Building a DIVX/VCD/DVD/MP3 machine

[wrestleantares]

I am currently building a combination box for my downstairs entertainment system.

It will be an Mp3 Jukebox and a DIVX/VCD/SVCD/XVCD/DVD player.

Since this will need a card for TV out I was wondering is someone had some good suggestions for a cheap video card with good performance. I am not using this machine for video capture, so do not need a lot of features. Just good basic performance. And I don't really mean a cheap card. Just do not want to pay alot for features that will not be needed for this application.

I plan to use linux on the box as my OS. I have twin 2.5 gig hard drives for MP3 storage. A nice DVD ROM, and am going with a 200 MHZ MMX Processor for my main CPU.

[kinneera]

Before you start worrying about the video card, I think it is worth mentioning that a 200 Mhz processor is not going to be able to handle DVD, Divx, or SVCD.

[wrestleantares]

DVD isn't a problem, my DXR3 decoder card will handle it just fine with a 200 MHZ processor.

I guess my question is really how do I handle the DIVX? Also is anyone aware of whether the DXR3 can handle VCD, SVCD, or is this going to have to be addressed in software?

[TheInformer]

Just out of curiosity, why are you using a 200 MMX processor?

Celeron Motherboards + processors are dirt cheap now. You can get a Cel400 + mobo with video/sound/USB (good for xferring those MP3s, DiVXs for $65 at this place:
http://www.softwareandstuff.com/h_mb_probs61mcel400.html

Celeron 400s should be able to handle the CPU load for DiVX files.

[d4n13l]

Before you start worrying about the video card, I think it is worth mentioning that a 200 Mhz processor is not going to be able to handle... Divx.
(Sorry for being lazy and not coming up with something original, but kinneera was right)
There is no divx hardware card that I know of, I doubt that a 200Mhz CPU can handle divx.
BTW, Do you know much Linux, as I dont think this will be a newbie project. Which Linux distribution are you using?

[wrestleantares]

The reason I am planning (I say planning as now I'll have to look into the requirements of DIVX decoding) to use the 200 MHZ processor is because it is what I already have in stock. I hate to pay for something if I do not need it. I have never incorporated DIVX functions into a player I have made before.

I have built region free DVD players for my friends and MP3 Jukes as well as a Hard Drive player for my car (Not such a good idea in application, but it was fun)

I use dragonlinux light for said boxes.

[tom61]

A P200MMX will handle VCD, not sure on SVCD. DivX you're out of luck though on a 200. The closest I've found is the 'Global DivX' player for Windows, it reportably works on a P233MMX, so if you're willing to overclock you might get it to work. (I think thier website is http://www.globaldivx.com if not you can probably find it on http://www.download.com)

I'm currently stuck with a P200MMX, so I've spent some time trying to squeze every last bit of usefulness out of it.