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Media Center PC
So, I'm reading
this article on Wired about this Linux based TiVo meets MediaCenter PC
thing, and I begin to wonder, why the hell is the Media Center
PC so expensive? There really isn't anything the MediaCenter
PC does that couldn't be accomplished by a $200 1 GHz machine
with some special ports slapped on the back. For $200, I would
get one of these snazzy Media Center PCs to hook up to the
TV... for $2,000... yah right (it's not like I am going to do
anything but play MP3s and DVDs with it).
3 Comments
AMEN!
I've been pricing systems for a few months now, I'll be
purchasing one by the end of the year. I will have a
tiny silent, fanless box that sits with my VCR under the
TV, has 5.1 audio, s-video, etc out, a huge harddrive, a
DVD player/CD-R, a TIVO-type program for recording TV
and infared remote for less than $1000 total.
It's an interesting area. 1GZ may not be enough. Once
you start allowing recording 2 channels while watching a
pre-recorded programme, then 1GZ is not enough.
I built one myself, on a Athlon 1.3 with 1GB RAM and
80GB HD. I'm still working out some issues, but you can
buy the remote and an video capture card for about 130$
for both from newegg.com, and if you have MSDN
Subscription you can download XP MCE.
The only problem is that the Athlon is loud and noisy
and in a full tower. At some point I'm going to buy a
smaller case - perhaps the Ahanix - and put it in there,
but I'd prefer not to put much more money into it right
now.