MEDIA CENTER....

[GerardC]

All I can say is WOW!!!! This thing is unreal. Still getting use to it but am loving the upgrade from ME to XP. I'd recommend this unit to anybody looking for an AWESOME computer package. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[JSUnlimited]

GerardC,

Glad you like it, I've had it for 6-7 months now. I was going to reply to your post earlier before you bought it but was pretty busy. My wife uses it a lot to record stupid TV shows and then she burns them to DVDs and watches them on the big screen. We also listen to local FM radio stations through the speakers. If I bought a "media-extender" I could send the shows via wireless to the TV......that project is near #1 on the "things I could care less about" list.

If you need any help, let me know.....I've had some bugs to work out as I installed the Media Center 2005 in place of the 2004 version so I've managed to learn a lot!

 

[GerardC]

Thanks for the reply and the offer to help Mega_Me.
The BIG screen always being on is what prompted me to get this. 248 watts (that's just the TV) of background noise just wasn't practical to me. Now the TV on the computer is on (minimized) so if I hear something that sounds interesting I just click to watch. The FM radio is pretty cool too not to mention that this one is much faster than what I had. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[Wiens]

GerardC,

Just picked up a computer like yours from CompUSA. I bought it for my wife to use. How do you like it so far? Which monitor did you get?

Looks like a great system; the computer it's replacing is an AMD K-2 450. This one is ten times faster.

Kevin in Kansas

 

[GerardC]

Hi Kevin. I LOVE IT! Takes some getting use to, but I'm am. It's LOADED with features! As far as the monitor goes, I have a Balance 15" LCD that I picked up at Wal*Mart about a year ago (under $200.00) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. I am however, looking to get a 19" now as my wife and kids are going to use my old computer instead of her ancient Gateway. Keep me posted. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[_RaT_]

I've been investigating it but will hold out for Windows Vista. The XP Media interface is OK, but compared to other products that admittedly don't do as much, their music interface is much easier to use. I look forward to Vista and hope it is as great as it is being built up to be. I know I will use but a few of the features, my main would be for music and pictures. TV recording is of no interest personally although I could see occasionally recording a show to a hard disk but burning a perfectly good piece of plastic with a TV show? /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Wiens]

I purchased the 19" Viewsonic VA902b from CompUSA. Great Monitor for around $300; still waiting from a rebate to be offered in the next month.

I'll wait for MS Vista also, however, I'm still running MS Windows 2000 Pro on my other computers.

Gotta go play some more.......


Kevin

 

[Soundguy]

We picked up a couple media center PC's at work.. neat units. I like that media center edition for XP.

Soundguy

 

[_RaT_]

Hey Gerard, tell me, can you record from a satelite signal like Dish Network? I'm curious because with Tivo you get a monthly charge but you get what looks like a great convenient interface. I don't care about it, but my wife does. I'm in need of making sure shes happy so I'm investigating simple ways to:

A. load all her music (and mine) onto a media server or computer that can also retrieve the covers, album list etc off the internet.

B. Organize the thousands of pictures we have.

C. Record some satelite shows so she could watch them in another room where the treadmill is. Either record to a DVD or send the signal direct.

If you are familiar with your new setup could you let me know if its an easy interface to use to record off a satelite signal. I'm asking because I have a TiVo that I got for free but it needs a card ($20) and a monthly subscription $5.99/month. Neither are great expenses but I would like to incorporate the music and pictures into the setup as well. All would be done on the TV, not a monitor. Thanks, Rat...

 

[KentT]

With a Media PC you can record any TV signal that comes in from cable, satellite, VCR, DVD player, etc.

I have an HP M495C, and it's nice...