Building NEW MC-PC, question about what to buy?

[cypherkin]

Hi guys,

I am part of the MS Re-seller program, so I get the latest OS (only retail versions). I have MS MCE2005.

I am planning on doing a little project on the side < build a Media Center PC for my dad>.

There are a few requirements, of which a major has to do with the amount of money I can spend. I want to get a small case, but the mobo has to fit in ti ofcourse .

I was wondreing what mobo I should go with <something that has both bluetooth, and 54g wireless built in>. Also if it ends up being that one of those nForce boards is good; then willing to go with them; because built in graphics and sound. But I also want to add on a TV tuner ofcourse. I read a few places that the ATI HDTV is good; but if I get that, do I also have to get a regular TV tuner. Also wanted to add a card for Radio Tuner.

Any help with this, is much appreciated.

Thank you,
Cypherkin

I'm not young enough to know everything.
- J.M.Barrie

 

[lb19984]

The HDtv tuner has a regular analog tuner too
If u want a second tuner get a e-home wonder
Its has a tv tuner and radio on it



<A HREF="http://www.freewebs.com/lb19984/" target="_new">My Rig</A>

 

[Crashman]

You want to get a small case. If you're planning to put it in a home theater rack, remember that many towers look just as well laid on their sides, you can find something that looks good with the other components in the rack (such as a VCR and HT audio reciever). And you can eliminate things like a TiVO box, DVD player, and game console. P4's are always hot, you'll probably want to use an XP CPU (since availability of A64 Micro ATX boards is a bit on the shy side). Yes, I'm saying the board is more important than ultimate CPU performance.

The HDTV Wonder does analog. Of course, most Digital Cable requires a special cable box to decode it, the HDTV Wonder receives analog and digital free channels.

So if you're using digital cable, you're best off to just get a less expensive card and connect the digital cable box to it. Check out <A HREF="http://www.softwareandstuff.com" target="_new">http://www.softwareandstuff.com</A> for inexpensive tuner cards (they had one with FM and Remote for $30 last I checked).

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[warden0503]

what amount of cash

does he want to record to hdd or dvd

what kind of tv does he have

what is the hi def feed coming from -

 

[cypherkin]

Amount = 1000 - 1200

Record to HDD and then transfer to DVD (i have a seperate comp, so the system does not require DVDr)

Hitachi 57s500

HD feed coming from comcast reciever..

I'm not young enough to know everything.
- J.M.Barrie

 

[warden0503]

check this link to get ya thinking

http://www.htpcnews.com/main.php?id=htpc_amd_guide_1

may be costly to try and go high def route - and july 05 broadcast flag,

also - I suggest keeping the shows on hdd, it will get to be a pain to have to transfer onto dvd all the time, esp on different computers


"regular TV tuner. Also wanted to add a card for Radio Tuner.
"----you can always get a tv card with fm - they r cheap ie: Leadtek winfast tv2000 30 bux, will also enable you to record another show while recording with the main tv card

main tv card - just make sure its hardware based at the minimum - hauppauge pvr 250 or 350 good place to look

i know you were lookin at onboard options for your video - but have you thought about how to deliver content from computer to tv -

<P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by warden0503 on 01/18/05 07:59 PM.</EM></FONT></P>