So, what's all this about then?

Ok, so what's this blog about? Well, I've decided to build aMini-ITX based MythTV backend and offline transcoder for my home network setup. So what does all that mean then? Ok, well I'm no expert on either Mythtv or offline transcoders (or Mini-ITX for that matter). However, I am pretty familiar with connected home technologies, though being more of a manager than a geek these days, I thought it about time I got my hands dirty again.

So, I couldn't wait any longer... After a couple of nights (yes, that much) of research and talking with colleagues at work, I've taken the plunge. So here's the order I've placed (got a little ripped off on a couple of items as cheaper component prices were out of stock!):

• Intel ATOM 230 Mini-ITX: £49
• Noah 3988 case: £59
• 2GB DDR2 RAM: £22
• 250GB 2.5 SATA HDD (as using PCI slot with the case): £42
• Hauppauge WinTV NOVA-S-Plus DVB-S Receiver: £45
• Cheap Wireless KB and Mouse: £13

(don't laugh - 'every little helps')

So all in, ~£230. A bit more than the £150 budget I originally set (and £169 I managed to source parts from originally, but as some were out of stock, I had to order elsewhere). I also got a little carried away with memory and a spangly looking case. Anyway, I'm sure it'll all be worth it in the end.

Next activity is reading up more on Ubuntu, MythTV setup, DVB under Linux and installing additional coax on the Sky LNB I have at home (in the UK). Then, build the hardware when it arrives, install Ubuntu, setup MythTV (need to work out how to disable UPnP - hmmm), setup offline transcoder (ffmpeg?) and install a DLNA Media Server (hence disabling UPnP on Myth).

Ok,that's it for the first posting (this is really more of a blog test post than anything really substantive. I'll get around to doing this properly later (fiddling during my lunch break currently).

One last thing. I thought I'd just see what an image looks like in this blog as I'll be taking lots of photos during the build process.