multimedia pc

I am currently running that setup & have been for 2 years. I have a DVI video card with the DVI - HDMI cable. And the sound card is connected to my Denon home theater. I highly suggest wireless keyboard & mouse. I'm using the logitech set. I would invest your money in a good video card.

Also nowadays motherboards have hdmi ports. I was looking at upgrading mine due to some issues with my PC.

This one has an hdmi port. You also get the processor.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5024446&CatId=14

I always buy my components from Tigerdirect. Lowest prices around. You can check retailmenot.com for discount codes.

Like the others said build your own. You will get more bang for the buck. Tiger sells barebones kits for cheap. That is what I bought 2 years ago for my media pc. Then went with a better video card.

 

Dang! $170 for a beefy motherboard AND processor is REALLY low! It's so crazy how 10 years ago we used to get all excited about a PC loaded with a 1Gig processor, 512Mb of RAM, and a 4 Gig hard drive... Wow.

 

Yes, definitely do not go wireless if you are planning on streaming video. I have a high end wireless router that is less than twenty feet away from my extender. I tried wireless for a week then ran a Cat 5 straight to my extender from my computer. Also, don't get an extender.

 

Well, I fell asleep before I could woot, so I never got it . I may hold off a bit as it looks like work is gonna get slow again. When I remodeled my kitchen I put a conduit between my basement and attic... I did that in thinking of running my cat5 between my computer room and my av room in the basement.

 

thoughts on one of these two?

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...?EdpNo=4588004&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

or

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicat...?EdpNo=5311063&csid=ITD&body=MAIN#detailspecs

 

They aren't bad machines but I were to buy one I would install a dedicated video card and tv tuner/dvr card. I would also trash the power supply which both machines only come with 220W units and invest in a 450W+ power supply 80 plus certified and change out the fans if I was going to run it near my TV.

The machine that I currently have has four fans and a 500W power supply and you can barely hear it running. There is a slight hum but that is it.

 

The first one is cheaper and looks like it would be better for video, or am I wrong? The computer will only be on when watching shows from the net, not much.

 

The first one is setup as a multimedia pc with the tuner card.

 

I was tossing the idea around of building a HTPC also...ended up getting an Acer 1410 (newer one with dual core). For less than 400 it has HDMI, can do HULU and 1080p video.

Plus I can unplug it and take it on the go.

 

what you guys should look into is finding something that is capable of running a tv tuner (open pci-e slot) then running all your video through there. you can use windows media center as a very good DVR for free plus you would always have access to online content and such

 

The benefits of building your own computer guarantees you're getting quality components and you can build it exactly how you want it. It will usually cost more than if you buy a packaged setup from HP, Dell, etc. but it is worth it.

 

i want to be able to stream to my tv though. i can run hulu on my P4 pc and on my P3 laptop too.....

I need HDMI out and I just dont know if some of the cheaper systems will run 1080p res. for my tv cleanly. anyone know if I need a dedicated video card or if onboard is enough?

I ended not buying the acer from tiger direct. They are in IL so I would have to pay 40 bucks in tax. I rather put that towards a better system if I can, instead of paying the GOVERNMENT.

The apple looks nice but is out of my budget and no hdmi (DVI, I know)

 

Wow, ignorance. Macs are great and all for certain things, but I hate the blind faith and the "take my money" attitude. When I'm done with my truck, I'm going to weld the hood closed, put an 'iTruck' sticker on it, and sell it for $40k.
When the mac mini first came out, it was a steaming pile of crap for home theater. Sure it's better now, but please, do your homework beforehand!

Get a DVI to HDMI converter cable.

Yes.

 

my only complaint is possible video loss going through another connector. the apple uses a mini DVI connector. So you have to use a HDMI connector into a mini DVI connector. Plus, no audio through DVI so it's another hookup you need to do.

 

Oh trust me I know...I've built tons of desktops for myself and my family.

The acer I mentioned has HDMI and does 1080P. I just hook it up to my tv and stream files off my desktop as needed.

What sold me on that route was I got a computer that cost nearly the same as building a computer, that I could unplug and use for other things.

 

Integrated onboard graphics have come a long way but your best bet is a dedicated video card. Integrated graphics uses up RAM on the MB. I video card had RAM built in. I am running a $50 1080p video card with an HDMI and DVI plug and 512kb of memory and I have not had any issues.

 

Unless you spent more on home theater than you did on your truck, I don't think it's a problem.