Media Centre PC

[wedge22]

I would love to setup a networked media centre PC but not have one that looks like a PC what would you guys suggest? It needs to record TV and play Divx.

[Tomahawk]

Well either create a Mod?..

Or create it in a nice looking shuttle?..

Or some kind of slimline desktop case maybe (led flat.. )..

..Just a couple of ideas!

[wedge22]

I think a nice looking slimline desktop would be good which software would I need to use?

[DavidM]

If you like windows... XP MCE is pretty decent

Some decent Codecs are essential...

[Angus]

Something like one of the silent hush pc units? Hauppage hardware and software for the tv/video capture?

[Tomahawk]

Well depending on the Hardware you get, you could use the software provided (for example I have ATIs MMC) with my Remote Wonder its a breeze to record programs, pause live TV etc..

Not too sure on any standalone products which are available on the 'net, so can't help you there.. Maybe check out the XP MCE..

[rchiileea]

MCE fan here

[DavidM]

Likewise

[DJWillis]

XP MCE can be very nice.

In the open arena MediaPortal is well worth a look. Using that with my SN95G5 Shuttle and a FreeView Digital TV card to watch and record TV and MediaPortal will use underlaying CODEC's in windows so if you can play it, it can play it. All that is controled via an ATI Remote Wonder and works nicely.

Shuttles or Desktop Micro/FlexATX cases are the obvious choice for a media center PC.

[DavidM]

The Silverstone cases can also be very nice

[nvening]

I have heard that you cant really use the format MCE records in though or am i wrong, is it hard to set MCE up, i have heard it can be tricky.

[speedy_s]

This is the BEST case for a mce when looking at price/performance/style

Hiper Media case


Couple it with MSI Xpress 200G mobo (BEST onboard graphics (9600SE), A64 3000, 512RAM, 400GB 7200.8 seagate and a decent tv tuner. It will fit in really nicely. Or u can buy an external tuner (look at Gainward external range) and agp card like x800xl (agp mobo ofcourse) Too make it a good gamin machine as well .

[Byatt]

Or u can buy an external tuner (look at Gainward external range) and agp card like x800xl (agp mobo ofcourse) Too make it a good gamin machine as well .

Uh, that surely doesn't have enough of a PSU to push an x800xl, does it?

I really think you'd be wasting your money putting high end kit in that box...you want low to mid end quiet kit...hexeh's project bloaty is pretty much where a htpc setup needs to be in terms of hardware, methinks - prefer his choice of case as well...

[rchiileea]

Silverstone fan here tbh and prefer the full size cases as you can still have a nice high spec pc to run things.