Opinions on best software/linux distro for my hardware

[moretoys]

I am curently using ATI Mediacenter on XP Pro, but it is real poor for MP3 playback. I'm using itunes for mp3 and like the directory structure orginization (artist, album) it uses, but it isn't integrated with multimedia center (I have to switch out to the desktop, which is a pain with the remote). I have concidered MCE, but don't want to get into a content protection fight with my software if I record protected content & want to put it on DVD (don't think that is a big problem yet though).

Hardware is a7n8x deluxe rev2, barton2500, 1 gig ram, all in wonder 9700 pro, at remote wonder. I was considering buying a MSI THEATER 550PRO just to reduce cpu utilization (more a noise thing for the fan to keep it from kicking up in rpm) when recording or encoding for streaming. I would also like to get an IR Blaster for my satelite receiver.

I don't do gaming on this machine any more, so I was contemplating linux if I can get the right software to work well with the hardware for time shifting, recording, and playback. Especially important that it work very well with the remote wonder. It is RF & I broadcast my MP3 music on FM on my coax in the house and want to keep the ability to pause, change songs from anywhere. I also don't want to spend 2 weeks just trying to configure everything if possible. I do want to be able to access MP3 & video files from windows laptops as well.

Suggestions?
Thanks.

 

[sourceninja]

I dont think all in wonder cards will work in linux.

 

[xanis]

Well if you don't want too much hassle, I would try out Ubuntu. Ubuntu is built on the Debian architecture and it generally has decent hardware support. If you don't mind a little work I'm pretty sure that you can get it to work. I know that ATI does in fact have a generic set of x86 Linux drivers for the 8500 and above. Ubuntu is extremely user-friendly, it took me all of 15 minutes to get up and running. I believe it also includes the Grub bootloader so you can dual-boot if you don't like it when you try it. Just a note: setting up wireless networks in Linux almost made me cry. If you have a wired connection, you're good to go.

 

[Brazen]

If you want to go with a linux distrobution, regardless of the distrobution, the de facto standard for HTPC software is MythTV which absolutely will NOT work with All-in-Wonder tv input (I think this is a linux problem, not necessarily a MythTV problem).

If you want to stick with Windows, MediaPortal is IMO the absolute best HTPC software there is. I personally have a contention with it though, in that it does not support a client server setup as MythTV does, but it doesn't sound like this will be an issue for you.

 

[moretoys]

Thanks all, sounds like I would need a new card to go with linux & MythTV is the best option on linux. I'll look into Myth.
It would be a wired network, so good there.
Just a quick question on the tuner thing, it it just the tuner that is incompatable, or the svid & composite in as well? I don't actually use the tuner.

 

[sourceninja]

Originally posted by: Brazen
If you want to go with a linux distrobution, regardless of the distrobution, the de facto standard for HTPC software is MythTV which absolutely will NOT work with All-in-Wonder tv input (I think this is a linux problem, not necessarily a MythTV problem).

If you want to stick with Windows, MediaPortal is IMO the absolute best HTPC software there is. I personally have a contention with it though, in that it does not support a client server setup as MythTV does, but it doesn't sound like this will be an issue for you.

Not a linux problem, an ATI problem. They made the all in wonder cards actually require windows media encoder. Because of this, they really can't release linux drivers that will work. For some reason the TV wonder cards do not work like this and work in linux quite well I've been told.

 

[Brazen]

Originally posted by: moretoys
Thanks all, sounds like I would need a new card to go with linux & MythTV is the best option on linux. I'll look into Myth.
It would be a wired network, so good there.
Just a quick question on the tuner thing, it it just the tuner that is incompatable, or the svid & composite in as well? I don't actually use the tuner.

I don't think any of the inputs will work, I am not at all certain though.