Media Centre

Zeb · 3rd November 2007, 14:51

Right, new project. I want to build a media centre to go under the Tv. Any suggestions on components, cases and prices? Anything to watch out for?
Ta muchly!

GreyGhost · 3rd November 2007, 15:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeb

Right, new project. I want to build a media centre to go under the Tv. Any suggestions on components, cases and prices? Anything to watch out for?
Ta muchly!

Imac...............? http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore

Zeb · 3rd November 2007, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Imac...............? http://store.apple.com/Apple/WebObjects/ukstore

Ummmm...no. Too expensive and at a glance I did not see a built in Tv tuner and I do not need a screen.

Did I mention how expensive they were?

Oh, and I want to build it myself!

GreyGhost · 3rd November 2007, 15:14

Buy a Meccano set if you want to build something.

Forgot the Mini. Infra red remote operation as are they all. No TV tuner though. Add Itv.

I'm sure some one will be along with real suggestions for you shortly.

Zeb · 3rd November 2007, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Ghost

Buy a Meccano set if you want to build something.

Well......I bought a model railway....but swmbo says I have to give it to my son in December

JohnDotCom · 3rd November 2007, 15:58

Well thats just plain Nuts!

BMC123 · 3rd November 2007, 16:05

this article is a little old, but I more or less followed it last year to build one for my mate, a little tweaking here and there and some more modern components and it did the job nicely

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1893732,00.asp

Zeb · 3rd November 2007, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMC123

this article is a little old, but I more or less followed it last year to build one for my mate, a little tweaking here and there and some more modern components and it did the job nicely

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1893732,00.asp

Thank you... a useful guide!

ColinB · 4th November 2007, 00:51

This site may help

http://www.mini-itx.com/store/

Manxmann · 4th November 2007, 19:41

From experience the itx VIA based boards are underpowered for the 'Media Centre' experience.

I'm sat in front of the telly now watching Horizon and driving the whole shbang is:

D-Vine Media case
Gigabyte main board, forget the model.
AMD 64x2 3800
2Gb DDR 2700
400Gb Seagate SATA II
HD DVD drive, xbox 360 external drive liberated from its external drive
Nvidia 7800GT PCIE
Hauppaug NOVA-T 500 PCI
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit
Media Centre remote + sensor
Zalman Flower CPU Cooler
Zalman Flower VGA Cooler
External Zalman 500w silent PSU.

My observations on the above setup:

Works well, reliable and responsive.
Expensive, iMac + hauppauge dual USB tuner + bootcamp + vista would be no more expensive!
Hauppauge is a corker dual tuner card, replaced a Terratec DT2400 PCIE card which caused problems from day 1
I've had to add a 'silent' 90mm fan to the case lid to vent the hot air.
The internal tuner is not as sensitive as even a cheap external DVB box so make sure you have a good signal.

To get the best kit, try the following website (I have no connection other than a happy customer).

http://www.silentpc.co.uk

Have fun.

3rd November 2007, 14:51	#1
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Media Centre Right, new project. I want to build a media centre to go under the Tv. Any suggestions on components, cases and prices? Anything to watch out for? Ta muchly!

3rd November 2007, 16:05	#7
BMC123 Posted a thing or two 2004 1.8 Connoisseur SE, 1999 XJ8 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Northern Ireland Posts: 1,163 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	this article is a little old, but I more or less followed it last year to build one for my mate, a little tweaking here and there and some more modern components and it did the job nicely http://www.extremetech.com/article2/...1893732,00.asp __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

4th November 2007, 19:41	#10
Manxmann Regular poster Delorean DMC12 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Maughold Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	From experience the itx VIA based boards are underpowered for the 'Media Centre' experience. I'm sat in front of the telly now watching Horizon and driving the whole shbang is: D-Vine Media case Gigabyte main board, forget the model. AMD 64x2 3800 2Gb DDR 2700 400Gb Seagate SATA II HD DVD drive, xbox 360 external drive liberated from its external drive Nvidia 7800GT PCIE Hauppaug NOVA-T 500 PCI Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit Media Centre remote + sensor Zalman Flower CPU Cooler Zalman Flower VGA Cooler External Zalman 500w silent PSU. My observations on the above setup: Works well, reliable and responsive. Expensive, iMac + hauppauge dual USB tuner + bootcamp + vista would be no more expensive! Hauppauge is a corker dual tuner card, replaced a Terratec DT2400 PCIE card which caused problems from day 1 I've had to add a 'silent' 90mm fan to the case lid to vent the hot air. The internal tuner is not as sensitive as even a cheap external DVB box so make sure you have a good signal. To get the best kit, try the following website (I have no connection other than a happy customer). http://www.silentpc.co.uk Have fun. __________________ MG ZT 260 - VIN42 - 300BHP of V8 Heaven

3rd November 2007, 15:14	#4
GreyGhost Banned 180+ Sport Auto Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bedford Middle Level Posts: 17,787 Thanks: 0 Thanked 18 Times in 5 Posts	Buy a Meccano set if you want to build something. Forgot the Mini. Infra red remote operation as are they all. No TV tuner though. Add Itv. I'm sure some one will be along with real suggestions for you shortly.

3rd November 2007, 15:58	#6
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Well thats just plain Nuts!

4th November 2007, 00:51	#9
ColinB Posted a thing or two Rover 75 Tourer 1.8T Club SE Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Croydon, Surrey Posts: 1,141 Thanks: 3 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	This site may help http://www.mini-itx.com/store/