Thanks for the tips and links.eelhc wrote:The XBox 360 is my Media Center PC. I got the $10/Month Netflix subscription along with the ~$3.50/Month Live Gold membership. I am able to stream all the on demand Netflix content (in addition to 1 DVD out at a time via snail mail), most of it in impressive HD to my TV. The 360 also connects to all of the other PCs in my house and can stream music, pictures + video (including divx/h.264/mpeg4 movies) to my TV from those PCs.
With the XBox you get a fairly quiet PC, HDMI, a very stable OS... all for a price of a barebones HTPC (case, power supply, motherboard... you'd still have to add the processor, hard drive, memory...).
You won't have blueray or DVR functions. I've considered rolling my own DVR but the dish network DVR I have is just too good. I wouldn't even come close to functionality/ease of use.
If you really want blueray... buy a PS3 too!
You could probably get a 360, PS3, 1TB NAS setup and 1year Netflix + Live Gold Membership for about the cost of a good HTPC rig.
If you insist on rolling your own, check this out...
**Broken Link(s) Removed**
A valid point as well.Richard S. wrote:If it were me I'd be looking for a device that can be used for both. e.g a giant HDV recorder possibly even one you hook external HD's too.
I'd scrap the idea of a "media pc"and look for devices specifically for the task.
It's been a while since I looked but I know I've seen some pretty slick devices in the past such as wi-fi version that will broadcast to all TV's
I am well aware of the software *wink wink*.....Richard S. wrote:I'm assuming you don't know you need software for cracking them if you want to transfer to HDD? Same with DVD but that is much more freely available.
There's only one commercial software solution available for Blu-Ray that I'm aware of and I believe technically it's illegal to possess if you're in the U.S. FYI you missed the boat if you don't already have it because they just switched to a "subscription fee" which will be required to update for new titles.
However the boys at doom9.org are working on free version.
Buy a used Xbox 360 or PS3. Much better option.Hunlock wrote:Just got an LCD HDTV, and want to build a PC that I can hook up to the TV. I want to add all of my movie files to the harddrive(s), run the HDMI through it(to record), and install an internal BlueRay....
My problem? I have no idea what kind of motherboard/processor to run! It's been a while since I built a PC. All I have are laptops right now, and have been out of the game for a while.
I want this to be somewhat of a budget build, so if I can find a motherboard with onboard HDMI, that would be great. I am prepared to add a video card if needed.
I have been searching my favorite elecronics site(newegg), and I think I've confused myself more than before...lol
HELP!
I just built a pc for a guy that dose some gaming. this is the mobo I used not top shelf but good for a budget. I use to only buy ASUS boards but seems like they started going down hill, I had some DOA ones so I switched to MSI. This is the fifth MSI mobo now with no problems at all. just my 2 cents!Hunlock wrote:but no one has any opinion on motherboards?
I used to use a lot of MSI motherboards and they probably are good products. Several years ago the industry was plagued by 'counterfeit capacitors' and it affected most manufacturers. Most problems showed up post warranty. A few manufacturers did the right thing and replaced out of warranty boards; Abit was one that did. MSI was one manufacturer that refused. Asus I never cared for. I've used and had good luck with Intel, Abit, Gigabyte, Biostar, FIC & Aopen. I stay away from PCCHIPS, ECS and a few others.Razzler wrote:I use to only buy ASUS boards but seems like they started going down hill, I had some DOA ones so I switched to MSI. This is the fifth MSI mobo now with no problems at all. just my 2 cents!Hunlock wrote:but no one has any opinion on motherboards?
Check this link out... it should explain everything you need to know.Hunlock wrote:Okay.....With an Xbox, can I hook up external hardrives to play media from them? If so, how do they connect? My main goal is get my media(on harddrives), to play on my LCD, through my surround sound. Can an Xbox do this? I appreciate all the options given, but no one has any opinion on motherboards?
I don't think XP media center OEM is available w/ SP3; you'd have to get the XP Media Center w/SP2 CD and then apply the SP3 update. Also, XP has had it's life extended somewhat till May 30, 2009.spc wrote: Install Windows XP Media Center OS with sp3 & you are all set.
Yes sp2 & update to sp3 on window's update site. Personally I would wait for windows 7 before recommending vista but I guess it depends on how good 7 will run.kozel wrote:I don't think XP media center OEM is available w/ SP3; you'd have to get the XP Media Center w/SP2 CD and then apply the SP3 update. Also, XP has had it's life extended somewhat till May 30, 2009.
