| Some consumers consider a 21 LCD TV to be the | | | | theater system so your 21 LCD TV can handle |
| perfect size: for TV viewing and for use as a | | | | the video feed you send to it. A 21 unit is |
| computer monitor. Some take it one step | | | | ideal for this purpose; sets that are larger |
| further: they integrate their 21 LCD TV with | | | | sometimes deliver reduced image quality when |
| a home theater PC. Its easier than you think, | | | | the TV signal is sent through the computer. |
| and a home theater PC setup lets you access | | | | |
| any media files like digital image files, | | | | How you send the signal to your TV is the |
| audio files, and videos. You can also watch | | | | main hurdle to overcome. There are many |
| your favorite television shows or DVDs, and | | | | different audio and video options for joining |
| you can even use the 21 LCD TV as a computer | | | | the two; the method you choose will obviously |
| monitor. Its no surprise, then, that some | | | | depend on the inputs and outputs available on |
| consumers feel a 21 LCD TV is one of the most | | | | both your PC and your TV. Older, |
| versatile screen sizes available. | | | | standard-definition LCD TVs will have, at a |
| | | | minimum, a composite-video connection (a |
| If you watch digital TV on your 21 LCD TV, | | | | yellow video connection that's usually |
| you could be already taking advantage of the | | | | accompanied by red and white stereo audio |
| possibilities of Digital Video Recorders | | | | jacks). Hopefully, it will also provide an |
| (DVR) or TiVo. You can go one step farther; | | | | S-Video port. Newer 21 LCD TVs should provide |
| integrating your 21 LCD TV with a home | | | | component inputs, and more advanced 21 LCD |
| theater PC setup is the ultimate in | | | | TVs that are HDTV capable will supply DVI or |
| versatility. And its not that hard here are | | | | HDMI inputs. If you havent purchased a 21 LCD |
| a few ways available to you. | | | | TV yet, try to find a model with DVI or HDMI |
| | | | inputs. |
| 1. Buy a PC with the Media Center version of | | | | |
| Windows XP and make sure it has a TV tuner | | | | Once your computer is connected to your 21 TV |
| card capable of capturing digital signals | | | | you can use Media Center to keep track of |
| from your cable or satellite box. Once its | | | | your media files and handle your DVR |
| installed, it works just like a DVR. You wont | | | | recording needs. If you want to record TV |
| need to buy a high-end PC to integrate with | | | | without using Media Center, similar products |
| your 21 LCD TV if you just want to record and | | | | on the market can do the job. For example, |
| play shows and movies if you also want to | | | | SnapStream's Beyond TV comes bundled with |
| play graphics-intensive video games, you may | | | | many TV tuner cards, so if you're building a |
| need a more expensive PC with greater | | | | home theater or upgrading a machine you |
| graphics capability. Just make sure you get | | | | already own, you might end up with a copy by |
| plenty of memory. | | | | default. And you can take a further step and |
| | | | add the Beyond Media program for organizing |
| 2. Upgrade your PC. You can buy a copy of | | | | photo, music, and other media files, and it |
| Microsofts operating system with Media | | | | does pretty much everything Media Center |
| Center. Frequently it comes bundled with a TV | | | | does. Beyond TV doesn't support every TV |
| tuner card youll also need. If you have | | | | tuner card on the market, so check the |
| decent computer skills you can handle the | | | | hardware specs for your 21 LCD TV before you |
| installation fairly easily and your 21 LCD TV | | | | install it. |
| home theater PC setup will be running in no | | | | |
| time. | | | | Even if you have no interest in recording TV |
| | | | programs, you can still use programs like |
| 3. If you dont want to upgrade to a new | | | | Windows Media Player, iTunes, and PowerDVD to |
| operating system, a number of software | | | | manage your preexisting media library using |
| companies produce applications that perform | | | | software you already have. |
| the same chores as Media Center does. A few | | | | |
| are available as freeware, but the features | | | | Whichever option you choose, make sure you |
| they offer tend to be limited. Youll still | | | | have plenty of hard disk space; once you |
| need to factor in the cost of a TV tuner card | | | | start recording television programs or |
| a TV tuner card wont be included with the | | | | watching your home videos on your 21 LCD TV, |
| freeware. | | | | you'll find you need all the space you can |
| | | | get. And due to its increased versatility, |
| Once youve decided how to set up your | | | | youll find your 21 LCD TV is an even bigger |
| computer, you can integrate it into your home | | | | part of your home entertainment system. |