tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post5227639763901887097..comments2024-01-08T19:20:20.795-08:00Comments on Cutting the Cord and Cutting the Bills: Do it yourself, do it all Media PC for $600George Hines (mrthreeplates)http://www.blogger.com/profile/14804507713384890711noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-66345811977919821622011-04-28T17:18:09.701-07:002011-04-28T17:18:09.701-07:00Check out the Dell Inspiron Zino. AMD processor, W...Check out the Dell Inspiron Zino. AMD processor, Windows 7, Media Center remote, 2 eSATA ports, 1TB HD, Blu Ray Combo drive, wireless N. Pretty sweet for $500. Throw in a USB HD tuner and you're good to go for less than $600 and virtual no set up required. I'm planning on getting one and I'll let you know how it goes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-48139242390613672652010-12-06T11:39:46.117-08:002010-12-06T11:39:46.117-08:00If you're truly advocating to cut the cord, a ...If you're truly advocating to cut the cord, a TiVo HD is a great option that won't scare away the non-DIY crowd.<br /><br />While your box does do everything, I liked the idea of having something pre-built that does everything in a very integrated way. I was going zero fuss. I wanted everyone in the house to be able to use it easily. We went a TiVoHD and have never looked back.<br /><br />My total cost was right at about $600 too and this was over a year ago. I have a TiVoHD. If you get the lifetime plan, there is no monthly fee. You just pay for it all up front.<br /><br />I don't know of anything that rivals TiVo's easy to use UI or attention to detail at the moment. They even optimized the filesystem for DVR use and to make it survive power blips. I use it for free over the air broadcasts, Netflix and YouTube. It has all the right connectors on the back for easy hookup. I'm doing HDMI to my TV and S/PIDF to my receiver. We use just the TiVo peanut for 95% of the time. It turns the TV and receiver on and off at the press of one button and the volume controls the receiver.Brian Mauterhttp://www.mauter.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-18057322593036872632010-11-15T13:50:08.150-08:002010-11-15T13:50:08.150-08:00@Anonymous, good question! You will be please to ...@Anonymous, good question! You will be please to note that it only uses 2 watts when in standby (which it is in 95% of the time). I'd like to see any DVR beat that kind of efficiency! It is also totally silent too when in Standby.George Hines (mrthreeplates)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14804507713384890711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-4221115729540043502010-11-15T13:35:53.202-08:002010-11-15T13:35:53.202-08:00What about the cost of having a Media Center PC ru...What about the cost of having a Media Center PC running 24/7 versus a DVR? Adds up over time and is a big hurdle for my wife to get over (she doesn't like the idea of a computer that's on all the time).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-72743403269017994842010-08-05T16:41:11.308-07:002010-08-05T16:41:11.308-07:00Hi Tom,
Just posted the first half of my solution...Hi Tom,<br /><br />Just posted the first half of my solution for backups. Acronis is a good choice too.<br /><br />GeorgeGeorge Hines (mrthreeplates)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14804507713384890711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-91504238163297718792010-05-18T09:04:41.720-07:002010-05-18T09:04:41.720-07:00Hi Tom,
You are very welcome!
Great point about ...Hi Tom,<br /><br />You are very welcome!<br /><br />Great point about the backup, Windows 7 has even been reminding me about it as well! I do have a simple scheme for saving my configuration (only), but a Media PC deserves a bit more sophistication. I'll think about it a bit and post my setup.<br /><br />Best Regards,<br /><br />GeorgeGeorge Hines (mrthreeplates)https://www.blogger.com/profile/14804507713384890711noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-890305359381273217.post-4068084879864777502010-05-18T07:55:23.179-07:002010-05-18T07:55:23.179-07:00Thanks George! I don't think I've seen a ...Thanks George! I don't think I've seen a more concise, easy to understand and complete review anywhere on building a media PC and believe me I've been looking.<br /><br />One question. How about backing up? I use Acronis to back up my PC. Would it apply here?<br /><br />Again, thanks for the great information.<br /><br />TomTom Husbandhttp://california-travels.com/noreply@blogger.com