I have an older computer that I would like to use as a windows media center and would like some advice on best way to do this.

The computer intel pentium 4 3Ghz processor
It is a HP computer and only takes half height cards
It contains 1 off 1X PCIe slot and standard 4 PCI slots
It has an on-board sound card - not sure what type
I have installed windows 7 and can run windows media center on the computer.
I have pre-installed speakers in three seperate areas of the house and wired these back to the pc.
I do not have an amplifier

Can I use this with casa tunes? - I notice the the XLi is full height - so I can’t use this card - are there any other options for this?  Is it feasble to install 1 or 2 PCI sound cards instead of the XLi and purchase just the amplifier that includes the software - or must this work with the XLi card?  Would I loose features doing it this way?

I am also hopping that all sound can be reliably controlled through the windows media center - how good is the MCE plugin??

Thanks for your help.

Hi Matvdl,
Unfortunately, you will not be able to install a CasaTunes XLi card, as you suspected. Using the sound cards does not work very well, because of the lack of being able to switch the outputs. This means that you won’t be able to hear the same music in sync in different rooms, for example. (i.e., parties).
Also, I have to say that the MCE interface in CasaTunes is not as saticfactory as just using IE or Chrome browsers (or other browsers).
If you feel you want to try using the software with your current computer and sound cards, you can download the fully working software and use it for a limited time. (call us if it runs out before you feel you have evaluated it completely and we will extend it a couple of weeks.)

Here is what I would recommend:
-puchase the CasaTunes XLi Music Server and Amplifier (since you won’t be using all 6 rooms, you might be able to find an alternative amp and save some dollars).
-if you don’t already own one, get an iPhone, iPad, Android phone or Android Tablet. Any of these make great remote controls for CasaTunes and the apps are free. The iPad app was just released and is getting lots of great reviews from users. The Android Tablet app is coming very soon and will work very similar to the iPad app. The latest version of the Android phone app (should release later today) adds many of the Tablet/iPad features, such as landscape mode and using cover arts to select music.

Another route would be to purchase an alternative chassis for your HP motherboard and then purchase the XLi.

Hope this is helpful,

Kim

Thanks for your response,

What about I use this - http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150613090517&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

I can find a housing for the card and possibly install it externally?

Also - the speakers I have installed are rated at “80 watts Max” and are 8ohm = will your amp work with these speakers ok at 50 watts per channel - or do I need to purchase an amp that matches the speakers exactly?

If so - can you reccomend anything other multi channel amp that would do the job?

That might work. Where would you mount the XLi card?
There are 7 3.5mm jacks on the card’s back bracket, 6 outputs to the amp and one input from an external device. You need to be able to get to these. If you don’t mind, I suppose you could lay the card on its side, inside the computer, connect the cables that we supply through a hole in the chassis to the amp, since they won’t be changed once you have it set up.

The speakers should work great with the amp. Usually, you want the speaker power ratings higher than the power of the amp, like you have. The speaker power rating is the highest power you can send to the speakers without them being damaged. The speakers I use in my own home are also rated 80 watts.

Kim

Thanks very much for the reply,

Will the windows media center app be upgraded in the future - I noticed that you don’t appear to be that excited by this offering? MCE is becoming more popular and I use it for all our home entertainment - currently in 4 rooms.
Also - if using the MCE plugin - does the casa tunes have to be installed on the same machine as the MCE plugin?

Also - your amplifier - will this work in Australia at 240v power supply with Australian plugs on them?
And - if so - what are the advantages of your amplifier over the other options out there?