is it a good idea to make your PC the ultimate Home Entertaining system?

[andylawcc]

like watch TV with it, hook up VCR, game Consoles, and Radio to it etc?

 

[vi edit]

Hmmm... 19" Sony Trinitron for $450

or...

32" Toshiba PIP TV w/ Remote for $450

Guess which one I prefer to watch my dvd's, consoles, VHS tapes on

 

[zippy]

I don't think it is...as you can see in this thread I am trying to figure out what I can do to make my own Home Entertainment system (minus computer)...<Shameless plug of my own thread> Please advise...thanks!

 

[LAUST]

How much money you got... they make 35&quot; monitors but you are gonna pay BIG

 

[apoppin]

The very latest edition of Maximum PC makes a good argument for it. After reading the article, it makes sense.

 

[Pennstate]

My PC home entertainment setup:

21&quot; Sony trinitron Monitor
Yamaha RX-V795 DD, DTS Receiver. Pumps a sustain 70 watts (true watts not the PMPO) per channel.

a pair of 250watt JBL HP88F dual 8&quot; woofer, 5&quot; mid range, 2&quot; titanium tweeter for fronts

100watt Infinity Center and rear surrounds.

150 watt 12&quot; Acoustic Research Subwoofer.

Apex DVD Player hooked up via S-Video to my STB-TV card. pipes sounds through Coax Digital
to the receiver.

My SB LIVE VAlue + hoontech Optical out card pipes Computer audio to the receiver via an optical cable.

VCR also Hooked up to my TV-CArd.


Let me tell you. THIS SETUP KICKS ASS!

 

[vi edit]

Try crowding 5 of your friends around a 21&quot; monitor to watch a DVD movie.
Unless you have some very funky furniture arangements, it's not going to be an enjoyable 90 minutes.

 

[Pennstate]

One big advantage. My trinitron weighs 80lbs. A 32&quot; TV weighs 350lbs. When you are a student who moves often. A 350lb luggage is just not very convienient

 

[LAUST]

At my last job we would check out our Infocus machine from work and take it home for movie parties.. was nice to have a 8' screen across your wall.. but the machine runs $5000... still was nice.. to Borrow

 

[vi edit]

Ummm...350? Try 180. I can pick my 32&quot; up and move it by myself across the room. Granted it takes two people to move it up and down stairs, it is a far cry from 350 pounds.

Also - I live in a condo - The question stated HOME entertaining system, not DORM entertaining system

 

[andylawcc]

well, I am thinking that a Monitor maybe better with its higher resolution,
plus I don't need to buy a TV...

and I do live in a dorm so anything larger than 25inch will be an annoyance.
(no! not that you prefs.. )

 

[perry]

The Gateway Destination systems were just too cool. Everything ready to go out of the box (hook up a few wires of course). Complete w/ 32&quot; monitor/tv.

 

[lowtech1]

If you like the humming of hhds. whirling sounds of your fans &amp; a little screen the go for a computer setup, otherwise go with a nice TV/stereo setup that you can lay back on you couch &amp; be entertaine.

 

[deepcover]

I have had a 32&quot; monitor for close to three years. I must admit, I love it. There are downsides though. Like....
Watching a cable movie that was only minorly interesting, but I felt drawn to watch it. At the highlight of the movie, BSOD. By the time I was up and running again, the credits were rolling.
Moral of the story is...
Dont trust a television written by Microsoft.