Hi guys, would like to see if anyone can help me with this little project of mine. Currently I’m finally able to spend some time creating a pet project of mine which would be a entertainment machine. This machine's sole purpose would be to store, play, and collect a large library of DVD movies that I can watch off the machine onto my HDTV. I'm looking to build it myself and though I have experience building machines I’ve never built one like this. Basically I’m looking to build inside a mini-case something along the lines of a Apevia X-QPACK2 case (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Prod [...] 6811144140) for example. Right now the important parts to me are: 1) Video HDMI card or HDMI Tuner? (which one is best?) 2) suitable mobo and 3) OS
The Project:
Creating a small mini Entertainment PC Hub. A machine that has a massive DVD movie library on its HDD(s) and can play them all in a simple fashion. This machine would be for more entertainment purposes and nothing else.
1) HDMI Video card or HDMI TV Tuner or Both?
My major issue with watching movies on my PC screen is the resolution. I'm looking to have the movies display in their original DVD or HD resolution on my TV much like a box-top DVD player would or a blue-ray without seeing the images stretched into pixilated garbage to fit to the screen. It was suggested that I get a video card with a HDMI jack in the back so I could connect my TV to the video card (using the TV as a monitor) via an HDMI cable and the movies would display in their original resolution fitting to my screen. It was also suggested that I get a HDMI TV Tuner card also which might do a better job. Which one do you suggest I get? Any suggestions on models?
2) Motherboard
Looking at a few but I’m basically looking for any suggestions for a stable good quality board.
3) The OS
This is a very important aspect besides the card. These are the things I WONT be doing with this PC. Browsing the web, work of any kind, and gaming. I have a machine for that, two in fact. I'm looking for a OS suited to this purpose of entertainment rather than work or everyday use . Basically my ideal functionality would be this: Burn DVD's to the rig's HDD and can basically play it off it right then and there. It was suggested that I look into getting Windows Media Center or Beyond TV. Now another thing this rig won’t be is a DVR box, I already have two of these at home and don't need a third (though having the option would be cool it is not on my list of priorities). Also I’m looking for an OS that could have a remote control navigation to browse through my library and select movies and play them.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on my three topics so I can start getting a better idea of how'd I like to approach this project of mine. People have suggested I just buy a mini PC but honestly I’m a builder at heart and I want to actually do this piece by piece my way just the way I want it. Again thanks in advance guys and I’ll watch this thread to reply to any questions.
The Project:
Creating a small mini Entertainment PC Hub. A machine that has a massive DVD movie library on its HDD(s) and can play them all in a simple fashion. This machine would be for more entertainment purposes and nothing else.
1) HDMI Video card or HDMI TV Tuner or Both?
My major issue with watching movies on my PC screen is the resolution. I'm looking to have the movies display in their original DVD or HD resolution on my TV much like a box-top DVD player would or a blue-ray without seeing the images stretched into pixilated garbage to fit to the screen. It was suggested that I get a video card with a HDMI jack in the back so I could connect my TV to the video card (using the TV as a monitor) via an HDMI cable and the movies would display in their original resolution fitting to my screen. It was also suggested that I get a HDMI TV Tuner card also which might do a better job. Which one do you suggest I get? Any suggestions on models?
2) Motherboard
Looking at a few but I’m basically looking for any suggestions for a stable good quality board.
3) The OS
This is a very important aspect besides the card. These are the things I WONT be doing with this PC. Browsing the web, work of any kind, and gaming. I have a machine for that, two in fact. I'm looking for a OS suited to this purpose of entertainment rather than work or everyday use . Basically my ideal functionality would be this: Burn DVD's to the rig's HDD and can basically play it off it right then and there. It was suggested that I look into getting Windows Media Center or Beyond TV. Now another thing this rig won’t be is a DVR box, I already have two of these at home and don't need a third (though having the option would be cool it is not on my list of priorities). Also I’m looking for an OS that could have a remote control navigation to browse through my library and select movies and play them.
I would really appreciate any suggestions on my three topics so I can start getting a better idea of how'd I like to approach this project of mine. People have suggested I just buy a mini PC but honestly I’m a builder at heart and I want to actually do this piece by piece my way just the way I want it. Again thanks in advance guys and I’ll watch this thread to reply to any questions.