Jump to content

Building A Media Centre Pc


PeanuckleJive

Recommended Posts

I've got a ton of downloaded stuff on my laptop I'd really like to play through my TV, But my laptop only has VGA out, can't remember what inputs my TV has but basically I can't find a cable that can connect the two.

So, i wanna throw together a mini PC just for playing Movies, TV shows, music etc from.

I had a quick look at cases and want to use something like this:

http://www.xcase.co.uk/X-Case-Atomic-Cube-Black-With-Psu-p/xc-atomic-cubebk.htm

Or similar.

Just wondering if anybody can see any problems with this case? I've noticed some cases mention they can take "full size cards", but this one says nothing. Can anybody tell?

On the subject of full size cards, I'm guessing full size means the size of a PC card.

As for spec, it doesn't have to be anything epic, just good graphics with a HDMI out. Can anybody point me in the direction of good value components? I don't wanna spend a shedload on this.

I'll need:

PSU (Included with that case)

Motherboard

Graphics card

Sound card

Hard drive

Network card (if there's space, I may aswell throw one in and connect it to the network for easy file transfers)

That's it right? Don't need a disc drive, Just play DVDs through the xbox

Link to comment
Share on other sites

WDTV Live

From the sounds of it the HTPC will just add more problems and be an expensive solution for you. Unless there is something specific you want from it, which from the list of things you've described, there isn't then you would be better off with an all in one media box.

And no, look at the size of that case. It's one dvd drive wide. You won't gut a full height GPU in there with everything else in there too. It says one PCI card with an adapter, which will most likely be a Lbend socket adapter to sit the single pci card in parallel with the motherboard in case you wanted a decent soundcard.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

As for spec, it doesn't have to be anything epic, just good graphics with a HDMI out. Can anybody point me in the direction of good value components? I don't wanna spend a shedload on this.

I'll need:

PSU (Included with that case)

Motherboard

Graphics card

Sound card

Hard drive

Network card (if there's space, I may aswell throw one in and connect it to the network for easy file transfers)

Cpu

Heatsink & fan

Ram

Sata cable

Think that's it, off the top of my head.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would one of these work to connect your laptop to the TV?

XBOX-360-VGA-Cable-2RCA.jpg

Most TV's will have an RCA input, if not then you can get adaptors from RCA to scart. Not sure that X-box cable would work, as I don't have an X-box, so I don't have a clue which way the signal goes down it, but it might be worth a shot.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would one of these work to connect your laptop to the TV?

XBOX-360-VGA-Cable-2RCA.jpg

Most TV's will have an RCA input, if not then you can get adaptors from RCA to scart. Not sure that X-box cable would work, as I don't have an X-box, so I don't have a clue which way the signal goes down it, but it might be worth a shot.

never seen that before, Intrigued as to where that comes into use on a xbox :blink:

Will have a look, might be worth a shot

Cheers!

EDIT:

Further inspection reveals this:

41bWqTQ9WCL._SS400_.jpg

maybe not then

Edited by PeanuckleJive
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...