what does it take to convert a regular PC to a Media Center PC?

[PremiumG]

I know I will need Windows XP Media Center.. but is there a specific remote control or PCI capture card that I need? Is there a list of compatible capture cards and/or remotes?

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

Actually, you don't need Windows Media Center at all. Just get a nice TV tuner card with remote, and you should be fine.

 

[t3h l337 n3wb]

Yes, like hurtstotalktoyou said, all you "need" to make it a media center PC is a TV tuner card, and maybe a wireless remote/keyboard/mouse. Windows XP MCE does help, but you can also get other media center software for your media center PC.

 

[imported_rod]

I wouldn't get winXP MCE. It has no more functionality than normal XP, just a nicer user interface.

According to Micro$oft, the only specs a machine must have to be a MCE computer are:
Pentium 4 Processor
TV tuner card
Windows XP MCE

RoD

 

[Mrvile]

Originally posted by: rod
I wouldn't get winXP MCE. It has no more functionality than normal XP, just a nicer user interface.

According to Micro$oft, the only specs a machine must have to be a MCE computer are:
Pentium 4 Processor
TV tuner card
Windows XP MCE

RoD

Psh, you don't need a P4.

Just a nice TV tuner card, remote, some software, and you're set.

 

[CalvinHobbs]

this should help you
http://www17.tomshardware.com/howto/20050311/index.html

 

[IceBreakerG]

Originally posted by: rod
I wouldn't get winXP MCE. It has no more functionality than normal XP, just a nicer user interface.

This is a false statement. The "added" functionality of WinXP MCE2005 is the Media Center application which seamlessly integrates the media center functions on your machine. On top of that, you can use the media center remote control which is actually quite nice. But overall, Media Center is worth it. I switched from regular XP Pro to Media Center 2005 because of how well it works with the tv functions, movies and other things. It's nice to be able to control a dvd with my remote control vs having to sit at the computer and use the mouse to click on things. On top of that, i recorded game 7 of the nba finals on my computer with media center in HD. I never want to watch another basketball game (or any other sporting event) on regular tv again.

But to answer your question, the only thing you really need to make a "media center pc" is windows xp media center edition (it comes with the mce remote control) and a tv tuner (hd and analog, or just an analog card will work). Other than that, you'd just need a pretty big hard drive to store the tv recordings (game 7 of the nba finals was a little over 17GBs for 2 1/2hrs worth of video, but damn, it looks great).

 

[Zepper]

Dittos MrVile - PVR card - remote - and some HTPC software that can be had free or cheap. Don't send any more $$$s to Billy G.

.bh.

 

[SLCentral]

My Media Center PC does not have a TV tuner. It's attached to my Samsung 50" DLP, and its used for DVD's, games, music, photos, and saved movies. No need for a TV tuner, as for HD I'd need to have a antenna, and it isn't worth it. Oh, and I do run MCE 05.

 

[vailr]

Microsoft requires that the TV tuner card include hardware mpeg encoding, in order to be recognised in WinXP MCE. The ATI HDTV Wonder card only "officially" works in HD mode, within the MCE interface, since the card has no hardware encoder. However, this requirement MAY change with the MCE "Emerald" update (next month or two).

 

[PremiumG]

can i get the remote separately from the OS?

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: PremiumG
can i get the remote separately from the OS?

Yes, you can find them on eBay quite cheaply.