How to Determine the Cables I Will Need for a Media Center PC

Using Windows Media Center PC is easy. Every system comes equipped with pre-installed Windows Media Center 2005 Edition operating system and a set of cables needed to connect to your home entertainment structure. Manufacturers provide the complete set of cables to enable versatile functionalities of your PC. Check the cables provided to you in the set. If few are missing, you can contact your manufacturer or buy them online (and in stores).

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Setup your Media Center PC. You can plug in the system using the basic set of cables and operate it like a computer. Use the color identifier to plug in the different cables.
2. Get a RCA/Composite cable to connect your Media Center PC to a TV. The RCA composite cables come in a triplet set of yellow, white and red cables. This set of cables is responsible for carrying the video signal.
3. Get or find the S-Video cable. It is usually a black colored single cable. This cable provides better video quality as compared to the RCA/composite type.
4. Explore the Component Video cable. It is similar to RCA/composite with a triplet cables. However, the difference is that the indicative colors are Red, Green and Blue. The quality of images and video is far more superior as compared to RCA/composite or S-Video type.
5. Locate the VGA cable from the box. It is used for connecting your Media Center PC with the TV or the Monitor. The cable is a wide trapezoid socket with about 15 pins that fit into the TV or the Monitor. The other options to connect are in form of DVI or the HMDI, which is the best quality cable available.
6. Locate the keyboard and mouse cable that are attached to connect to your windows media center PC.
7. See the Users guide for more details required to connect to various accessories, plug-ins and portable devices.

Tips & Warnings

• Windows Media Center PC is a very flexible system that allows you to plug into several devices and gizmos. Sort cable for each separately and do not get baffled.
• Device a cable management technique as you will be plugging the system to several other systems. You could easily get confused to which cable goes where and could end up with lot of cables. Make arrangements to hide most of these cables, as they look ugly in a living room setting.
• Do not press too hard to plug in the cables, as the pins are delicate. If they are damaged, you will have to buy a brand new set.

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