help with Multimedia/TV PC..

Archytas

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=50434173

I know some people float around multiple topics so I wont repost but am looking for ideas to build a cheap TV/DVD/Multimedia/CD/MP3 system and would appreciate the input... have been floating around doin some research but nothing seems aimed at the low end...

Any help much appreciated!

pred racer

Ill be interested in seeing the replies to this, am intending to do the same after christmas, based round a 2.6G celeron system.

Endurance Man

http://www.short-media.com/review.php?r=288

Might i recommend one of these cases. I built a system in one a few weeks ago, very well made and light. Managing the cables can be a bit of a pain but once its in there your grand .
The main advantage with this is it takes a normal ATX mobo with 3xPCI and 1xAGP while still keeping the small compact look of a SFF. The removable mobo tray is also handy.
After that i would just get a really cheap Mobo, and Celeron Processor as this is all you will need.
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=312539&cks=PRL
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311702&cks=PRL
This would work and fit the case nicely.
You could just use the onboard graphics or pic up a cheap AGP card.
Then all the usual internal - ram/dvd/hdd - of course the size of all that will depend on your budget.
As i said those cases are very nice, only a little bigger than the usual SFF, cooling is also okay with a 120mm fan placed just above the cpu.
Well thats what i would do anyway, perhaps you can take something from that .

Archytas

Thanks for the reply... Will take some from it!!

Have this lineup so far but want some advice!

Case: €66
In-Win S564 Midi Tower ATX Black/Silver case w/350W PSU
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=302683

Mobo/RAM/CPU... this is a bit dodgy I feel.... €167
Upgrade Kit AMD Sempron 2800+, K8M800, 256MB, Onboard VGA
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=115890

OS: €130
Windows Media Centre Edition - OEM
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315135

TV Card: €135
Hauppauge! WinTV-PVR-500MCE, Tv-card w/radio and 2 tuners, 1 pack Bulk
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=305161

17in LCD: €215
Videoseven 17" LCD E17PS Monitor, Silver, 8ms
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=311989

Now altogether this comes to €767 which might be too high up there....
Any further suggestions/alterations??

DemonOfTheFall

Chances are that In-Win case+psu are going to be preeeetty noisey. If this is going in your living room then you may want to consider an Antec Sonata. You could definitely do with 512megs or RAM rather than 256, not enough for XP. The processor and onboard VGA would be grand though.

You not plugging it into a TV ?

Endurance Man

Do you have a tv? Why would you use a 17inch monitor for a media pc? Rather plug the setup into your tv and work through that. Makes watching movies ect a lot better.

Archytas

Better wit a tv?? oh ok. Yeah I have one lyin around. How will I connect the tv to my PC... have never seen a tv with a vga adapter??

SouperComputer

yea, you can just about get away with 256 with XP in a desktop environment, but less than 512 makes MCE unhappy.

You could save money by picking up a used S478 or Sct A mobo here on the FS board.

TV will be okay for media, but only ok. Forget about web browsing or anything computer-like. Remeber TV is VERY old technology, and extremely low res.

most graphics cards have an Svideo port that you can hook up to your TV

Endurance Man

I just thought the point of a Media Pc was to connect it to the old tv as a kinda dvd/recorder/everything else in one. Stick a normal monitor on there and all you have is another pc . I have my sff pc in my tv cabinet. I use it as my dvd player, i record tv onto it. I also have it connected to the net so i can listen to the old radio stations from back home .
Also that case in your lounge is gonna look a bit ugly .

EDIT: Sorry, forgot this was going into your bedroom. Perhaps if you dont have a decent TV is might be better to get the LCD. Its just nice watching movies on a bigger screen, my eyes strain on the 17inch if im far away.

Krusty_Clown

Archytas wrote:

Thanks for the reply... Will take some from it!!

Have this lineup so far but want some advice!
...
Any further suggestions/alterations??

You haven't mentioned a graphics card. the on-board card wil not be sufficient to run Microsoft Media Centre (I reckon it wont even run, if you do not have an approved graphics card). I use a cheap fX5200 (around 50 quid from Komplett).

Here's the MS approved hardware list:
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/MCEReadinessCenter/MCE_Approved_Components_for_MOSB.xls

You're also missing the Microsoft remote control. 38 euro, from Komplett.
You'll also need a software mpeg decoder, but you may have this already.

Here's some essential reading, before you go dispensing with your hard earned cash:
http://www.thegreenbutton.com/community/shwmessage.aspx?ForumID=52&MessageID=112110

Archytas

Krusty_Clown wrote:

You haven't mentioned a graphics card. the on-board card wil not be sufficient to run Microsoft Media Centre (I reckon it wont even run, if you do not have an approved graphics card). I use a cheap fX5200 (around 50 quid from Komplett).

Here's the MS approved hardware list:
http://oem.microsoft.com/downloads/MCEReadinessCenter/MCE_Approved_Components_for_MOSB.xls

You're also missing the Microsoft remote control. 38 euro, from Komplett.
You'll also need a software mpeg decoder, but you may have this already.

Here's some essential reading, before you go dispensing with your hard earned cash:
http://www.thegreenbutton.com/community/shwmessage.aspx?ForumID=52&MessageID=112110

Thanks for the post krusty! The last link there was good reading! But still I reckon its gonna be far more expensive than I figured! Might see about using linux to lower the price a bit but will have to see about hardware compatibility! Thanks for the advice all and if anyone thinks of anything else or just wants to post their systems for some tips and hints....

Tom Dunne

Archytas wrote:

OS: €130
Windows Media Centre Edition - OEM
http://komplett.ie/k/ki.asp?sku=315135

Do you really need Media Center? I have used XP Home with Media Portal - similar results.

Also, I would consider myself fairly competent with computers and I started down the Linux/Myth route. After a few weeks of frustration, I had to resort back to Windows. Ok, I had purchased the hardware in advance (TV Tuner card is USB). In hindsight if I was going down the Linux route, I would look what is compatible first and then buy the hardware.

Just to add to it - I was using an old P3 with 192Mb Ram with XP/Media Portal. Not the fastest, but certainly did the job (until in my eternal wisdom I damaged the motherboard while upgrading the graphics card). I am now looking at a Celeron with XP and 256Mb of Ram - will let you know how I get on.

gline

i perssonally think Win MCE is pants, i use it for a media rig and i never use the media centre part of it, there has to be something better, the remote is dead handy though.