Computer and HomeTheatre ???

[mcgrath]

guys,

I live in a 15'X10' bedroom at school, and have way too much crap in as it is, so i was planning to make my computer into a entertainment center. I would like to get a replacement for the old 17" monitor i have now, plus add a TV Tuner, and 4.1 or 5.1 speakers.

I currently am running the following:
AMD AthlonXP 1800+ on shuttle kt266 mainboard
GeForec2 MX400
SB live! mp3
40GB WD
256MB DDR

I also have an XBox that i would like to hear in surround sound, that I will also be using as a DVD player.

My questions are these:

1) Will, say an ATI Radeon 7500 accept RCA Audio/video in, and allow for 4.1/5.1 surround out using my SB live!
2) Will the picture for DVD's be adequate running through the ATI?
3) what suggestions for a Decent large money concious 19"-21" monitor be?
4) Good 4.1 or 5.1(preffered) sub $300 speakers?

What I have planned is this so far:
All in wonder Radeon 7500
Altec Lansing 641 4.1
Viewsonic perfect flat

Theoretcially this can be accomplished... let me know what you think.. thanks much

 

[MasterHoss]

1.) No.
2.) No. I would suggest getting a DVD-ROM and PowerDVD XP 4.0 Deluxe
3.) I suggest you go to a store and check for yourself. I have a 19" Samsung 900NF and a 21" Sony G520.
4.) For under $300, I'm not sure if a 5.1 solution would sound good.

For 5.1 sound, you'll need a 5.1 capable sound card... your Live! is not, the Live! 5.1 is. The only way to get 4.1 or 5.1 surround sound while watching TV with a TV tuner card would be to get a TV tuner card that is capable of decoding surround sound.