gzyzwc said:
Ok, I am definatly a newb, and having a real hard time understanding what you guys are talking about. Can somebody dumbify what a media center is, and if I should get one? What are they for? Originally I thought media center meant my entire system, but apparently it is a PC or something used to control all my components?
Thanks
Let me clarify a little bit more..
A media center is a single device that can essentially REPLACE your entire system, all in one box. It is not a PC that controls other devices, but rather, it TAKES THE PLACE OF your other device. The whole idea is that a Media Center will take care of your TV recording, music, DVDs, pictures, and other video all on one appliance.
Think of a typical home tool box - you have phillips screwdriver, a flat blade screwdriver, a pair of scissors, a file, a pair of pliers, etc.. this tool box can easily be replaced by a Swiss Army Knife.
By that comparison, the Media Center is the Swiss Army knife of your home theater. As mentioned above, it should be able to:
* Watch, pause, & record live television
* Play and store music CD's and view album art
* Play, catalog, and store DVD videos
* Listen & Pause FM Radio
* View, store, and edit digital pictures
* Create automated picture slideshows
* Burn CD's and DVD's to share media
* Sing Karaoke
* Instantly check weather
* Extend above media to other televisions using media extenders
* and more.
Beware that not all devices called "media centers" are actually "media centers." To add to the confusion, some "media centers" are simply PCs with basic media center software installed. If you're looking for a device that covers everything mentioned above, look for a
Premium Media Center.
Beyond just having those functions, Premium Media Centers features high-quality, home theater-friendly TV outputs, digital audio interconnects, and features that video & audiophiles have come to love and expect from high-end, high-quality components. They should also be highly stable, feature large storage, and be easy to use.
Feel free to ask if you have any more questions - we'll be glad to answer them!
Sincerely,
Steven W Cheung
VidaBox LLC