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<p class=MsoNormal>Hi,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> We’re starting development of a (pretty
much high-end) PVR/MediaCenter which will of course run linux. Now, one of the
avenue we’re looking at is using standard x86 hardware (as opposed to
custom built embedded hardware). Since the product will need a lot of
processing power (since if we’re using x86 hardware, we’ll do most
processing in software), we would like to use a dual-core CPU, something
powerful. But it must also be low power/low heat, as you can’t have
a 12” fan running at 8000rpm to cool your CPU in the living now…<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> The device should also feel “appliance-like”.
That means that it must boot very quickly, at least displaying some nice animated
loading screen within 5 seconds. And that’s where LinuxBIOS comes into
play.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Are there any supported board/CPU combo that
would fit our needs? For an AMD board, something with an AM2 socket would be
ideal as it’s a recent chipset and will stay longer on the market than
say socket 939, but it’s not a requirement per se. We would need standard
stuff on the board: USB, IDE, ideally PCI-E and pci and maybe onboard sound and
video (although that’s more optional than anything).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> If no such board/cpu combo is supported by
LinuxBIOS currently, we would be willing to evaluate the possibility of hiring
someone to port LinuxBIOS to the chosen platform. Do you know of any
individual/company that would do such work and an idea of how much such work
might cost?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Thanks a lot.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Simon Labrecque<o:p></o:p></p>
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