Linux Video Computer - cross between Video Console and Home/Personal Computer
author Neil Franklin, last modification 2005.02.24

While the sketch in http://neil.franklin.ch/Projects/Sketches/Video_Computer
is based on an "alternate timeline" designed from scratch, this is sort of
how one would have to do it in todays real world, for todays software/driver
and peripheral realities (read: crap compatibility).

This system deviates from an random EPIA board by being an full-power system
no internal IDE/etc, much more USB, flat cooling and power for console shape


Processor
x86 architecture, most likely AMD Opteron, whatever clock is current
  or low cost 2D possibly PIII/Athlon with an video-in-RAM chipset
for small size (about PlayStation 1) use flat notebook style cooling
memory 2 DDR SD-RAM DIMM or SO-DIMM slots, accessable by flap like on notebook

Modules
use external bus peripherals (CD/DVD reader/burner, HD, Flash stick/card)
  USB2 or Firewire or both, possibly external form of SATA, unlikely SCSI
Flash for BIOS, enough for LinuxBIOS, chip extractable and/or 2 BIOS chips
  boot fixed from leftmost USB port on back, from first storage device
    replug devices to change boot row, no need for BIOS for this
  no internal IO to disable, all IRQs hardwired, clock set from OS
    so no need for an BIOS setup screen, no complexity, simply works

Software
typical Linux system and games adapted to that

Video Out
separate video RAM 64M (good enough for large notebook)
  ATI or Nvidia, who ever wins after eliminationg all chips without OS drivers
  or low cost 2D i815 or SIS/VIA from motherboard chipset
up to 1600x1200 onto standard VGA HD15 plug for up to 21" monitor
  dual headed support, where 1 can have external TV adapter
  TV only with external adapter, provide power out jack for one
    adapter converts power+video+soundlineout, one each for PAL and NTSC
      to cinch sound, cinch video, SVHS video, tv modulator with HF in+out
  alternative USB video built into monitor, same as with USB sound
    from computer to monitor only USB cable, everything else there, "terminal"
  this is main difference to X-Box style video console, full PC video

Audio Out
some standard USB sound chipset, built into monitor
  speaker+mic, connectors phones+mic at front, S/P-DIF + line in/out at back

Time
standard PC time and RTC chips

IO
5-port USB2 EHCI chip, back 2 ports together w monitor HD15, rest 3 for disks
  also on back some firewire ports, if USB2 really is slow for disks
back: USB 1+2+3   VGA1 USB4+5 VGA2   230V+switch
monitor 8port USB Hub, monictrl, sound, front key/mouse/cam, back disk/prt/scan

Power
supply built in device (no brick) standby button on front, hard switch on back
  due to full plastic casing, double insulation, cheaper 2-pin non-earth cable