Cheap PC for recording?

[dp1795]

Looking to setup a recorder pc dedicated with a 250, a recorder/client pc with a 250 connected to standard tv via svideo, and a home theater (htpc) sage client connected to projection HDTV through vga->component transcoder. I'd rather not put case and motherboard together, but purhcase already assembled (besides a video card/memory/hardrive).

What would be good machines/source for each of these three setups?

Really want to get started on this stuff, information overload makes decision process take to long :-)

Thanks,
Darren

[Narflex]

For a server, I've had good luck just buying the cheapest Compaq/HP that you can find at your local PC retailer (Best Buy,CircuitCity, Fry's, CompUsa, etc.).

After rebates you'll usually end up less than $500 a base machine.

[padre]

Like Narflex recommends, I bought my Compaq Presario 2.4ghz Celeron with 256mb RAM, 80gb Hard Disk, etc. It was only $399 (after rebate). It works great as my Sage system, with a PVR-350 installed. Bought the server at BestBuy in Delaware (no sales tax!).

[nicktripp]

If case-size is even remotely a factor for you, I'd say go with a desktop Dell GX1. There are three form factors for the desktops, and the middle one is perfect. It's as slim as as most home theater components, and has three PCI slots. Pop in your cards, a DVD drive and a big fat hard drive and you're good to go.

I got mine on eBay for $89.

If you're curious, here's a link to the sparse documentation on my blog of my htpc construction. It has pictures of the GX1. (Scroll to the bottom for the case-specific pics.)

Oh yeah...it works great too.

[dp1795]

After rebates and discounts. Looks like a good deal for recorder/server.

http://www.bensbargains.net/ktalk/10...08,6754,.shtml

-Darren