yukichan
08-02-2006, 11:41 PM
The entertainment pc, a multipart guide.
Tell me what you think if this is useful ^^
This guide is dedicated to making a computer ready for the multimedia convergence that is dominated the market place. People who watch compressed video from a pc format, like to game, or listen to music will befit to this guide. This guide is open for input from anyone who reads it ^^ including additions and experiences. Projects are welcome as it will help users.
Each computer will be divided into different categories to indicate its use and requirements. Each installment of this guide will show you how to configure the hardware and software of each system. These are my own opinions based on my own hobby work, the target functions can be done on older hardware but this is best for stability and speed.
So what makes this guide special? I will be using free software ^^, linux and gnu stuff.
Computer type A (for listing to music and storing / ripping music/ a music server for network)
Processor: 400 MHz or better P2 class system or Ahtlon (a via c3 or Eden chip can be a good alternative for this system configuration)
Ram: 256mb of ram as ubuntu is the best bet here
Video card: a supported frame buffer with 4mb of ram or better as video functions are not used other than song selection in most cases. If used in the living room a scan converter or video card with TV out is a good idea ^^.
HDD: 20GB or better to hold mp3s and other audio formats
Optical drive: a decent 32 x or better drive with decent DAE abilities
Soundcard: SoundBlaster live or better as the stereo performance is good for music (miles above AC97). On this AC97 is the devil, you might think that you are cool for using onboard sound with AC97 linking but just say no, the dacs are usually really crappy.
Speakers: a good sounding set of 2.1 speakers or a nice hifi set with inputs (audio quality is subjective to the listener, so if you like the sound stick with it)
Network card: so you can stream shout cast and share music file from other networked computers.
Other suggestions: use an old computer you have laying around with those specs to save a lot of money, maybe all it needs is a new soundcard to make it usable.
Operating system: in this case the best would be to use Ubuntu to keep costs low, also the os includes free downloads to all the audio ripping and playback packages you need.
Coming in my next posting: I will be using an old compaq I had laying around to make this system ^^.
Tell me what you think if this is useful ^^
This guide is dedicated to making a computer ready for the multimedia convergence that is dominated the market place. People who watch compressed video from a pc format, like to game, or listen to music will befit to this guide. This guide is open for input from anyone who reads it ^^ including additions and experiences. Projects are welcome as it will help users.
Each computer will be divided into different categories to indicate its use and requirements. Each installment of this guide will show you how to configure the hardware and software of each system. These are my own opinions based on my own hobby work, the target functions can be done on older hardware but this is best for stability and speed.
So what makes this guide special? I will be using free software ^^, linux and gnu stuff.
Computer type A (for listing to music and storing / ripping music/ a music server for network)
Processor: 400 MHz or better P2 class system or Ahtlon (a via c3 or Eden chip can be a good alternative for this system configuration)
Ram: 256mb of ram as ubuntu is the best bet here
Video card: a supported frame buffer with 4mb of ram or better as video functions are not used other than song selection in most cases. If used in the living room a scan converter or video card with TV out is a good idea ^^.
HDD: 20GB or better to hold mp3s and other audio formats
Optical drive: a decent 32 x or better drive with decent DAE abilities
Soundcard: SoundBlaster live or better as the stereo performance is good for music (miles above AC97). On this AC97 is the devil, you might think that you are cool for using onboard sound with AC97 linking but just say no, the dacs are usually really crappy.
Speakers: a good sounding set of 2.1 speakers or a nice hifi set with inputs (audio quality is subjective to the listener, so if you like the sound stick with it)
Network card: so you can stream shout cast and share music file from other networked computers.
Other suggestions: use an old computer you have laying around with those specs to save a lot of money, maybe all it needs is a new soundcard to make it usable.
Operating system: in this case the best would be to use Ubuntu to keep costs low, also the os includes free downloads to all the audio ripping and playback packages you need.
Coming in my next posting: I will be using an old compaq I had laying around to make this system ^^.