Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - TeeVee, Plan9-style

Plan9 · 12-25-2010, 05:31 AM

Confession: I've never actually bought a television. Ever. I either borrowed one from my folks (college), my roommates (military) brought one or whatever woman I was with had one. Most homes have several televisions and, as such, I've always had one sitting around. Now that I'm a wealthy sellout and want The Finer Things In Life (TM), I gotta get an idiot box. I mean, watching the masterpiece that is HBO's Rome on a laptop is totally unacceptable.

Help me out, Tilted Technology! I'm a bit of a tech 'tard. Haven't been keeping up on this topic.

What I want:

- Simple, low profile entertainment center that doesn't suck (Ikea maybe?)
- 36"+ television / computer monitor (is there a difference anymore?)
- Computer tower w/ DVD drive (only needs to be able to watch Hulu / surf Web)
- Wireless keyboard and mouse (Logitech, so I don't have to get off the couch)
- High speed Internet connection (to avoid dreaded YouTube buffering)
- Dolby 5.1 surround sound speakers (for extra awesome gunfights)

Basically, it's a giant extended desktop computer that I'm going to use while sitting on my Testosthrone (TM) couch to watch Hulu and DVDs. I might even set up a webcam so you can watch my girlfriend and I as we watch movies (which seems to be wildly popular in TFP video chat for some reason).

Questions:

- What kind of flat panel TeeVee or computer monitor should I buy? Is there a difference anymore? I don't want super huge, so I'm thinking somewhere in the 36"-42" range. Is that a good size? LED seems new and expensive; what should I buy that gives a decent picture?

- Will a XX"+ flat screen TeeVee work with a computer tower provided I use X cables? I'm sure this is a common setup today with people moving away from cable providers. And what do I need on the computer tower? Special video card? What about running a dual monitor setup?

- Do I plug the surround sound into the computer or into the monitor? Should I use a particular sound card?

- Anything I've missed? Monitor, tower, wireless peripherals, speakers, hard line Internet connection. What else is there?

...

While I'm doing more Google research, feel free to chime in with your advice and experiences.

...

I'll add pictures of my finds and the final product once I get it up and online. It's gonna be fun.

12-25-2010, 05:31 AM	#1 (permalink)
Plan9 I Confess a Shiver	TeeVee, Plan9-style Confession: I've never actually bought a television. Ever. I either borrowed one from my folks (college), my roommates (military) brought one or whatever woman I was with had one. Most homes have several televisions and, as such, I've always had one sitting around. Now that I'm a wealthy sellout and want The Finer Things In Life (TM), I gotta get an idiot box. I mean, watching the masterpiece that is HBO's Rome on a laptop is totally unacceptable. Help me out, Tilted Technology! I'm a bit of a tech 'tard. Haven't been keeping up on this topic. What I want: - Simple, low profile entertainment center that doesn't suck (Ikea maybe?) - 36"+ television / computer monitor (is there a difference anymore?) - Computer tower w/ DVD drive (only needs to be able to watch Hulu / surf Web) - Wireless keyboard and mouse (Logitech, so I don't have to get off the couch) - High speed Internet connection (to avoid dreaded YouTube buffering) - Dolby 5.1 surround sound speakers (for extra awesome gunfights) Basically, it's a giant extended desktop computer that I'm going to use while sitting on my Testosthrone (TM) couch to watch Hulu and DVDs. I might even set up a webcam so you can watch my girlfriend and I as we watch movies (which seems to be wildly popular in TFP video chat for some reason). Questions: - What kind of flat panel TeeVee or computer monitor should I buy? Is there a difference anymore? I don't want super huge, so I'm thinking somewhere in the 36"-42" range. Is that a good size? LED seems new and expensive; what should I buy that gives a decent picture? - Will a XX"+ flat screen TeeVee work with a computer tower provided I use X cables? I'm sure this is a common setup today with people moving away from cable providers. And what do I need on the computer tower? Special video card? What about running a dual monitor setup? - Do I plug the surround sound into the computer or into the monitor? Should I use a particular sound card? - Anything I've missed? Monitor, tower, wireless peripherals, speakers, hard line Internet connection. What else is there? ... While I'm doing more Google research, feel free to chime in with your advice and experiences. ... I'll add pictures of my finds and the final product once I get it up and online. It's gonna be fun. __________________ *Whatever you can carry.* "You should not drink... and bake." Last edited by Plan9; 12-25-2010 at 08:48 AM..