Getting a Mac Pro, would like to use it as part time "HTPC"

[leeroy]

I've been looking at getting an octo core 3.0ghz Mac Pro, and was wondering if I get the new ATI HD3870 video card could I still use a LCD monitor via DVI and use the component out to my television (1080i) at the same time? Also from what I understand the optical audio only works in 5.1 when viewing a dvd or ts folder correct?

[CWallace]

It would work, but it is probably a bit loud for a home theater environment. You might prefer having it as your video server and then feeding content to the TV via a connected :apple:tv or Mac Mini.

[mpshay]

I second that. I've got 2 mac minis that I'm using to pull movies off a NAS (an some occasional web browsing on a 50" screen). :apple:TV is a slightly cheaper, but less flexible way to achieve the same results