05-13-2008, 05:14 PM
better to rent the cable modem. gives you the flexibility to change to DSL, or FiOS, etc. Otherwise its going to take you 3 or 4 years just to recoup the cost of the modem. And the good part about renting is that if it craps out, they just give you a new one.
As far as media stuff, youre going to have to be more specific with exactly what you want to do. Streaming to other computers isnt anything more than a file share.
TVs/Stereos could be a little more complicated depending on your gear. I just setup a Vista Media Center with a hdtv and hooked into the stereo/surround.
A media center remote helps especially if you are on a standard def tv and have to use the media center UI. If you have a high def TV you can use it as a computer monitor, but will then need a wireless mouse and keyboard.
if you want to DVR with your media center you will need a tv tuner card.
As far as media stuff, youre going to have to be more specific with exactly what you want to do. Streaming to other computers isnt anything more than a file share.
TVs/Stereos could be a little more complicated depending on your gear. I just setup a Vista Media Center with a hdtv and hooked into the stereo/surround.
A media center remote helps especially if you are on a standard def tv and have to use the media center UI. If you have a high def TV you can use it as a computer monitor, but will then need a wireless mouse and keyboard.
if you want to DVR with your media center you will need a tv tuner card.