maybe getting a media pc

[DreamThrall]

case: SilverStone SST LC-17 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163055
hdd: WD Caviar 500GB http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073
mobo: GIGABYTE GA-M57SLI-S4 AM2 NVIDIA nForce 570 SLI MCP open box http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128014R
ram: G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) DDR2 800 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231098
cpu: X2 4000+ http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103774
input: Microsoft MCE Keyboard/Remote Control Combo http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.php/pName/microsoft-mce-keyboardremote-control-combo
video: existing 7900GS
power: existing 500W
dvd/r/w: existing drive
os: vista ultimate (msdn subscription license)
htpc software: WMC built into Vista Ultimate

I'm not going to bother with a tuner right away since I don't have cable (at all!). This will mostly be for watching downloaded stuff and browsing music from the living room. I need to keep the purchase cost of what I'm buying under $500 - what I have above totals $495.42 shipped. Any suggestions?

 

[Asus]

Why not get a tuner that works with Digital O-T-A signals and analog? Get a good antenna for UHF/VHF and then you can get digital signals from local channels. Better quality than what the cable company serves ya anyway since it isn't as compressed.

Have you used Window's MC before?

 

[DreamThrall]

Why not get a tuner that works with Digital O-T-A signals and analog? Get a good antenna for UHF/VHF and then you can get digital signals from local channels. Better quality than what the cable company serves ya anyway since it isn't as compressed.

Because that would cost more money I don't have. Anyways, its not accident that I don't have cable - my wife and I would spend way too much time watching if we had it.

Have you used Window's MC before?

I'm running Vista Ultimate on my main computer now, so I'm familiar with how it works and what it looks like, but I don't use it regularly. Anyways, spending more money on a different software setup wouldn't work, since I'm basically tapped out as it is, unless you can find a way to shave $100 or so off that setup. Vista Ultimate's MC is perfect since I already have access to an MSDN subscription, and wouldn't cost me anything.

 

[Ridge]

Decent case...I like the Thermaltake Tenor, though...

http://thermaltakeusa.com/product/Chassis/desktop/tenor/+ten_image/black/EnlargedView.jpg

Just ordered that HD off newegg, will let you know how it is

I bought a Haupagge! tv tuner card on Black Friday and have been using it with Media Center on Vista, recording Futurama and whatnot...great card, comes with a remote and has ports for Coax, Digi cable, S-video and Composite...

 

[DreamThrall]

Why not get a tuner that works with Digital O-T-A signals and analog? Get a good antenna for UHF/VHF and then you can get digital signals from local channels. Better quality than what the cable company serves ya anyway since it isn't as compressed.

You mean like this?

http://www.amazon.com/Terk-HDTVa-Am...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1200623262&sr=8-2