Archive for January, 2009

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

Tuesday, 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?

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Posted in Software | 1 Comment »

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

Monday, 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.

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Posted in Monitors | 1 Comment »

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

Sunday, 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?

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Posted in Desktops | 3 Comments »

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

Sunday, 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

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Posted in Computer Networking | 3 Comments »

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

Sunday, 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.

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Posted in Other - Computers | 1 Comment »

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

Saturday, 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 :)

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Posted in Home Theater | 3 Comments »

What Media Center PC should I buy?

Friday, 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?

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Posted in Desktops | 1 Comment »

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

Friday, January 16th, 2009
Yobspoddie asked:


Anyone have any good suggestion?
Thanks.

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Posted in Desktops | 2 Comments »

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

Friday, 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?

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Posted in TiVO & DVRs | 2 Comments »

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

Wednesday, 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.

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Posted in Desktops | 1 Comment »

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