Building a Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 PC

[Ioman]

" If you're looking to create a new PC for your home, then definitely consider constructing a Media Center PC. The OS simply rocks and you'll need only a few more components in your system to make it all work. We're sure that you'll enjoy the results at the end of the day. "

http://www.whiningdog.net/Articles/Computers/Build/20041206-MCE2005/index.php

How would you build yours differently?

[Andy F Cullen]

Hello There, I'm doing some homework before buying HTPC gear.
I don't like television but love movies so I want a system that plays movies (DVD and video) aswell as games through a projector with surround sound.I also want to be able to record movies and CD's e.g old video's on to DVD and vinyl on to CD.
Our local computer builder has guided me to your forum to help my research as I'm a rank novice but I think my idea is good. Can a person buy components to have a system built that will do what I'm looking for aswell as functioning as a home computer. I'm led to believe that the hardware in such a system could be better than that used in off the shelf DVD players, burners etc and I like the sound of that. Am I expecting too much ? Am I making life difficult for myself ? What do you think ?
I'ts Friday night and I wont get back to my work's computer till Monday. See ye later

[Ioman]

If you are a novice to building computers, then I recommend having someone build one for you. There are two basic routes you can go.

1. Buy a prebuilt Windows Media Center PC

2. Have an HTPC built for you without Windows MCE (which can only come installed on authorized systems, the operating system cannot legally be purchased in a retail package from the store). There are a plethora of alternatives to the Windows MCE operating system.

If you are a novice to this type of system, I recommend buying a premade Windows based MCE system, so you can use the MCE interface for recording television programs and playing music. You will need a DVD ripper and encoder with the correct codecs installed if you want to be able to rip DVD movies to your system and play them back.

If built correctly, the hardware in a computer system could be better than a standalone DVD player, but IMO you will not visibly see a difference. You can get a stand alone DVD player with DVI-HDMI output on it that would look smoking hot on a nice television.

I am sure you will get a lot of opinions regarding your questions.

[k2]

i'd build my htpc a little higher on the food chain...

i'd go with a full size atx case, not really partial to any one in particular .. i'd probably settle for the one with the best price i could find on the purchase day.

i'd change the tuner to ati's tuner elite or (if over-air hdtv was available to me) Macro Image Technology's MyHD MDP-120 with the dvi daughter card.

pretty solid system specs, the audio was weak though. an maudio audiophile 192 would be my ideal choice for a soundcard. it gives you high quality digital and analog outputs with balanced xlr connections. if i couldn't go with the maudio i'd choose an older card; philip's accoustic sound. it has by far the best sound quality i've heard from a consumer card and it can be had for $50 or less these days. i gave mine away when i switched from my htpc to an xbox for my media box.


If built correctly, the hardware in a computer system could be better than a standalone DVD player, but IMO you will not visibly see a difference. You can get a stand alone DVD player with DVI-HDMI output on it that would look smoking hot on a nice television.


that's psuedo true, if you can find a dvd player that has Faroudja's DCDi HD scaling processor for 720p/1080i output you're golden. i scored an lg model (forget the #) a month or so ago and it's utterly stunning. i'd recommend the dcdi hd players to anyone with an hd set.

not all players are the same quality though; the lg i picked up has poor signal stability on the dvi output but it's component is 100% solid at 1080i (better than 720p reference). always research before you buy.

[neuroking]

Good points K2. One thing I would add is that I JUST built a mini-pc, and by just I mean yesterday, with a Shuttle XPC case, and I have to say I am uber impressed. The damn thing smokes, and the overall design was extremely well thought out. This one is for my parent's kitchen as xmas present, but I think my next system will be in one of these. I rarely use more than 2 PCI cards, so works for me.

Also, check out BeyondTV3. Good stuff.

[spankers]

For those with the wherewithal there is a cool linux based media project:
http://www.mythtv.org/modules.php?name=MythFeatures

[Ioman]

Thanks for the link Spankers, I love the way their interface looks. The dark blue is very attractive.

[spankers]

Thanks for the link Spankers, I love the way their interface looks. The dark blue is very attractive.

You're welcome. Some day when I have the cash I'd like to build a media pc around a fanless system like the Hush PC's.

http://www.hushtechnologies.net/start.html

A couple of years ago I built a remote mp3 player from old hardware and couldn't believe the amount of noise it generated. Between the fan and hard drive it sounded like I had a jet aircraft installed in my stereo. Lessons learned...

A fanless system with a quiet hard drive is the way to go.

[chibooki]

hello i have a wintvpvr250 need stereo sound just got mono sound can someone help me please? chibooki

[dkrees]

Hello, I'm doing research for a Uni project, was wondering if any of you know how many alternative media packages there are to Windows Media Centre Edition, what they are, and if they are available to buy, seeing as you cant buy a MCE retail package?

any useful links or answers would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[spankers]

MythTV
http://www.mythtv.org/

[GeekFunk]

There is a lot of info over at the Audio Video Sciences Forums avsforums.com

[D Luzion]

I have m-audio's mobile pre sound card, which doesn't work with XP media center. I'm going to purchase either XP home or professional, these are supported. Anyone know of a way around this? Will I encounter any problems putting a different version of XP on a media center machine? Is purchasing a new OS my only alternative? The odd thing is that they worked together for a while, but I'd have to reinstall the m-audio drivers every couple hours. Whenever it was listed in the device manager as "M-audio mobile pre", everything worked fine. When nothing would work I noticed it was listed as "USB audio device". If anyone could shed some light on me, I'd appreciate it. D Luzion