Looking for motherboard for a HTPC

[batmanuel]

I'm looking to build a PVR box for my home theater (probably gonna use Beyond TV w/ a WinTV PVR 250). The only snag is finding the right motherboard for the machine. I need a micro ATX board since I'm planning to use an Coolermaster ATC-620C-BX1 case. I want to use an nForce2 IGP motherboard, since it has pretty decent onboard video and sound (and I'm trying to do this as cheaply as possible, otherwise it'd be simpler to just go out and buy a TiVo). Now, the big issue for me is trying to find NF2 IGP board that has:

a) an optical digital audio output (although I could swing digital coax)
b)MCP-T
b)s-video out
c)mATX form factor

I'm having a hard time finding all of these features. Even the Shuttle MN31N doesn't seem to have all of these features (in the manual, it looks like you can add an optional S/PDIF, but I don't see any way to add a s-video out). Anyone know of anything that will fit the bill? I was also looking at the A7N266-VM, but since the TV-output on the GF2MX series isn't as good as the GF4MX I don't think it would make as good of a PVR platform as a NF2 board. This is assuming that the TV-out on the IGP's version of the GF4MX is of the same quality as the stand alone GF4MX cards, so correct me if I am wrong on this.

So any ideas?

 

[Peter]

Consider going an entirely different route, using a VIA EPIA-M series mainboard instead. They're made specifically for what you're trying to do. And they're MiniITX form factor, still fitting MicroATX cases.

 

[Ashen Shugar]

The Shuttle SN41G2B or SN41G2 should work out great for you. It has the NForce2 IGP, MCP-T with SoundStorm, S-Video Output, Optical SPDIF Output, and its SFF. Go through the pictures on NewEgg's site... seems to have pretty good reviews too.

-Parin

 

[batmanuel]

I've been looking at those Shuttle SFFs, but I really want to use the case I mentioned, since it has a nice "home theater" feel to it and would look better sitting above my receiver than a Shuttle SFF boxes (otherwise the Shuttles are perfect feature-wise).

The big issue with the EPIA-M boards are the lack of slots. Right now I'm torn between a cheaper Radeon AIW or a WIN TV PVR 250. The lack of an AGP slot rules out the Radeons I'm looking at and the using the PVR in the single PCI slot would keep me from adding a PCI WiFi card (don't wanna go with a USB dongle for the WiFi, especially since the router is pretty far away from the living room). Also, I would prefer the soundstorm audio to the Via audio (even though the Via audio is quite good, Soundtorm is a bit better). I'm also not sure how the good video out is on the EPIA boards.

From a noise standpoint, the EPIA boards look good, though. I think if I pick the cooling, I can get the noise down on one of the new Durons, but not a quiet as one of the C3 processors. I'm also looking at total cost, which is a bit lower with a NF2/Duron combination (although Directron is running a pretty nice sale on the EPIA-M10000 right now).

 

[Peter]

USB dongle is actually the way to go for WLAN, since it lets you place the antenna in a spot with good signal strength. The back of a PC or HiFi rack, near the wall, amidst the cabling spaghetti, usually is not such a good place. This will become particularly important when the router is as far away as you say.

 

[scott9343]

i went with the shuttle mn31n for my htpc, althought i think you should definately aboard the onboard video if you are going to be outputting to a TV.


http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProductDesc.asp?description=13-150-041&depa=1



woops reread your post and saw you already don't like this one, however like i said, i would get this board and another solution for video.

 

[thedarkwolf]

You might want to give http://www.mythtv.org/ a shot instead of Beyond. Its free and is suppost to be the best if you can get it to work . I've been playing with SageTV's trial version and its pretty nice too. Going to give Mythtv a shot this weekend when I have time to set for hour pulling my hair out.

 

[batmanuel]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. The MythTV was especially helpful because it mentioned that the WinTV PVR 350 has its own TV-output, which I was not previously aware of. This simplifies things a LOT. That will probably allow me to use an old 815EGEW mATX motherboard I have laying around and save myself some more cash, and I could grab one of those Chaintech VIA Envy-based sound cards to beef up the a bit.