Media Center, where to be start?

[NgocMinh]

Hi,

I am designing a media center for my new home. Where should I start? From ISP? Xbox? or from any computer which is hosting the media center?

Thank you for yourtime to reply.

Minh

[Tyro]

Personally, when dealing with electronics of any type. I always find the best place to start is your budget.
The sky is the limit with features and technologies you can buy and use, the largest limit to making this happen is always how much you can afford.
From there you work out what you want you system to achieve or do. Are you looking for a home cinema experience, or movie/music jukebox/storage setup. Or just a TV and a 'box that plays stuff'.
Next I guess are the less fun things like;
- Room/space (where will it all go. does my 2 bedroom apartment really need a 50" plasma)
- Time (do you want it all now or are you happy to build your setup over time)
- Info/Skills (what do myself, what will I need help doing)

So yeah, more info please

[Lee G]

Hi Minh,

I thought about setting up a computer as a media center a while ago, but ended up getting an MVix 760HD. It's really small and connects to your wireless network.

I've currently got it connected to a 42" plasma and the picture is great. It's a really simple setup and fairly cheap too. I think I paid about $350 for it.

Hope that helps!

Lee

[JustinS]

Minh,

I actually did go down the build-my-own-HTPC road and I have to say I love it.

I agree with Tyro though, probably best to work out your budget & priorities first then decide whether you want to build one or buy an off the shelf one like Lee did.

Let me know if you decide to go down the BYO road and need some help re software etc.

[MiCCAS]

I personally wouldn't go for an XBOX or PS3, as it's not as easy to customise later on. A PC can be updated and customised a lot easier at a later stage.

[JustinS]

Just wondering which way you decided to go with this and how it's all looking.

Let us all know

[AJC]

I use an xbox360 which is wirelessly networked with my PC and have had (almost) no troubles with it. It occasionally has trouble with some file types but it's very, very rare.

[Weblight Studio]

My PC Is the center of the media universe here... when it broke I sat in the silent darkness and cried. All my eggs in the one basket!