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[bc]

I've been using MC8/9 for a couple of years for audio. My stereo is nicely integrated with my PC via a Stereo-Link 1200 USB sound device. Sounds great. I love MC for library/playback.

I've had a growing interest lately in watching films. I've been mulling over HTPC/HDTV options.

I am confused. Should I buy an HDTV and  DVD player? Should I somehow integrate my home PC with a dedicated monitor for TV and film? Can I use my existing PC? Would I have to build a separate HTPC?

I live in a small NYC studio apartment. The idea of getting rid of a bulky TV and replacing my present CRT monitor with a 23" or larger flat wide screen display that could serve as my desktop/TV/film display has great appeal. Is this a realistic option?

I understand that MC doesn't yet handle DVD playback. What software would I use for that? PowerDVD?

Where I can I read about the options? I've been following AVS and the Home Theater Forums. But they don't really address my interests. I would prefer not have to build a HTPC but rather integrate all my entertainment with my home PC adding whatever cards/peripherals I would need for that.

The system is a P4 @1.7 Ghz/768MB RAM/2@IBM 120GB HD/DVD-ROM/CD-RW.

I can live with the existing fan noise. It serves as a nice buffer to the sounds of the city--horns, sirens, natives, etc.

Thanks for advice.

[Drowbe]

MC does dvd playback...you just have to have a decoder on your system already.  Windows Media Player is the same way...you need to buy decoding software.

[gpvillamil]

Put in a TV tuner card and add a big monitor. Most computer monitors are higher resolution than HDTV anyway.

MC should be able to handle TV, DVD, CD and MP3 playback for you with that setup. Need anything else?

[NoCodeUK]

I find dvds always look better on a tv though than they do on a monitor...a monitor is too crisp for my liking...

Adam

[PhatPhreddy]

yes the fact is top qulaity scaling will show the warts and all encoding of many DVD's... Get something like the PAL RoTK EE or PAL TTT EE and it does look sweet though...

FFDShow can be used to 'soften' a transfer if thats the image you prefer.

[Mastiff]

Why not buy a projector? They are getting really cheap these days, even though you probably can't get a real one (since they take too much space for your place - I consider nothing but CRT projectors real projectors) you should be able to find a DLP or LCD, and they hardly take any space at all. After all it's not a home theater if you still measure your image in inches!  

[bc]

Thanks for the feedback. I'd appreciate recommendations.

1. Which HDTV tuner card?

2. Which projector?

[Drowbe]

I find dvds always look better on a tv though than they do on a monitor...a monitor is too crisp for my liking...

Our television is lame (only an RCA plug in the back)...so mine looks better on just about eveything *other* than our TV.

[Mastiff]

As for tuner card I have no idea. For the projector I'd suggest you take a look at the www.avsforum.com and their digital projectors forum. You will probably findeaverything you need to know (and a lot more you don't need to know...) there.

[Yaobing]

1. Which HDTV tuner card?

MC supports analog TV tuners only.  It does not support high definition tuner card yet.

[xen-uno]

Check into this...

http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/fusion2.asp

This looks like the card to have but MC probably won't drive it. But if you pass it through, say an ATI Radeon card, then it may be somewhat controllable (or highly with it's own software).

Do a forum search on Fusion...someone here has one of these babies.

10^-27

[Yaobing]

Check into this...

http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/fusion2.asp

This looks like the card to have but MC probably won't drive it. But if you pass it through, say an ATI Radeon card, then it may be somewhat controllable (or highly with it's own software).

Do a forum search on Fusion...someone here has one of these babies.

10^-27

That is a nice card for High Definition TV. The card works for both analog TV and HDTV. Its analog portion works with MC, but HDTV portion does not (since MC does not have HDTV support).