OK, I bought the new computer. My take....well....
 

It's an HP with an 830 d processor. 300 gig HD with a gig of memory. Do I know if that's good? Not really. I wanted something to do some video and image work with. Particularly some analog video and sound. I have the XP Media lastest version. The tower has 4 card readers, plenty of USB ports and a couple of HS USB. 2 S-video jacks and enough (so it seems) audio and the plain wrap yellow video jacks.

But, you think I can find out if the thing has an analog to digital converter? No way. To do anything with .jpeg or video, I have to use a wizard setup. The paths offered are not too enterprising in that if I don't start off with a cable TV connection and set top box configuration, I don't go anywhere. What if I don't want to record TV? (I don't, I have Tevo on the D-TV for that) Why can't I see (or at least hear) a VHS? Or digital VTR with analog output?

At some points, I think the thing has the capability. At others, it seems maybe I have to download some software to accomplish this. Or install another card with yet some more jacks.

You know what, folks? I was better off with Windows 98SE and Kodak Picture Easy. Those were the days when a novice could actually figure things out. Shoot, in the HP (or Microsoft?) Media Center, I can't even navigate to a help topic index. I wouldn't be sitting here, beleive me, if I couldn't have succesfully and repeatedly used w98se help indexes and topics. And, manuals, forget it. I guess no one reads anymore, so they don't waste the paper and ink.

Why is this XP stuff considered an advance? Oh, you Mac guys be quiet ;) it's done. Do I have to go buy an "XP for Dummies" book? At least someone tell me how I can see what capabilities I have before I go and start buying cards, Dazzlers (not too well rated) and software.

One more gripe. I hate the wireless keyboard. I use ergonomic keyboards. You think I can just plug and play one of my generic keyboards. Not a chance. I don't even get a "caps lock" light on this thing. Very frustrating if I happen to hit the lock. (Sure, it's on the wireless pod, but I can't see that from my normal seat and why should I have to look over there anyway?) Sign me, "$1800 spent and now what?"[/rant]

Re: OK, I bought the new computer. My take....well....
 

Wait 5 more years and Vista might be out. SmileWavy

Take it back and get the Mac.:)


Bryan can probably help out a lot.

$1800 spent and now what?

I hope you at least got the courtesy of a reacharound...

Hey, Thom, I expect more of you than that. If you can show me the same machine for a considerably better price (I included the 8.25% sales tax), I'll eat some crow. I went to PC mall first and they couldn't do any better, so I grabbed the thing off the Costco shelf knowing that if it was a total dud, they'd take it back. I was not impressed by PC Mall and would probably never go there again. Only other place we have around here is PC CLub (house brands) and Fry's. Now, we all know about Fry's. That guy should be crucified for his business practices and I avoid the place like the plague. I'm not gonna even mention CompUSA.

I'm just a lame consumer, I do the best I can. Thanks for your support.

if you can take it back, seriously ponder doing so and picking up an iMac instead. It comes loaded with all the software you'll likely ever need, and most of it works elegantly.

If you want to stick with the machine and XP, I'd say a book and perhaps some outside help (friends?). I only rarely use XP and if I need something configured I hand it off to our IT guy, so I'm not of much help.

+1 on iMac

Re: OK, I bought the new computer. My take....well....
 

Video and image work? I think there's a computer that does that pretty well...It's called a Mac!

Anyway, Sony makes a nifty analog to digital converter. Works well. Should be no problem with your new box.

http://www.dealtree.net/cart/select_item.cfm?cont=11838

Add the second DVD drive, the remotes, the card readers, the back up hard drive dock, the 19" LCD and the shipping and it comes out close. Good site, thanks.

OK, fellow Pelicans, I asked for limited Mac snipes since I was already here on this machine..............

I'm outa here (once again). Have a nice day.

Have you tried the HP website? Like you say they don't ship manuals because most people don't read them but often they will have help online... or believe it or not they may have free (for a limited time) phone support. Now before you roll your eyes and say "yeah and be on hold for an hour" try it if it is available... my dad said that and I forced him to try it before I came over to look at his computer and he got things fixed in a few minutes.

What are you trying to do, get analog video into your computer? If it has a yellow RCA jack and says it can record TV it may be able to do that.

And you can get a nice USB keyboard for cheap... they tried to give me the cordless crap at work as a favor and I didn't like it either.

We work with HP's here and we can get most stuff (multimedia) into and out of them.

Umm I don't mean to hijack the thread, but is there any bad news I should know about Fry's? I am going to buy a labtop this weekend and that was the first place I was going to stop. I have never shop there before since I just moved to this area.
thanks guys

MILT HAS LEFT THE FORUM

DO NOT SHOP AT FRYS UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO WAIT 45 MINUTES TO AN HOUR TO RETURN SOMETHING OR ANYTHING.

Frys is good for small things and components but please, I repeat please do not buy a computer from them. Just a PITA IMHO.

Milt, if I can help or if you want come by one day and I'll be happy to share XP PC knowledge with you that I have. I get the same Mac hassle from all my Mac friends but I love my PC and she runs great. Let me know.

Milt, you said you bought it at Costco so if it was a dud, you could take it back. If you can't get it to do what you want, its a dud. How much is your time worth? For what you want to do, imho a Mac is a better choice. That's not a snipe...just an experienced opinioin. If I were you I'd box it back up and head to the nearest Apple store. If you don't want to do that, then get some local human help. A bbs is great for some things, but odds are a knowledgable person sitting in front of your computer can get it configured and running in short order. You trying to do it virtually through this forum is not going to be particularly effective or efficient.

Apparently I have a friend (or two ;)). Thanks, Chris, I'll maybe take you up on that after I try the HP support.

Scott, I'll try the USB side of the cable (it's a dual), thanks.

You know, for as much help as I have offered on the 911 and 914 BBS's in the last 4 years, one would think one could get something back once in a while. But, every time I come over to the OT forum I end up duking it out with someone. Once, I was called a sexual predator right here because I defended some position, I don't even remember what it was (something about child abuse), just the ahole that called me that. I guess this place attracts (with notable exceptions) another sort. Good thing. You people stay over here.

Thin skin, you say? Read your comments. Is that what we call help? Thanks for all of your "help." Now, I think I'll go help some Porsche owners, if I can.

Milt,

Not sure I understand your problem but it sounds like you need a way to get an analog signal into your machine so you can do some editing.

Computers do not come with an analog to digital converter.

First off USB is ok but I prefer Firewire especially for video I/O.

If you have a Mini-DV camcorder you may luck out. Many of them can be used as a pass through analog to digital converter.

If not grab one of these,

CANOPUS ADVC 100 DIGITAL VIDEO CONVERTER

There are a couple up on ebay that you might get for a song. They'll take Compsite, (RCA) s-video in and out. No drivers to install, just works.

Both options will require a Firewire card if your computer did not come with it built in. You can get that for $20-40 bucks.

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