Expert: Bobbert - 3/12/2011

Question
QUESTION: currently have MSNTV. looking to get a computer without a monitor to hook-up to my LED television with a wireless keyboard. I would like a fast computer but would like to keep the price under $1000.

Needs are: email, moderate gaming,download movies/music and burn onto cd/dvd. Get rid of the cable i have except for high speed internet(currently dont have) and watch tv via the computer. Heard people have been doing this and myself dont watch much TV except for news/sports. Need a spreadsheet and word procesor. About it.

I need something that can be upgraded/repaired without junking the whole system.

interested in what your thoughts are
concerning processor, memory and motherboard. What would you suggest?

Was thinking of intel core i7 quad core 950

3 gb memory

MSI x58 pro-e intel chipset

pci-express video card with 1 gb memory.

Any advise you can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

         Jack

ANSWER: The system you've put together is incredibly overpowered and likely overpriced for the tasks you've outlined, your average run of the mill ~$500 off the shelf box with HDMI should be more than good enough for your needs. Depending on the gaming, you may want to add a graphics adapter yourself.

Now, regarding TV via the computer - your cable box solution will probably be more versatile, and very likely higher quality, than Internet based approaches. What you might want to consider is some sort of net-streaming device, like Roku or a modern Blu-ray player which can access Netflix/Hulu/Pandora and so on, and rely on an existing computer for your office tasks (e-mail, word processing, etc). Otherwise, look into an inexpensive desktop and add a graphics adapter if needed.

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: what all can you access with a modern blu ray player? Guy at the computer store said you can get a lot of stuff but have to pay for it.I doubt it would do better then a decent computer. Basically interested in wathing television( news, sports,local television channels via the computer) then pretty much getting rid of the cable.

Is cable internet better then phone based. local provider has phone based with about 5 in my area. the cable i really dont know much about. Same guy told me it all comes from the same place either way. Once again thanks.
         Jack

ANSWER: Modern Blu-ray players are able to access a variety of multi-media applications, like Netflix (movies and other content on-demand) and Pandora (music on-demand), some of it does require a monthly fee, some does not (Pandora, for example, is generally free; Netflix is not). Regarding your desires with a computer, that isn't really possible without an ATSC tuner, cable service, or satellite service - you can buy a stand-alone ATSC tuner (or, if your television has one built-in, use that) in lieu of a computer, and have a much cheaper solution. Regarding "TV over the Internet" - it doesn't really exist outside of subscription services (for example Comcast will allow their customers to access various content online, but you must already have their service).

Regarding DSL or DOCSIS/Cable, Cable is generally faster for the price, but if you're happy with the service you've been getting from the phone company, there shouldn't be a need to change. You cannot even attempt what you're looking at doing with dial-up service.

Again, my best suggestion would be to not purchase a computer for this purpose, as it really cannot do what you're hoping to do - either use an ATSC tuner to watch OTA channels, or use a cable or DSS service; this is kind of an example of the expression "there is no free lunch."

The Blu-ray alternative could augment such an OTA service, as it will allow you to access movies and similar content via the Internet, but if you have no interest in this functionality than I would pass it by.

-bob


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: computer store is still getting me a quote on a computer. the  x58 motherboard
seems a little better deal in the long run with more hdmi ports and such. They are suppose to give me a quote sometime next week. Basically I'm hearing about the same thing via tv to computer.

The question i have is which may be a little out of your realm- Will a playstation 3 do as much as an lg blu-ray player. price for the lg 250 is around $250 at amazon list of sites it can get to. Not sure about the ps3 which lists at $350 350 gb mostly lists as extra just netflix.

Would like to get to youtube, yahoo.Etc. Is the ps3 netcast compatible?
Currently just have ps2 and a simple lg dvd player.
I really appreciate your advise. i just dont know how much i need to buy. Thanks

Answer
The PlayStation 3 will be very similar to the LG in terms of features, aside from the gaming functionality of the PlayStation 3 itself. One thing to consider about the PlayStation 3 is that Sony has demonstrated the platform's ability to update as the Blu-ray standard changes; something that stand-alone units generally cannot do.

Regarding this system you're having quoted - keep in mind we're talking about a two to three generation old microprocessor and less memory than you'll get standard on entry-level systems; anything over ~$800 is an unfair price (and I don't care what the components cost, in terms of absolute performance $800 is about where that machine sits). If you just want something simple and functional to give you web and other features at your TV, look at getting something like the Mac Mini, which will fit nicely in a cabinet, and give you full "computer" features, otherwise look at something like the DLNA LG Blu-ray player you've mentioned, or Apple TV/Roku/etc type devices (which will do the same thing as the Blu-ray player or PS3, sans the disc playback and gaming).

-bob