Joined
·
967 Posts
Hello, all,
I currently have what is essentially an out-of-the-box HTPC from Sony. It is the Sony RA820G. Here are the specs for it from CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/son...-31117350.html I added in an nVidia GeForce 7600GS. I also had to change the power supply very early in this PC's life.
I haven't had any real issues since then until recently. The PC, I believe, is on its last legs. It takes forever to start up and sometimes will not load up.
What I am looking for is a prebuilt HTPC similar to this. Ideally, I would like something from Dell (I can get a discount from them using a corporate account) although I know some of the HP offerings look enticing.
I do not do as much of the things that some of you guys do with yours. Here is what I need it to be able to do:
1. It needs to have a remote control with it, preferably a MCE remote w/ the Green Button in the middle. This is 100% necessary for my wife.
2. It needs to have a video card that can drive both my TV and a monitor at the same time. Clonemode is fine. (The HTPC is in an adjoining room from the theatre area.)
3. Primarily used to watch backed up DVDs, but I'd also like to be able to record/timeshift OTA HDTV.
4. Needs to output 5.1 sound to my surround sound receiver, probably via SPDIF.
5. Needs and HDMI/DVI connection.
Analog recording is unnecessary as is BluRay, though I would hope I could get something that would someday allow an external BluRay player or something.
Can anyone give me some recommendations on pre-built PCs that meet these requirements? Or, at least some minimum specs for something that I can look for? It seems the remote is hard to come by at Dell.com or this would be much easier for me.
I apologize for asking so many questions, but I have been in grad school for the last year and have not been able to keep up on the most recent things regarding HTPCs and mine just suddenly started giving us problems.
I truly appreciate any help. Thank you.
I currently have what is essentially an out-of-the-box HTPC from Sony. It is the Sony RA820G. Here are the specs for it from CNET: http://reviews.cnet.com/desktops/son...-31117350.html I added in an nVidia GeForce 7600GS. I also had to change the power supply very early in this PC's life.
I haven't had any real issues since then until recently. The PC, I believe, is on its last legs. It takes forever to start up and sometimes will not load up.
What I am looking for is a prebuilt HTPC similar to this. Ideally, I would like something from Dell (I can get a discount from them using a corporate account) although I know some of the HP offerings look enticing.
I do not do as much of the things that some of you guys do with yours. Here is what I need it to be able to do:
1. It needs to have a remote control with it, preferably a MCE remote w/ the Green Button in the middle. This is 100% necessary for my wife.
2. It needs to have a video card that can drive both my TV and a monitor at the same time. Clonemode is fine. (The HTPC is in an adjoining room from the theatre area.)
3. Primarily used to watch backed up DVDs, but I'd also like to be able to record/timeshift OTA HDTV.
4. Needs to output 5.1 sound to my surround sound receiver, probably via SPDIF.
5. Needs and HDMI/DVI connection.
Analog recording is unnecessary as is BluRay, though I would hope I could get something that would someday allow an external BluRay player or something.
Can anyone give me some recommendations on pre-built PCs that meet these requirements? Or, at least some minimum specs for something that I can look for? It seems the remote is hard to come by at Dell.com or this would be much easier for me.
I apologize for asking so many questions, but I have been in grad school for the last year and have not been able to keep up on the most recent things regarding HTPCs and mine just suddenly started giving us problems.
I truly appreciate any help. Thank you.