how do i set up my xp media center pc to act as a TiVo or digital video recorder?

January 20th, 2009
The JZA asked:


i’m pretty sure there’s a way to do it, but my OS didn’t come with instructions (yes, it was legitimately bought from tiger direct). i have an ATI all-in-wonder 9800 graphics card with a cable input, and i have plenty of hard drive space (100gb+). could anyone shed some light on this?

Can anyone give me a good list of parts for a media center pc?

January 19th, 2009
dockirby160 asked:


I have about 1000 dollars of playroom and i want to build a media center desktop. I can use my 37 inch LCD as a monitor if i have to to keep the price down.

Is a “media-Center-PC” the same as a decent PC running Windows-XP Media Center?

January 18th, 2009
silicon_valley_geek asked:


If I start with a modern PC with a decent graphics card and a DVD writer, and if I install Windows-XP Media Center Edition on it, does it become a Media Center PC? I kind of doubt that, but I need to know what else I need to add. Are any of the followings necessary or desired: a TV tuner, dual TV tuner, S-Video output, firewall connection, DVI connection?

How do I network my Windows XP Pro PC and my Windows Media Center PC?

January 18th, 2009
poking00 asked:


I have them both in the same workgroup and can see the media center PC when I browse from the XP Pro PC but it says that I am not authorized to access the Media Center PC when I try to access it to map Drives. It is a wired network using a Linksys router. I can access other XP boxes from this xp box on the network fine.
I have folders shared on all machines

Why am I getting a “restricted content” blue screen on my Media Center PC when I try to watch recorded tv?

January 18th, 2009
grrrrgrrrrr asked:


I have recorded some tv shows on my media center pc and all of them work except one which gives me a blue screen and a message about the provider restricting the content or something after about 10 seconds in. The movie is The Bus Stop with Marilyn Monroe, and I recorded it on AMC. I can watch that channel fine and record other things on that channel ok.

Can I get a HD picture from my Media Center PC?

January 17th, 2009
Scott L asked:


I have a DLP projector (1080i) hooked up to my media center PC. Using a DVI cable on the “out” side of the video card, but only a coax input is available for the input in my TV card. I have DISH HD service, but my picture looks blurry from the projector. I’m loding the HD signal due to the MCPC. Is there a stand-alone HD-upconvert available that I could put between the PC and projector to get a HD picture?
I have a DLP projector (1080i) hooked up to my media center PC. Using a DVI cable on the “out” side of the video card, but only a coax input is available for the input in my TV card. I have DISH HD service, but my picture looks blurry from the projector. I’m loding the HD signal due to the MCPC. Is there a stand-alone HD-upconvert available that I could put between the PC and projector to get a HD picture?

Update…the resolution of both PC and projector are set at 1280×720. I could just hook up the DISH box directly to the projector, but then I lose the MCPC functions (detailed guide, DVR, etc.). Thanks in advance for further advice :) Update…the resolution of both PC and projector are set at 1280×720. I could just hook up the DISH box directly to the projector, but then I lose the MCPC functions (detailed guide, DVR, etc.). Thanks in advance for further advice :)

What Media Center PC should I buy?

January 16th, 2009
Tenant In Review asked:


I am in the market for a good Media Center PC. I’ll be getting dish network soon, and I wanted to be able to record the programs without having to pay for their digital recorder. Anyone make any recommendatons?

The video card of my HP m7360n Media Center PC fried. I tried to buying a replacement but doesn’t seem to work?

January 16th, 2009
Yobspoddie asked:


Anyone have any good suggestion?
Thanks.

Can I use a HDTV as a monitor for a Windows Media Center PC?

January 16th, 2009
toddbinder_com asked:


I want to setup a Windows Media Center PC in my living room and I want to use our HDTV as the monitor. Can I realisticly use the HDTV as a monitor for web browsing, email and word processing? What kind video card options and connection options do I need to take into consideration?

What is the best, or most realistic connection option? Do I need some kind of converter box?

What are some tips to perform a system recovery on a Windows XP Media Center pc?

January 14th, 2009
hammerhawk asked:


I am wondering which files I need to backup? How long a system recovery process takes to complete from start to finish? Any other preparations I need to do prior to running the recovery? Any tips on these questions or any other basic things I should know would be greatly appreciated.