Media Centre PC

jcumpsty

Does anyone know of the best current deal on a Media Centre PC?

Am I better off buying a package or building on myslef?

I already have licences for Windows Vista, so getting one with a preinstalled OS is not important.

I was looking at simple devices like the Evesham iplayer but I think I might need a bit more configurability in a device. I already have a Pinnacle Showcentre to play networked videos but it is very inflexible requiring bespoke server software running on a network PC.

What I want is a Media Player with DVD and Freeview built in, but that will also play movies stored on a network storage device, which is where I keep all of the kids movies (no dvd to scratch). It needs scart output.

Any suggestions for the best deal?

Nile

Hello jcumpsty

I'll move your thread to the 'Techie Stuff' board, where it should get more responses.

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere(please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL].

Regards

Nile

jcumpsty

I appreciate that my requirements might be a bit "technical" for joe public, but it is not really a technical question.

An example of a technical question would be "How do I get my Media Centre to play videos from my network".

What I want is help finding the best deal on a full featured media centre. I doubt it will get many replies in the tech forum...but never mind.

Blacksheep1979

what's your budget - there's a nice shuttle one (X200) but its £800 or so.

hobo28

I recently brought a Sony VAIO VGX-XL201 from the Sony centre for £549

Only single tuner but I will soon try to add another.

You can also get from: http://www.microanvika.com/product.asp?TXT=INFO&PNO=SON11170

Its Windows XP based. Lovely machine but I do think being a PC is also its biggest drawback.

I've had the thing a week, not installed anything other than how it came out of the box. The list of problems I've had is amazing. I've just read on another forum a guy's experience with Vista Home Premium which was even worse.

Right now I'm thinking of sending the thing back and reverting back to my freeview/dvd/tivo combination which was ugly but worked flawlessly without needing to reboot or start tinkering with the operating system.

Blacksheep1979

You can't say that a PC based system is bad due to your 1 experience with it. I know loads of people that happily run PC based media systems.

If you're willing to put in a bit of work then have a look at mythTV a linux based media system.

jcumpsty

hmm....given all the comments, I think for this particular device I might buy the evesham iPlayer. It is 299, but seems to have everything I am looking for bar being a windows based device.