DVD - Buy a TV top model or use your computer
Apr 07 '00
There are many DVD Players out there today, and which one is best is under heavy debate.
For the most part, which brand name you like best and what whistles and bells you want with your unit tends to be the determining choice here. The prices for these units can range from a few hundred dollars to almost a thousand dollars or more.
Given this info, one might want to consider using their computer with a DVD instead of purchasing a separate unit.
For about the same price as the less expensive units, one can buy a DVD player for their computer. Not only will this double as a DVD player for their home entertainment center, but will come with many of the features of the more expensive units as well.
This setup will essentially let you have the best of both worlds, as the DVD player can be used for Computer Games and applications which are becoming more and more popular in DVD format every day, as well as let you play all the current movies that are in DVD format as well. With this setup, you can easily pump the video and audio to your Home entertainment center so you won't have to miss out on that Big Theater Feel that everyone loves.
Most DVD player setups for computers have outputs for both video out to a Television set, and audio out to your surround sound system making hookups as simple as plugging in a few cables.
Below I will list some of the pro's and con's to help you decide if this route is best for you.
Pros
Less Expensive than most TV Set top DVD players.
Able to use the player for computer applications as well as movies on your home entertainment center.
You can watch a movie on your computer while the Television set is being used for other movies, ie the kids can watch their cartoons and you can watch the movie you want to.
DVD players are able to read standard CD's so you can listen to music as well as run CD based applications.
You don't have to juggle with remote controls and try to figure out what button does what as most of the controls are software driven
Con's
Takes up a slot on your computer if you do not have, or are not replacing your standard CD player with a DVD.
Requires some knowledge of computers to hook it up and configure it correctly if you are going to 'do it yourself'.
On slower systems, performance might be degraded and/or computer will not be able to be effectively used for other applications
while movie is running.
Computer setup has to be located fairly close to Entertainment System to run wires to it for interfacing.
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I have this setup at home, running on windows 98 on a P 233 MMX with a good video card. Performance is extremely well once the DVD is configured properly, and the cables are run to the stereo system and television. Although performance is good on an older / slower system such as this, I would recommend that one utilize a faster system if they do not have a lot of ram and a decent video card with at least 8 to 16 meg of video memory, not to mention, if they plan on using the computer for other tasks while playing the movie.
In closing, if you are debating whether to shell out the cash for a stand alone unit, this is a very viable alternative to consider as it serves multi purposes and lets you use the unit for both your computer and home entertainment system, instead of eventually having to go out and buy two separate DVD players.
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Epinions.com ID:
Ascholten
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Member: Aaron Scholten
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Reviews written: 73
Trusted by: 10 members
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