Really Need Some Help with Spec!

[photoshop]

Hi There

Really need some help with specing up a media centre PC for my bedroom.
Not looking for anything flashy or fast. Just something that is quiet and can cope with playing tv and movies.
Budget is £300 - £400

Will be looking to networking it with the main pc via wireless.

PS. What connection would i need to plug it into a tv?

 

[steve258]

Something like this:

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium 64-Bit Edition DVD - OEM - 1Pk (66I-00788)
£59.99
(£70.49)

Intel Core 2 Duo E4300 "LGA775 Allendale" 1.80GHz (800FSB) - Retail
£68.99
(£81.06)

Optiarc NEC AD5170 18x18 DVD±RW Dual Layer ReWriter (Silver) - OEM
£16.99
(£19.96)

Maxtor Diamondmax 21 320GB STM3320820AS SATA-II 8MB Cache - OEM
£36.99
(£43.46)

Antec NSK2400 Desktop Case - 380W SmartPower PSU
£51.99
(£61.09)

Linksys WMP54G Wireless-G PCI Adapter
£14.99
(£17.61)

Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1100 Freeview TV Tuner
£32.99
(£38.76)

OcUK 1GB (2x512MB) PC2-6400C5 800MHz DDR2 Dual Channel Kit
£17.99
(£21.14)

Abit IP-95 Micro ATX (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard
£31.99
(£37.59)

Sub Total : £332.91
Shipping : £10.95
VAT : £60.18
Total : £404.04

You may want to check if that TV card is MCE compatible though. What TV do you have? Does it have a DVI or D-Sub connections?

 

[Growlingfish]

PS. What connection would i need to plug it into a tv?

That depends on what connections the TV has ...

If it's an old one then it will probably only have SCART/S-Video in, in which case you'll need a graphics card with S-Video out; if it's a new one then it'll probably have VGA/DVI in, in which case you'll need a graphics card with VGA/DVI out. You really need to say what inputs your TV has though

Edit: beaten

 

[photoshop]

I havent decided on a TV yet folks. It will certainly be something like a 32" samsung (like OC stock)

Also, does the freeview card need to use an external aerial (like TV's which havent gone digital? TV aerial on roof)

 

[Growlingfish]

Even digital TVs need to use an external aerial (unless you use cable or some crazy new-fangled internet thing ...) and yes, the freeview card needs to use the aerial too. They'll possibly give you a crappy little aerial with it but that will not work very well ...

If you get the Samsung then the previous spec is fine - just plug the TV in as you would plug the monitor in to the onboard VGA.