Cheap Computer - TV set up.

[DeusExM1]

I would like to get a TV which could be connected to a computer. I need this for my work out room (to be hanged on the wall). I will also connect the TV to a cable just in case guests want to watch that when they exercise.

However, i have no idea what parts to get and how to go about this. It doesnt have to be the cheapest, maybe something mid range. Anyone have any ideas? Id like to browse the web while exercising (treadmill).

PS. Yes its me DeusEx. My other account's password got reset and apparently its tied to an email that no longer exists... Sigh.

[KnightRid]

ok Legit Little One - lol

Almost anything will work - if the tv has DVI/HDMI/VGA and the computer has DVI/HDMI/VGA.

Best place to start is the tv - check out some of the cheap ones - you dont say what size - but like 32" tvs for around $400 or less. ALL of them should have at least HDMI and i think most will have VGA or DVI. Then go with the computer - do you want HD stuff, gaming, etc..... that will determine what cpu and video card you need. If you just want to do web surfing you can go REAL cheap. Gaming of course will run you quite a bit more to get the power out of it.

Once you can narrow down what you want to do with it, it will make it MUCH easier.

Mike

[Apoptosis]

DuesEx your password got reset?

i can always change the e-mail for the account if needed.

[DeusExM1]

the only thing the computer needs to do is surf the internet. So im guessing that buying from a company like dell might make the most sense in this case?

[KnightRid]

the only thing the computer needs to do is surf the internet. So im guessing that buying from a company like dell might make the most sense in this case?

Unless you have spare parts lying around - you could even use an older single core processor for this setup! Just make sure either the motherboard or the video card has an output to match your tv, or at least a DVI->VGA adapter or vice versa.

http://www.walmart.com/browse/Computers ... avId=41937

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olstemplate ... pe=listing

you would have to dig further to see about the video output, unless your tv has VGA - if you have VGA on your computer, ANY of them would work.

Mike

[Skippman]

I've got an old ATI All-in-Wonder you could try.

[DeusExM1]

what do you guys think about this?

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ ... on-zino-hd

[hnzw_rui]

what do you guys think about this?

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/ ... on-zino-hd

Do you need it to be that small? You can probably find some dual-core MicroATX computers for around the same price.

Otherwise, the Zino HD is the best value if you want something ultra small form factor.

[smack323]

i dont see a turner card in that so you wouldnt be able to run TV thru it. Id take of the Vista also and put windows 7 on it.

[KnightRid]

i dont see a turner card in that so you wouldnt be able to run TV thru it. Id take of the Vista also and put windows 7 on it.

tuner cards arent worth **** unless you have unencrypted digital or the card decrypts the cable companies signal - for sat dishes, the cards are even more worthless since you have to have everything run through the box and tune the box to the channel you want to record. Unless they fix this, tv tuner cards will visit the Beta vcr tapes

Mike

[smack323]

yeah i suppose but regardless you would still need on to watch over the air HDTV correct? I dont use one so i dont know much about them. My brother has one in his HTPC and loves it- says he gets all local channels for and can record/pause ect. with windows media center.

[hnzw_rui]

tuner cards arent worth **** unless you have unencrypted digital or the card decrypts the cable companies signal - for sat dishes, the cards are even more worthless since you have to have everything run through the box and tune the box to the channel you want to record. Unless they fix this, tv tuner cards will visit the Beta vcr tapes

Depends. You're assuming that people are subscribing to digital cable. If someone subscribes to just analog cable (usually much cheaper), a $50 ATSC/NTSC/QAM tuner will get you all the channels you subscribe to, and usually the local channels in HD, too. Also, there are ways of automating channel changing on set-top boxes. SageTV and GB-PVR does this through the use of IR blasters. I just don't know about Windows Media Center.

I'm actually saving $100/mo (1 HD STB + 2 SD STB, no DVR) since I cancelled cable service and now use antenna only. Not being able to watch some Lakers games kinda suck, but other than that, there's plenty of entertainment available. It seems all I do with the cable boxes is channel surf anyway. With the savings from cancelling cable service, money spent on the HTPC's would be recovered within 9 months.