HOW TO: Build Your Own Media Center PC, Part 1
Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 is an enhanced version of Windows XP that turns your 
ordinary PC into an all-in-one home entertainment center. By using the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005, you can watch and record TV programs, play DVDs, listen to music, share your digital photos, and more. Best of all, you can continue to do your work on the same computer.
In the past, you couldn’t really build a Windows Media Center yourself because the list of compatible hardware was very limited and Microsoft did not sell the OS directly to end users. However, things have changed and you now have a wider choice of hardware that works with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. In addition, you can now buy the OS through system vendors.
In a two-part article, I will show you how to build your own media center PC for around $1,500. In this first part, I will walk you through the steps in choosing the hardware. In the next part, I’ll show you how to get started in using your newly built media center PC. WindowsDevCenter.com — Build Your Own Media Center PC, Part 1