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ChesterCopperpotReturns · Sep 25, 2006, 10:04 PM

So Kristin is all for ditching out TV, and building a ridiculous computer system, to watch movies, play games, and all that jazz. I already have a 20" cinema, but it's lack of inputs pretty much makes it computer only.... I realize I could get a Dell with the same screen, but more inputs, including S video inputs...that might work... however, I've heard bad things about dell LCDs, so I'm thinking about just buying a decent big ass LCD, and stuffing it into an old school 1950s television I have (that doesn't work, the tubes are shot). It has a front flip down panel that I'm pretty sure I could shove a DVD player into... also, this is more htan just equipment. I'm building a cabinet/desk to house my recently acquired pimpotronic quadraphonic system, along with an extra 2 channel amp, ps2, vcr, and hopefully, my quicksilver dual 1.33ghz g4. That said I'll make it big enough to house a mac pro, in the eventuality that i upgrade... but... anyway, this just sorta seems like unchartered waters. It's weird to combine the two systems, but it does make sense. Has anyone else taken the plunge yet? If so, what problems did you encounter? I'm thinking about a fairly rectangular cabinet, with a huge pull out section that houses my turntables, but will also double as the spot for my keyboard and mouse, when using it as a computer. I'd scan some sketches of cabinet designs, but I don't feel like it yet. Any information you could provide with your insights, experiences, or tips owuld be helpful, but I feel it's fairly exciting to finally ditch the TV, and move to a more centralized digital hub for everything.

- Rob

macfantn · Sep 25, 2006, 10:16 PM

why not ditch your monitor for a 42" plasma run os x on that.

rickey939 · Sep 25, 2006, 10:32 PM

Baninated.

- - e r i k - - · Sep 25, 2006, 11:08 PM

Apple - iMac
Elgato Systems

The Godfather · Sep 26, 2006, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by ChesterCopperpotReturns

so I'm thinking about just buying a decent big ass LCD, and stuffing it into an old school 1950s television I have

Why would you take a flat thing like an LCD and stuffing it into a deep wooden box. Don't you value your theater space?

Dark Helmet · Sep 26, 2006, 09:40 AM

Originally Posted by macfantn

why not ditch your monitor for a 42" plasma run os x on that.

Horrible idea. Plasmas get burn in so eventually you will have a menubar/dock burnt into the screen. Same goes if you play games on it.

You can get a large non-computer LCD monitor and hook up all your want to it including your Mac because they all have DVI or HDMI connectors these days.

Gossamer · Sep 26, 2006, 10:16 AM

Knoppmyth

Build a totally sweet Home Theater PC for under $400. DVR, DVDs, iTunes stuff (under XP).

turtle777 · Sep 26, 2006, 11:46 AM

Originally Posted by rickey939

Baninated.

Nice catch, Mr. Obvious !

-t

turtle777 · Sep 26, 2006, 11:48 AM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Build a totally sweet Home Theater PC.

Sweet ?

Sheet !

-t

Gossamer · Sep 26, 2006, 12:13 PM

Dollar for dollar, you're better off building a PC. You can get a VERY respectable system with lots of features and such for much less than even a used G4 tower with nothing on it. OS X is a wonderful operating system, but if the idea is a budget home theater, a PC is the only way to go.

turtle777 · Sep 26, 2006, 12:16 PM

Originally Posted by Gossamer

Dollar for dollar, you're better off building a PC.

Wow, talk about old news. Why even post this ?
This has always been like that.

Nobody buys Apple because the HW is more expensive, but because the SW is much better, and the integrationof of SW with HW performs better.

-t

Dakar · Sep 26, 2006, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Wow, talk about old news. Why even post this ?
This has always been like that.

Nobody buys Apple because the HW is more expensive, but because the SW is much better, and the integrationof of SW with HW performs better.

-t

And Bill gates sucks ass!

Naplander · Sep 26, 2006, 12:27 PM

I have been thinking about this too.

A 24" iMac, with Elgato systems, then some surround audio.

Any nice suggestions for a surround system?

In the future, would I be able to run a PS3 through this?

Monique · Sep 26, 2006, 12:28 PM

Never, and I do not own a computer.

Gossamer · Sep 26, 2006, 01:12 PM

Originally Posted by what_the_heck

Wow, talk about old news. Why even post this ?
This has always been like that.

Nobody buys Apple because the HW is more expensive, but because the SW is much better, and the integrationof of SW with HW performs better.

-t

I was speaking specifically in the realm of a home theater PC. If that's all it's going to be used for, then the Mac loses its only advantage of having OS X, because you don't use it for the OS anymore. Plus, he'd mentioned before that money was a bit tight for him, so buying another Mac wouldn't make sense, but if he's just going to use his current one, then it's fine.