jmacavali
Fully Optimized
- Messages
- 4,867
I'm just dipping my toes into the Media Center PC waters...just testing them out. Not sure I want to jump in or not.
I'm not even really sure where to start. I don't know what is implied when you say 'Media Center PC' so I'm going to lay out what I want.
-Store/Play videos on my TV
-Store/Play music through my TV -- No surround sound at my house.
-Record TV -- ideally I'd be able to record things that are on a specific channel at a specific time when I'm not home - like TiVo. And maybe even record shows on different channels while I'm watching something else.
-Watch TV -- having my Cable run through the computer into the TV.
What else can I do with a Media Center PC?
Build/Budget:
I have several computers around that I might use, as well as HDD. Do I need to have XP Media Center or can I use just XP Pro? I'm not too concered right now about having a 'media center' case because it will be tucked inside an enertainment center that i can close. What kind of video card will I need? Any software I'll need. I'd like to do this for as cheap as possible. I'm willing to trade performace for price at this point, just so i can experience it and decide if it is something i want to fully persue.
I'm not even really sure where to start. I don't know what is implied when you say 'Media Center PC' so I'm going to lay out what I want.
-Store/Play videos on my TV
-Store/Play music through my TV -- No surround sound at my house.
-Record TV -- ideally I'd be able to record things that are on a specific channel at a specific time when I'm not home - like TiVo. And maybe even record shows on different channels while I'm watching something else.
-Watch TV -- having my Cable run through the computer into the TV.
What else can I do with a Media Center PC?
Build/Budget:
I have several computers around that I might use, as well as HDD. Do I need to have XP Media Center or can I use just XP Pro? I'm not too concered right now about having a 'media center' case because it will be tucked inside an enertainment center that i can close. What kind of video card will I need? Any software I'll need. I'd like to do this for as cheap as possible. I'm willing to trade performace for price at this point, just so i can experience it and decide if it is something i want to fully persue.