Milt, I'm curious what video and sound card you have. If you go with the higher end cards you'll get pretty much every interface you'll need and decent software to use for editing. I went with an ATI video/multi media card and a sounblaster audigy with external interface/connector box.

I agree that Firewire is the way to feed into your PC. Can you tell us what source you'll be using to feed video and audio? Camcorder (Hi-8, Mini-DV, VHS), VHS deck....?

For the bargin hunters..a friend recently got an HP 5108 laptop at CompUSA for about $630 and the router was almost free after rebates. Has a cd/dvd burner as well.

I recently bought a similar HP machine (Pavillion7000 media centre).
You wont get analogue input into a Mac either.... without buying an extra interface gizmo!

Stomachemonkey defined your problem pretty well.

You can attach a plain old wire keyboard and mouse to mine - the sockets are on the back panel so you can use your old ones. If you dont have them you can get a keyboard/mouse setup that you like with a usb connection then sell the other on ebay.

I have an HP with XP Media edition too. Media center is more for pictures I think, and is kinda cumbersome compared to other stuff. Mine has a couple of specialized Movie programs, one called Muvee and also Windows Movie Maker in the Program menus. They allow you to capture video which would, in effect, convert to digital. You will just have to set up which inputs you are using. Whether it's S Video, Cable TV connector, or the RCA jacks. I think that's what you're asking, if I'm wrong, sorry bout that.

Wayne's suggestion to switch to the classic view is a good one. I would consider myself extremely computer literate (grew up with them) but I still had a hard time adjusting to the xp interface - it seemed to be deliberately trying to hide things from me, which I just found annoying. I did the same jump you did - 98 to xp, and I hated it, but I needed xp for some audio editing programs that just wouldn't run on 98. Now I'm used to it. Such is life, I guess.

As for digital/analog convertors, my wife was looking to do something similar - basically run a VHS into the computer for old movies. You can find adaptor-thingys at most electronics stores that will take all sorts of inputs, whether it's RF cable (ie from VHS), RCA audio and video, maybe even 1/8" or 1/4". The other end will have a USB or firewire plug. Firewire is definitely faster than USB, but both will work. These adaptors aren't too expensive - maybe $100, IIRC.

Hope this helps.

edit: if you don't mind typing a lot, HP has an online chat interface where you can get support for any of their products. I've used it a couple times for my Laserjet 3030 (printer/scanner/fax machine) which came with a rather useless manual. Wait time is always less than 2 minutes, which is way better than sitting on hold.

Is there a coaxial cable connector sticking out of the back of the computer? If so you can probably just connect your VCR to it with a length of coaxial cable (as you would when connecting your cable TV signal to the computer) and with the VCR playing go through their setup for watching TV.

If not, is there any set of connectors on the back of the computer that you have the same on the back or your VCR? S-video? 3 RCA jacks (left & right audio & video)? The first step is to find some way to physically connect the two devices together.

Having said that, it's best, as was mentioned earlier, to get help from the people who built the box.

Good luck,

BTW, only child molesters buy HP ;) (sorry, couldn't resist! I tried :p )

Sounds like a good idea. I looked and couldn't find where to make that change.

Meanwhile, I found an image of the front and back of the computer and the jacks. I did a "print screen" and tried to save it in a file that would upload here. The uploads say a .txt file while transfer, but it won't. Only .jpeg and .bitmap (or whatever it is). I can't seem to save it in either. The image clearly shows I have analog input jacks including one for a mic. (Well, I could see that one from day one, but I don't have a mic to try it). Anyway, I doesn't show the 2 S video jacks, only the yellow, white and red. It clearly says these are analog. That's why I'm confused.

To those of you that have graciously PM'd and emailed me on the side, I appreciate it and have replied. I'm muddling thru this. I think I can email the image of the front and back to myself and then upload it so you can see. I just have to start from scratch and create the email accounts on this machine.

More: There are 16 RCA type jacks on this machine. 6 of them are conventional (not stereo) and 2 are marked "digital audio," one in and one out. I assume these are stereo. The others are the headphone and mic types, plus the surround sound outputs. Then, there's the monitor sound (green) output (speakers on sides of monitor) plus another input next to that one (that one would be blue).

Lots to deal with. With a sub woofer jack, one wonders if the thing has an amp in it.

16 RCA jacks? Wow, nice! The digital ones are whatever digital signal passes through them, so yes, could be stereo.

To take a screenshot, yes, hit print screen, then open windows paint (start menu, all programs, accessories, paint) then hit ctrl-v, then save it. Bitmap is .bmp extension - windows paint default.

To switch to classic view, start menu, control panel, display, themes tab (should be on top by default), theme drop-down box, then select Windows Classic, then click ok. You can also change the start menu to the classic view - right click on the start button, properties, start menu tab (again, should be on top by default), choose the classic start menu button, then click ok.

+1 on the Mac.

Sounds like the box should have come with Media Center.

What is the EXACT model so we can dig up the specs.

take it back P4s are so 15 minites ago
the new speed king is the conroe chip also by intel
yes they are new and in limited supply
but alot better and faster then the P4D
and worth the hunt and in you 1800 price range

sounds like you want a TV tuner card
with a normal co-axel cable input
they are cheap [$30-50]
and every computer store should have them in stock
kinda surprised your box doesnot have one already in place

"HP Media Center PC m7277c." On the back, it's just an m7000.
830 D 300 GHz processor,
1.0 GB PC2-3200* DD2 SDRAM, memory
300 GB 7200RPM Serial ata hard drive* SATS HDD
DVD super multi drive with LightScribe Tecnology
DVD-ROM 16x max. speed
AATI Radeon x600 grahics card with 256MB DDR video
memory, TV out and DVI capabilities.
2 usb 2.0 and Firewire (IEEEE1394 ports)ntregratted 10/100Base-T netwoork interface and 56K modem.
Front panel 9 in one memory card reader
Personal video recorder (PVR)with high performance hardware encoder featuring instant replay and up to 210 hours of video archiving.
Compatabile with cable digital cable, satellite TV and anatenna.
HP REmote Control center remote comtrol with IR receiver.
HP wireless keyboard and optical mouse with extended range to 16 feet.

That's it folks, that's what written on the box.

Milt,

That computer will work. You need a video source with a Firewire output to make use of the easiest capture method. I've been sucking in a lot of video through the Firewire port over the last couple of years, both live and after the fact.

A DV camcorder with throughput works as a converter. Canopus makes some nice converters as well. Plug your prefered video source into the camcorder input and the camcorder's Firewire output into your computer's Firewire connection. If your camcorder will not display or pass the video because of some lame Macrovision DRM or something you will need a Sima Color Corrector Pro - SCC2. It will let you adjust the colors and brightness as well as eliminate the piccture problems associated with Macrovision.

For capture software I have used the following:

You can download MovieMaker 2 from Microsoft.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/moviemaker2.mspx

Or you can try what I like to use best, Scenelyser Live. It makes the camcorder video into seperate files while you capture it for easier editing.
http://www.scenalyserlive.com/

For the Windows look options:
Control Panel>Display>Desktop - Both the Themes and Appearance have Windows Classic options
Control Panel>Task andStart Menu Properties - The Start Menu has a classic windows option

Good luck.

Sony also makes a A/D converter for transfering video from VCR to firewire. I have used it on a mac but I think it is machine independent. Good luck

Rob, I got changes made, thanks. A small step. But maybe something I can use while navigating this OS. My favorite discovery option was Windows Explorer. Thankfully that is still here.

I was just listening to some Ronnie Milsap endless loop as I had thought when I connected the supplied FM antenna, I would hear brodacast radio. Ended up on some Micorssoft deal. I'm subscribed to "live 365" on the Net and that is the best music feed I've found. 10,000 jocks. Every genre you'd want to investgate. Right now, I like the 10 or so station that play doo wop. Tomorrow. I'll spent some more hours trying to get that working while listening to my favorite station on one of the easy-to-use 10 YO computers ;)

So it is a Media Center box.

You should have everything you need built in.

Now you just need to get things configured.

WHat do you want to do 1st?

Scott

Burn a CD after ripping some vinyl.

Quick related question,

I'm looking for a cheap way to ge analog (VCR) into my computer (to burn a DVD) at tigerdirect I see a A/D USB converter bundled with software for $89. I ony have one tape I REALLY want to burn so I don't was to spend much money (Y2K party where I played in the band, several people would like copies). I'm sure I willl find other uses for it but is running video through USB a bad idea? I have no fire wire and don't want to buy a card.

TIA

I would suggest you just take you VHS tape to a place that will convert VHS to DVD. It would be cheaper and quicker than buying the A/D converter.

Good Advice. I'll add that it's also less frustrating.

Milt,

Here's a link to a utility that will rip the vinyl for you. They have a demo so you can check it out and if you like it registration is only $10.

http://www.ripvinyl.com/?br0wn

Check the faq page for some quick set up advice.

Scott