my new media center rig

[blackwatch]

building a media center type rig.

shuttle sn41g2xp bare bones (nforce chipset)
amd athalon xp 2100+
512mb DDR 2700
200gb HDD
ATI Radeon 8500DV all-in-wonder
Cendyne DVD-RW
6 in 1 media card reader 3.5 drive bay


http://www.shuttle.com/new/images/productimages/sn41g2.jpg

here is what the system cost me:

shuttle sn41g2 399.99
amd athalon xp 2100 100.00
512 ddr pc2700 120.00
cendyne dvd rw 149.00
6 in 1 media 49.99
ati AIW 8500 149.99
200 gb HDD 200.00

about 1200.00 including tax and shipping.
alienwares comparable system runs about $800 more.
http://www.alienware.com/main/media_center.asp :D :cool:

[Mntsnow]

Nice. how about doing a review of your setup once you have it up and running?

[fosin]

Neat! They're a lot of fun. I love that remote that comes with the AIWs.

[brewmiser]

Can someone please tell me what exactly a media center is and what it will be used for??

[blackwatch]

Originally posted by Mntsnow
Nice. how about doing a review of your setup once you have it up and running?

sure...ill have it all up and running the beginning of next week. :)

[fosin]

Originally posted by brewmiser
Can someone please tell me what exactly a media center is and what it will be used for??

Basically a PC hooked up to a TV with DVD and a TV tuner card. Used for watching DVDs, playing music, recording shows, editing video, etc.

Microsoft's version is similiar to a DVD and Ultimate TV box combined.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/overviews/default.asp

TV makers are starting to offer a Multimedia/Presentation version of their HDTV models (that is, if their regular cheaper model doesn't take PC in). These allow you to input VGA/DVI from a computer. Usually at 1027x768. So these media systems are starting to get more popular. Mine is just hooked up to a 19" monitor in my computer room, and I ditched my 25" TV. But I would guess most people hook them up to rear projection HDTVs in their living rooms.

[Mortis]

Nice!

I have been thinking of getting a HomeTheatreSystem, but this might be a better idea and upgradeable. I have bargained a trade to get my First Dualie System- P3's 667. I would need a larger HDD, a Good SoundCard and Media Card, a DVD Burner and probably Logitechs z640's and I could put this together (granted, it wouldnt be as small and cool as what you are building BlackWatch). I planned on using the Dualie for a File and Game Server, Do you think this system would be powerful enough to do it all- Server and MediaCenter?

Thanks for the Idea and Thoughts!

Mortis

[brewmiser]

I purchased a new $2500 home theatre system last January. Yamaha 5.1 Reciever with Paradigm speakers, two dvd players, VHS, 36" HDTV and a Playstation 2. Could this thing do anything for me?

[fosin]

Prob not since what you have everything already. But if you don't have a TIVO yet, it might be useful. You could get a HDTV card instead of a regular tuner card and you would be able to record in HD. Prob more trouble than it's worth unless you want to be able to edit home video and make VCD/DVDs or play PC games.

[blackwatch]

ok well everything is here, will be starting in soon. ill be using my new photo privelages and will post some photos and a review of some sorts within the next day or so. :)