searched the boards, and the Via versions seem to not be recommended due to the lack of MPEG acceleration coupled with the CPU speeds.

I found while searching a 1.7GHz Intel-Pent M based mini-itx computer from Targa Computers for a very reasonable cost.

Anyone aware of this mini-PC? Any thoughts or history on the applicability of this mini-PC as a sage client only?

Thanks,
-S

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by skorson

Greetings,

I am looking to have a sage tv client (no tuner cards) running on a mini-ITX system. I have searched the boards, and the Via versions seem to not be recommended due to the lack of MPEG acceleration coupled with the CPU speeds.

I found while searching a 1.7GHz Intel-Pent M based mini-itx computer from Targa Computers for a very reasonable cost.

Anyone aware of this mini-PC? Any thoughts or history on the applicability of this mini-PC as a sage client only?

Thanks,
-S

It'll be fine for SD, but no go for HD.

Thanks
mike

[skorson]

Thanks! I'm all abut SD at the moment.

There is a strange lack of information about the company and the product on the web, tho. Makes me wonder. I'll sleep on it and purchase tomorrow.

Cheers,
-S

[Apap]

That looks similar to these .

If you are looking for something that small. I have bought from PcAlchemy before and they are legit.

Apap

[mikesm]

Originally Posted by Apap

That looks similar to these .

If you are looking for something that small. I have bought from PcAlchemy before and they are legit.

Apap

Right, these are Aopen minipc's. The 915 based unit is 3 generations old. It was followed by the 945 based systems and now the 965 based systems. The latter should be great for HD.

The site you are pointing at has a very expensive price for this old hardware. Not a good deal. Get an media extender instead. Cheaper, smaller, and for SD alone is easier to manage.

Save the money and put it to a 965 based unit later...

Thanks,
mike

[skorson]

Interesting, from the case at least, the PCAlchemy AOpen MP945-VX and the TargaComputers Chinook-15 are identical. The PCAlchemy is *way* more expensive. Like more than 2x.

Hmmm... if it looks too good to be true...

-S

[Apap]

Originally Posted by skorson

Interesting, from the case at least, the PCAlchemy AOpen MP945-VX and the TargaComputers Chinook-15 are identical. The PCAlchemy is *way* more expensive. Like more than 2x.

Hmmm... if it looks too good to be true...

-S

As Mikesm has pointed out, the Targa has the 915 chipset and the AOpen has the 945.

[autoboy]

I second the vote for the MVP extender. Unless you have needs other than pure SD, the extenders are unbeatable for SD playback.

[Apap]

Originally Posted by autoboy

I second the vote for the MVP extender. Unless you have needs other than pure SD, the extenders are unbeatable for SD playback.

I third that as well. Mine works great for SD playback.

[skorson]

Thanks all for the responses.

- As for Targa and the 915 chipset, I did a search for the 945 part number and found several other vendors, with the 945, that come in at a similar price as Targa. I will likely get one of those.

- As for the MVP Extenders, I don't think this will work. I did not specify that I also need PC functionality. This computer will connect to a touch-screen monitor (that I got for a steal) and not only does it drive Sage Client, but my 3yr old uses it to play web java games.

I am planning on going with the AOpen.

Thanks,
Steve

[stevech]

rather than mini-ITX, how about a used/modest laptop with s-video feeding TV. I do this with sage. Laptop is hidden away with its lid closed, connected to LAN. Probably cheaper when you add it all up.