How you go about this really depends on what operating system and hardware you already have. The 'standard' way would be to use Windows XP Media Center edition, a media center extender, and a wireless network to stream the content from your PC directly to your entertainment center in your living room. Using this method you can control your computer remotely (in both senses of the word...from a distance and by remote control), using your TV as the monitor. However, if you don't have any/all of the above, it can quickly become an expensive project. (A media extender costs around $300, a wireless network $50-$150, and Windows XP MC $125...about the same as a lower-priced PC.)
While there are third-party applications (some free) that can give you similar abilities as Windows XP MC, you'd still have to find a way to connect your PC and TV. (Back to the wirless network.) Thus, if you'd prefer not to spend so much money on setting up your home for streaming multimedia, your best bet would be to buy a cheap computer, install a decent graphics card, and output the content to your TV and stereo system.
Hope this helps,
John
my pc is upstairs on one end of the house, my stereo and tv are downstairs on the other. I use musicmatch j-box. im looking for a relatively inexpensive way to get my music downstairs, plus see on my tv what i see on my pc, or something similar, and be able to control it. I've burned mp3 cds and dvds, but theyre not as easy to navigate through as a media player would be.
ive thought about buying a cheap pc for downstairs, but thought somebody might have a better idea.
sorry so long,
i'll appreciate any input
thanks TDay

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