Media Centre PC Spec

[photoshop]

Can somoene please check this spec for me and give me pointers/advise:

Samsung SpinPoint T HD321KJ 320GB SATA-II 16MB Cache – OEM
63.44

Microsoft MCE Black Infrared Remote Keyboard (Backlit) XP Media Centre
33.45

Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre 2005 Remote Controller
24.00

Microsoft Windows XP Media Centre 2005 Edition - OEM
77.54

Creative Inspire P5800 5.1 Speaker System
50.00

Antec Fusion HTPC Case - 430HE Watt PSU
113.00

Compro VideoMate DVB-T200 Combo PCI Tuner Card for DVB-T
30.00

AMD AM2 Athlon 64 3800+ Windsor Core, Dual Core 2GHz, 2x 512KB Cache, Energy Efficient Retail
60.00

Zalman CNPS9500-AM2 Aero Flower (Socket AM2/939/754) CPU Cooler
36.00

Abit NF-M2 nView WiFi, NF430
58.22

Samsung SH-W183 18x18 DVD±RW Serial ATA Dual Layer ReWriter (Black) – OEM
23.00

Corsair 2GB DDR2 Value Select PC4200 Dual Channel Kit (2x1GB)
99.86

Total = £600 incl VAT


Can someone tell me if the TV Card is any good...?
Also anything i can do to cut the price down (means i can spend more on the TV for this)...?
Also, any recommendations for a wireless card so i can connect to my main pc and recieve files etc?

 

[photoshop]

i've just read somewhere that MCE cant network?
Does this mean i cant connect it to my main pc and transfer files over to it...?

Is this true?

 

[squiffy]

looks ok to me but you don't need 2GB. My HTPC has 1GB and under normal use I haven't gone over 1GB, only when I've had 50 opera tabs/sites open does it near 1GB.
Also check if that CPU cooler fits into the case. I mate has the NSK2400, had a zalman 7000 already because it was in a cube case.

MCE has networking, I'm using it now, and using D-Link DNS-323 sharing files, and also transferring files to sig rig.

oh if you want to save £40, get the NSK 2400. The front panel is plastic not aluminium, it doesn't have VFD or volume but if you don't need the last two you'll save a fair bit (I don't use those features on my HTPC)

 

[photoshop]

cheers mate.
will give the NSK 2400 a look

 

[wombraider]

I have had compro cards and they were sh1te

I have had 3 Huappage cards and would recommend them

A PCI Nova-t for a single tuner solution
or
The Nova-T 500 if you want dual freeview

Dont get the compro , they have carp driver support