One complete system, or several independant ones??

[canton_kid]

Normally I consider computers to be for work and surfing the net, some fun like games once in awhile.
Never cared much about watching tv on it or several other things unless doing some type of work on it like editing the videos.

Now I am wondering though. With the cost of a good 21" Tv and 21" Monitor being about the same, and tv equipment like VHS and DVD having basically one use and costing more, Is it worth buying new equipment for just one use?
I mean it eats a little extra electric running a computer (maybe) but the picture quality seamed better, and instead of just turning it off and it being useless when you don't want to watch it, with a computer you can do everything else!

This is something I have not yet decided for myself!
I plan to set up a great stereo, DVD, VHS, Tv sytem. My kid just turned 11 and she'll be having friends over alot this school year I think. Should I just build a really great computer she can do everything on, or should I build the great computer for her, and buy everything else for the tv stero stuff as stand alone units?
Figuring on a cost basis, DVD player is less expensive than TV DVD unit, 21"monitor cost about the same as tv (need TV AND Monitor If seperate systems, so big savings only needing one), Stereo Speakers, One great set used for everything, or several sets using different systems?

I have an extra ATI AIW capture card, older unit, but plays tv well, just not as good as my new Radeon 7500 AIW card.
so the only extra piece of equipment I need as an all in one unit would be the VCR on the side.

Then besides cost, you have space to consider also. All that stand alone equipment takes alot of extra space, And the computer is gonna be here anyway rather the other stuff is or not!

As for power usage, I figure it about the same, or just a little more on everything for an all in one compared to stand alones. Tv/monitor about the same, DVD player unit a little less than the computer, and VCR with computer would be more. Speakers the same.

When you figure the extra cost of electric for a little extra power useage, then compare that to the savings of only buying one Monitor, one set of Speakers, one dvd drive, the money saved on equipment will pay for the extra power bill for a few years

This would be for my daughter and in her room.
So which way should I go on this. Build the kid one great system to do everything, or set up a normal tv setup? She gets the computer either way, but a 17" montior.

canton_kid

[PreDatoR]

I don't know where you've been looking at 21" Monitors, but a decent one will run you 400-600 bucks.. If not more. 27 inch TV of decent quality 200-400 tops... Personally I don't see why 1 system couldn't be used for all... I mean why spend all the extra, just build a kick ass system that will do all you want... Get a Radeon 8500 AIW DVD CDRW pipe tv in and out if you want... You could set up TiVo even and record stuff off of TV right onto the computer. You could get a Hercules GTXP sound card. Get soem decent speakers. Logitech Z560's highly recommend for both power and price around the 125-150 range... 4.1 speaker set that packs one hell of a punch! Makes gaming more fun(when no ones home lol) really livens up the DVD surround sound experience. They sell FM tuner cards for computer so you could have radio, play cd's, mp3's. Its all up to you.

[Lostman]

not to be meant in a bad way, but can your 11 year old figure out how to use all of the progs that she needs to use?

Only problem with building a system is it's not point and click. You have to be able to get around a computer.

[canton_kid]

It would be a good reason for her to learn more about computers if not

Actually I think she would do fine as far as using it. She would have to learn a couple things she hasn't needed to do yet, but she has been using computers since before Kindergarden!

Just abc games and such, but she was using it about age 3.5 - 4 yrs, The days of my old SX 25 mhz!

Just a little older and she was using .bat files to open her dos based games! With all this new windows stuff, she probly can't even do that anymore though!

canton_kid

[TruckStuff]

My opinion is no because a computer cannot begin to compare in ANY way to good, dedicated Home Theater equipment. PCs will always give you more distortion, noise, etc. compared to a decent HT receiver.

[Lostman]

Sounds like your training your kid the same way I am. I have an 8 year old that has a 486 running Win 3.1. with no mouse. As soon as he can zoom through there he get's Win95 and a mouse.

Too many people learn with WinXP and miss out on the basics.