Media Centre

[kee-lo_]

Hi guys, know this isn't authodox (hey, Jumpy's posted DeLL before!) but I was wondering if you had some good ideas for me.

My step father wants Vista - whatever I say he jsut wnats it. So he's got a new PC on the way. So we were discussing what to do with his old DeLL, and before you guys say brun it I said why not use it as a media centre on the 42" plasma?

So, what software - preferably free would you suggest to make a good system? Plus should I use DVI or VGA? I want the best quality for HD trailers etc and for fonts.

Also I was wondering if I should make it a PVR? We have one, but my step father's not too good with using it, mainly because he can't see to use it really.

He's quite excited about it now, think he likes the idea of putting an mp3 playlist together and leaving it be, something we've not had in the living room.

[MrsHarris]

Why not whack linux on it and mythTV?
Free and rockin'

[kee-lo_]

Would love to, but he's visually impared, otherwise I would do it at the drop of a hat

[MattWilson]

Plus should I use DVI or VGA?

Use DVI because you can use the converter here to change it for the HDMI connectiom

[kee-lo_]

Cheers

The TV has all 3 sockets so there's no real hassle

[MattWilson]

Well the thing to check would be the ouptuts on the DVI and VGA.

VGA will easily do full HD (1920x1080) although some DVI ports are limited to 1280x1024 so worth a check.

Obviously with everything digital is better then analogue

[kee-lo_]

Yeah, I think I'll use VGA and see how it goes.