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Desktops: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center?
- 7/24/08 1:28 PM
computer hooked up to home entertainment system
by goodboy1947 - 7/26/08 3:19 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
No, it has all the bells and whistles it takes just haven't taken the time to do it.
No, and it never will be (Why not?)
by LandyReg - 7/26/08 3:31 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My coffee maker is not connected to my shower - I like strong coffee!
So why connect a computer to a TV!!!
HTPC isn't ready for prime time
by talley301 - 7/26/08 4:13 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I was an early adapter of HTPC. I bought a dedicated PC, added an HD tuner and used it as my DVD player. The HD tuner allowed me to record off-the-air HDTV. The DVD player allowed me to do up-sampling and provide an analog output.
But, the DVD player was difficult to control with my universal remote, the HTTV couldn't support DirecTV, and setting up BLU-RAY would have required a new computer. Even with a new computer, it was unclear that I could buy a video card able to output 1080p thru HDMI and play HDCP protected discs.
For all these reasons, I decided to go to an all digital system, a dedicated blu-ray player and a new DirecTV DVR which also supports over-the air HDTV. It's wonderful
Protected discs.
by sevenofone - 7/27/08 3:27 PM In reply to: HTPC isn't ready for prime time by talley301I use AnyDVD and Cyberlink player to play them just fine through my 7950 gx2 dvi to hdmi. I have an LG hddvd and blu ray player in my computer. It is 2 years old and just chuggin along fine!
If you're not connected then you're missing out.
by Earl H - 7/27/08 8:18 AM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
There are so many advantages to having your computer set up as the control centre for your home entertainment system but you must start with the proper equipment. Should you be looking at purchasing a computer then make sure it is designed for entertainment with a built in digital tv tuner, 7:1 surround speaker system, blue ray disc player/recorder, wireless connectivity, remote control and enhanced graphics just to name a few. Most people have a friend that is a computer wizard so take him/her with you and please realize that it may cost a little more right now but the benefits down the road will be incredible. You are future proofing your system. If you already have a computer then realize that you can either upgrade or purchase external hookup equipment that will do the job just fine. When completed you will be able to watch/record television, videos, photography, movies, use your telephone or any form of digital entertainment all on your large LCD/Plasma television with complete surround sound. And yes, when completed properly it can be used throughout your entire home. There are cost savings when done properly. You will not require to purchase a seperate DVD player/recorder for you television, eliminate or reduce your phone bill and with the built in digital television tuner and the proper antenna you can eliminate your cable or satelite system with it's monthly bill. If you find this way above your head then either get a friend to help or make friends with one of the computer geeks. Many a time I have walked into a computer store and asked the staff who their most knowledgeable co-worker is and then asked if I may speak to them. If you can not put out the total amount for the system all at once then either take advatage of the low or 0% interest rate many retail stores offer or start saving each week by tucking X number of dollars away. The future is coming quicker than you think so be wise and don't send a boy on a man's errand. Future proof now!
pc and lcd tv
by rayxhane - 7/27/08 2:51 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have not connected my PC with any TV device and I will never do, I believe. PC is much more important to me than that.
DUH!!!
by sevenofone - 7/27/08 3:22 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had my computers hooked up to my television and 7.1 surround sound systems since February of 2000! I game, watch netflix and just chill to my fav tunes while watching kinetic art on WMP! I now have a 56" LCOS, Harmann Kardon 7.1 and a room dedicated to this equipment!
my entertainment system is fully intrigrated with my network
by GnsHarrington - 7/28/08 9:19 AM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have had for several years a pc dedicated to the task of recording TV, as well as a Modded X-Box for watching and listening to media from my home network. Anymore I cannot turn on just one computer when I sit at my home office desk. I always have to have my dedicated burning station up, my primary computer and usually either my MP3 or TV storage system up. My torrent server stays on all the time, and many times I have found myself using up to 7 or more computers at the same time. Sometimes I will be Recording a TV program on one, watching a TV show from another on my X-Box, surfing and burning on two others and building yet another workstation for someone or some purpose, all at the same time. And yes, I amd male, live alone, and am un-married....why do you ask??
Home built HTPC from 2003 still works!!
by gnassif - 7/28/08 9:25 AM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I built my own Home Theater PC back in 2003/2004 when Windows MCE was in its infancy. It is presently connected to my Philips 42" LCD and my 5.1 Technics stereo receiver.
I bought a beautifull piano-black HTPC case, a small Asus P4B-533 motherboard, a 2.4GHz P4 processor, a Hauppauge WinTV tuner card and couple of hard drives. I use it with a wireless keyboard and the media center remote cotrol.
I've upgraded it recently (Windows Vista Home Premium, 2GB RAM, newer video card.
My suggestions? Do your homework and buy a case that "doesn't look like a computer". That's what i did. it will blend right into your living/family room. Get a decent video card that can connect to the back of your tv. Use the best technology possible (DVI or HDMI). if your tv doesn't have a DVI connector, you can buy a DVI to HDMI cable. That's what I did.
If you want to use your computer as a TIVO to record and playback recorded tv, do your research and buy a tv tuner card. Mine is old but still works. The downside is mine only displays regular tv resolution when recording tv shows. Newer one will allow you to record HDTV programming.
For audio, connect your soundcard to your stereo or tv.
The A-V Theater
by rogerthinker - 7/28/08 12:28 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
YES, In fact, not only have I connected my PC to my entertainment center, in 1999 I took it a step further and also connected it to my car, establishing the very first prototype of my new invention, the Automobile Audio-Video Theater System. Thus far, I have identified a market for this technology and am in the process of launching it into a full-blown business. I would definitely say it has the potential of becoming the next BIG THING. For more information please see www.autovideotheater.com
That's a no brainer isn't it?
by T.W. Hudgens ARDCS - 7/28/08 10:15 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have been intergrating my laptop with the stereo system and TV for years. It's getting easier to find compatible hardware since the flatscreen technology has become more affordable, and I don't need analog converters as I did in the past. I didn't see anything groundbreaking about the marriage, but I am a broadcast radio engineer and announcer. We've been "wired" to the PC for a long time in the broadcast industry. It followed me home from the radio and TV stations one day...
yes
by obobskivich - 7/29/08 4:13 AM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
only to my stereo system, Audigy 2 ZS Platinum TRS -> TRS to RCA adapter -> Yamaha RX-770 + Yamaha DSP-E200 -> Technics SB-L55/Denon AH-D2000 (on JVC PC-R11W, waiting on something a bit more, tube based)/Realistic Mach Two/JVC surrounds (waiting on some Klipsch bookshelves to finish it out)
along with all of the other toys on the shelf with the two Yamaha's also giving them signals
and yes its very big, and hot, and entirely oversized for what it does
Somewhat
by GameFreak2600 - 7/29/08 10:50 AM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My Windows 98 is dual monitor between its own monitor and my TV. It used to be connected to my stereo system, but I took all the music off of it so I could reboot it, so there really was no longer a point. Also, i do not yet have an HDTV and as far as i know thats the only way to get a good quality signal without screen distortion. My Vista which i got last November is connected to my stereo system right now. I probably have no intentions of connecting it to my entertainment center, as its really uncomfortable when controlling your computer anywhere other from a desk, but this is just my personal preference.
Stereo only
by wbowblis - 7/29/08 12:15 PM In reply to: Poll: Is your PC connected to your entertainment center? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've had a computer connected to my stereo for over 8 years now. It replaced an open-reel tape recorder and my original intent was to make CDs from my vinyl and tape. At the time I had dial-up internet. Everything is on a network now with high speed internet and I now also use it for internet radio and audio services like Rhapsody although it's still primarily a recorder.
Stereo Etc
by Ralph60 - 7/29/08 4:41 PM In reply to: Stereo only by wbowblisI've had the first computer in my area an old Vic20, I also had a Vic16 which is an odd animal. I think it came from England. Any way those were hooked up to Tv much like the nintendos etc. were. You had whatever your TV was capable of stereo or mono. The newer systems used monitors and the first I believe was a tandy A radio Shack clone just before Windows. These had monitors and Comodore 64, 128, Amiga did too but Comodore wasn't IBM compatible. Tandy made the first clone to run IBM software but were phased out almost before they started. They must have sold out I'm guessing. They should have had patents and beat out Bill Gates or perhaps he bought them out. When in college (Electronic Technician) we tried to make a monitor back into a TV but were unable because of the tiny signal they worked with and the ability to decipher what was what Audio/video and where exactly to apply them along with the modulation and demodulation to deal with. It was fun tryinh though. Today it would be a breeze because TV's and Monitors have Audio/Video inputs so you can go either way. I don't know what all the fuss is about because you can make your PC into a Stereo and have all the output you want any way.
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