went in to pc world today.. before you say it, i know, i wouldn't usually...

and i saw this:

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/st...m=null&tm=null&sku=709741&category_oid=-27737

Was really close to buying it, as i didn't think i would be able to build one of these, but now i'm not sure...

is it possible to build a pc (dont care what it looks like) that will do all the same things as this?

i imagine if it is possible it will be a damn site cheaper that buying that unit.

(just so you know the Sony unit is the type that plugs in to your tv, is a normal computer, but also allows you to record off of a set top box and view all your media (video images sound) on your tv.)

Advice much appreciated

Custard?? i'm sure you've got some helpful advice

Will need to spec that up properly, maybe later on - kinda snowed right now

BUT yes, you can build any PC to any spec you like - I very much doubt I would buy a ready-made one again.

Stuart DemonD said:

BUT yes, you can build any PC to any spec you like - I very much doubt I would buy a ready-made one again.

Click to expand...

i always say that and then never get round to building it... but now i have time

i'm not sure about Mini/Micro ATX are parts for these more expencive than midi sized parts?

contemplating either

http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=205870

or

http://www.rlsupplies.co.uk/products/product.asp?id=243315

as a base...


then of course theres the whole intel vs amd argument... i think Dual core shold do, but i'm considering quad

mine cost less than 300
cpu= AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4200+ Dual Core 2.2GHz, 2x 512KB Cache, Retail Energy Efficient
mobo= Gigabyte GA M61P-S3, NF6100, S AM2
memory= 2GB (2x1GB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
DVD RW = Optiarc (Sony/NEC) AD-7170S-0S
HARDRIVE= Seagate ST3500630AS 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 16MB Cache 7200RPM
CASE = Antec Nine Hundred

windows vista

dave said:

mine cost less than 300
cpu= AMD AM2 Athlon 64 4200+ Dual Core 2.2GHz, 2x 512KB Cache, Retail Energy Efficient
mobo= Gigabyte GA M61P-S3, NF6100, S AM2
memory= 2GB (2x1GB) CorsairTwinX XMS2, DDR2 PC2-6400 (800)
DVD RW = Optiarc (Sony/NEC) AD-7170S-0S
HARDRIVE= Seagate ST3500630AS 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 16MB Cache 7200RPM
CASE = Antec Nine Hundred

windows vista

Click to expand...

that'll do me fine, i'll just put a sexy case on it and then i'll need to find out what you need to get it to:
a.) run on a tv
b.) record from my Virgin box

Is that just the graphics card/tv card or does it need something special?

To run on a TV you'll need a graphics card with TV output don't know about recording cable though.

soap_dodger said:

To run on a TV you'll need a graphics card with TV output don't know about recording cable though.

Click to expand...

surly all it needs it a composite in...?

Yeah, I was thinking maybe one of those Dazzle DVD recorder or something similar.

I wouldn't bother making a multi-media PC. Firstly it needs to be deathly silent unless you like the whirring of fans during movies and watching tv. Manufacturers get around this with heat-pipes and big slow fans. Secondly you need high end graphics and sound (think lots of heat) and also digital tuners.

Your home PC.. yes go for it. Home build all the way. For TV and music for the living room - I'd get a pre-built.

Check out all the outputs/inputs on the thing...

thats what the back of the sony looked like

Dave, where did you get all your bits from?

anyone had any experiance with these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB2-0-Video-...yZ148483QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

OXCiD3 said:

Dave, where did you get all your bits from?

anyone had any experiance with these:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB2-0-Video-...yZ148483QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Click to expand...

its all in a thread some where, some was ebuyer, some was another place(s)
the case comes with 4 fans i got them all on slow and can hardly hear them

HTPC's as they are better known aren't difficult to build to a point, if you want it tiny then space, cooling and components can become an issue.

These days you would use a MOBO with a HDMI output and connect it to an LCD or PLASMA and enjoy hi-res stuff.

Video Capture card will take care of the virgin media side of things no bother, dual digi tuner, BT Logitech keyboard with built in mouse and remote takes care of the rest.

Liam

Examples

http://www.projecthtpc.co.uk/htpc_hardware.html

Liam

Liam said:

Examples

http://www.projecthtpc.co.uk/htpc_hardware.html

Liam

Click to expand...

that last link = very helpful

infact i'm going to use the same case as it looks incredible.

i spoke to StuartDemon about this, and together (well mostly him) we came up with this spec.


Case http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129281

MoBo: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/121398

Processor: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/112706

HDD: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129413

DVD: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/131763

TV Card: http://www.ebuyer.com/product/101706

Total price:
Around the £550 mark


The other option is to keep everything the same but change the mobo and processor to the following, as the mobo has HDMI support built in (and it is cheaper )

MOBO http://www.ebuyer.com/product/132274/show_product_specifications

Processor http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125202

Total price using AMD:

Around £470 mark.

C&C's

and if you can think of a better way of doing it TELL ME

cheers guys

Owen

Hi, Ive just put my own little spin on the media centre

CASE
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129281

MOTHERBOARD
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=623454

CPU
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130497

MEMORY
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=291363

HDD
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/130454

TV CARD
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=176820

DVD DRIVE
http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125208

CPU HSF
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ProductInfo.asp?WebProductID=657369

My view of the system, is one of quietness Hence the low power CPU which is more than up to the task, and very quiet HSF, also by using no IDE cables, getting rid of clutter, and the samsung hard drive is quiet too. With the motherboard, i left a space for a graphics card, for playing 1080p content, a silent 8600/HD2600 series would work well. The tv card, i have used before, and it works very well under XP Media Centre, but i have never used that TV card in vista, so dont know how it behaves(its also dual tuners!!!:slayer: )

My total was £469.72, i used both ebuyer and scan, ebuyer was free delivery , and scan's delivery is free if you are a hexus member.

any questions, just ask, im sure an intel system, could be had for a similar price, but CPU horsepower isnt an issue in a media centre, quietness is:devil:

i think what i'm going to go for is my system minus DVD drive i can steal that out of my server, al in all around £400

and still a perfectly good computer for working on and using high powered apps like photoshop and 3D Studio Max

Ok this is ordered now so no telling me what i've done wrong!!

Sorry in a rush so dont know how you got around the TV Recording bit but this maybe useful for other people who do not have a paid for TV service
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FREEVIEW-DVB-...ryZ96964QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

volxstu said:

Sorry in a rush so dont know how you got around the TV Recording bit but this maybe useful for other people who do not have a paid for TV service
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FREEVIEW-DVB-T-DIGITAL-TV-USB-CARD-PC-LAPTOP-XP-VISTA_W0QQitemZ170155482205QQihZ007QQcategoryZ96964QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Click to expand...

I had one of these, and unless you are plugged in to a static aerial on mount everest you wont be able to see anything...the aerial they supply is really poor