| ActiveMac | Anonymous | Create a User | Reviews | News | Forums | Advertise |
|
|
|
User Controls |
|
New User |
|
Login |
|
Edit/View My Profile |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ActiveMac |
|
Articles |
|
Forums |
|
Links |
|
News |
|
News Search |
|
Reviews |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
News Centers |
|
Windows/Microsoft |
|
DVD |
|
ActiveHardware |
|
Xbox |
|
MaINTosh |
|
News Search |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ANet Chats |
|
The Lobby |
|
Special Events Room |
|
Developer's Lounge |
|
XBox Chat |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FAQ's |
|
Windows 98/98 SE |
|
Windows 2000 |
|
Windows Me |
|
Windows "Whistler" XP |
|
Windows CE |
|
Internet Explorer 6 |
|
Internet Explorer 5 |
|
Xbox |
|
DirectX |
|
DVD's |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TopTechTips |
|
Registry Tips |
|
Windows 95/98 |
|
Windows 2000 |
|
Internet Explorer 4 |
|
Internet Explorer 5 |
|
Windows NT Tips |
|
Program Tips |
|
Easter Eggs |
|
Hardware |
|
DVD |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Latest Reviews |
|
Applications |
|
Microsoft Windows XP Professional |
|
Norton SystemWorks 2002 |
|
|
|
Hardware |
|
Intel Personal Audio Player 3000 |
|
Microsoft Wireless IntelliMouse Explorer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Site News/Info |
|
About This Site |
|
Affiliates |
|
ANet Forums |
|
Contact Us |
|
Default Home Page |
|
Link To Us |
|
Links |
|
Member Pages |
|
Site Search |
|
Awards |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Credits |
 |
Should you build or buy a new Media Center PC? | |
|
||
| Time: 08:24 EST/13:24 GMT | News Source: Microsoft | Posted By: John Quigley | ||
|
If you read the popular Media Center newsgroup, you know that many Microsoft customers would like to build their own Media Center computer to run Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. However, Microsoft does not currently offer the Media Center operating system software at retail. There is another alternative: Microsoft has made its Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 available to system builders as well as OEMs. System builders are small businesses who build and sell new PCs or servers. In some cases, system builders will license a copy of the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 operating system software to their customers. This means that the software has become widely available to technical enthusiasts who want to build their own Media Center. | ||
|
Write Comment
Return to News |
Displaying 1 through 25 of 427 Last | Next |
The time now is
5:16:45 PM
ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us |
| #1 By 12071 (203.158.58.209) at 10/4/2005 8:52:27 AM |
| Build it yourself. All personal computers should be built yourself - not only will it more than likely save you money but more importantly you have complete control over every component in the system. |
| #2 By 7390 (216.223.54.225) at 10/4/2005 9:02:36 AM |
| while on some levels I may agree with you ( Media Center). On a average computer I would argue that factoring time and labor your savings would be negligible. |
| #3 By 2960 (68.101.39.180) at 10/4/2005 9:07:52 AM |
|
Building one's own computer has nothing to do with saving money.
It has to do with getting exactly what you want, at the performance levels you want, at the exact quality you want, using the exact parts you want. It's a TRUE custom-configured computer (vs. the phony "custom-configured for you" crap the oem's push on their web sites - and I include Apple in this). |
| #4 By 25030 (68.34.14.140) at 10/4/2005 10:47:05 AM |
| Not to mention that by building it yourself, you learn an incredible amount about computers and you're more likely to be able to troubleshoot/fix things on your own. The only PC's I will ever buy again are one's for my company. That doesn't include the box I use, which I built, and is only because as a Commercial Lender/Senior Credit Officer/CTO, I just don't have time to build and configure 30 workstations. |
| #5 By 20505 (216.102.144.11) at 10/4/2005 7:16:08 PM |
|
i agree completely with most of above comments, with the following caveats.
a media center pc is a different animal than most pc’s and i would not recommend a neophyte build this as their first computer. there are some significant issues with this kind of a box that even seasoned pc do-it-yourselves can have fits with. to wit, case size and dimensions are odd, the software requires more significant tweaking than xp, cooling solutions need to be small and quiet for the living room among other issues like processor choice and video/tv card requirements. i have built many computers and still rue building one of these. i think it will get easier with time as specialty components become available as well as improved software. |
| #6 By 3746 (216.16.225.210) at 10/5/2005 8:19:51 AM |
|
Actually it is easier then you think - you just have to be sure of the specific purposes of it and build accordingly. for example do you want it to do HD files - then you need a processor that can handle that. As long as you stick to the recommended hardware it and not go with no name cards you should be okay. The biggest problem for me was not the building but getting it to run at the proper resolution on my HDTV. You run into overscan and resolution problems. Although the latest generation drivers have pretty good features to help and there are always 3rd party to install too (powerstrip for example).
Heat can be a problem in in small form factor cases for sure and you have to balance the fan noise and cooling to try and get a good mix. No one wants a loud fan going when they are trying to watch TV or a movie. I got a pretty high end AMD processor to run in it with minimal noise. But experimenting and making it work is part of the fun so give it a try. |
| #7 By 2960 (68.101.39.180) at 10/5/2005 1:32:01 PM |
|
Agreed #6. Most issues center around audio and, particularly, video. Especially if you get into the recording aspects of MCE.
TL |
|
Write Comment
Return to News |
Displaying 1 through 25 of 427 Last | Next |
The time now is
5:16:45 PM
ET.
Any comment problems? E-mail us |
