Sounds like an adventure, and I'm sure you will love it! I, too, look forward to that blissful state of "done." My project has taken so much longer than expected, and I've had to do more "supervising" of the contractor than I expected, but any day now....

Hi, I downloaded this software from the website listed below to record my albums and tapes to CD, using the computer. It was very easy to use. The program comes with audible instructions and wizards to walk you through it (including which jacks to use on your computer). It will automatically set the record level or you can adjust it however you like. It did not require a pre-amp...just plug in the tape deck to your computer. The turntable may or may not need a pre-amp, but the program will detect it, to let you know.I got the wire to hook it up at Radio Shack for just a few dollars. One end will have the RCA ends for your stereo equipment, and the other end will have the miniature jack for your computer. There was no loss of quality, and I was able to actually get a better sound on some songs with the built in equalizer. Hook the stereo equipment to the computer, put a blank CD-R disc in the drive, and the program will do the rest. Hope this helps. Here is a link that might be useful: Record Albums to CD

IÂm designing my new entertainment center and looking for feedback and critique. I want it all feature wise and I donÂt want complexity or it will fail the "wife test." Currently I have a run-of-the-mill Philips 20 inch or so tube TV, cable box, 3 tivoÂs, a DVD player, and an "obsolete but you still occasionally need it" VCR. The "house" stereo is a completely separate system using a Linux based web interfaced mp3 server. Way too many wires, too many remotes, too difficult to explain to any body else J I want to move to a 60" or so LCD/DLP/Plasma, integrate the house stereo and make the whole thing easy to use. IÂve always been pleased with Sony TVÂs in the past and will be looking at their product line. Sharp and Samsung are also supposed to make good LCDÂs. IÂm thinking of a MythTV (http://www.mythtv.org) based PC as the brains and the content server. Sage, Beyond, and Windows MCE are also a possibility in descending order. This will let me to put multiple Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE tuner cards (http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_pvr500mce.html) in to replace the TivoÂs and their monthly service fees. It will also let me play DVDÂs and CDÂs as well as any random video downloaded from the Net. I can also set up a MythTV front end for each of the other TVÂs so all content will be available in all rooms. The "rear" speakers will be wireless because the room has vaulted ceilings. IÂm very happy with my Hot Link Pro IR extender (http://www.hot-link.com/) and will probably use it in the new system so everything that can be hidden will be. The computer will connect to the "almost released" Apple iTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITV_(Apple)) via Ethernet and on to the TV via HDMI. The cable box will be upgraded to HD and connect to an HD tuner card so it feeds into the PC. The other tuner cards will be for basic cable, which does not need a cable box, and the lowly VCR. The TV will be mounted in custom cabinetry with the bottom edge of the screen approximately 20 inches above the floor for a comfortable viewing position while seated. The PC will be mounted sideways in the cabinet above the TV because the cabinet will only be about 20 inches deep. The "rear" speakers will be a pair of wireless speakers mounted on top of the kitchen cabinets behind the entertainment area. I havenÂt decided on an amplifier or main speakers yet. The amp will also be above the TV and the main speakers will be mounted in the cabinetry on each side of the TV so I have about 12 inches on each side to play with. For a remote, IÂm thinking of one of the Harmony USB programmables (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/features/harmony/us/en,CRID=2078) so I can program it from a PC to do exactly what I want. I really like the Sonos (http://www.sonos.com) zone system for a whole house stereo, but $500 for each zone (not including speakers) starts to sound expensive. Any comments, questions, opinions or critiques?

Bill makes very good points but I can nod my head in approval because I've been there! Where I'm confused is with the OP's cost estimates. "I am leaning right now towards doing the kitchen and bathroom plus a cheap playroom remodel (carpet, windows, sheet rock, light fixture). That cost is about $4,000." Unless one is doing all the work themselves I don't see how in the world one can do all that work for $4000. Am I misreading the statement? I would suggest you don't over-extend yourself and if the design allows, do a small portion first and see what actual costs are. We've done 2 major remodels and even tho my detail-oriented DH worked on all the costs & expenses (and we did a lot of the work) we still ended up nearly 50% over what we estimated. That $80K remodel ended up costing $150K due to unexpected problems! Take into consideration the condition of your HVAC, roof, plumbing, upgrade of electrical and/or gas, and since you have a basement consider any possible drainage issues. Excavators are expensive. It's also those 'little' things that will eat up your cash dollars. Don't forget new furniture, window treatments & paint! :~)