[satfrat]

I'm looking for guidance more than anything here as I've never owned a computer before but I'm getting mighty tired of using a Webtv and figure if I'm going to make a move for a computer, it might as well be a "good for everything" one. I want a gamer, CD burner, photo's (for a gallery here), and of course a surf net're. Gateway is said to be on hard times right now but as HTPC's go, this offering from Gateway seems to be the best of the bunch in features, video/audio cards, hard drive capacity and overall component quality & build. I don't plan on making a move til after the Home Entertainment show in NY on May 20-23 of which I'll be attending. But for now, I'm looking for advise. As much as I'm a budding audiophile, I know absolutely NOTHING about computers or how to even operate one. I'll be looking to incorporate this HTPC into my 6.1 system and tie the video into my Sony Wega XBR400 HD-ready tv. I know it can be done but still reseaching the how and (what to expect for) picture quality aspects. Am I on the right track with the 901x or is there another avenue I should be exploring here? Regards, Robin

[pjchappy]

The FMC is a nice little package. . .I'm not sure how it stacks up to a regular PC as far as upgradability and other features (the site is not working right at this point).  I'm not familiar w/ XP media addition, either.  Anyways, it looks like it'll have everything you need for what you want.  

A regular PC can be used to do what you want, too.  It just won't look as good as the FMC. Plus, PCs are easily upgradable, etc.  They will have more slots for expansion, etc.


p

[lonewolfny42]

Hey Robin, How about a link to this machine....thanks !!

[satfrat]

D'oh, think it might help? http://products.gateway.com/products/GConfig/proddetails.asp?system_id=fmc901x&seg=hm Hope this works,,,, and btw, Billatlakegeorge turned me on to this HTPC as he's seen my system and knows what I'm searching for. ANYTHING is better than this useless Webtv. But then, I'm here at AudioCircle cuz of it so it ain't all THAT bad. Regards, Robin

[satfrat]

Oh yeah, a picture,,, http://content.gateway.com/www.gateway.com/about/images/photo_library/CE/901.jpg Hope THIS works too. Regards, Robin

[satfrat]

The more I read about this HTPC, the more I feel it's the machine for me. Still, I'd like some opinions from the AC pros: Nathan's, Hantra, etc. The $1799 pricetag on the 901x sure as hell beats those $4000-$8000 offerings that make me wonder what they would have that I would really need over what the 901x already has? I found this interesting 7 page review from Home Theater PC News of the Gateway 901x that might be of some interest to those looking for a home theater computer. The one thing I can't seem to find in the wattage of the power supply. Those 250watt power supply's from the Dell line are garbage. But I wouldn't be surprised to find the same from Gateway. Here's the review: http://htpcnews.com/main.php?id=gateway901_1   Regards, Robin

[Rob Babcock]

Buy the machine you like, then upgrade the PS.  It's a pretty cheap upgrade that anyone with a screwdriver can do, with pretty big performance gains.

[satfrat]

Buy the machine you like, then upgrade the PS.  It's a pretty cheap upgrade that anyone with a screwdriver can do, with pretty big performance gains.

That's good to know but if the power supply is 350 or over, I won't bother. I plan on doing gaming while maybe doing CD burning at the same time so I want a power supply that can stand up to abuse,,, like myself. Regards, Robin

[witchdoctor]

Hi Robin,
I have been using an HTPC for a while now. I ordered an RKR Cassini from digitalconnection.com.
I can't find their pre-built machines on their website so you should give them a call.

[witchdoctor]

Here you go:

http://www.rkrvideo.com/Products/cassini_hds.htm

[satfrat]

Hi Robin,
I have been using an HTPC for a while now. I ordered an RKR Cassini from digitalconnection.com.
I can't find their pre-built machines on their website so you should give them a call.

With the component video out readily available, does this make this HTPC premade for use with a HD-ready TV or is a downloaded program (powerstrip?) still necessary to adjust the resolution/timing? Just with a quick comparison, the Gateway has 512 RAM vs 256 amd 250GB vs 40GB harddrive of the Cassini. Is the RKR Cassini easily upgradable? The 901x is not. I like the simplicity that the Cassini seems to offer in it's setup. Thanks for offering this HTPC up for my consideration Todd, especially as you've seen/heard my system and have a basic understanding of my needs. I hope in the near furture, you'll highlight this HTPC here with any insights that you might find interesting. It would seem that HTPC IS the future of home theater AND audio systems. And the future is NOW! Regards, Robin

[Rob Babcock]

Wow, that's quite the HTPC!   That's a lot of money, though.  It might be well worth it but that's a bit more than I'd spend on a PC.  That doesn't seem like much horsepower for the money- doesn't it spec a P3 @ 833?  I imagine with the hardware it includes it does a bang-up job with movies and stuff, but I've found my 2.8 gig is immensely faster in practical speed than my old 1.55 gig PC at certain tasks (particularly processing DVD files for burning and running EAC).

I'm far from a computer expert, though- there's guys here who know this stuff better than me.

We'll get you off that WebTV yet, Satfrat!

[witchdoctor]

The machine is fully cstomzable! i got an extra removeable harddrive ith mine ( 80GB). You can change video cars, soundcards, procesors, whatever. The machin on the site is basically likean automobile without any extras. The upgrades are not expensive when you compare to the costs of audio.
For $2000 you get:

1)A CD transport
2)A DVD player that will output in the scanrate you select
3) An MP3 jukebox
4) A cd/ DVD burner
5) A video recorder that records HDTV.
6) A video scaler
7) Upgradeability!
With other soundcards you can also play DVD audio.
9) Oh yeah, a PC.
Try buying this in audio terms, ouch! There are some video scalers that cost more than the PC! I'm not saying the PC will scale as well as  25K Farouda processor, but it works great on my projector!

One caveat, you are now firly in the PC world so you need to get PC friendly.
BTW, the software DVD players like Theatertek and Power DVD are awesome!

[satfrat]

You beat my post Witchdoctor. The extra few $$$ for the Cassini just might be justified by this unit's features. I find that the Cassini not only has a M-Audio soundcard (Revolation 7?) but it does indeed have corrective timing/resolution settings via Powerstrip and it's component out cancels out the need for a transcorder. Incorporating my HD-ready Sony is a must for me as I need to save some money somewhere. And just the fact that this unit comes ready to go is made to order for a computer virgin. I can't imagine trying to load and finetune Powerstripe by myself. Where's the power/on button again? How does one become PC friendly? Does it hurt? Regards, Robin

[pjchappy]

Wouldn't it be cheaper and have the most upgradability to get a barebones PC w/ at least 512k memory, a 120 or higher HD, then get a great soundcard and video card?. . .

p

[satfrat]

Witchdoctor wrote; "A video recorder that records HDTV"

Won't it take a WHOLE LOT more hard drive than just an extra 80GB to do any extensive recording of HD? The 901x still has 250GB, but as you say, one can upgrade. What would be a comfortable GB hard drive storage to have for gaming, HD recording, CD storage,,, etc. You get the point. Regards, Robin

[witchdoctor]

The HD you select can be bigger. I don't record HD since I get mine from a cable box via component out. You need to get it from a cable feed like the one that goes into your box from the cable company. Call first to make sure you won't need a trancoder.
Digitalconnection.com has excellent instructions on their site for Powerstrip.

[EchiDna]

Witchdoctor wrote; "A video recorder that records HDTV"

Won't it take a WHOLE LOT more hard drive than just an extra 80GB to do any extensive recording of HD? The 901x still has 250GB, but as you say, one can upgrade. What would be a comfortable GB hard drive storage to have for gaming, HD recording, CD storage,,, etc. You get the point. Regards, Robin

That's what dvd burners are for

all in all, I think the two products you are looking at would be ideal to the purpose, with the cassini having the edge on upgradeability and configurable to your specs. Hard drives are modular, you can effectively replace any unit with another of larger capacity when buying, ie, swap the 80gb drives for 250gb drives... or even go RAID and have 4 or more drives to save things onto... how many terrabytes do you need?  

[Rob Babcock]

There's nothing wrong with getting more computer than you need right now, but that might be overkill for a real computer noob.  If you need all that stuff it's probably a good deal, but you might be paying for stuff you don't need.

You shouldn't have much trouble learning to use it.  Windows XP Home is really easy to use, IMOHO, and a much better OS than previous Windows versions.  It's pretty stable and very simple to figure out.

[Woodsea]

That gateway is pretty sweet.  Having put together machines myself and having a buddy do it for me as well.  I am going to opt to have a big company do it for me next time, to save from the heartache, and headaches.  It is terrible when your baby dies on ya.   I will wait though, like about a month before I leave the country.  By that time ac97 will be gone, agp will be fading, and dual processors will be more common place in opteron configs.