Bits and Pieces : Overview

So I need to start collecting data on what to buy or ask for from people. I'll builld this according to the instructs on Installing and using MythTV: Checking prerequisites.

1. Fully configured Motherboard
   
   • CPU
     • I'm partial to AMD because of the price/performce ratio
       
   • Memory
     • I have a 512MB PC2100 DIMM
       
   • HDD Controller
     • SATA Is preferred, but ATA 133/66 would be fine
   • Audio
     • ALSA Compatible is important
     • Chassis needs to be considered. If we go with a larger chassis, we can add a sound card
       
   • NIC
     • 10/100/1000 is overkill but if I can get it...
   • FireWire
     • overkill but nice
   • USB 2.0
     • Very required
   • IR
     • of course
2. Video Capture
   
   • A crappy bttv card would suffice, would rather have an encoder in there
     
3. Video Display
   
   • SVideo out and composite out would be required. VGA comes free
     
4. HDD
   
   • Bigger and faster are always better
     
5. Optical Drive
   
   • DVD-RW is best but a CD-RW and a separate DVD would serve.
     
6. Media Reader
   
   • Always need to dump digital photos
     
7. Remote Control
   
   • it's a PVR not a computer hooked up to a TV
     
8. Living-Room Chassis
   
   • Something to sit next to a PS/2
     

So that covers the basic set of hardware required to build this puppy. Next time I'll come to choosing something...