Meerkat as a HTPC

[paulbary]

I've been thinking that it might be cool to add a computer to my home theater system and was interested to learn if anyone has put the 'Kat to this use.

My intended use would be a storage and viewing center for digital photos and some streaming media via Hulu and similar sites. I'd be interested in opinions on the base Meerkat vs the Ion for this purpose. My TV is a 40" Sony Bravia and has a VGA input. I like the fact that the base Meerkat has a VGA output but assume I could use a DVI to VGA converter with the ION. Another area of interest is the keyboard/mouse. I would like a smallish KB and mouse or trackpad arrangement ... many that I've seen are Bluetooth and I am intereted in anyone's experience with these as well as the BT usb dongle I assume would be necessary.

If anyone has used the Meerkat for this purpose I'd welcome hearing about your set up ...

Thanks,

Paul

[thomasaaron]

Hi, Paul.

We've done some experimenting in the shop with just that -- at least with the Ion.

The standard meerkat should work fine too, but the nVidia card in the Ion really rocks when used as a media center.

[paulbary]

Thanx for the input Tom ... have you messed with any bluetooth input devices? I've seen some small keyboard/trackpad combo's that look like they would be perfect for media center use. I guess my question is does Ubuntu generally handle these type devices okay? .. I suppose since the 'Kat doesn't have builtin BT, I would need to use a generic USB BT adapter.

If I can feel reasonably confident on the input issue I'll likely order an ION this week. As an aside ... the keyboard/trackpad search has been interesting as there seems to be very few offerings that address the specific needs of media center use .... small, attractive, and "recliner chair" friendly <G> ... seems like a natural market to me and if you see a role for the "Kat as a media center unit, perhaps you could offer this type of input device as one of the available options ....

Paul

[thomasaaron]

We've not done any experimenting with BT devices per se, but I'm sure they will work well. Ubuntu has good support there.

Maybe some customers will post with some of the devices they are using.

We're giving some serious thought to offering some sort of media center package with the Ion.

[EricLG]

We're giving some serious thought to offering some sort of media center package with the Ion.Hi Thomas,

Could you give me a link or summary how well 'kat does in terms of power use as a HTPC that is not in active use most of the time, but might see duty as a streaming server occasionaly? In terms of function, I think my desires are hopefully modest: very low power sleep, quick wake-up from the keyboard or by IP request.

Thanks! Eric

[thomasaaron]

Well, not in really specific terms. About all I can find on it is that it draws approximately 35W under a load and 25W at idle.