Media PC noobness
 

I've got an HDTV with HDMI/Component inputs. I have a pc I built (gaming mainly) with a AMD Dual core (2.4ghz I believe), 4gb ram, GeForce 7600GT video card, blah blah blah

I'm going to get a bigger HD so I can bootleg the ---- out of some movies and play them on my TV.

Do I need to upgrade my video card? It has component outputs, just need to know if it'll support the HD shizzle.

Where should I D/L these HD videos from? Just your basic torrent sites?

What program should I use for playback? Windows Media Center? I want a remote, which should I buy?

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Oh yeah, is there a way to record TV on this bitch too?

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Yea you can definitely record TV on it, you need a tuner card. Get an HD capable one.

Not sure if that particular card is good enough for playing HD stuff, but this forum will answer ALL of your questions and any more you have. Tons of super smart nerds there.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26

And, pmed

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Should be fine for HD, you won't know until you try it, will you?

If you are the type that shares what you download on bittorrent, I can get you on the best private movie tracker (IMO) with tons of high quality HD rips. I'm up to 1tb of space and still need more because of that site...

To record, you'll need the hardware to accept the inputs...

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Crack open the manual for your vid card + it'll tell you what it can support.

You'll need a card to rip video, I recommend something by Hauppage.

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Thanks guys. You're the three that I hoped would respond.

What software should I use? Basic Windows Media Center?

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Software of choice for most is Vista Media Center, XP Media Center works almost as well though.

Re: Media PC noobness
 

I've got Vista Ultimate and that's part of the package. I'll look up my video card specs and find out what it can support.

Re: Media PC noobness
 

You do know I work ON the MEDIA CENTER DEVICES team at MS right???? (STE III).

For a crack at your sister/mother/hot cousin... I could probably help you out with whatever you need nig. I have a couple tuner cards laying around...
Emerald is the package youre installing on XPMC to get the HDTV.

The V1 extendes cant play it though (XBOX360 CAN)... ALL the V2 devices and 360 will work with VISTA, but its not backwards compatible with the V1 devices (Xbox-bobsled, and Linksys/Dlink v1).

All of the RETAIL v2 extenders do HDMI out/component/s-video and composite... Youneed to have the 360 elite to do HDMI, but you can do HD over component with the normal retail 360.....



Id use your MCE PC as your tuner, and rather than trying to play ---- straight off the computer (and using a video card for playback to your TV)... Id configure an extender.... LMK if I can help.

Re: Media PC noobness
 

Get me a MS job :-P