Media Centre PC advice...

[BigDom]

(if this is wrong area I apologise, please move it to the right place and remove this line )

As allways my brain is going on future projects and I've heard of, but know very little about, the media center version of windows.

What I was thinking was using one of my old XP CPUs' int he project, Micro ATX Mobo if I could find it, reasonable soundcard and DVD player and the the idea I had is to make it the core of my hifi setup.

I'd play DVD's and MP3 off it through my amp and into my TV ( not sure of the best way of doing the Video section ), might also take the Cable TV feed through it so I can record to HDD.

Display wise I was thinkg of having a small ( touch screen if I can find one at a reasonable price ) primary monitor for controlling the PC then of course a feed into the TV somehow.

I'd rather not use the TV as the primary monitor.

Any advice and thoughts would be appreciated - thankyou.

 

[maddad68]

Hey ,

The only bad thing i have herd about the WME is that it will not allow you to join a domain .

I spoke to a lad the other day who works as a tech for a very well known high street PC retailer .....

He told me that it is a good OS for the type of thing you list , Basicly its XPpro with a very nice front end interface aimed at people that just want a good media center without all the hassle of the PC side of things

As for the TV side of things all you need is a fairly decent TV tuner card

Have a look on hardforum.com thay have a HT section thay will give you all the info you need to build and set up your system .

Good luck

Maddad

 

[pcoltrane]

the green button and xpmce have good forums that will be able to answer all your questions

 

[BigDom]

Thanks guys