Help My Retiring Friend: Choosing a PC for Watching Movies on the Net - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Randerolf · 04-20-2004, 06:06 PM

My friend is retireing from teaching Film as Art; He's a terrific guy, but is unsavy with computers. He wants to retire, browse the internet, and watch movies off of his computer (He has a home theater, but this will be for rare flicks and such).

So I'm asking for your help.

I told him that LCD monitors tend to be blurry and that acctually, old style monitors are better. This is from information from gamers that I got a while back. Have their been improvements in LCD's?

He told me about thinking about getting a flatscreen LED monitor, because he liked the one he used before at work to view a movie.

My computer is homemade (by me) and is overpowered. Internet usage and movie watching doesn't require a hi-end system. What specs should he be looking for?

He want's a Dell, because he wants the warranty and the plug n play of their systems.

I'm not familliar with Dell. Perhaps, he could get a video card that has a video out and a sound card that can go to his home theater reciever.

He has excelent tase and a wonderful guy. I'd like to make sure that he gets a good value.

Your input will be greatly appreciated.

Edit: Typo's are like Pandas: They sneek in sometimes.

wakelagger · 04-20-2004, 06:18 PM

LCD Monitors my friend. If monitors were made from LED's, you'd have to be forty feet back to make out a single image.
LCD monitors have improved a bunch over the past few years, and unless money is tight, they are a viable option. Also, a man teaching an art program will probably appreciate the artsy chic of a thin monitor rather than a bulky and stereotypical CRT monitor. Alas, LCD monitors can form 'dead' pixels which will either display no colours, or only one colour continuously, which can make watching a movie with a red dot square in the middle a frustrating affair.
I've provided some info, but ultimately the decision is up to you.
Toms Hardware Display Guide -> has some good info regarding LCD displays.

portwineboy · 04-20-2004, 06:35 PM

I'm a windows guy myself but it sounds like this guy should get a mac. The 20 inch iMac is probably a bit pricey, but may be just what your friend needs.

Lasereth · 04-20-2004, 07:32 PM

I'm thinking a 2 GHz Celeron, 256 MB of RAM, XP Home. Some kind of 64 MB videocard, possibly on-board. I'd go with a GeForce 4 MX 420 with TV-Out. 40 GB HDD will do fine! A SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Dolby Digital is cheap and features a lot of audio-out options that will connect directly to an entertainment receiver.

LCD? Yeah, I'd hit it, but remember to get one with a 20 millisecond refresh rate or lower. You'll pay extra for this, but it's worth it.

-Lasereth

User Name · 04-22-2004, 09:47 AM

I'd go for a CRT monitor. I don't know exact prices, but for less than the price of a decent 17-inch LCD, he could buy a 21 inch flat screen CRT.

wakelagger · 04-22-2004, 12:46 PM

Well, it sounds like Randerolf wants to be able to run the video out to the home theatre anyways, so size of the monitor shouldn't be much of an issue because likely, the video would be viewed on the tv. In that case, trying to stow away a 21 inch CRT monitor is pretty hard compared to a thin LCD.

04-20-2004, 06:06 PM	#1 (permalink)
Randerolf Fireball Location: ~	Help My Retiring Friend: Choosing a PC for Watching Movies on the Net My friend is retireing from teaching Film as Art; He's a terrific guy, but is unsavy with computers. He wants to retire, browse the internet, and watch movies off of his computer (He has a home theater, but this will be for rare flicks and such). So I'm asking for your help. I told him that LCD monitors tend to be blurry and that acctually, old style monitors are better. This is from information from gamers that I got a while back. Have their been improvements in LCD's? He told me about thinking about getting a flatscreen LED monitor, because he liked the one he used before at work to view a movie. My computer is homemade (by me) and is overpowered. Internet usage and movie watching doesn't require a hi-end system. What specs should he be looking for? He want's a Dell, because he wants the warranty and the plug n play of their systems. I'm not familliar with Dell. Perhaps, he could get a video card that has a video out and a sound card that can go to his home theater reciever. He has excelent tase and a wonderful guy. I'd like to make sure that he gets a good value. Your input will be greatly appreciated. Edit: Typo's are like Pandas: They sneek in sometimes. Last edited by Randerolf; 04-20-2004 at 06:44 PM..

04-20-2004, 06:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
portwineboy Master of No Domains Location: WEEhawken, New Joisey	I'm a windows guy myself but it sounds like this guy should get a mac. The 20 inch iMac is probably a bit pricey, but may be just what your friend needs. __________________ If you can read this, thank a teacher. If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.

04-20-2004, 07:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lasereth Knight of the Old Republic Location: Winston-Salem, NC	I'm thinking a 2 GHz Celeron, 256 MB of RAM, XP Home. Some kind of 64 MB videocard, possibly on-board. I'd go with a GeForce 4 MX 420 with TV-Out. 40 GB HDD will do fine! A SoundBlaster Live! 5.1 Dolby Digital is cheap and features a lot of audio-out options that will connect directly to an entertainment receiver. LCD? Yeah, I'd hit it, but remember to get one with a 20 millisecond refresh rate or lower. You'll pay extra for this, but it's worth it. -Lasereth __________________ "A Darwinian attacks his theory, seeking to find flaws. An ID believer defends his theory, seeking to conceal flaws." -Roger Ebert

04-20-2004, 06:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
wakelagger Insane Location: Toronto	LCD Monitors my friend. If monitors were made from LED's, you'd have to be forty feet back to make out a single image. LCD monitors have improved a bunch over the past few years, and unless money is tight, they are a viable option. Also, a man teaching an art program will probably appreciate the artsy chic of a thin monitor rather than a bulky and stereotypical CRT monitor. Alas, LCD monitors can form 'dead' pixels which will either display no colours, or only one colour continuously, which can make watching a movie with a red dot square in the middle a frustrating affair. I've provided some info, but ultimately the decision is up to you. Toms Hardware Display Guide -> has some good info regarding LCD displays.

04-22-2004, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
User Name Banned Location: Urf	I'd go for a CRT monitor. I don't know exact prices, but for less than the price of a decent 17-inch LCD, he could buy a 21 inch flat screen CRT.

04-22-2004, 12:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
wakelagger Insane Location: Toronto	Well, it sounds like Randerolf wants to be able to run the video out to the home theatre anyways, so size of the monitor shouldn't be much of an issue because likely, the video would be viewed on the tv. In that case, trying to stow away a 21 inch CRT monitor is pretty hard compared to a thin LCD.