Tower needed to play back downloaded HD

[thebigbeef]

Hi all

I am going to get myself the TOSHIBA 42X3030DB 42" 1080p lcd tv.
http://www.pixmania.co.uk/uk/uk/548495/art/toshiba/42x3030d-lcd-television.html?srcid=6104&aftrack=TVRBeE1UczBNemMzOzExODUyMjQ2NTY7


Basically, I need to get a pc tower to sit beside it.

Ideally I need it to output in HDMI.(1080p)
Play HD avi, h264, and all the other captures I can download off the newsgroups without stuttering.
Surf the internet via my wireless network.
Decent HD to hold some HD files
Be able to play games (doesn't have to be high spec gamer but average)
Plug in my exiting USB2 external Hard Drive to play Downloaded avis etc...

Had a quick look around but the systems I find come with monitors.


Is it better to build one to spec?
What sort of price would I need to spend?

Also can you get a HD-DVD drive for a pc? (I know you can get a Blueray drive)
Would the above spec be able to play Blueray movie bought from the shop perfectly? (and HD-DVD if drive is available)


Sorry to ask so many questions.
Being made redundant and am going spend a bit of it on my new tv setup.

Many thanks


Beefy

[mmace]

I'm not a games player so I can't advise on the PC spec, but my PC plays all HD I throw at it, including the difficult BBC MBAFF h.264 files, without stuttering.

For HD-DVD you can buy a MS XBox 360 HD-DVD add on as it's USB

I bought the motherboard, CPU, case & memory as "barebones" from novatech and added the graphics card, HDDs, optical drives etc myself.

I use DVI output with a DVI to HDMI cable which works with HDCP. My motherboard has onboard SPDIF output which is hooked up to my Dolby Digital amp

I am looking to buy a new graphics card specifically for HD something like ATI HD 2600XT GDDR4 which plays Hi-def and uses very little CPU (even with h.264) and costs around £100

[thebigbeef]

Cheers mmace.

Will knock up a system with the graphics card you suggested.
Intel Duo Processor
2 x 500gb HDD
500 psw
Vista OEM

I am looking to have the audio running thru the LCD

Will the audio come thru the DVI>HDMI output of the card or will I have to connect a lead from the sound card to the LCD.

Beefy

[mmace]

no, the DVI is video only (and most HDMI cards are too).
Can I stress that part of Hi-def is the audio, if you go through the TV then you'll only get stereo (jack plug to phono plugs lead is needed for this)

I would highly recommend you get a 5.1 amp & speakers for the Hi-def files as well as playing normal DVD's (either through the upscaling DVD player or the PC)