New home.....new toys????

[Haptic]

Firstly a quick Hi to everyone on here, this is only my first or second post (can you tell it's a little quiet in the office today???) I wanted to ask some opinions of the masses concerning something completely unrelated to work.

 

I've recently moved house....and after a few years of cursing/bashing/replacing my existing IT/AV/Gaming set-up I now have a blank canvas to play with, I'm interested in setting up a network to include:

 

A haggard custom build C2D desktop running XP Pro

Sony LCD TV

LG 5:1 DVD (With USB Port)

PS3

XBOX 360

Projector

A fairly old and battered Technics seperate Stereo System

 

 

I'm not attempting to take over the world with this sorry list of has-been/has-not toys...however I'd love some tips on setting the whole system up to work seamlessly.

 

i was thinking of converting the desktop to a media centre, linking it to the stereo (had thought of Sonos equipment...but I'm absolutely brassic!) then running speakers around the house.

 

Also a purchase of a suitable media keyboard...i was contemplating the Logitech diNovo Mini but i think it's a tad pricey....I've tried selling my body but apparently I'm not attracting any bidders!

 

Any tips would be awesome.....and yes Im aware that yellow snow is to be avoided at all costs!

 

Joe 'Luddite' Aucott

 

Team C.P

[Domino]

With a PS3 and xbox, you shouldn't need a medi centre as such - maybe more of a media server. Set it up with a DLNA server and you're away.

 

As for music, have you thought about an apple airport express - Apple (United Kingdom) - AirPort Express - Features - Music Sharing they're alot cheaper than a sonos system, and if you an ipod touch or an iphone you can use the itunes remote app to control it while you're at home.

[ninjabeaver]

Sonos is very expensive, but very nice. They've also now got a free iPhone app to control the Sonos gear as well which works very well. (I had to set a house full of them up as a private job).

 

I'm running a media server at home and using the PS3 as my main Media System. Excellent piece of kit and has really justified itself for the purchase. So that's Blueray, Music and Video streamin, IPlayer built in and also a games console. I'd pop the projector in the box unless the Sony LCD TV is to small. The DVD player can be lost as well as both the XBox 360 and PS3 can handle those.

 

The PC can be cleaned up and put a Unix based Media Streamer on there. Can't remeber off the top of my head what it's called though... sorry. How about whacking a decent 5.1 or 7.1 sound card into the PC? Just go for a normal wireless keyboard and trackball.

 

If you keep the PC with XP on you will need http://ps3mediaserver.blogspot.com/ to allow the PS3 to talk to it.

 

Just my 2p worth.

Edited March 31, 2010 by ninjabeaver

[sted]

With a PS3 and xbox, you shouldn't need a medi centre as such - maybe more of a media server. Set it up with a DLNA server and you're away.

 

As for music, have you thought about an apple airport express - Apple (United Kingdom) - AirPort Express - Features - Music Sharing they're alot cheaper than a sonos system, and if you an ipod touch or an iphone you can use the itunes remote app to control it while you're at home.

 

depends how you want to use the 360 it works better if its attached to the same network as a media centre that way it can be used for watching live tv etc.

 

for simplicity iv i was to start again id replace my old amp with one with hdmi get a vidro cad with hdmi audio and wire that to the stereo then stereo to tv and any other ps3/xbox to the other hdmi's on the stereo

[Haptic]

All of the above is cracking input...sadly lacking the Iphone at present, my brother lives with me now and he's always leaving his lying around....hmmm

[Haptic]

If you keep the PC with XP on you will need PS3 Media Server to allow the PS3 to talk to it.

 

Just my 2p worth.

 

 

 

Worth more than 2p that one!!! (I've been trying to sync the two for yonks)

 

Superb info

[featured_spectre]

Joe, if you need a hand getting it all done I dont mind comin up provided petrol costs are covered

[Haptic]

Thanks for all the posts and info, esp hanks to Carl(Nephilim) for offering to come to Kettering to help me out. I'm now sorted!

 

After swapping my problematic and frankly useless LG 5.1 for a Panasonic alternative everything is working seamlessly, a Logitech Harmony One remote has also removed the 4 remotes from various nether regions of my sofa...I had contemplated taping the remotes together (a'la Peep Show's 'Megatron!!) but as Jeremy said on the show...."it smells wrong"

 

All I need to tackle now is the Mitsubishi EW270U Projector project for the kitchen/dining room...stay tuned for more info on my long-winded AV bungling!