media computer

vaio

Our Humax 9200 has died.

Do we just replace it or have media computers developed to the point that they are an alternative worth considering?

Anyone got any experiences they’d care to share? Hardware, software whatever

timbim_2

Depends what you want really. If all you want is what another Humax can offer, get one of those. If you want more, first decide what you want, and then ask a more specific question. Then you can work out some prices, and decide if you want to spend the extra for the extras.

macman

Humax 9300T is a great PVR if you're looking to replace it.
But why not try to get yours fixed?-could be only a simple repair needed.

vaio

timbim wrote: »

Depends what you want really. If all you want is what another Humax can offer, get one of those. If you want more, first decide what you want, and then ask a more specific question. Then you can work out some prices, and decide if you want to spend the extra for the extras.

As a minimum……..Freeview tuners, PVR functions, music & picture storage, program guide, remote control

Maybe……better sound, streaming video, HD, satellite

When I looked last (five ish years ago) there was lots of hardware around but I struggled to find the right software to pull it all together in an intuitive way so it functioned like a domestic appliance rather than a development project computer.

I appreciate that a certain amount of fiddling will be necessary at the beginning but ideally, once it is set up, I want it to be of a TV/video level of complexity to operate

nitr02007

I've got a home build MS Vista Media Centre and it works pretty well. You have to be careful with heat and fan noise cos you dont want those quiet moments in your watching ruined by the noise of a Harrier Jump Jet taking off in the corner. :eek:

The only hardware addition it needed, above a regular comp, was the dual Hauppage DVB-T tuner card - sound & video is built onto the motherboard and are adequate. Also bought a MS Media Centre remote from EBay.

jaydeeuk1

I built myself a media center with blu ray / HD DVD playback, decent graphics card, athlon x2 5200, low noise PSU and a good looking case. Also has a satelite receiver for BBC HD and ITV HD amongst a couple of others (got a compro s320 pci). I use gbpvr with powerdvd on Vista Ultimate. All in about £350 at xmas. I wanted something that did everything. PS3 and the like didn't do that.

Iconic

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I built myself a media center with blu ray / HD DVD playback, decent graphics card, athlon x2 5200, low noise PSU and a good looking case. Also has a satelite receiver for BBC HD and ITV HD amongst a couple of others (got a compro s320 pci). I use gbpvr with powerdvd on Vista Ultimate. All in about £350 at xmas. I wanted something that did everything. PS3 and the like didn't do that.

Wow £350 sounds great.

You wouldn't get much change from £200 for the Athlon x2 5200, low noise PSU and Vista Ultimate.

How did you get the rest for £150?

Antispam

I have a media pc although it doesn't replace the Humax I have you can get small pcs, Asus do a lovely one that can fit on back of a tv not sure how good it is and I doubt it has a builtin tuner let alone too the Humax had.

prudenttadpole

Replace it

vaio

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

I built myself a media center with blu ray / HD DVD playback, decent graphics card, athlon x2 5200, low noise PSU and a good looking case. Also has a satelite receiver for BBC HD and ITV HD amongst a couple of others (got a compro s320 pci). I use gbpvr with powerdvd on Vista Ultimate. All in about £350 at xmas. I wanted something that did everything. PS3 and the like didn't do that.

nitr02007 wrote: »

I've got a home build MS Vista Media Centre and it works pretty well. You have to be careful with heat and fan noise cos you dont want those quiet moments in your watching ruined by the noise of a Harrier Jump Jet taking off in the corner. :eek:

The only hardware addition it needed, above a regular comp, was the dual Hauppage DVB-T tuner card - sound & video is built onto the motherboard and are adequate. Also bought a MS Media Centre remote from EBay.

Cheers guys, any problems with them? What software do you use?

Marty_J

A Mac Mini makes an awesome media centre. They're very small and practically silent.

Just stick an EyeTV in it and off you go.