Media center PC's?

[Phoenix15]

I saw a HP media center pc in Office Depot yesterday. I am in love I have always built all my pc's, but this may be the one to change that. I want to buy my fiance a pc for Christmas, and I think she will love this one. I was wondering if anyone had any experience with any of the media center pc's. The shoices seem to be kinda slim in manufactures. Anyone have any suggestions on other medels to look at? Thanks for your help!

Jason

 

[brunswickite]

hmm build a pc with a TV card and its a media pc?

 

[ROTC1983]

Originally posted by: brunswickite
hmm build a pc with a TV card and its a media pc?

I believe he was talking about Windows XP Media Edition...I still agree with brunswickite though.

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: ROTC1983

Originally posted by: brunswickite
hmm build a pc with a TV card and its a media pc?

I believe he was talking about Windows XP Media Edition...I still agree with brunswickite though.

But the beauty of the WinXP Media Edition is the way everything is integrated. I suppose you could use Creative Software to do something similar with the music end and use say an ATI AIW something or other to do time shifting and such but the integration is still lacking. That said, I've heard that these Media Center PC's are still a ways away from replacing set top Tivo/ReplayTV.

 

[Phoenix15]

This is the one I was looking at. A little more than just a TV out card.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: Phoenix15
This is the one I was looking at. A little more than just a TV out card.

buy a
p4 or athlon
sony dru 510
nice case, with front firewire and usb2 ports
and a radeon 9700 AIW


you have a much better system

"experience stellar graphics with the NVIDIA® GeForce4? MX440 graphics card with 128MB DDR SRAM video memory with TV out"

 

[Kanalua]

there are places to get WIndows XP Media Edition w/o spending huge on a Media Edition PC...

 

[aphex]

If you want to find out EVERYTHING about HTPC's (i.e. Software, Hardware, Cases, etc...) make sure to check out AVS Forum

 

[NutBucket]

Originally posted by: aphex
If you want to find out EVERYTHING about HTPC's (i.e. Software, Hardware, Cases, etc...) make sure to check out AVS Forum

Thanks!

 

[Goosemaster]

By the way those pcs are limited.....recording TV isn't as carefree as with a PVR

 

[Ionizer86]

My IOMagic PCPVR card was $25 before rebate back in March. (it looks like they want to deny my $20 rebate).

I can input signal via S-Vid, composite, and coaxial. Add that to the ATi Multimedia software that came with my Radeon 9100, and it feels like I have pretty much all the function of the media ctr pc at a much lower cost

 

[conjur]

Originally posted by: Phoenix15
This is the one I was looking at. A little more than just a TV out card.

Plenty of existing hardware out there w/software that comes with it to do the same. Take the MyHD card I have in my HTPC. Comes with a remote control for changing inputs, channels, etc. The ATI 8500DV has a remote control, too. Get a wireless keyb/mouse, too, and you're set.