I want to build a media centre!

[GlyndwrBartlett]

The last time I built a PC was three years ago - my current PC - with the help of this forum. Now I want to build a media centre PC.

My priorities are:

1) It is quiet - a must.
2) Good quality.
3) I would like to be able to record two TV stations at once although up to four would be nice and five would cover all the stations available (I do not have pay TV).
4) I would like it to be compact.
5) I am not looking at using it for games in the near future.
6) I will probably use Linux for an operating system.

OK. What else should I be looking for and what are your recomendations?

1) Case
2) MOBO
3) CPU
4) Memory
5) Video card
6) TV tunner
7) HDD(s)
8) DVD reader or writer
9) Keyboard and mouse
10) Other hardware
11) Software

Regards,

Glyn

[WileyOne]

As for a case, there are some real cool ones made for the media center type unit. I found them at tigerdirect.com, but I'm sure they can be found elsewhere. For an idea: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=1507

[GlyndwrBartlett]

OK WileyOne,

From this site it looks like the case is the last thing to make a decission on. First I need to determine what I want in it, then find a case, with the appropriate properties, that will fit it all in with the right power supply.

Regards,

Glyn

[Byan]

what linux distro are you planning on using?

Pentiums are suppost to be better for encoding, so I get around a 3.4ghz or 3.2
gig of ram, dual channel, so a mobo that supports this.., if you want it small get as much onboard stuff as possible, like ethernet, ect.
almost any video will do.., I'd get something in the fx5500 or 9600 area, or maybe onboard
I like Lite-On optical drives.., 16x dual layer burner
I have no experiance with tv tuners.., you may need to get two in order to record two at a time..,
M-audio sound card, maybe onboard..

what TV will this be running on, is HDTV?

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Thanks Bryan.

I have not decided on a disro of Linux yet. Any sugestions?

The TV is not HD. However, I would probably opt for a HDTV compatible card to future proof. Or should I just get digital cards and upgrade to HDTV cards if I get a new HDTV?

So far the suggestions are:

1) Case - to be decided one we know all the components.
2) MOBO - with onboard video?, sound?, ethernet -
3) CPU - Pentium 3.2 or 3.4 GHz -
4) RAM - 1Gb dual channel -
5) Video card
6) TV tunner - two
7) HDD(s)
8) Optical Drives - 16x dual layer burner - Lite-On
9) Keyboard and mouse
10) Other hardware
11) Software

Regards,

Glyn

[Byan]

forgot about the HDD's
I would get alot of HDD space for recording video.., at least a 160GB, but the bigger, the better

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Thanks Bryan.

So far the suggestions are:

1) Case - to be decided one we know all the components.
2) MOBO - with onboard video?, sound?, ethernet -
3) CPU - Pentium 3.2 or 3.4 GHz -
4) RAM - 1Gb dual channel -
5) Video card
6) TV tunner - two
7) HDD(s) - 160GB +++ -
8) Optical Drives - 16x dual layer burner - Lite-On
9) Keyboard and mouse
10) Other hardware
11) Software

Regards,

Glyn

[Train]

Video, now that is going to take a good CPU, at least a Athlon 64 if you can . And while at it, figure on a 200 or up video card as a minimum. Plus 1GB of ram.

Hdds, at least 250GB each and that multi tasking of various sources I have no idea if it can be done.


Add a capture card in there also.

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Thanks Train,

So we have:

1) Case - to be decided one we know all the components.
2) MOBO - with onboard video?, sound?, ethernet -
3) CPU - Pentium 3.2 or 3.4 GHz or Athlon 64 -
4) RAM - 1Gb dual channel -
5) Video card - 200+ -
6) TV tunner - two
7) HDD(s) - two or more 250GB -
8) Optical Drives - 16x dual layer burner - Lite-On
9) Keyboard and mouse
10) Other hardware
11) Software
12) Radio tunner (or will the TV tunner do this?).

[Train]

DVD burners, might cast a eye out for NEC 3520A's or newer. They are a better than the LiteOn's in all the reviews and to top it off, I was able to get them here in the States at a cheaper price .
Now I looked at a card at newegg yesterday that had both the tv and FM tuner combined.

The ATI All-in-Wonder card does video capture and sound is gotten using the input of the sound card. And the card does come with the program for doing the capture. Forgot I had that setup :(
Hooked up to a VCR/DVD player
Radio just record it from a tuner.

That should help expenses.

[Ridgerunr]

Imho,the best bang for the buck right now regarding a video card would be this one: http://www.ati.com/products/radeon9600/aiw9600/index.html
Have a thorough read on what it can do. It can be had here in the States for around usd$135.00,but of course this will be different where you shop.

I've used the AIWonder ATI cards for several years now and have been happy with their performance. Be sure to get the latest Catalyst drivers,but stay back to about the 9.03 MMC(Multi Media Center) drivers. The latest ones may cause a bit of trouble...

[GlyndwrBartlett]

Thanks Train and Ridgerunr,

So we have:

1) Case - to be decided once we know all the components.
2) MOBO - with onboard video?, sound?, ethernet -
3) CPU - Pentium 3.2 or 3.4 GHz or Athlon 64 -
4) RAM - 1Gb dual channel -
5) Video card - ATI AWI 9600 x 2 -
6) TV tunner - part of the ATI AWI
7) HDD(s) - Three Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA NCQ
8) Optical Drives - 16x dual layer burner - Lite-On or NEC3520A or ASUS DRW-1608P
9) Keyboard and mouse - Logitech cordless
10) Other hardware
11) Software
12) Radio tunner

Regards,

Glyn

[Byan]

do they make PCI AIW's?
you can't have two AGP cards inside a motherboard (I have seen yet)

[liam858]

If this is a media center type build, i would not go for a board with o/board video or sound, go for the 9600 as you said, and maybe a Creative 7.1 PCI card, or if you want to spend big bucks go for the external Creative Audigy 4 Pro, http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=434&product=10853&nav=2 not sure how much it is now, but i do know its a pretty suite sound system.

CPU: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116182 and http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116201

Motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813131508


Liam

[Train]

On board sound is real good and sound much better to me than any Creative card ever has. But then, how many of us could pass a hearing test with flying colors. :D Not me and I hate the sqealing those cards output. And no, it is not the speakers,. Various brands were tried and they sqealed on Creative and not on my onboard.
So sound wise, use what is best FOR you.

[liam858]

Fair point Train, i suppose getting a good board now will most likely have minimum 5.1 onboard, and the external option may be a little bit OTT.


So sound wise, use what is best FOR you.


Liam

[GlyndwrBartlett]

I have done a bit more home work. If I use two TV cards such as the Compro VideoMate DVB-T300 (includes radio tunner) as well as a good quality video card (or onboard video) then it will be alot cheaper. What I need to find out is do I need two different maked of TV card so the remotes do not interfear or do the remotes/cards each have their own frquency or can they be changed. The I will get a universal remote so I do not have a large number of remote controles.

I am also looking at not having sound and video on the MOBO as I have been told that this puts a lot more usage strain on the processor. Any comments?

So we have:

1) Case - to be decided once we know all the components.
2) MOBO - with onboard video?, sound?, ethernet -
3) CPU - Pentium 3.2 or 3.4 GHz or Athlon 64 -
4) RAM - 1Gb dual channel -
5) Video card - ATI 9600 -
6) TV tunner - Compro VideoMate DVB-T300 x 2 @ $148 = $296
7) HDD(s) - Three Maxtor 300GB 16MB SATA NCQ
8) Optical Drives - 16x dual layer burner - ASUS DRW-1608P - $85
9) Keyboard and mouse - Logitech cordless - $199
10) Other hardware
11) Software

Regards,

Glyn