Is there a cheaper way to do this?

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I want something like this, or I think like this:

http://www.vanns.com/shop/servlet/item/features/551999604/escient-fireball-mx311

I am wanting a media center thing where I can burn movies too and then play them later. I lose/damage movies.

Is there a way to do this cheaper? or do I have to buy an actual computer?

Click to read more...

 

[loudsystem 10+ year member]

just run windows media center on a computer.. that is the cheapiest and easiest way or use an Xbox 360 and use the XBMC interface which can stream movies and music etc

 

[BASS_WARRIOR 10+ year member]

You could build a computer to do all that for a hell of a lot less money.

 

[Anniku989 10+ year member]

You can build a computer to do that for cheap

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Building a computer would require mouse and keyboard in the living room?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Could my PS3, which already has hard drive and outputs and can have larger HD in it, be used for this purpose?

 

[IDSkoT 5,000+ posts]

Building a computer would require mouse and keyboard in the living room?

THIS IS WHERE I GET GIDDY!!

You can build a computer then download an O/S called MythBuntu. It's basically a free version of Windows Media player except it's Linux-based... but severely user friendly.

The only thing you'd need to do is get a controller / Infared receiver for your PC.

My phone (iPhone) has an app that lets me control MythBuntu from it. So if you have an iPhone, you can do that.

MythBuntu boots up right into the 'Myth' part, which is Windows Media Center on crack. Much better put together IMO.

Just get together a POS computer and you should be fine.

Or I'll sell you mine for $500 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[Anonymous User 10+ year member]

or get a modded original xbox.

 

[Blazin_Jason 10+ year member]

or get a modded original xbox.

Yup my buddy did that. All sorts of music, videos and whatever else. I don't think he even plays games on it anymore, hah.

 

[tapout 5,000+ posts]

I have an old laptop with a broken screen hooked up to my 32 inch Vizio. Sound routed through my Phillips reciever. Movies and TV stored on an external drive.

And the best part......Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

I post here from my couch comfortably while viewing it on teh big screen.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

or get a modded original xbox.

Yup my buddy did that. All sorts of music, videos and whatever else. I don't think he even plays games on it anymore, hah.

Can a modded x-box actually download the movies?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

I have an old laptop with a broken screen hooked up to my 32 inch Vizio. Sound routed through my Phillips reciever. Movies and TV stored on an external drive.
And the best part......Bluetooth keyboard and mouse.

I post here from my couch comfortably while viewing it on teh big screen.

that may work....do they have laptops with HDMI and optical audio out?

 

[Rashaddd 5,000+ posts]

Can a modded x-box actually download the movies?

you mean rip from cd's/dvd's? yes

this is probably the best way to go imo for overall useability/cost, especially if you have a friend that knows how to do it and all the ins and outs of it

 

[BASS_WARRIOR 10+ year member]

that may work....do they have laptops with HDMI and optical audio out?

Yes they do, but they're not cheap. It would be cheaper to just piece a media center computer together. They make some pretty slick cases now: http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l2/g1/c10/list/p1/Cases-Cases_-_Media_Center_HTPC.html

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

you mean rip from cd's/dvd's? yes
this is probably the best way to go imo for overall useability/cost, especially if you have a friend that knows how to do it and all the ins and outs of it

So putting a DVD into a slot and "moving" the information to a hard drive is called ripping, not downloading.

This actually may be a better deal because I don't know much at all about computer machines.