Home entertainment machine ...
Discussion
Chaps,
A dim and vague idea is currently gently occupying my grey cells, as part of their daily musings ...
Mrs zcacogp and I don't have a DVD player. We are demi-semi-almost thinking of buying one. We do have an old-ish but perfectly servicable large-screen TV (CRT, nothing smart like LCD or plasma) and a video player.
We have a decent audio amp, and some good speakers, as well as an OK cd player.
Our extensive CD collection is held both as CD's and as MP3's on a hard drive on my computer. (For security reasons - means you don't lose the music if you lose a CD.) However, the MP3 collection is larger than the CD collection, with downloaded tracks, tracks from friends and so on.
We are soon to be moving house, and I plan to set up a wireless network in the new place, with access for both my desktop machine and laptop.
If I was to set up an "Entertainment" PC in the lounge, I could use this to play the entireity of my MP3 collection (no CD's so less clutter) through the audio amp. I could also use it as a DVD player. (I would build the CD myself, and build a box which fits with the lounge decor - something like a few sheets of well-treated wood, rather than grey plastic.) It could also be used to access EMail and PH from the lounge, with all the convenience this represents. However, a couple of questions then arise.
1. I am assuming that a good quality sound card would offer better music reproduction than a cheap one. However, if I am playing MP3's from a PC, would I ever be able to match the sound quality offered by a CD played directly from a good CD player? What sort of sound card should I be looking for, and how much to pay?
2. Is it possible to play the output from a PC (i.e. a DVD being played) through a standard TV? (This would be our current TV, with analogue and SCART inputs.) Or would I do better to buy a good large TFT PC screen and use this as a TV? (This would be an expensive option, and I would rather avoid it.)
3. How would I control this? A wireless keyboard and mouse is the obvious option, but this would be much fiddlier than a standard remote control (i.e. when watching a DVD, I want to be able to pause it at the push of a button to refill the wine glass, rather than fiddle with a keyboard for 10 seconds.) Would it be possible to use something more akin to a standard TV remote control with this PC?
4. Would it also be possible to use the PC as a free-to-view set-top-box, to recieve free-to-view digital TV? (This is not something we currently have). This would reduce clutter further. If we were to do this, would it be possible to record TV programmes to the PC hard drive, and thus use it as a video recorder? And, if I was really to go to town, would it be possible to load some software to offer TIVO-type functionality, thus having the machine record things which fit our current viewing pattern to be viewed whenever we like?
I know this is a lot of questions - if there is a website dedicated to all things of this ilk then just point me there!
Thanks,
Oli.
A dim and vague idea is currently gently occupying my grey cells, as part of their daily musings ...
Mrs zcacogp and I don't have a DVD player. We are demi-semi-almost thinking of buying one. We do have an old-ish but perfectly servicable large-screen TV (CRT, nothing smart like LCD or plasma) and a video player.
We have a decent audio amp, and some good speakers, as well as an OK cd player.
Our extensive CD collection is held both as CD's and as MP3's on a hard drive on my computer. (For security reasons - means you don't lose the music if you lose a CD.) However, the MP3 collection is larger than the CD collection, with downloaded tracks, tracks from friends and so on.
We are soon to be moving house, and I plan to set up a wireless network in the new place, with access for both my desktop machine and laptop.
If I was to set up an "Entertainment" PC in the lounge, I could use this to play the entireity of my MP3 collection (no CD's so less clutter) through the audio amp. I could also use it as a DVD player. (I would build the CD myself, and build a box which fits with the lounge decor - something like a few sheets of well-treated wood, rather than grey plastic.) It could also be used to access EMail and PH from the lounge, with all the convenience this represents. However, a couple of questions then arise.
1. I am assuming that a good quality sound card would offer better music reproduction than a cheap one. However, if I am playing MP3's from a PC, would I ever be able to match the sound quality offered by a CD played directly from a good CD player? What sort of sound card should I be looking for, and how much to pay?
2. Is it possible to play the output from a PC (i.e. a DVD being played) through a standard TV? (This would be our current TV, with analogue and SCART inputs.) Or would I do better to buy a good large TFT PC screen and use this as a TV? (This would be an expensive option, and I would rather avoid it.)
3. How would I control this? A wireless keyboard and mouse is the obvious option, but this would be much fiddlier than a standard remote control (i.e. when watching a DVD, I want to be able to pause it at the push of a button to refill the wine glass, rather than fiddle with a keyboard for 10 seconds.) Would it be possible to use something more akin to a standard TV remote control with this PC?
4. Would it also be possible to use the PC as a free-to-view set-top-box, to recieve free-to-view digital TV? (This is not something we currently have). This would reduce clutter further. If we were to do this, would it be possible to record TV programmes to the PC hard drive, and thus use it as a video recorder? And, if I was really to go to town, would it be possible to load some software to offer TIVO-type functionality, thus having the machine record things which fit our current viewing pattern to be viewed whenever we like?
I know this is a lot of questions - if there is a website dedicated to all things of this ilk then just point me there!
Thanks,
Oli.
Or you could just go for the Elonex Lumina 32" system which does everything you ask for and will plug into your amp for improved sound quality.
Tried to give a link but it contains characters that are disallowed by the PH system. Have a look on www.elonex.co.uk
Tried to give a link but it contains characters that are disallowed by the PH system. Have a look on www.elonex.co.uk
A fuller response...
Yep, look at Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005… or "MCE"
Yes… you get what you pay for… look the the Creative Labs Audigy… sound quality is good, but not as good as a separates system IMHO.
Possible, but don't know about quality… ideally you want something with a DVI input….
Wireless multimedia keyboard.. Take a look at Logitech's LX700… and MCE also comes with a remote.
Yes, with the appropriate tuner card… which MUST be MCE compatible (most Hauppage ones are)… with MCE you can also record to hard disk… in fact, get two TV cards and you can record one channel and watch another… or even record two channels and use the TV to watch a third.
>> Edited by Podie on Tuesday 15th March 11:13
zcacogp said:
If I was to set up an "Entertainment" PC in the lounge, I could use this to play the entireity of my MP3 collection (no CD's so less clutter) through the audio amp. I could also use it as a DVD player. (I would build the CD myself, and build a box which fits with the lounge decor - something like a few sheets of well-treated wood, rather than grey plastic.) It could also be used to access EMail and PH from the lounge, with all the convenience this represents. However, a couple of questions then arise.
Yep, look at Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005… or "MCE"
zcacogp said:
1. I am assuming that a good quality sound card would offer better music reproduction than a cheap one. However, if I am playing MP3's from a PC, would I ever be able to match the sound quality offered by a CD played directly from a good CD player? What sort of sound card should I be looking for, and how much to pay?
Yes… you get what you pay for… look the the Creative Labs Audigy… sound quality is good, but not as good as a separates system IMHO.
zcacogp said:
2. Is it possible to play the output from a PC (i.e. a DVD being played) through a standard TV? (This would be our current TV, with analogue and SCART inputs.) Or would I do better to buy a good large TFT PC screen and use this as a TV? (This would be an expensive option, and I would rather avoid it.)
Possible, but don't know about quality… ideally you want something with a DVI input….
zcacogp said:
3. How would I control this? A wireless keyboard and mouse is the obvious option, but this would be much fiddlier than a standard remote control (i.e. when watching a DVD, I want to be able to pause it at the push of a button to refill the wine glass, rather than fiddle with a keyboard for 10 seconds.) Would it be possible to use something more akin to a standard TV remote control with this PC?
Wireless multimedia keyboard.. Take a look at Logitech's LX700… and MCE also comes with a remote.
zcacogp said:
4. Would it also be possible to use the PC as a free-to-view set-top-box, to recieve free-to-view digital TV? (This is not something we currently have). This would reduce clutter further. If we were to do this, would it be possible to record TV programmes to the PC hard drive, and thus use it as a video recorder? And, if I was really to go to town, would it be possible to load some software to offer TIVO-type functionality, thus having the machine record things which fit our current viewing pattern to be viewed whenever we like?
Yes, with the appropriate tuner card… which MUST be MCE compatible (most Hauppage ones are)… with MCE you can also record to hard disk… in fact, get two TV cards and you can record one channel and watch another… or even record two channels and use the TV to watch a third.
>> Edited by Podie on Tuesday 15th March 11:13
Arcturus,
Thanks for this. I'll browse the website ... although some of the appeal was in the challenge in making it all work myself. Freak? Moi? Sure am!
Podie,
Wot No Nob Gags? Haven't seen you around on here for a while mate, hope all is well.
... that sounds like a slightly tweaked version of Windows ... kind of made for home machines. I didn't know that such a thing existed ...
Thanks
What's a DVI input when it's at home? (Sorry for thick question.)
As in, the version of Windows comes with a remote controller? Presumably that version of windows also comes with a bit of hardware to recieve the remote control signals as well? I sense a Google Search coming up. How much is MCE?
Wonderful! Thanks.
So, what I need to do is research MCE a little, and tuner and sound cards. And I could be home and dry ... thanks very much for the help - extremely useful.
How much impact does processor speed have on this sort of set-up? If I am speccing a machine to do all this from the ground up, what sort of motherboard should I be thinking of, and what sort of amount of memory? Is it worth putting extra memory in, or a bigger CPU, or could I do it all with the carcass of the 486-DX2-66 which I am currently using as a shoe rack? (OK, maybe not the 426, but is it worth paying for high-spec processors?)
I am assuming that if I am recording TV to HDD, it is worth investing in a fairly cavernous HDD ...
Oli.
>> Edited by zcacogp on Tuesday 15th March 22:07
Thanks for this. I'll browse the website ... although some of the appeal was in the challenge in making it all work myself. Freak? Moi? Sure am!
Podie,
Wot No Nob Gags? Haven't seen you around on here for a while mate, hope all is well.
Podie said:
Yep, look at Windows XP Media Centre Edition 2005… or "MCE"
... that sounds like a slightly tweaked version of Windows ... kind of made for home machines. I didn't know that such a thing existed ...
Podie said:
Yes… you get what you pay for… look the the Creative Labs Audigy… sound quality is good, but not as good as a separates system IMHO.
Thanks
Podie said:
Possible, but don't know about quality… ideally you want something with a DVI input….
What's a DVI input when it's at home? (Sorry for thick question.)
Podie said:
Wireless multimedia keyboard.. Take a look at Logitech's LX700… and MCE also comes with a remote.
As in, the version of Windows comes with a remote controller? Presumably that version of windows also comes with a bit of hardware to recieve the remote control signals as well? I sense a Google Search coming up. How much is MCE?
Podie said:
Yes, with the appropriate tuner card… which MUST be MCE compatible (most Hauppage ones are)… with MCE you can also record to hard disk… in fact, get two TV cards and you can record one channel and watch another… or even record two channels and use the TV to watch a third.
Wonderful! Thanks.
So, what I need to do is research MCE a little, and tuner and sound cards. And I could be home and dry ... thanks very much for the help - extremely useful.
How much impact does processor speed have on this sort of set-up? If I am speccing a machine to do all this from the ground up, what sort of motherboard should I be thinking of, and what sort of amount of memory? Is it worth putting extra memory in, or a bigger CPU, or could I do it all with the carcass of the 486-DX2-66 which I am currently using as a shoe rack? (OK, maybe not the 426, but is it worth paying for high-spec processors?)
I am assuming that if I am recording TV to HDD, it is worth investing in a fairly cavernous HDD ...
Oli.
>> Edited by zcacogp on Tuesday 15th March 22:07
MCE is a tweaked version of XP... also has the benefit of being based on a slightly later architecture so should be more stable. See here for what you can do - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/default.mspx - you'll also find the basic specs.
DVI - Digital Video Input... it means the signal remains digital all the way to the screen output, rather than being converted to analogue. Think of it in terms of hi-fi setup and it makes more sense...
Ebuyer will sell you a remote - www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=6074772580&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=77109
.. and the OEM version of the software - www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=6074772580&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=74686 - be warned it's a sod to install...!!
There are a lot of articles in the PC mags at the moment, so go and have a nose in the newsagents.
Online, take a look at www.thegreenbutton.com and the Microsoft website at the beginning of this post.
In terms of ground up, take a look at what is out there... the Shuttle PC's are nice little boxes... and Media centre works best with two HDD's. You'll NEED a 2GHz processor, but I'd go for a 3GHz job... actually, drop me a line and I'll mail you the minimum specs.
DVI - Digital Video Input... it means the signal remains digital all the way to the screen output, rather than being converted to analogue. Think of it in terms of hi-fi setup and it makes more sense...
Ebuyer will sell you a remote - www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=6074772580&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=77109
.. and the OEM version of the software - www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?rb=6074772580&action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=74686 - be warned it's a sod to install...!!
There are a lot of articles in the PC mags at the moment, so go and have a nose in the newsagents.
Online, take a look at www.thegreenbutton.com and the Microsoft website at the beginning of this post.
In terms of ground up, take a look at what is out there... the Shuttle PC's are nice little boxes... and Media centre works best with two HDD's. You'll NEED a 2GHz processor, but I'd go for a 3GHz job... actually, drop me a line and I'll mail you the minimum specs.
I bought one of these recently, set up as a Media Cente 2005 PC from www.scan.co.uk.
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Have a look here - www.mini-itx.com/
Have a hunt around for "Barebone" PC's on Google.
This one appeals (Well to me anyway) - www.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--461,prod_id--11664818.html
Have a hunt around for "Barebone" PC's on Google.
This one appeals (Well to me anyway) - www.bizrate.com/marketplace/product_info/overview/index__cat_id--461,prod_id--11664818.html
Zod said:
I bought one of these recently, set up as a Media Cente 2005 PC from <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk.">www.scan.co.uk.</a>
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Out of curiosity, which connection did you use, and to what sort of TV? (LCD / CRT)
Podie said:At the moment, I'm using S-Video to a 32" CRT, but I'm looking around for a decent 37" LCD with DVI and component input at the moment.
I bought one of these recently, set up as a Media Cente 2005 PC from <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk.">www.scan.co.uk.</a></a>
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Out of curiosity, which connection did you use, and to what sort of TV? (LCD / CRT)
Zod said:
Zod said:
I bought one of these recently, set up as a Media Cente 2005 PC from <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk.">www.scan.co.uk.</a></a></a>
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Out of curiosity, which connection did you use, and to what sort of TV? (LCD / CRT)
At the moment, I'm using S-Video to a 32" CRT, but I'm looking around for a decent 37" LCD with DVI and component input at the moment.
Does it give a decent quality picture when using the PC side of things…?
Curious as I'm looking at building an MCE machine in the near future… hence considering screen options as well… do I go for a really tidy CRT, or a not-quite-so-good LCD, with DVI..?
I have my recently built MCE machine running through my 30 inch LCD and have to say it is the badgers 
. Connection is through a standard 9pin video plug but it still give a very good display. The main plus point for LCD versus CRT in my view is that listening to your music collection through a big old box in the corner of the room just feels a bit...well....odd. I would go for the LCD, chuck it up on the wall, and then revel in the 'house-of-future' vibe you've created
. Connection is through a standard 9pin video plug but it still give a very good display. The main plus point for LCD versus CRT in my view is that listening to your music collection through a big old box in the corner of the room just feels a bit...well....odd. I would go for the LCD, chuck it up on the wall, and then revel in the 'house-of-future' vibe you've created I don't know what your budget is, and I know that instinctively a home build ought to cost less, but I would take a look at some of the packages offered by people like Elonex that come complete with a screen. You might just find that it works out cheaper than assembling all the component parts (including the screen, software etc) yourself...
Podie said:The Media Center interface looks great. The CRT is not, however, great as a PC monitor, so using it for internet browsing is not ideal and for tinkering with the PC, I need to squint. On an LCD, these problems would go away.
Podie said:
Zod said:
I bought one of these recently, set up as a Media Cente 2005 PC from <a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk."><a href="http://www.scan.co.uk.">www.scan.co.uk.</a></a></a></a>
Expensive, but a lovely bit of kit. I have it connected to the TV and to a surround amp.
>> Edited by Zod on Tuesday 15th March 23:32
Out of curiosity, which connection did you use, and to what sort of TV? (LCD / CRT)
At the moment, I'm using S-Video to a 32" CRT, but I'm looking around for a decent 37" LCD with DVI and component input at the moment.
Does it give a decent quality picture when using the PC side of things…?
Curious as I'm looking at building an MCE machine in the near future… hence considering screen options as well… do I go for a really tidy CRT, or a not-quite-so-good LCD, with DVI..?
Zod said:
The Media Center interface looks great. The CRT is not, however, great as a PC monitor, so using it for internet browsing is not ideal and for tinkering with the PC, I need to squint. On an LCD, these problems would go away.
So in your opinion, I'd probably be better going for the LCD then...?
Plotloss said:
Pods old love.
The only way to do it properly is with a HDTV if you are stuck on the idea of the CRT
This is due to artifacts being left on the screen at even 60hz due to the difference in interlacing.
The way to go is Plasma or LCD...
Hmm.. furry. Assume a 100Hz CRT wouldn't get round the issue then...?
Ah well... LCD it is then...
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