PeaceMaker

I've been contemplating this darn idea for way too long and my roommate has convinced me to just use what I have and make it happen. So I'm going to take my sig and put it into my Gigabyte Aurora 570 (quieter and has fewer blue LEDs) then move it to the living room.

Now for the accessories... since it's going behind the tv, wired stuff won't work (obviously...)

I have a wireless 360 controller that I can use as a mouse with the help of software... what else is necessary?

Uses: movies, music, mild gaming (once and a while I will play Grid); I do have an HVR-2250 but I don't use it because I don't have an IR blaster to use w/ my settop box. If I don't use it, I'll just use a DVR box from Comcast and sell my HVR-2250.

Thinking about getting this:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...=ITD&body=MAIN
and/or a keyboard+mouse all in one deal from a no name brand on Newegg... lol

Advice/Opinions!

Please post links if you can.

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craigap

I think you will want to setup an IR blaster with your remote so you can take advantage of that 2250. I think you'll also want to have a good wireless KB/mouse combo, so you can sit on the couch and play your games. I've always had trouble with range on RF controlled KB/mouse combo's and so I went to bluetooth a few years back and I never looked back. Although it looks like they are making RF with better range these days. I saw one that said it had a range of 100'. Best I could find not long ago was 10'.

PeaceMaker

Problem is, these wireless kb + mouse' are expensive! thats why I asked for bare minimum. Plus gaming on a couch seems difficult w/ kb + mouse!

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Mudfrog

I chose keyboard, mouse, remote and 360 controller. But I have not used my 360 controller as a mouse, it just makes sitting back on the couch a lot easier to play games (no kids tripping on the wires).

PeaceMaker

Bare minimum people! As in the must have on a budget! also, links would be oh so appreciated (+R)

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craigap

Ya, they tend to be pretty expensive. I used to alway game from my couch (don't play much anymore). The KB on my lap and the mouse next to me on the couch cushion. Everything was at the perfect height and position for me. I found it way better than trying to play at a desk. Much more comfortable. (to me anyway)

I guess if you can get everything accomplished by just using the xbox controller then go with that. I would still get a remote for the media center though. I think it will get old real fast trying to navigate with a xbox controller. But who knows. Take it one component at a time. Start with the xbox controller and if you can't stand it find something else.

PeaceMaker

true. this is probably the best idea. my roommate will most likely agree...

would it be reasonable to ask him to chip in for any of the costs if we remove the dvr from our cable bill and turn my htpc into a dvr? we are currently still watching on my old 32" tube, so 480p is fine (for now).

by cost i mean, the remote (thats the only thing in my way to turn it into a dvr)

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craigap

Are saying you will trade in the DVR STB for a Standard STB? Do you need an STB at all? Would just having basic analog cable be an option, or are there channels on a digital tier that you guys can't live without? Getting rid of the STB all together would be nice then you wouldn't have a DVR fee nor a STB fee, nor would you have to buy an IR blaster. All you would have to get is cheap remote off of ebay or something.

WarlordOne

What I use:

Logitech EX10 wireless KB/mouse $29 @ target
Xbox 360 controller with receiver $30 NIB @ ebay

but that's for my laptop (gateway p-6860fx) when I plug it into my HDTV for gaming, or browsing the internet. My HTPC is my sig rig that sits in my office and serves my XBOX 360 as a media center extender (and laptop, garage pc, phones, etc.). To control the xbox I use:

Logitech Harmony 360 $50 @ Amazon
Above mentioned keyboard/mouse (it's connected to the tv/ XBOX via a KVM swich so hooking up my lappy is easy)

I thought about using a dedicated HTPC in the living room but my wife likes the way the logitech remote controls all the functions of WMC without needing a keyboard or mouse.

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i7 920 @ 4.2GHz

PeaceMaker

No, with Comcast, they offer a standard STB, HD STB, and HD DVR STB. I would get rid of the DVR and HD portion of it since I'm on a standard TV and then when/if I get a better tv, upgrade at that point to HD.

Comcast gives you four HD channels and all four suck.

nice setup... i don't have a 360 though, just the controller!

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