Anyone simply using custom PC's instead of component DVD players?

[ScarMouth]

Hi,

I sick of running around looking for the "proper" DVD player for my home entertainment system.

I checked out http://www.vcdhelp.com/dvdplayers.php so many times in the last week.

Many of the units cannot be bought. And, many of them are seemingly too dirt cheap to consider seriously. And, some of the review dispute the other. And, AND, AND!

So I'm am again considering the construction of a PC solely for the entertainment center.

Heck, the PC seems to be the ONLY device that plays everything!

Probably going to build a custom case as close to MB dimensionsas possibele.

Wondering if any are doing so now and wondering how it went.

Anyone make an custom cases?

[wannabme]

Theres's heaps of places you can find stuff on HTPC's

CASE DESIGNS-:http://www.atechfabrication.com/products/HTPC_case.htm
http://www.sheff.com/projects/HellRaiser/hellraiser01.html (Great Looking Case Designs):)

VOLUME KNOB-
http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/index.html

INFARED DEVICE (REMOTE CONTROL RECEIVER):D
http://http://www.evation.com/irman/index.html

LCD DISPLAY-http://http://www.matrixorbital.com/

IF YOU WANT TO BUY SOME CHEAP HARDWARE TRY EBAY (http://www.ebay.com)

THERE IS ALSO A FORUM ON THIS SUBJECT AT:D

AVSFORUM (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/) (FOLLOW LINKS TO Home Theater Computers
HOPE THIS HELPS:D :sly:[URL]

[brashquido]

I use a front projection system in my home theater, and the great scaling properties of the PC make it the only viable choice. If I was to buy a dedicated peice of scaling equipment, I would be looking at $5000AUD upwards. With a PC, software media players automatically adjust to the correct aspect ratio, and it's easy to scale for example a DVD's resolution of 720X576 (PAL) upto the native resolution of the projector so you use the full pixel grid.

Plus as you say, the PC can be used for much more than just playing DVD's, it can be the core of a complete entertainment system.

[ScarMouth]

exactly!

My ETC PC is almost complete simply awaiting parts ordered through eBay.

Picked up an ATI ALL IN WONDER that will record as well as play video.

Grabbed a wireless keyboard with trackball.

Stuffed it all in a COOLERMASTER ATCS micro case that looks EXACTLY like all of the other pieces of entertainment system.

Can't wait to get the beast up and running:)