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Thread ID: 101802 2009-07-27 12:42:00 What to buy? Home Media /LCD /HDD /Windows 7? qhiini (15124) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
795785 2009-07-27 12:42:00 Hi there,

I'm moving into a new place and I want a brand new home entertainment/media centre but I'm not sure what technology is in the market, or what technologies work best together. Basically, I need a new PC + big screen TV, and I want to be able to do everything from the lounge i.e. watch TV, surf the internet, download/store/play movies/songs videos, play music at dinner parties. I'll probably need to chuck in some kind of surround sound/stereo as well, although this doesn't need to be fancy. I don't really want to spend much more than $3500, what are my options? A few things I'm kinda keen on are:

Quad core processor + 4MB RAM
37+ monitor/LCD
HDTV with ability to record
Windows 7
Maybe Blue-ray?

I'm not into gaming and I only need reasonable sound, mainly for playing music when entertaining. I guess the main things I'm uncertain about is what to buy, and how it all links in together?

how would you best deck out a new pad with $3500?
qhiini (15124)
795786 2009-07-27 13:16:00 Are you in NZ, or somewhere else? Because, there's no point us telling you what to get, if youre not Speedy Gonzales (78)
795787 2009-07-27 13:23:00 I'm in New Zealand. I went into Harvey Normans/Dick Smiths today and got myself all excited slash confused :S qhiini (15124)
795788 2009-07-27 13:30:00 Do you know how to build a system (get the parts and put a PC together)? Probably be cheaper (thats if you want to buy the OS separately, so you dont get all the junk companies like HP // Dell etc pre-install on the hdd).

ie: You would have to buy the motherboard / CPU, ram, case, dvd / whatever etc. Then put it together.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
795789 2009-07-27 21:25:00 I'm in New Zealand. I went into Harvey Normans/Dick Smiths

Forget the toaster shops.

Ring someone like Computer Lounge who have knowledgable people there to help you decided, they also use quality components and have excellent after sales service.

And they'll courier it if you aren't near them.
pctek (84)
795790 2009-07-27 21:28:00 www.computerlounge.co.nz

Look there.

Currently Windows 7 would be the easiest option to set up Freeview HD with.

The TV tuner in the Advanced system above has two tuners, so your can watch while you record.

Now decide on a TV/Monitor

If you get the Advanced it leaves $1500 for a monitor. Go for 1080p(full hd)

Then decide on a bluetooth/wireless keyboard and mouse set. The logitech dinovo edge is good.

Blam
Blam (54)
795791 2009-07-28 04:43:00 Awesome, thanks!

I don't know how to build computers and I don't really know much about the latest hardware. Can I use the HTPC to do regular computer stuff? like run adobe programs, word processing, chat, play youtube?

Also, how would I then go about creating a home network? The HTPC would be communal, but i'd want to section it off so I can do all my own stuff on it. Can I do some kind of wireless set up where I have another screen and keyboard etc connect to the HTPC in my room? I have a laptop too, can this be connected to the HTPC?

Thanks
qhiini (15124)
795792 2009-07-28 05:59:00 Where in NZ are you? Someone here maybe able to give some links to whatever. And if you want to get parts, someone maybe able to put it together for you instead Speedy Gonzales (78)
795793 2009-07-28 06:11:00 Awesome, thanks!

I don't know how to build computers and I don't really know much about the latest hardware. Can I use the HTPC to do regular computer stuff? like run adobe programs, word processing, chat, play youtube?

Also, how would I then go about creating a home network? The HTPC would be communal, but i'd want to section it off so I can do all my own stuff on it. Can I do some kind of wireless set up where I have another screen and keyboard etc connect to the HTPC in my room? I have a laptop too, can this be connected to the HTPC?

Thanks

Yes, if you install something like Windows 7 on it then you can use it also as a normal PC

I see that your want to have the HTPC double as a media/file server?

This should be quite easy-keep all media on a specific drive, then share it over the network.

WHat is your current network setup? Routers/Switches/Wireless adapters etc

Blam
Blam (54)
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