Want to build a media pc for my boss

s8n · 13th December 2006, 6:08 AM

That looks like a VCR or similar.

$2000 budget, needs to have dual HDTV cards so he can record and watch at the same time with XP Media Center. 2GB Ram, 500+ GB Raid 0

Can it be done for this price? What kinda case and mobo should I be looking at?

Thanks guys

s8n · 14th December 2006, 8:04 AM

No one knows? any recommendations for CPU and Case? these seem like the biggest issues with heat/functionality..

yoink · 14th December 2006, 8:26 AM

Well, I'd go for:

Case: Antec Fusion -

HTML Code:

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=AL-FUSION&input[category_id]=

Tuner: Dvico dual digital 2

Then I'd get a AMD microatx mobo, a semperon 2800+, a gig of ram (you don't need 2gb for MCE), The MCE remote + OS (the keyboard isn't that necessary), two 320gb Samsungs, a cheap video card with tv out, and a DVD burner.

Should be well less than $2k.

If you couldn't be bothered doing all that, I noticed AusPCMarket has pretty much what I mentioned there (but with a slightly more expensive / better CPU / mobo) for $1743:

HTML Code:

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=SYS-HTFUSIONDIGITAL&input[category_id]=1455

just add a 2nd 250gb Hdd, and change the tuner to a dual HDTV

PS. To save around $300 on the above, you can change the mobo and CPU to:

HTML Code:

http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=AV-K8V-VM-3100&input[category_id]=

As you don't *need* a conroe cpu ( although it would be nice)

PS. AusPcMarket URL's suck, hence I've had to put them in HTML tags...

s8n · 14th December 2006, 8:33 AM

That prebuilt system looks sweet!

Definately make the drivers 320GB and have two of them. Swap out the keyboard/mouse for the MCE 2005 edition with MCE software and he'd be happy

ill recommend this

Thanks mate, thats a HUGE HELP!!

yoink · 14th December 2006, 8:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s8n

That prebuilt system looks sweet!

Definately make the drivers 320GB and have two of them. Swap out the keyboard/mouse for the MCE 2005 edition with MCE software and he'd be happy

ill recommend this

Thanks mate, thats a HUGE HELP!!

I really wouldn't recommend the MCE keyboard, the mouse thingy on it kinda sucks, and is hard to get used to.

s8n · 14th December 2006, 8:40 AM

Ah okie dokie!

Just a decent remote.. Are there any tuners out there that have analogue and twin digitals in them?

yoink · 14th December 2006, 8:45 AM

Hmmm... I just costed the system with the components I would hand pick, including a dedicated video card and 2 x 320gb HDDs, and I came out at around $1800 from AusPcMarket... I'm 100% sure you can save upwards of 15% by buying elsewhere, eg: pluscorp. Here is the list of components, from AusPcMarket:

AL-FUSION Antec Fusion MicroATX case w/430Watt PSU, front VFD and IO ports, 1x 5.25, 2x 3.5 bays
AL-FUSION In Stock
$288.20
AV-K8V-VM-3100 Asus K8V-VM VIA Skt754 AMD64 MATX board and AMD 3100+ CPU bundle, 2x DDR, PCI-E, 2x PCI, onboard video/audio/LAN/SATA
AV-K8V-VM-3100 In Stock
$159.50
AL-VS512MB400 PC-3200 512mb Corsair 184-pin DDR SDRAM (200mhz ValueSelect CAS 2.5)
AL-VS512MB400 1 - 2 days
$115.50
HD-ST3320620AS 320Gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 7200RPM SATA-II hard disk, 16mb cache
HD-ST3320620AS In Stock
$170.50
MU-ASDRW1608P2BK Asus DRW-1608P3 Black 16x DVD+/-R, 8x Dual Layer+R IDE Drive, retail pack w/Nero and AsusDVD software
MU-ASDRW1608P2BK In Stock
$82.50
AIT-VGGAPX73GTDHS-8026 Gainward 7300GT fanless 256MB Video card, PCI-E x16, VGA & DVI, TV Out (S-video/Composite/Component)
AIT-VGGAPX73GTDHS-8026 In Stock
$143.00
AL-NOVA-T-500-MCE Hauppauge Nova-T-500 MCE Dual-Digital TV Tuner PCI card, OEM, for use with Windows MCE2005 only
AL-NOVA-T-500-MCE In Stock
$214.50
SO-MCEREMOTEOSKB Microsoft Windows Media Centre bundle with MCE2005 CD, IR remote control, long-range keyboard with trackball mouse
SO-MCEREMOTEOSKB In Stock
$349.80
Combo

So yeah, you should get it for around $1650ish elsewhere

Also: if you have a Plasma or LCD with RGB in, you don't need the dedicated video card, and can save around $140

If the boss really wants to spend $2000, then perhaps look at getting 2 x dual tuner cards, and have the hdd space at a cool 1 terabyte (500gb x 2) instead, you should just scrape under $2k, if you don't have a dedicated video card

yoink · 14th December 2006, 8:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s8n

Ah okie dokie!

Just a decent remote.. Are there any tuners out there that have analogue and twin digitals in them?

Yes, BUT MCE won't like it, it doesn't like using digital and analogue together, so I wouldn't recommend trying that...

You should also note that you MUST use analogue, if you want to use foxtel with it; I don't have experience with foxtel, but I did read up on it when I built my box...

s8n · 14th December 2006, 8:59 AM

yoink, ok cool! Ill look around for those parts thanks so much.

I think the analogue isnt really needed. he has a hitachi plasma which has DVI and HDMI and im SURE has component input.

So that motherboard has a DVI daughter card, which could connect to his plasma. So no video card required yes?

Edit: just noted you quoted on the AMD system. Id rather he go with a Intel CD2 system with the motherboard from the Aus pc market one... He does want to use the PC for other things also and I really like the C2D CPU's.

With the Intel board, he wouldnt need the extra video card has it has onboard video & sound with a DVI video card.

yoink · 14th December 2006, 9:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s8n

yoink, ok cool! Ill look around for those parts thanks so much.

I think the analogue isnt really needed. he has a hitachi plasma which has DVI and HDMI and im SURE has component input.

So that motherboard has a DVI daughter card, which could connect to his plasma. So no video card required yes?

Edit: just noted you quoted on the AMD system. Id rather he go with a Intel CD2 system with the motherboard from the Aus pc market one... He does want to use the PC for other things also and I really like the C2D CPU's.

With the Intel board, he wouldnt need the extra video card has it has onboard video & sound with a DVI video card.

Yes the board appears to have DVI out, I'd call AusPcMarket and verify before buying it though.

NOTE: The built-in video card is NOT very powerful, so perhaps you may like to get a dedicated card after all?

To be honest with you, I don't know if it's necessary to have a Conroe CPU, but if the cost isn't too much of a factor, and it's more important to just get something that will work, then it seems like a logical choice to buy the prebuilt system

I have dealt with AusPcMarket on several occasions, and they always give excellent service; I'm sure if you call them up, they will add a 2nd HDD to the system for you, with minimal fuss

Let us know how you go.

s8n · 14th December 2006, 9:11 AM

yoink will do!

I dont think he'll want to play games, basically just output TV or DVD, HD DVD movies like WMV HD to his plasma. Ill tell him if he wants proper video and stuff he'll need a dedicated graphics card. The Asus 7600 GT with Dual DVI I got seems quite good for that and its cheap

Ill get the cash from the boss before I order and let you know how I go!

yoink · 14th December 2006, 9:36 AM

Here is a few little-known facts about MCE:

1. it can't play DVDs out of the box.
2. There is no official Microsoft EPG (TV guide) in Australia due to copyright laws.
3. It's normal for a 3-4 second delay when changing channels.

Anyway, I used to post at XPMediaCenter.com.au, and they're very helpful on all of the above

I would suggest you tell your boss straight up that you will buy the machine for him, but he is to configure it himself - there is a good 10 hours worth of mucking about before you have a fully working machine, with an EPG, DVD playback, dual tuner working as you like, etc, etc...

s8n · 14th December 2006, 9:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yoink

Here is a few little-known facts about MCE:

1. it can't play DVDs out of the box.
2. There is no official Microsoft EPG (TV guide) in Australia due to copyright laws.
3. It's normal for a 3-4 second delay when changing channels.

Anyway, I used to post at XPMediaCenter.com.au, and they're very helpful on all of the above

I would suggest you tell your boss straight up that you will buy the machine for him, but he is to configure it himself - there is a good 10 hours worth of mucking about before you have a fully working machine, with an EPG, DVD playback, dual tuner working as you like, etc, etc...

shit eh!

So, to get DVD playback working and the EPG what does one do? Your suggestion is good. He can pay me by the hour if im to configure it

I just finished configuring my own pc - what a nightmare

indy75 · 14th December 2006, 9:56 AM

you might want to check out http://www.mythtv.org/
then you could get a cheap copy of win XP or something...

yoink · 14th December 2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s8n

shit eh!

So, to get DVD playback working and the EPG what does one do? Your suggestion is good. He can pay me by the hour if im to configure it

I just finished configuring my own pc - what a nightmare

Well, to decode DVD, you need a decoder, it's around $USD30 for the nVidia one (software). To get the EPG, check XPMediaCenter.com.au, they have a solution here

13th December 2006, 6:08 AM	#1
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	Want to build a media pc for my boss That looks like a VCR or similar. $2000 budget, needs to have dual HDTV cards so he can record and watch at the same time with XP Media Center. 2GB Ram, 500+ GB Raid 0 Can it be done for this price? What kinda case and mobo should I be looking at? Thanks guys __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 8:04 AM	#2
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	No one knows? any recommendations for CPU and Case? these seem like the biggest issues with heat/functionality.. __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 8:26 AM	#3
yoink Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,762	Well, I'd go for: Case: Antec Fusion - HTML Code: http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=AL-FUSION&input[category_id]= Tuner: Dvico dual digital 2 Then I'd get a AMD microatx mobo, a semperon 2800+, a gig of ram (you don't need 2gb for MCE), The MCE remote + OS (the keyboard isn't that necessary), two 320gb Samsungs, a cheap video card with tv out, and a DVD burner. Should be well less than $2k. If you couldn't be bothered doing all that, I noticed AusPCMarket has pretty much what I mentioned there (but with a slightly more expensive / better CPU / mobo) for $1743: HTML Code: http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=SYS-HTFUSIONDIGITAL&input[category_id]=1455 just add a 2nd 250gb Hdd, and change the tuner to a dual HDTV PS. To save around $300 on the above, you can change the mobo and CPU to: HTML Code: http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/index.php?redir=http://www.auspcmarket.com.au/show_product_info.php?input[product_code]=AV-K8V-VM-3100&input[category_id]= As you don't need a conroe cpu ( although it would be nice) PS. AusPcMarket URL's suck, hence I've had to put them in HTML tags... __________________ Over 200 trades and counting! BatteryFree Mouse! Where is your avatar? Fake Memory Cards Paxjs vobiscum! Last edited by yoink; 14th December 2006 at 8:36 AM.

14th December 2006, 8:33 AM	#4
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	That prebuilt system looks sweet! Definately make the drivers 320GB and have two of them. Swap out the keyboard/mouse for the MCE 2005 edition with MCE software and he'd be happy ill recommend this Thanks mate, thats a HUGE HELP!! __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 8:40 AM	#6
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	Ah okie dokie! Just a decent remote.. Are there any tuners out there that have analogue and twin digitals in them? __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 8:45 AM	#7
yoink Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,762	Hmmm... I just costed the system with the components I would hand pick, including a dedicated video card and 2 x 320gb HDDs, and I came out at around $1800 from AusPcMarket... I'm 100% sure you can save upwards of 15% by buying elsewhere, eg: pluscorp. Here is the list of components, from AusPcMarket: AL-FUSION Antec Fusion MicroATX case w/430Watt PSU, front VFD and IO ports, 1x 5.25, 2x 3.5 bays AL-FUSION In Stock $288.20 AV-K8V-VM-3100 Asus K8V-VM VIA Skt754 AMD64 MATX board and AMD 3100+ CPU bundle, 2x DDR, PCI-E, 2x PCI, onboard video/audio/LAN/SATA AV-K8V-VM-3100 In Stock $159.50 AL-VS512MB400 PC-3200 512mb Corsair 184-pin DDR SDRAM (200mhz ValueSelect CAS 2.5) AL-VS512MB400 1 - 2 days $115.50 HD-ST3320620AS 320Gb Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 7200RPM SATA-II hard disk, 16mb cache HD-ST3320620AS In Stock $170.50 MU-ASDRW1608P2BK Asus DRW-1608P3 Black 16x DVD+/-R, 8x Dual Layer+R IDE Drive, retail pack w/Nero and AsusDVD software MU-ASDRW1608P2BK In Stock $82.50 AIT-VGGAPX73GTDHS-8026 Gainward 7300GT fanless 256MB Video card, PCI-E x16, VGA & DVI, TV Out (S-video/Composite/Component) AIT-VGGAPX73GTDHS-8026 In Stock $143.00 AL-NOVA-T-500-MCE Hauppauge Nova-T-500 MCE Dual-Digital TV Tuner PCI card, OEM, for use with Windows MCE2005 only AL-NOVA-T-500-MCE In Stock $214.50 SO-MCEREMOTEOSKB Microsoft Windows Media Centre bundle with MCE2005 CD, IR remote control, long-range keyboard with trackball mouse SO-MCEREMOTEOSKB In Stock $349.80 Combo So yeah, you should get it for around $1650ish elsewhere Also: if you have a Plasma or LCD with RGB in, you don't need the dedicated video card, and can save around $140 If the boss really wants to spend $2000, then perhaps look at getting 2 x dual tuner cards, and have the hdd space at a cool 1 terabyte (500gb x 2) instead, you should just scrape under $2k, if you don't have a dedicated video card __________________ Over 200 trades and counting! BatteryFree Mouse! Where is your avatar? Fake Memory Cards Paxjs vobiscum! Last edited by yoink; 14th December 2006 at 8:49 AM.

14th December 2006, 8:59 AM	#9
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	yoink, ok cool! Ill look around for those parts thanks so much. I think the analogue isnt really needed. he has a hitachi plasma which has DVI and HDMI and im SURE has component input. So that motherboard has a DVI daughter card, which could connect to his plasma. So no video card required yes? Edit: just noted you quoted on the AMD system. Id rather he go with a Intel CD2 system with the motherboard from the Aus pc market one... He does want to use the PC for other things also and I really like the C2D CPU's. With the Intel board, he wouldnt need the extra video card has it has onboard video & sound with a DVI video card. __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 9:11 AM	#11
s8n Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 2,567	yoink will do! I dont think he'll want to play games, basically just output TV or DVD, HD DVD movies like WMV HD to his plasma. Ill tell him if he wants proper video and stuff he'll need a dedicated graphics card. The Asus 7600 GT with Dual DVI I got seems quite good for that and its cheap Ill get the cash from the boss before I order and let you know how I go! __________________ My Flickr

14th December 2006, 9:36 AM	#12
yoink Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 2,762	Here is a few little-known facts about MCE: 1. it can't play DVDs out of the box. 2. There is no official Microsoft EPG (TV guide) in Australia due to copyright laws. 3. It's normal for a 3-4 second delay when changing channels. Anyway, I used to post at XPMediaCenter.com.au, and they're very helpful on all of the above I would suggest you tell your boss straight up that you will buy the machine for him, but he is to configure it himself - there is a good 10 hours worth of mucking about before you have a fully working machine, with an EPG, DVD playback, dual tuner working as you like, etc, etc... __________________ Over 200 trades and counting! BatteryFree Mouse! Where is your avatar? Fake Memory Cards Paxjs vobiscum!

14th December 2006, 9:56 AM	#14
indy75 Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Sydney Posts: 804	you might want to check out http://www.mythtv.org/ then you could get a cheap copy of win XP or something... __________________ \|\| Phenom X2 550 @ X4 \|\| GA MA770T UD3P \|\| 2 x 2Gb 7,7,7,18 g.skill \|\| Powercolor 4870 @ 770/940MHz \|\| \|\| 2x80G seagate \|\| Pioneer DVR-A06 4.7Gb 4x4x2x/2.4x \|\| 1.44Mb 3.5" \|\| Last edited by indy75 : Today at 09:34 PM.