Computer for Home Theater Setup - need to buy!

[Peter Elliott]

Anyone buy an off the rack computer for a home theater setup.

Very good video card with HDMI - out
Good Audio Card - 5.1 or better to hook into reciever.

Looking for good setup for streaming video like MLB and web browsing.
I already have a good blu-ray player.

Looking at the Dell Zino 410. Im not interested in mac-mini due to software.

I used to build computers but with no time and the amount of products/specs and places to buy. I'd rather be in the shop.

This will be hooked up through a denon receiver and shown on a Epson 8350 projector.

Also will need a good wireless keyboard/mouse combo.

Thanks
Peter

[Bryan Morgan]

Anyone buy an off the rack computer for a home theater setup.

Very good video card with HDMI - out
Good Audio Card - 5.1 or better to hook into reciever.

Looking for good setup for streaming video like MLB and web browsing.
I already have a good blu-ray player.

Looking at the Dell Zino 410. Im not interested in mac-mini due to software.

I used to build computers but with no time and the amount of products/specs and places to buy. I'd rather be in the shop.

This will be hooked up through a denon receiver and shown on a Epson 8350 projector.

Also will need a good wireless keyboard/mouse combo.

Thanks
Peter

You'd probably want something with a modern processor, a sandy bridge i3 should be fine. I have an older Opteron 180 that works fine for full HD content. If you use a video card like a Radeon 4650 it has HDMI out that also carries the audio signal so you don't need a separate sound card. I just use the single HDMI cable from the computer to the Onkyo receiver which does the audio and video switching. Works great. Slap on a wireless mini keyboard with a built in touchpad or thumbsticks and you will be stoked.