Help Spec a Media Centre PC For Me Please!
Discussion
Hi
One of our clients has asked me to spec a PC for home multimedia use. He's going to want to be able to record TV, watch DVDs, view photos, etc. on it and will be running a 50" plasma screen or similar off it. It will need to be able to connect to the client/server network he uses for the business run from his house.
I'm not an expert on multimedia systems and we usually deal with Dell so this is the core of what I've specced:
- Windows Vista Ultimate (Media Centre Features + Networking)
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 2GB RAM
- SATA II HDD (250GB or more)
Obviously the video card and sound card are critical (the former should support High Definition with a suitable connector type and the latter surround sound) and I'm looking for good recommendations. My first attempt at speccing a Dell system had a 256MB ATI Fire GL V7200 graphics card and Sound Blaster® X-Fi XtremeMusic (D) sound card but I'm wary of recommending something without getting opinions first, though the reviews look good.
My main requirement is that the system come pre-built so I don't have to fit any cards, etc. simply because it's not worth my time and I dont' want to invalidate any manufacturer's warranty.
If anyone can recommend any pre-built machines from any good vendor (I wondered if AlienWare or whatever they're called do this kind of thing) or indeed can recommend some components offered by Dell that would be great. The budget is £1.5-2k exc. VAT and obviously doesn't include a screen.
Thanks in advance,
roadie.
One of our clients has asked me to spec a PC for home multimedia use. He's going to want to be able to record TV, watch DVDs, view photos, etc. on it and will be running a 50" plasma screen or similar off it. It will need to be able to connect to the client/server network he uses for the business run from his house.
I'm not an expert on multimedia systems and we usually deal with Dell so this is the core of what I've specced:
- Windows Vista Ultimate (Media Centre Features + Networking)
- Intel Core 2 Duo Processor
- 2GB RAM
- SATA II HDD (250GB or more)
Obviously the video card and sound card are critical (the former should support High Definition with a suitable connector type and the latter surround sound) and I'm looking for good recommendations. My first attempt at speccing a Dell system had a 256MB ATI Fire GL V7200 graphics card and Sound Blaster® X-Fi XtremeMusic (D) sound card but I'm wary of recommending something without getting opinions first, though the reviews look good.
My main requirement is that the system come pre-built so I don't have to fit any cards, etc. simply because it's not worth my time and I dont' want to invalidate any manufacturer's warranty.
If anyone can recommend any pre-built machines from any good vendor (I wondered if AlienWare or whatever they're called do this kind of thing) or indeed can recommend some components offered by Dell that would be great. The budget is £1.5-2k exc. VAT and obviously doesn't include a screen.
Thanks in advance,
roadie.
Graphics card wont make an awful lot of odds on media work I personally favour the ATi cards as the Divx codec is optimised for ATi hardware.
Sound card should have coaxial digital out.
Tuner card should be MCE compliant.
Alternatively you could pick one up off the shelf from a specialist manufacturer sold through a friendly vendor
Sound card should have coaxial digital out.
Tuner card should be MCE compliant.
Alternatively you could pick one up off the shelf from a specialist manufacturer sold through a friendly vendor
Plotloss said:
Alternatively you could pick one up off the shelf from a specialist manufacturer sold through a friendly vendor
Are you referring to just a sound card or a video card and tuner card too? Do you sell whole systems or just components?
What type of output should the video card have to drive a 50" screen with HD content? Do I need to worry about DRM protection as I believe some cards won't output HD content on a digital output?
Whole systems, dont get involved in components, I have no need whatsoever for the beady eye of a VAT man 24/7
Graphics card should be HDCP compliant DVI-I or DVI-D then you just get a converter for a couple of quid that converts the DVI connector to HDMI and its straight into the telly.
There are graphics cards out there with a HDMI connector (HDCP compliant) on the card itself, these take the soundcard digital output and put it onto the HDMI port so the HDMI input works just like a normal DVD player.
No real advantage either way, just different ways of skinning the same cat.
Graphics card should be HDCP compliant DVI-I or DVI-D then you just get a converter for a couple of quid that converts the DVI connector to HDMI and its straight into the telly.
There are graphics cards out there with a HDMI connector (HDCP compliant) on the card itself, these take the soundcard digital output and put it onto the HDMI port so the HDMI input works just like a normal DVD player.
No real advantage either way, just different ways of skinning the same cat.
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