As a side business

[10sun]

I honestly can't hear the difference between 96k and 256k because of my hearing problems... nor could I hear the hissing cockroaches in the science lab today =(

[Menlaan]

Here's what my friend wrote:

It’s actually WMA. Not sure what the quality of the WMA’s is but I don’t think it’s an issue with the files. I tried playing the CD from the computer and the quality was still not that good. Don’t misunderstand me, the quality is okay. I only noticed the difference because I compared it with the sound from the stereo. I have a Bose system and I’m connecting the computer to the Bose system.

Here are the specs on my laptop:

http://cdgenp01.csd.toshiba.com/content ... S6287.pdf#

The site doesn’t contain any info on the audio hardware, but I’m pretty sure it’s integrated on the chipset and it’s by Realtek.

[Tossica]

WMA's have a variable rate as well. Low bitrate on his files, crappy onboard sound with 1/8" to RCA adapter and shitty Bose system = Shitty sound.

[Menlaan]

Any easy fixes to improve the sound?

[Tossica]

Encode at a 256K or higher bitrate, buy a decent internal (PCI or whatever) or outboard (firewire or USB) sound card with RCA or 1/4" outs and throw the Bose system in the trash. Any or all of them will improve the sound.

[Tikker]

How do you handle premium stations like HBO, etc if the tunner and DVR are built into the PC.

To my knowledge very few cable providers have actually created the hardware that goes in a PC (tv tunner) to allow premium content.

This is true. Basically for stuff like that you're going to deal with an external set top box, and IR blasters.

I'm not sure what more you'd be offering than what a few hours of purchased time from Best Buy (geek squad).

unlike Geek squad I know what I'm doing, but really, it's not something that someone that was really computer literate would pay for. it's not hard to do, but 95% of the people out there don't have a clue

[Tossica]

What does your HTPC do that a modded Xbox won't? Not being sarcastic, I am curious.

[Tikker]

What does your HTPC do that a modded Xbox won't? Not being sarcastic, I am curious.

I'm not super familiar with XBMC, but since the XBOX is just a pc in a fancy box, they probably have similar capabilities

Big difference is that HTPC can also function as a tivo like DVR

[Tikker]

ps after doing a bit of reading, the HTPC's will support a lot more HD than the XBMC

http://www.xboxmediacenter.com/wiki/ind ... ats/Codecs