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HTPC (Home Theater PC) for under 1K?
scotthh:
--- Quote from: billpa on June 24, 2008, 04:41:54 pm ---...asking if it had to be a PC (we are all Mac based here) which I answered, yes. I figured it would be cheaper to build a dedicated PC for this type of application. He then told me if I could keep it under a thousand (that includes the touchscreen) he would probably go for it.
--- End quote ---
It would be cheaper to build an HTPC than to buy a Mac up front. But who is going to support it? If the company has all Macs are you going to be the support? Or are you going to need to train or hire a new IT person? If and when it breaks down you're going to be on the hook for the problem. I'm a PC user, so I don't know too much about Mac, but It looks like iMovie can do what you want. Perhaps you even have a machine you can use for this purpose already on site (not as much fun as building a new one, but cheaper).
Neverending Project:
What about just getting an appleTV?
Since you are all macs anyway, all you will need to do is store your video in iTunes on a computer on the network. No extra computer needed, no touchscreen interface. And appleTV will handle HD too. In the board room, you would simply need the remote to control the appleTV interface.
So for under $300 you have a great solution. And you get to stay mac! :D
Brian Zellinger:
Windows Media Center. Requires Vista Premium or Ultimate. Check out www.thegreenbutton.com. It's a forum dedicated for Media Center enthusiasts. They can answer a lot of your questions.
Check out some YouTube videos and you'll see how cool it is.
Also, I don't think you can have two monitors with 2 different resolutions. Clone only. So, your touch screen will have to output 1080. Are these even made? Good luck with that one.
billpa:
Okay...I am getting some good info here. In regards to support, I do a majority of the troubleshooting and repair although we do have an IT guy who can do both Mac and PC.
AppleTV is a bit weak IMO. Sure its great to rent movies off of ITunes but it cant play back anything faster/higher than 720p. Plus I dont want another remote. I want a touchscreen interface...partly for the wow factor (since we bring prospective clients into this room a lot).
Not sure why you could not run two monitors at 2 different resolutions ??? I will definitely check out thegreenbutton.com
Cheers,
Bill
Samstag:
I run two monitors at different resolutions both at home and at work. No special software or setup is required.
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