|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6985168 - 05/30/07 12:06 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
i think what im looking for is a home theater computer case.
im looking for a clean, sleek, compact design.
if i go this route, i will probably sell my larger home theater system now and just get some bose speakers perhaps.
can you hook up after market speakers like bose to a computer?
is a sub woofer needed?
do i need a video card with a tv tuner?
i plan on using my tv as my monitor, so i figure i would just run the cable right to the tv and therefore not needing a tv tuner video card. am i correct?
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
Edited by agoutihead (05/30/07 12:47 AM)
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6985216 - 05/30/07 12:17 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
why do i still see computer cases being built with multiple external 5.25 drive slots?
arent most cdroms all built into one now adays?
what would be the purpose of having multiple ones?
also i always see most cases offer up to 7 expansion slots. but other than a video and sound card, what else is there? i guess an enthernet card... but are those even really needed anymore?
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6985277 - 05/30/07 12:39 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
alright well i just looked through all of neweggs desktops and those two are still the two i like the best.
what really draws me to them is they are media labs and come with remotes for various functions. this is a big plus to me as i will be playing music and movies alot on this.
if there was perhaps another case i liked, but it didnt come with a remote, can you add some type of universal computer remote to the system?
if not, i will for sure get either the bach or mozart. just have to figure out which one i like more. i kinda like the lights on the bach, but the mozart is a bit more sleek.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6989217 - 05/30/07 09:45 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
alright i got about 100 more questions 
forget all that shit up there and just reply to this one, because ive already figured out some of the answers to the questions above, but ill repost the ones i dont know here.
1) can i hook up bose speakers to a HTPC somehow?
2) is a sub woofer needed if question 1 is possible?
3) i see alot of these desktops with LCD temp controllers and fan speed whizzers, is this really nessecary or are they just trying to be fancy and cool? are after market LCD's a good idea?
4) I realize i know want to do a 3.5 card reader for things like my digital camera, what exactly should i look for in one? I see some places offer a 9 in 1 card reader with only two slots? so i take it that its as plain as it sounds? you only really need two special slots to read all of the fancy cards out there on the market?
5) Can you replace a stock 300w PSU with a larger one like a 450? will that have any adverse effects on the case?
6)and i forgot, is it best to go with 1 large hard drive, or two smaller ones?
7) what other kinds of cards can go in expansion slots other than video and audio?
8) how do i get audio from my comp to my flat screen? what kind of cabling/hook up is needed?
9) can you use a microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse with Linux, or is it best to go with Logitech?
thanks for all the help guys, im really learning alot and almost to the point of having the computer totally built. arent you guys happy i went back to building a computer and not getting an apple? so all the help you gave was worth it, look at it that way.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
Edited by agoutihead (05/30/07 09:46 PM)
|
Legend9123



Registered: 09/24/06
Posts: 2,590
Last seen: 9 months, 6 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6989398 - 05/30/07 10:15 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
1) can i hook up bose speakers to a HTPC somehow?
Bose makes computer systems look up the companion 5 system.
Quote:
2) is a sub woofer needed if question 1 is possible?
Comes with it.
Quote:
3) i see alot of these desktops with LCD temp controllers and fan speed whizzers, is this really nessecary or are they just trying to be fancy and cool? are after market LCD's a good idea?
Unneeded.
Quote:
4) I realize i know want to do a 3.5 card reader for things like my digital camera, what exactly should i look for in one? I see some places offer a 9 in 1 card reader with only two slots? so i take it that its as plain as it sounds? you only really need two special slots to read all of the fancy cards out there on the market?
Look for one that reads at least SD, xD, Memory Stick Duo, and Compact Flash.
Quote:
5) Can you replace a stock 300w PSU with a larger one like a 450? will that have any adverse effects on the case?
Yes and it is recommended. As long as it fits no adverse effects other than maybe a little hotter.
Quote:
6)and i forgot, is it best to go with 1 large hard drive, or two smaller ones?
Depends on what you want to do and the price difference. Two smaller ones would help out if you are worried about one crashing.
Quote:
7) what other kinds of cards can go in expansion slots other than video and audio?
USB cards, Firewire cards, ethernet cards, wireless network cards, etc.
Quote:
8) how do i get audio from my comp to my flat screen? what kind of cabling/hook up is needed?
What screen? Model number is needed.
Quote:
9) can you use a microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse with Linux, or is it best to go with Logitech?
Not sure. Should be able to.
Quote:
arent you guys happy i went back to building a computer and not getting an apple?
Yes.
-------------------- Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither. -Benjamin Franklin
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: Legend9123]
#6989534 - 05/30/07 10:40 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
that companion 5 system is pretty sweet. and a really good deal. i was thinking more of their mini cubes though. since this is going to be a HTPC, i would like to be able to hook up a full 5.1.
1) is there any type of special card to go in a expansion slot that they could hook up to?
2) i would assume a 3.5 card reader that is a 9 in 1 should do the job shouldnt it? they all seem pretty cheap, only around 20 bucks, i think its totally worth it.
i think to keep costs down, ill just get a 120gig hard drive for now, and get another one in a year or two when im full. i was going to get the 320, but there is really no need for me to spend more money than needed right now.
and im not sure exactly what flat screen im going to have. something around 36", its like double the price to go up to 40", not worth it if you ask me.
but either way i planned on hook up at least the video by a dvi to hdmi converter cable. their only like 20 bucks.
thanks for taking the time.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
Legend9123



Registered: 09/24/06
Posts: 2,590
Last seen: 9 months, 6 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6989663 - 05/30/07 11:05 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
How about a link to the bose system and the card reader and I will let you know?
-------------------- Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither. -Benjamin Franklin
|
wilshire
free radical


Registered: 05/11/05
Posts: 2,421
Loc: SE PA
Last seen: 14 years, 28 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6991790 - 05/31/07 02:32 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
9) can you use a microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse with Linux, or is it best to go with Logitech?
we covered this one already. it's best to go with unicomp/IBM/lexmark:
http://www.pckeyboard.com/
also, get a SATA interface hard drive.
|
Legend9123



Registered: 09/24/06
Posts: 2,590
Last seen: 9 months, 6 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: wilshire]
#6992021 - 05/31/07 03:51 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
wilshire said: also, get a SATA interface hard drive.
-------------------- Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither. -Benjamin Franklin
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: Legend9123]
#6992346 - 05/31/07 05:26 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
no i want to get a wireless ergonomic keyboard and mouse, so i think its either logitech or microsoft.
1) if i go with microsoft, i think they have something called an MCE receiver, is this an INTERNAL part that i can buy that the keyboard and mouse will be recongnized so i dont have any additional wires showing? Is this what is referred to as "IR devices"?
2) sata hard drives were going to be one of my questions for the day. what benefit does the sata have over other hard drives?
3) should i hook my cable/satellite up to my video card, or directly to my tv? obviously if i went through my video card i would need one with a tv tuner right? what benefit does this have? just be able to tivo shows if i wanted? any other reason?
i did a bunch more research on stuff today at work obviously, and ive come to the conclusion of the two following cases, not quite sure which one i want yet...
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204004
http://www.xbitlabs.com/articles/multimedia/display/coolermaster-media260_2.html
im leaning more towards the second one because the screen just isnt for show and temps, its interactive with the software and shows the time and date among the very basic, yet important things to me. plus with the remote, its a super interactive media player.
and it has a 3.5 for me to add a media card reader to.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
Legend9123



Registered: 09/24/06
Posts: 2,590
Last seen: 9 months, 6 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6994237 - 06/01/07 01:30 AM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Quote:
1) if i go with microsoft, i think they have something called an MCE receiver, is this an INTERNAL part that i can buy that the keyboard and mouse will be recongnized so i dont have any additional wires showing? Is this what is referred to as "IR devices"?
No idea here.
Quote:
2) sata hard drives were going to be one of my questions for the day. what benefit does the sata have over other hard drives?
Faster transfer speeds, less cable clutter so better airflow inside your case. With a small form factor case space is at a premium.
Quote:
3) should i hook my cable/satellite up to my video card, or directly to my tv? obviously if i went through my video card i would need one with a tv tuner right? what benefit does this have? just be able to tivo shows if i wanted? any other reason?
You will need a card with a tv tuner for that to do you any good. No real benefits other than recording tv shows.
-------------------- Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither. -Benjamin Franklin
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: Legend9123]
#6996254 - 06/01/07 04:12 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
alright i have upgraded my hard drive to the sata, got a 250g for 64 bucks. not bad.
1) are tv tuners generally part of a video card, or are they a completly separate card?
since this is going to be a HTPC, i might as well run the cable through this in case i want to make it a tivo in the future.
2)would anyone suggest any additional expansion cards to add into a HTPC?
3) PCI express and PC expansion cards: is the PCI express the area where you plug your cards into?
4) im going to get that cooler master media 260 system HTPC, and it comes with the IMON media labs remote and software. will this have any problems running in linux? this is the main feature of my computer that i am shooting for, so i want to make sure its compatiable.
5) is anyone familar with the software called IMEDIAN? you can use it with the IMON remote, and i was just wondering if it is a better software all around compared to the IMON software.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
wilshire
free radical


Registered: 05/11/05
Posts: 2,421
Loc: SE PA
Last seen: 14 years, 28 days
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#6996373 - 06/01/07 04:48 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
what the hell is IMON?
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: wilshire]
#6996780 - 06/01/07 07:13 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
thats the media lab program that pretty much has the market it seems when it comes to HTPC. its SUPER interative when it comes to movies and music.
seems pretty slick overall, it comes with a remote control that virtually makes the keyboard and mouse useless for most applications, but obviously the keyboard and mouse can still be very utilized.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
agoutihead



Registered: 11/11/05
Posts: 1,449
Last seen: 6 years, 1 month
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#7001431 - 06/02/07 09:49 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
bump to my last set of questions please.
-------------------- "When I'm on LSD and hearing something that's pure rhythm, it takes me to another world and into anther brain state where I've stopped thinking and started knowing" - Kevin Herbert "Psychedelics let you see the world through a child's eye." "Experience the liquid realm..." "The evolution of mankind is in the alteration of consciousness" - Dr. Albert Hofmann
|
Montanahunter420
Mushroom Hunter



Registered: 05/10/06
Posts: 1,188
|
Re: now i think i might just buy an apple. [Re: agoutihead]
#7004396 - 06/03/07 06:08 PM (16 years, 8 months ago) |
|
|
Expect to be able to run only a portion of software devolped. That's what makes me use windows. At the last web devolpment firm I was working at I was forced to learn how to use a mac. It wasn't to bad of an os although programs such as dreamweaver and flash constantly crashed since they were first devolped for the windows platform. It made the job hell. Anyways as kotik stated your really paying for the operating system, which many programs will not run on!
-------------------- All of my posts are purely fictional and for hypothetical purposes.
|
Legend9123



Registered: 09/24/06
Posts: 2,590
Last seen: 9 months, 6 days
|
|
Quote:
jeverden said: Expect to be able to run only a portion of software devolped. That's what makes me use windows. At the last web devolpment firm I was working at I was forced to learn how to use a mac. It wasn't to bad of an os although programs such as dreamweaver and flash constantly crashed since they were first devolped for the windows platform. It made the job hell. Anyways as kotik stated your really paying for the operating system, which many programs will not run on!
Did you read any of the thread?
-------------------- Those who would give up a little freedom to get a little security shall soon have neither. -Benjamin Franklin
|
|