On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:13:58 +0000, Tim Hobbs
wrote:

A Shuttle, perchance ? I built myself one - nice little box, although I
think mine is 1PCI, 1AGP. The AGP slot will probably get a video card at
some point. I intend to get a USB digitv decoder rather than use an
internal one.

I believe so - it comes with the main board fitted I think. Is the
built-in sound any good? I'm going for an AMD-based box simply for
cost reasons with a modest chip. I don't think monster processing
power is going to help me much.

I'm sure others would confirm that onboard sound is much like onboard video.
Workable, but no great shakes. On mine, I was rather disappointed to find
that the only sound input (other than spdif) was the microphone which turned
out to be mono. I ended up rewiring a header connection so that the mic
jack was wired to line-in (which is otherwise missing although some clever
types have managed to reassign it to the rear speaker connector). These
minor irritations are more to do with the system design than the
motherboard, which has several connectors unused (another usb pair,
infra-red, line-in as mentioned). It's amazingly compact.

I like the look of the Nebula digitv card mentioned elsewhere, so I
think I'll make sure that's what gets fitted.

Whilst I'd love to spend a day building one myself I am in the happy
position of running a computer company, so I'm letting the young pups
do it for me. I was surprised how out of date I am on PC building.

I find where PC hardware is concerned, I have to cost my own time at £0/hr
to make it worthwhile...

--
A little inaccuracy saves a lot of explanation.

Mail john rather than nospam...

Hi,

In message , Ian Molton
writes
On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:41:48 +0000
Glenn Booth wrote:

The
audio won't be the same as yours, as ours are Intel based (P51G, I
believe, with the i865G chipset).

Dont be so sure. the audio in the NForce 2 chipset for AMD is so similar
to i810 that it can use the same driver under linux. Not sure if the
codecs differ though.

I just checked, and it's a Realtek chip, rather than onboard audio, so
there's no reason they couldn't use it on the AMD platforms other than
duplicating any built in audio capability that the chipset has to offer.


--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

Hi,

In message , Ian Molton
writes
On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 17:41:48 +0000
Glenn Booth wrote:

The
audio won't be the same as yours, as ours are Intel based (P51G, I
believe, with the i865G chipset).

Dont be so sure. the audio in the NForce 2 chipset for AMD is so similar
to i810 that it can use the same driver under linux. Not sure if the
codecs differ though.

I just checked, and it's a Realtek chip, rather than onboard audio, so
there's no reason they couldn't use it on the AMD platforms other than
duplicating any built in audio capability that the chipset has to offer.


--
Regards,
Glenn Booth

In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
[snip]

Seems weird that units output RGB but do not accept it inwards to pass
through...
[snip]

Wah! Some pretty scary stuff in there!

As my little 'flexible friend' is now worse off to the tune of one Sagem
ITD602 STB, I hope the following list of functionality.....

Quick guided first installation Ultra Fast auto tune

AUX scart with RGB
input passthrough

The above is the key point from what I have experienced. :-) If the boxes
you buy have RGB pass through then daisy chain should be fine. The snag is
that some (many?) do not accpt RGB in. I was caught out as I'd assumed from
its reviews, etc, that the DTTV box I bought would pass RGB. It doesn't!


One thing I *do* know is (for those who still think quality of
interconnects is unimportant) that an 'iffy' Scart lead is its own pain
and will lead one into the very depths of misery and despair......

I must admit I've tried three different makes of lead for the RGB and
didn't really notice any difference at all from the DVD. However it is a
cheap DVD player, and I run the audio via a seperate S/PDIF link.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

In article , Keith G
wrote:

"Jim Lesurf" wrote in message
...
[snip]

Seems weird that units output RGB but do not accept it inwards to pass
through...
[snip]

Wah! Some pretty scary stuff in there!

As my little 'flexible friend' is now worse off to the tune of one Sagem
ITD602 STB, I hope the following list of functionality.....

Quick guided first installation Ultra Fast auto tune

AUX scart with RGB
input passthrough

The above is the key point from what I have experienced. :-) If the boxes
you buy have RGB pass through then daisy chain should be fine. The snag is
that some (many?) do not accpt RGB in. I was caught out as I'd assumed from
its reviews, etc, that the DTTV box I bought would pass RGB. It doesn't!


One thing I *do* know is (for those who still think quality of
interconnects is unimportant) that an 'iffy' Scart lead is its own pain
and will lead one into the very depths of misery and despair......

I must admit I've tried three different makes of lead for the RGB and
didn't really notice any difference at all from the DVD. However it is a
cheap DVD player, and I run the audio via a seperate S/PDIF link.

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 07:44:29 +0000
Glenn Booth wrote:

Dont be so sure. the audio in the NForce 2 chipset for AMD is so similar
to i810 that it can use the same driver under linux. Not sure if the
codecs differ though.

I just checked, and it's a Realtek chip, rather than onboard audio, so
there's no reason they couldn't use it on the AMD platforms other than
duplicating any built in audio capability that the chipset has to offer.

Looks like the FN45 motherboard in the Shuttle SN45G is using a Realtek
codec also, an ALC650.

It claims to have 18 bit DAC/ADC...


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

On Sat, 15 Nov 2003 07:44:29 +0000
Glenn Booth wrote:

Dont be so sure. the audio in the NForce 2 chipset for AMD is so similar
to i810 that it can use the same driver under linux. Not sure if the
codecs differ though.

I just checked, and it's a Realtek chip, rather than onboard audio, so
there's no reason they couldn't use it on the AMD platforms other than
duplicating any built in audio capability that the chipset has to offer.

Looks like the FN45 motherboard in the Shuttle SN45G is using a Realtek
codec also, an ALC650.

It claims to have 18 bit DAC/ADC...


--
Spyros lair: http://www.mnementh.co.uk/ |||| Maintainer: arm26 linux

Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are tasty and good with ketchup.

In article , Glenn Booth
wrote:
Jim,

In message , Jim Lesurf
writes

I am currently investigating scart switches of the types sold by
lecktropacks, etc, to see if I can effectively give my TV two RGB
inputs by using a suitable switch. I believe you can get 'auto' ones
that switch in response to the inputs.

You might want to do some Googling in uk.tech.tv.sky. There have been a
couple of threads there recently that involved choices among SCART
switching boxes. I get the impression that they are not all created
equal!

Thanks for the suggestion re uk.tech.tv.sky. Yes, I'd suspect that
switchboxes vary due to the required bandwidths, impedances, crosstalks,
etc, all being reasonably demanding. So info on this will be useful.

You are certainly not alone in having this problem. It seems odd to me
that manufacturers don't equip all SCART sockets with RGB, especially
now that there are so many RGB capable devices on the market. I guess it
saves them a few pennies.

It also seems very odd to me. I can't see that it saves them much money as
they are already employing switching, and the absence will deter those who
are aware of the problem from buying their unit! If I'd realised this was
not standard for pass through I'd have looked for an alternative. Now I
have the particular box I'll 'fix' the problem with an external switch, but
this is a measure I did not expect to be required when I bought the
receiver.

Oh well, we learn by experience, even if it sometimes costs a few quid.
;-

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

In article , Glenn Booth
wrote:
Jim,

In message , Jim Lesurf
writes

I am currently investigating scart switches of the types sold by
lecktropacks, etc, to see if I can effectively give my TV two RGB
inputs by using a suitable switch. I believe you can get 'auto' ones
that switch in response to the inputs.

You might want to do some Googling in uk.tech.tv.sky. There have been a
couple of threads there recently that involved choices among SCART
switching boxes. I get the impression that they are not all created
equal!

Thanks for the suggestion re uk.tech.tv.sky. Yes, I'd suspect that
switchboxes vary due to the required bandwidths, impedances, crosstalks,
etc, all being reasonably demanding. So info on this will be useful.

You are certainly not alone in having this problem. It seems odd to me
that manufacturers don't equip all SCART sockets with RGB, especially
now that there are so many RGB capable devices on the market. I guess it
saves them a few pennies.

It also seems very odd to me. I can't see that it saves them much money as
they are already employing switching, and the absence will deter those who
are aware of the problem from buying their unit! If I'd realised this was
not standard for pass through I'd have looked for an alternative. Now I
have the particular box I'll 'fix' the problem with an external switch, but
this is a measure I did not expect to be required when I bought the
receiver.

Oh well, we learn by experience, even if it sometimes costs a few quid.
;-

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html

In article , "Glans, I"
wrote:
Jim Lesurf wrote:

I am currently investigating scart switches of the types sold by
lecktropacks, etc, to see if I can effectively give my TV two RGB
inputs by using a suitable switch. I believe you can get 'auto' ones
that switch in response to the inputs.

Jim, here is a mechanical switchbox that has been discussed to death
throughout various forums, predominantly because it passes signals very
cleanly for a pittance. I have one, and it seems to work pretty well.

http://www.argos.co.uk/webapp/wcs/st...roductId=60608

http://groups.google.co.uk/groups?nu...a=&sa=N&tab=wg

Thanks for the above. I'll investigate. I may have a bash at putting a
switch together myself. Even if I end up not using it, I'll probably find
it useful for experimental purposes and to learn a bit more about the
requirements.

You might want to check out user reviews carefully if you go for one of
those auto switching units, some of them are problematic.

What is the view on the Lektropacks auto switches? I don't have a current
catalogue (just emailed them and asked for one) but they seem to offer a
two-way 'auto' one for about 40 quid. is this any good?

Ideally, I'd like one that switches an S/PDIF connection as well as this
will avoid having two distinct switchboxes...

Slainte,

Jim

--
Electronics http://www.st-and.ac.uk/~www_pa/Scot...o/electron.htm
Audio Misc http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/AudioMisc/index.html
Armstrong Audio http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/Audio/armstrong.html
Barbirolli Soc. http://www.st-and.demon.co.uk/JBSoc/JBSoc.html