The Center of Attention

At the beginning of 2003, flat screen monitors were the one of the most coveted computer accessories. They have since become commonplace and the price has started dropping to boot. Well, this year the title of the most coveted computer item is arguably the media center or digital media center.
The digital media center, or media center as it is often called, represents the integration of home technological capabilities. They are systems that have media center management software and hardware preinstalled. The end effect is that you can use your computer in a TiVo like capacity by recording and pausing live television programs. This is in addition to the abilities to watch DVDs, organize digital pictures, store music files, and of course burn all of these to a CD or DVD. The concept is to have a central computer that can manage your home entertainment devices. Toshiba, Dell, and HP all offer media centers in both desktops and laptops.
Media centers are not the computer systems that you see for sale for $600. You should expect for prices to start between $1500-$2000 and rise from there. Now if you have sticker shock, but you still want the capabilities that media centers offer, as usual you have alternative options. You readers who are technophiles may know where I am heading. You can achieve comparable capabilities at a fraction of the $2000 price tag.
The first thing that you can do is to purchase one of those $600 computers or just renovate your current system, assuming that you have a decent processor. One of the other requisites is to purchase a DVD drive that is both a player and recorder. Next, you would need to buy a video card that has TV tuner capabilities. Radeon’s All in Winder line is a good place to look. At this point all that you need to do is either install these components yourself of pay someone else to do this for you. The parts should cost you less than $300 total. You may want to checkout the prices for those items online.
Pricewatch.com and eBay are good places to get a good deal on computer components. A word of warning is that you must have a degree of patience if you go the online route. It may take a few days before your items are delivered. The total price of your customized media center should cost you less than $1000. This price includes the $600 computer, DVDR drive, TV tuner video card, and installation. If you renovate a computer that you currently own, then subtract $600.
The final option is Archos’ AV320. It is a handheld digital media and digital recording device that attaches to your computer via the USB port. With a 20 gig hard drive you can store and enjoy music, TV programs, Movies, and more for about $600. Either way the price is significantly less expensive than a preconfigured digital media center.