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Build a Homemade Media Center PC

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the one-way-to-do-it dept.

DigitalDame2 writes "PC Magazine's Loyd Case explains how to build a Media Center PC of your own, how to choose the parts for a custom project, and tips for the Motherboard." I imagine you guys might have some other opinions on what parts and tools to use for the task...

3 of 286 comments (clear)

  1. do it yourself... by whizzard · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ...for over $2200? I realize it needs to have a lot of bells and whistles, but that seems excessive somehow.

  2. $2,246 Is Too Much! by gasmonso · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Depending on your needs, you can spend alot less than $2246. I have my pvr running on a Shuttle SS40g with a 1GHz Athlon/512MB RAM/200GB drive. Its been running for 3 years now without problems (knock on wood). If people need a pvr on the cheap, I would recommend buying a used lowend Shuttle PC or similar and save yourself the cash. You could probably get one on eBay for half the cost than this one.

    http://religiousfreaks.com/
  3. Re:I'd use Linux! by grungebox · · Score: 3, Insightful

    If I was building a HTPC, I'd use Linux, 'cause it's highly customizable since you can strip it down the way you need it. I think Windows is totally inappropriate for HTPCs especially 'cause of all that DRM shit.

    From the last point in your post it seems you have little to no experience in Windows-based HTPCs, given that your statement is based on exactly one piece of software: MCE. I can't think of one non-MCE piece of Windows PVR software that uses "all that DRM shit" on their files. Not one, and I've used most everything for Windows at one point or another except MCE. MediaPortal, GB-PVR, MeedioTV, BeyondTV, SageTV...none have DRM on their files. None. And they're all Windows-based.