1st new build- Media Center thoughts ?

[Will4long]

Hi there guys.

Wondering if any of you would cast an eye over what I think is a decent spec for what i want.I want a media center built that will be for the following uses.: (in order)

1.)Watching/Recording two digital freeview broadcasts onto hard disk.

2.) Watching downloaded movies. (any editing will be done on my desktop pc and then transferred over to media center, either by disk or wireless using my desktop with its BT Home Hub)

3.) Viewing digital cam pics and footage from my JVC miniDV camcorder.

4.) General listening to MP3`s.

I don`t have Sky and don`t intend getting it anytime in the next couple of years.
The media center will be connected up to my 32" Toshiba LCD so would like the option of playing HD media from center to tv.

Here is the spec i have looked at and would welcome any comments/suggestions or even abuse that you can offer regarding this.
As I say this will be my first build and the excitement is killing me.I just want to get my hands on and get components ordered.

I have quickly found links for the components so if spec looks fine then i`ll look around to see if i can source any cheaper.

Processor:AMD Athlon 64 3800+ (£62.84)
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=119607

Motherboard: ASUS M2N-VM (£64.99)
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=119042

Case: Antec Fusion MATX with 430W PSU (£111.56)
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/112657

Hard Drive: Samsung SpinPoint T133 400GB (£69.95)
http://www.komplett.co.uk/k/ki.asp?sku=320128

Memory: Geil® Value DDR2 1.0GB PC5300 (2 off at £52.88 each)
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/ProductInfo.aspx?ProductID=14374&GroupID=1146

Optical Drive: NEC 7173A 18xDVD
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/117548 = £21.35

TV Card: Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T 500 Dual digital (£56.99)
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/113946

Keyboard: Microsoft Remote Keyboard MCE (£29.85)
http://www.lowestonweb.com/products/info.asp?e=8EE19460-A727-445E-BBBB-4998A2D5E8D0

O/S: OEM Windows Vista Home Premium x32Bit (£67.27)
http://www.ebuyer.com/UK/product/123067



Correct me if i`m wrong, the in-built graphics and sound card will do me fine as all my gaming is with my Xbox360. Can`t remember the last time i played a game on my PC as well as the graphics card having the ability for me to use a DVI-HDMI cable to show any HD content onto my LCD TV.?
Also, i`m pretty sure the Mobo features in-built wi-fi so no need for a wirless adaptor.?

All help much appreciated, I think i may need to call on these forums during my build.

Thanks in advance.

[flanzig1]

Would up the ram to a 2gig kit. The on-board video will use system ram.
Also, would go with a Seagate 7200.10 HD, they would be faster a longer warranty than the Samsung.
Would keep a video card in mind if the on-board isn't up to snuff for your needs.

[Staren]

The computer itself looks great. But there are a few issues when it comes to doing TV recordings that need to be taken into account.

What kind of signals do you want to record? Are they over the air or via cable?

Where are you putting this computer?

Just for us ignorant Americans, what are "freeview" and "Sky"? I've never heard the terms before. I assume Sky is satellite. Not sure though.

[phatphoeater]

Not knowing a thing about currency conversions, you might want to look into getting a 939 setup and getting winXP to save money. If you really will use this solely for HTPC purposes, there really isnt a need to go with a beefy setup.

1-XP will run just fine with 1gig of RAM.
2-939 mobos with nvidia's 6150 chipset will do HD out just fine from whats reported at byopvr.com. If not, the 7300s should be plenty and cheap.
3-An A64 3200+ should run HD video just fine as well, especially if you will be doing most editing on another PC.
4-i cant tell if your selected mobo does coax or optical out for 5.1 surround, but its something to consider, as i assume you will have it hooked up to your home theater sound system.

byopvr.com is a great resource for HTPC builders. its been a year since i built mine and havent been there in a while so i dont know what they are suggesting these days to new builders. my 939 platform has changed a bit to make it more of a gaming rig, but it functioned well as an HTPC.