A PC for watching TV

Tony K · 2nd August 2010, 10:03

I'm looking to buy a PC for the sole use of running my TV. I've a friend using Windows 7 in a custom built PC to access full content on the net (on-demand, youtube, latest movies).

What sort of PC would I need?
Are horizontal cases available? (Easier to slot under the TV)

Thanks.

sikelsh · 2nd August 2010, 11:41

It does depend on what your trying to achive, I have a cronky Dell sat under my TV, nothing special, just a simple XP installation. 2.4ghz, 512mb Ram, and an onboard intel graphics card.

It Plays Movies, Iplayer, Youtube everything, I even have XBMC installed on it, cost was £40 from ebay, heres a post I did about it > http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=59680

Everything I watch is in Standard Def, the picture is good enough for me.

However, if you are wanting HD Movies then you need more power/graphics capability.

For me, the £40-£50 solution works champion on my 32" TV.

Simon

EDIT > Something like this would see you ok I recon > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/dell-sx-280-op...item3f01ed7039

baconbuttyman · 2nd August 2010, 16:11

I have a laptop with the screen removed and a wifi mouse/keyboard, i simply slid it under the tv cabinate, the keyboard switches it on n off

Tony K · 2nd August 2010, 17:57

So not as hard or as expensive as I thought.

I've had a quick look on Ebay and came across this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HIPER-HMC-2K53...item4151a0f933

Would I be right in thinking this is the sort of PC ready made for what I want and future proof?

sikelsh · 2nd August 2010, 18:15

The one you linked to is a proper media centre PC, I believe the main issues is companies make them, go bust as the seller says.

The idea of a media PC from chaps like Hiper is that they create and maintain plugins that work with sites such as BBC iplayer.

If the BBC choose to update the iplayer, then the company will issue an update to its own operating system so that the media box can cope with the changes, if they go bust, then you run the risk of just having a fancy PC sat under your PC.

So I wouldnt say it future proofs you, more the opposite.

The only downside I have is having a keyboard and mouse to operate mine, but you can buy remotes on ebay that perform minimum functions of keyboards and mice. > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-PC-Compute...#ht_4276wt_816

Personally, I would buy a PC in a nice looking horizontal case unless I really wanted HD and 7.1 stereo etc.

Me, im happy with 2 channel stereo and a 1366 x 768 resolution

Tony K · 2nd August 2010, 19:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by sikelsh

So I wouldnt say it future proofs you, more the opposite.

Personally, I would buy a PC in a nice looking horizontal case unless I really wanted HD and 7.1 stereo etc.

Me, im happy with 2 channel stereo and a 1366 x 768 resolution

Coolio, many thanks!

2nd August 2010, 10:03	#1
Tony K Avid contributor 2003 MG ZT CDTI+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A PC for watching TV I'm looking to buy a PC for the sole use of running my TV. I've a friend using Windows 7 in a custom built PC to access full content on the net (on-demand, youtube, latest movies). What sort of PC would I need? Are horizontal cases available? (Easier to slot under the TV) Thanks.

2nd August 2010, 11:41	#2
sikelsh This is my second home MGF Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 4,865 Thanks: 123 Thanked 281 Times in 178 Posts	It does depend on what your trying to achive, I have a cronky Dell sat under my TV, nothing special, just a simple XP installation. 2.4ghz, 512mb Ram, and an onboard intel graphics card. It Plays Movies, Iplayer, Youtube everything, I even have XBMC installed on it, cost was £40 from ebay, heres a post I did about it > http://www.the75andztclub.co.uk/foru...ad.php?t=59680 Everything I watch is in Standard Def, the picture is good enough for me. However, if you are wanting HD Movies then you need more power/graphics capability. For me, the £40-£50 solution works champion on my 32" TV. Simon EDIT > Something like this would see you ok I recon > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/dell-sx-280-op...item3f01ed7039 __________________ Si Kelsh

2nd August 2010, 18:15	#5
sikelsh This is my second home MGF Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Boston Posts: 4,865 Thanks: 123 Thanked 281 Times in 178 Posts	The one you linked to is a proper media centre PC, I believe the main issues is companies make them, go bust as the seller says. The idea of a media PC from chaps like Hiper is that they create and maintain plugins that work with sites such as BBC iplayer. If the BBC choose to update the iplayer, then the company will issue an update to its own operating system so that the media box can cope with the changes, if they go bust, then you run the risk of just having a fancy PC sat under your PC. So I wouldnt say it future proofs you, more the opposite. The only downside I have is having a keyboard and mouse to operate mine, but you can buy remotes on ebay that perform minimum functions of keyboards and mice. > http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/USB-PC-Compute...#ht_4276wt_816 Personally, I would buy a PC in a nice looking horizontal case unless I really wanted HD and 7.1 stereo etc. Me, im happy with 2 channel stereo and a 1366 x 768 resolution __________________ Si Kelsh

2nd August 2010, 16:11	#3
baconbuttyman Banned Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 5,724 Thanks: 0 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts	I have a laptop with the screen removed and a wifi mouse/keyboard, i simply slid it under the tv cabinate, the keyboard switches it on n off

2nd August 2010, 17:57	#4
Tony K Avid contributor 2003 MG ZT CDTI+ Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Cambridgeshire Posts: 171 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	So not as hard or as expensive as I thought. I've had a quick look on Ebay and came across this - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/HIPER-HMC-2K53...item4151a0f933 Would I be right in thinking this is the sort of PC ready made for what I want and future proof?