HELP A NOOB: build his Media Center!! (1 Viewer)

[NOOB213]

My name is Brandon, my fiancees name is Daisy and both of us are pretty much clueless when it comes to this media center stuff

But finally, and after a long time I am ready to build my Media Center.

However, we do not even know where to start it seems LOL. It is rather daunting to be honest.

After reading and researching for a few weeks I have decided to start this thread and get the best minds together to build me the perfect system.

I will make a layout of my small flat here in Sunny San Diego, California and then list what I am looking to do. I only have the slightest idea.

For now, I can tell you that I have:
-(1) sony NSX-40GT1 google tv [main tv]
-(1) desktop [i7 2600k x giga Z68a d3h b3 x 1 evga gtx 570hd sc 1280mb x 8gb ram x 300gb hard drive x cat6 connection]
-(1) sony eb series vaio laptop
-(1) cheap walmart laptop used for internet ONLY
-(1) cisco dpc3010 cable modem
-(1) cisco lynksys -N home router
-(1) 25ft cat6 network cable
-(1) samsung galaxy s running android 2.2 [i think]
-(1) sony playstation 3

I do know that I am going to want one VERY large data storage to put all of my media on. I currently use IPtorrents and download about 1TB a month. I would like to be able to:

-keep my 40 inch tv in room 1, watch movies on that, surf the web, no gaming though
-put desktop in room 2, buy new monitor for that set up a good gaming/school desk
-use my laptops to watch movies, play music, surf web, anywhere in house wifi

I will sketch out and detail the floor plan to give you guys a better idea of what is going on here.

Also, I have an account with newegg and pick up locally here in SoCal so I would like to buy as many parts as possible through them.

Newegg.com - Networking, Wireless Networking

I have at most, a few months to complete this project but funding IS quite adequate.

I do not mind paying more for better stuff.

MediaPortal Version:
MediaPortal Skin:
Windows Version:
CPU Type:
HDD:
Memory:
Motherboard:
Video Card:
Video Card Driver:
Sound Card:
Sound Card AC3:
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card:
1. TV Card Type:
1. TV Card Driver:
2. TV Card:
2. TV Card Type:
2. TV Card Driver:
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case:
Cooling:
Power Supply:
Remote:
TV:
TV - HTPC Connection:

 

[Lehmden]

AW: HELP A NOOB: build his Media Center!!

Hi and Welcome.
To help you find your perfect Media Center we need some further information.
What kind of TV Signal do you use (Satellite, Cable, IPTV,...)?
Do you want your Data stored on a centralized Server somewhere in Basement, Roof,...?
How much persons (kids?) are using Media Center at once (maximum number)?
Do you want to record lots of TV shows or prefer looking downloaded stuff?

Some hints to look after. WLan is not fast enough for HDTV streaming. This will end up in lots of stutter. So you need to put GBit network cable to all rooms MediaPortal should be used in full glory. You can use MP on your Vaio and/or Smartphone via WLan but mainly SDTV.

The first decision to make is where to put the TV Server. Possible solutions are the Main HTPC in Room 1 or the centralized Server somewhere in Basement... With Media Portal you only need to connect one TV Server to your TV Signal to watch TV on every PC all over your Network. No Need for TV Card(s) on other Computers.

If we know those basics we can help you to find your personal solution...

 

[NOOB213]

Re: AW: HELP A NOOB: build his Media Center!!

Hi and Welcome.
To help you find your perfect Media Center we need some further information.
What kind of TV Signal do you use (Satellite, Cable, IPTV,...)?
Do you want your Data stored on a centralized Server somewhere in Basement, Roof,...?
How much persons (kids?) are using Media Center at once (maximum number)?
Do you want to record lots of TV shows or prefer looking downloaded stuff?

Some hints to look after. WLan is not fast enough for HDTV streaming. This will end up in lots of stutter. So you need to put GBit network cable to all rooms MediaPortal should be used in full glory. You can use MP on your Vaio and/or Smartphone via WLan but mainly SDTV.

The first decision to make is where to put the TV Server. Possible solutions are the Main HTPC in Room 1 or the centralized Server somewhere in Basement... With Media Portal you only need to connect one TV Server to your TV Signal to watch TV on every PC all over your Network. No Need for TV Card(s) on other Computers.

If we know those basics we can help you to find your personal solution...

AWESOME!

And sorry, I should have mentioned these things:

-We live in a small Studio Apartment
-We only download content, or stream it and never watch it over the air
-We do not record anything either
-We would like all our data stored in room 2 as that is the "office" area
-Max users would be at anyone time 2 people/2 devices it is just the wifey and I

Thanks again!

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Well as a client for your front room you could look at these, small and neat.

MSI Global ? Desktop - Wind Box DC100
http://www.zotacusa.com/specsheet/ZBOXNANO-AD10-PLUS-U.pdf

What you need to consider, are most of your files going to be 1080p Full HD, that does up the stakes for gpu processing power, Nvidia ION2 units can cope with this.

 

[NOOB213]

Well as a client for your front room you could look at these, small and neat.

MSI Global ? Desktop - Wind Box DC100
http://www.zotacusa.com/specsheet/ZBOXNANO-AD10-PLUS-U.pdf

What you need to consider, are most of your files going to be 1080p Full HD, that does up the stakes for gpu processing power, Nvidia ION2 units can cope with this.

sweet! thanks mister.

we download watch a LOT of 1080p stuff. also, it looks like im going to be going to a full 3 monitor/nvidia 3d surround set up on the desktop but thats a whole other deal LOL.

 

[NOOB213]

what about a server with like 20tb... ??