[mdlug] ( Linux MM Systems.)

[Robert Adkins]

Joseph C. Bender wrote:
> Robert Adkins wrote:
>
>   
>>     Well, I was thinking of one of those really small boxes that use 
>> passive cooling, put a "small" 120GB HD into it and when it records a 
>> show, have it send the resulting files off to the primary server, 
>> somewhere else, thus there won't be many HDs "whining" away in the box.
>>
>>     
> 	With the right case design and vibration dampening shock mounts, the 
> HDD noise is minimal.
>
>   
>>     I just don't know if it would end up being more hassle than it is 
>> worth. I wouldn't enjoy being forced with wait for the Media Computer to 
>> boot, in order to start watching Television and keeping it running at 
>> all times is a bit silly, in regards to power conservation.
>>
>>     
> 	See, if the goal is recording shows, you kinda need to keep the box 
> online at the times you want to record.  Powering up and down constantly 
> could be problematic.
>   
    It's one thing to plan ahead and leave it running, it's another 
thing to run it constantly, when it isn't being used. I am attempting to 
cut down on our general consumption of energy as a matter of principle. 
I advocate to others to do the same and if/as this principle spreads it 
could cut down overall energy costs and mitigate some of the issues 
relating to the generation of electrical power.

> 	Unless you have a HD display, the resolution will stink no matter what, 
> but I'm sure that's obvious.
>
>   
    That's why I am not going to build such a system, until after we 
replace our existing TV with an HD model.

>>     I won't need to have this machine running all the time and have no 
>> plans on replacing any of the existing equipment, just adding to it. 
>> Does anyone know if there are video input/outputs that can be used to 
>> pipe Cable TV/VCR movies through a Box like that and have the outputs 
>> also run straight into the TV and feed the TV without having to have the 
>> box running or am I just asking to much?
> 	Yes, there's gear like that.  It's a A/V distribution amp.  A/V output 
> off the cable box to the distro amp, feed the media box from one output 
> and one of the TV's inputs from the other.
>
> They also used to have double-bypass A/V switches for taking gear in and 
> out of a A/V chain, but I haven't seen one of those in a while.
>
>   
    Cool. Thanks for the info. At the very worst, I would always locate 
some plans on the Internet, crack out a soldering iron and get to work 
and maybe use some of the equipment here in the shop to fabricate a nice 
case to contain it all.

    -Rob