I'm looking to streamline my home entertainments into a "one box" system.

Presently I have the following Hi Fi/AV seperates:-

Amplifier

CD player

Mindisc player/recorder

DVD player

37" LCD TV

I would ideally be looking to replace all of these (perhaps not the amp as I have BIG speakers to drive:speaker:) with a PC of some sort.

The plan would be to store all my music and movies on the PC ideally with phono output and playback through the TV and exsisting amp and speakers. PC/software would need to have capabilities for quality playback and features of exsisting DVD player.

So, can it be done? if so any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, approximate costs, offers to build etc

TIA

don't think you will be able to include the minidisc player in a '1 box'-solution.

Depends what your budget is really.

And you mention a PC, so you already have some kind of thought on this?

don't think you will be able to include the minidisc player in a '1 box'-solution.

Depends what your budget is really.

And you mention a PC, so you already have some kind of thought on this?

To clarify, I'll be looking to do away with the minidisc set up i.e. transfer all music to PC in MP3 format.

No Ideas on budget. A PC sprang to mind as I would need a sizeable hard drive for all my music and movies.

To clarify, I'll be looking to do away with the minidisc set up i.e. transfer all music to PC in MP3 format.

No Ideas on budget. A PC sprang to mind as I would need a sizeable hard drive for all my music and movies.

Hey Jonny,

I have the following set-up which I think may help you:

I am currently using a Shuttle PC with a 200GB HDD, 2GB DDR-2, CD-RW and several other mods -

-Shutte PC has a wireless keyboard, wireless mouse and has wireless internet

I have My Media PC, Laptop and Home computer these all enable file sharing and tbh provides me with a good set-up.

Then comes sound - I have surround sound for the media system:

Creative Inspire T7900 PC multimedia home theatre speaker system : Read reviews and compare prices at Ciao.co.uk

I think the main point to place here is - Its not about how much you spend, that is only a factor. The sound systems that are out now are vast but I find that system does me well and has never failed with the money I have spent.

I try to have a nice clear/clean system just to play my movies and music then have the laptop for work and home computer for general use.

Were you looking to build your own Media PC or buy one?

I hope this helps,

Rob

To give you an idea on cost, I found this one which is basically what I started out with before I went silly on Fan mods, RAM ect :

Shuttle Media Centre PC w/ Vista Ultimate + accessories on eBay, also, Desktop PCs, Computing (end time 20-Jan-08 20:15:00 GMT)

I also use:

GeeXboX HomePage

-Its not particularly polished, but its nice and light and versatile.

I'd go with a Shuttle for this too. There's some very nice media-PC weighted models available now, front LCD panels, HDMI output etc - check their homepage: Welcome :: Shuttle Global Website. I'm particularly thinking of the Shuttle Europe - SG33G5M (D'VO Series)

I've been using their stuff since it became available in the UK in 2001. Never been disappointed; build quality and design are excellent.

Steve

have a look on the linksys website, they do a DVD/DivX player with wireless, which means you can stream audio and video from your existing computer (if you have one). which should be cheaper than buying a new shuttle media PC.

(prolly looks slightly better in your living room as well)