Re: Shuttle SN41G2 as "All purpose entertainment PC"

"Dave Johnson" <> wrote in message
news: om...
> Of course the fact of a PC based entertainment system sounds
> intersting but is it really yet practical. ????????
>
> Any comments from any of you that have experience in this area would
> be appreciated.


NOISE, NOISE, NOISE, NOISE.

If you read around the newsgroup you'll see a number of stories about the
fan noise. None of the other lounge-based home entertainment systems you
named produce any noticeable noise. The shuttle is really noisy. Put in a
big graphics card and it will be even noisier. There are steps you can take
to produce less noise (swap the fans for quieter ones), but this only works
so far.

To be honest, I'd recommend going for one of the lifestyle PC's with a
slightly lower spec processor but with only passive cooling (no fans). This
would seem to be the only way of preventing being distracted by the fan hum
when the DVD film goes quiet. Of course, during loud games and films the
fan noise is insignificant, but if you value quiet time in the lounge get
something quieter.

Personally, I had planned on doing the same as you with my Shuttle - but
it's just too niosy for the lounge. On reflection though, it didn't seem
such a great plan to have the one monitor (TV) being used for everything.
Instead, I'm going to put my shuttle into one of the kitchen cupboards
(sound-proofed of course), with a flat-screen on the front. Then whilst I'm
watching the TV, the kids can use the internet from the kitchen - or vice
versa. Of course if you live on your own there's no problem....

Good luck anyway,
Ian.