Multimedia PC

[jeremyy7]

So I am new to this and am contemplating building a PC. If I do build one, I would want it to be capable of being the center hub for my apartment aka be able to play music, movies and other common media types. I was wondering if there is any software/hardware that would provide a convenient interface to make this possible.

Thanks!

[RickyTick]

All you really need is Windows Media Center, which comes with Windows 7. Set up all your computers in a Home Group and you should be ready to go.
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/get-started/default.aspx

[mcucs]

Ricky is right, windows media center is a great tool, it has an easy to use interface, and is very wife/girlfreind freindly. Plus its free in windows.

To build a multimedia pc and take full advantage WMC there however are endless possibilities to consider. So I would recomend doing a little homework in the feilds that are important to your specific needs.

My htpc build is ever evolving but i'll list a few pieces of hardware to consider.

1. Install a tv tuner to record tv and turn your htpc into personal video recorder. i use the hauppauge wintv-hvr-2250 (http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1213-WinTV-HVR-2250-PCI--Tuner/dp/B001E2V7R8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305207861&sr=8-1). I specifically like the fact that it has dual ntsc/atsc and clear qam tuners so i can record 2 program at a time, and it also comes with a remote and receiver so all can be done from the couch.

2. add plenty of storage its easier than u think to fill. i use very cheap 5400 rpm drives like this, (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136490) 0r this. (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136514&cm_re=2tb_hard_drive-_-22-136-514-_-Product) of coarse a smaller 7200rpm or ssd is still recommented for your boot drive. (note: wmc provides setting right in its interface for recording to the specific drive you would like.)

3. universal remotes are nice to incorporate all your coponents, I use the harmony 650 (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Harmony-650-Remote-Silver/dp/B0038OMEQI) it allows me to set up "activities" to turn on specific components for specific activities with one button. as well as program specific buttons to do what u want them to do. this is all done pretty painless with a program you install on your computer and then download settings to the remote via usb.

4. I also use 2 mce extenders, to view all the digital content stored on my computer on my hdtvs in other rooms.the linksys dma-2100 (http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-DMA2100-Cisco-Linksys-Center-Extender/dp/B000XQGOW4/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305211448&sr=8-1) and the linksy dma 2200 (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XQONSG/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000XQGOW4&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=00148NPZ2967MXQXF2X8) . These 2 extenders are mce extenders so they provide the same easy to use wife freindly interface, and simply hook to your existing network either wired or wireless. however they are both no longer being produced(do to lack of popularity) so those left in circulation are rather expensive. there are hovever many other media extenders available that will do the same thing(just with a different interface) at much lower prices.

in conclusion: like i said my build is ever evolving and the choices are vast, but just about anything you can dream of doing is possible. so take this into consideration with your build. as you choose you hardware keep in mind that what your doing today might not be exactly what your doing tommorow, leave some room for upgrades and expansions. i would also note that a htpc doesnt need to be a big, fast, powerhouse, and most htpc builds opt for low wattage, cool runing, and quiet components especially if the htpc is located in the same room as you will be listening to music or watching tv

[jeremyy7]

I see what you mean, but I was more wondering if you could integrate a blu-ray player / surround sound. Is this already possible and I am just unaware? Is there such a thing as a blu-ray disk drive ?

[mcucs]

yes there are blu-ray drives that will simply play blu-ray as well as blu-ray burners that will play blu-rays as well as burn them.
of caorse then you must make sure your graphics card will support 1080p so you can get best picture possible if you plan on hooking it to your high def tv (all newer graphich card will)

[mcucs]

oops missed the surround sound. for this you can purchase a sound card or simply use the on-board sound from the motherboard. however you must make sure your mobo or sound card has the same optical out port that your surround sound reciever has. i would suggest using the on-board sound from the mobo as it will probably be adequate, and if you wish a sound card can be purchased later

[jeremyy7]

so here is something I put together quickly....

Mother Board: ASRock X58 Extreme LGA 1366 Intel X58 ATX Intel http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813157163

CPU: Intel Core i7-950 Bloomfield 3.06GHz LGA 1366 130W Quad-Core Processor BX80601950 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115211

Video Card: PowerColor AX6850 1GBD5-DH Radeon HD 6850 1GB 256-bit GDDR5 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFireX Support Video Card with Eyefinity
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131374

Power Supply: CORSAIR Enthusiast Series TX650 V2 650W ATX12V v2.31/ EPS12V v2.92 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC High Performance Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139020

Memory: G.SKILL Ripjaws X Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1866 (PC3 14900) Desktop Memory Model F3-14900CL9D-8GBXL
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231455

Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar Black WD1002FAEX 1TB 7200 RPM 64MB Cache SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136533

I would ideally make it 100$ cheaper, any recommendation on where to save some money??