Looking to BUILD my own media center... can it be done???

[DrGambit]

Hello all,

In the past few weeks I have grown tired of my tivo (gasp!). I want to build a device on my own and I don't want to purchase a $1000+ piece of OEM garbage (microsoft freestyle).

I am looking to build a media center, that can record TV, pause Live TV, that can play MP3's, internet radio, and serve all of this through my wireless network. A DVD player and picture viewer is nice to have as well...

It also needs to be user friendly, and controllable by a remote... I know, it's probably wishful thinking

Is the snapstream software what I need? I have looked at showshifter, is that more appropriate to what I want? Has anyone tried building this type of setup? I need help!

Thanks a lot!
Dr.Gambit

[Jason Bottjen]

Although I think that Snapstream is better for networked environments...

If you are looking for what you mentioned (specifically the MP3 and DVD parts) from one PC, then Showshifter is a better fit for your needs (as it is built in).

I have no idea if the next version of Snapstream will support those features. But then again, NEVER buy a product hoping that the 'next version' will support your needs...

As for internet radio, you are on your own there.

Jason Bottjen

Originally posted by DrGambit:
Hello all,

In the past few weeks I have grown tired of my tivo (gasp!). I want to build a device on my own and I don't want to purchase a $1000+ piece of OEM garbage (microsoft freestyle).

I am looking to build a media center, that can record TV, pause Live TV, that can play MP3's, internet radio, and serve all of this through my wireless network. A DVD player and picture viewer is nice to have as well...

It also needs to be user friendly, and controllable by a remote... I know, it's probably wishful thinking

Is the snapstream software what I need? I have looked at showshifter, is that more appropriate to what I want? Has anyone tried building this type of setup? I need help!

Thanks a lot!
Dr.Gambit

[ July 18, 2002, 06:43 PM: Message edited by: Jason Bottjen ]

[enormus]

I know of no retail piece of software that exactly duplicates the features of Freestyle. However, it is certainly possible to build a full multimedia PC that can be controlled with a wireless keyboard and trackball. I am using a Yahoo Freedom keyboard and a Microsoft Trackball Optical on a long USB cable. If I were buying today, I'd be looking at the Logitech Cordless Freedom keyboard and the Cordless Optical Trackman. Both are black to match my stereo and are, well, cordless. These offer much more flexibility than a remote. I use SnapStream for tv recording, Audiograbber for ripping CDs, RealOne Player (free version) for MP3 organization and playback, Nero for CD burning.

[GGoodrum]

Check out X-10's wireless remote/mouse (www.x10.com). In addition to controlling the mouse and having a KB macro function, it can also be programmed to control othr devices.

[Kidmd]

I would suggest that you build a multimedia PC to replace the tivo. You have several options: 1) A completely freestanding and full function Multimedia machine. 2) A multimedia PC that is a part of a home network and is limited in function.
If you want to do audio and video editing, audio and video capture, and playback all on the same machine, then you must use higher speed processor and more memory. On the other hand, much lower specs apply if you only want to use the machine for playback and occasional tivo-like recording.
I set up my own multimedia system as follows:
AMD Duron 900MHz
128MB DDR2100 RAM
80 GB 7200rpm Hard Drive
ATI AIW Radeon 7500 Video Card
SB Audigy Card
Windows XP Pro
ATI Software for DVD playback, recording, and some other AV file playback
Windows Media Player
Divx Player 2.0
MusicMatch Jukebox for MP3 playing and ripping
This machine is connected to a Technics AV tuner/amplifier that drives Harmon Kardin speakers ( Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1 setup)
I had this as part of my previous system. If I had started from scratch I might have added an FM tuner board to the PC and used amplified PC surround sound speakers instead.
I have it connected to a 61 inch rear projection TV. When this TV goes out I plan to upgrade to HDTV and will use an ATI AIW Radeon 8500 or its successor as it has Component output capabilities instead of the S-video that I am presently using.
This machine is in a black desktop case that looks a home in my stereo cabinet. BTW black desktop cases seem to be hard to find.

I do all of my Video editing and most video capture on another machine, which has a faster processor, more memory, DVD burner etc. I use separate machine so that I can use the computer for other purposes while other members of the family use the Multmedia system. I also prefer to do video editing on a computer monitor, not on a big screen TV. I am planning to use SnapStream on my desktop because I want to prepare some video clips for use on my Pocket PC. I may end up using SnapStream on the Mulitmedia machine as well.

Also this multimedia PC cost less than $800 to build and I have been very happy with the results.