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