Jump to content

  • Welcome!

    Register and log in easily with Twitter or Google accounts!

    Or simply create a new Huddle account. 

    Members receive fewer ads , access our dark theme, and the ability to join the discussion!

     

What is an HTPC? How much? Etc?

the butch

By the butch,
in Huddle Lounge

Recommended Posts

the butch Newbie

the butch

Posted
Posted

Other than Home Theatre Personal Computer, I know nothing about them.  Was chatting with someone about having to use a tethered connection from my computer to my TV when watching ESPN3, iTunes, etc.  He said to just get an HTPC set-up.  I acted all like, "Yeah, man.  Great idea.  Should probably."  When I really should have been like, "WTF, you nerd.  What the hell is that?  Get a life."  So, it got me thinking, would it really be worth the money?  Right now I have my TV mounted above my fireplace with the DirecTV Genie in my coat closet [uses RF remote].  What say you, Huddle?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
d-dave Veteran

d-dave

Posted
Posted

Better questions you should answer before embarking the perilous path of the HTPC:

 

1.  Do you really "NEED" one?  What jobs will it perform that your current devices don't?

2.  Want to build one?  There are a ton of good cases out there and components galore.  So the question is, do you want to get your hands dirty (not dirty but...) and build one?  Way cheaper that buying a prebuilt.

3.  Do you know what software you want to use and how?  Like are you going to hook it up to an antenna and use it as an OTA recorder to save some DVR space?  Will you be using it to push your downloaded from "questionable origins" content around the house?  

4.  Or do you make your life easier and get an apple TV?  I bring up that object simply because it meets 99% of the needs of MOST people.  It's $100.

 

You really have to figure out what you are going to do with a HTPC before you jump in the deep end.  I wish you luck!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dos poptarts Newbie

dos poptarts

Posted
Posted

HTPC is not for everyone. It's a hobby as much as entertainment setup.

 

My upstairs HTPC was an old desktop PC. You don't need alot of horsepower to watch movies. You can buy video cards that can play blu-ray rips for <$10.

 

But Apple TV, a Roku, WD Live, etc...will suit 95% of everyone's needs.

As ddave mentions, all depends on what you are going to do with it. Are you streaming videos from websites, playing dvd/BD rips, mp3s...or the questionable sourced .mkvs.

 

If you run windowns (vista/7/8), Mediabrowser is a nice front end but alot of people like using XBMC.

You will spend time to setup everything and I still tweak mine (changing themes, etc)

I also record HD OTA using a silicondust box.

 

AVSforum.com has a forum dedicated to HTPCs, they also have a section for media boxes (appletv, roku, many other little known boxes) New to the scene are android boxes that have an HDMI port that can stream media.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
the butch Newbie

the butch

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Thanks for the input, guys.  I don't understand 99% of it, but I got the bit about Apple TV.  I guess I would like the ability to burn my collection of DVDs and then trash the hard copies.  I know, I know, copyright violation, but whatever.  I would also like the ability to store game content for football, basketball, and baseball.  Again, I am not even sure how the whole thing works.  Can it go to multiple TVs?  Multiple computers?  Can you access content when you are away from home, e.g., vacation, business, etc.?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • PMH4OWPW7JD2TDGWZKTOYL2T3E.jpg

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • SmokinwithWilly
      PFF names Panthers QB Bryce Young the best deep passer

      By SmokinwithWilly · Posted

      It's really only been 2 games. The NO team was so bad their coach was fired after the game and Chuba and the defense carried the team to the win against NY. He's played better but I'm not willing to crown him QB god yet. I want to see more than 2 games or even the rest of the season. I want a full 3rd season with the occasional clunker because it happens to every QB, even the great ones. I just need more than what we've seen to this point. 
    • trucpfan
      PFF names Panthers QB Bryce Young the best deep passer

      By trucpfan · Posted

      So you proceed to let me have it since I’m asking for it lmfao by saying we’re not talking about a random if….what in your head doesn’t click If statements are not realistic. If statements allow me to say anything and make it sound logical. “If” statements in this forum allow anyone without real statistical evidence or factual proof say anything will or can happen so speak directly to facts without these goofy azz if statements or accept all “if” statements. And to respond to your nonsense he had weapons he had protection. He had a rookie WR playing his first NFL game with Mingo and DJ as his other primary targets. How have either preformed since being traded let’s go deeper into that he had weapons. His top targets(week one) XL 7 targets DJ 6 targets Mingo 5 targets now the rookie has has about 8-9 games before Bryce’s return and we’ve seen XL develop some since the start of the season. And those other TOP weapons have a combined 3 catches in a combined 9 games since being traded. 5 for DJ 4 for Mingo these are the top targets your refer to as who he should have been shining with. Is it all on Bryce or these WRs being actual liabilities and not good players does that matter to you or should Bryce be able to elevate them? Do you really know football or is this my 12 yr old nephew spewing a childish mindset and asking us to accept it as serious football talk.  I’ve just seen the post from @Icege It’s sad after being shown actual facts you don’t know what you should be eating crow about buddy grow tf up. It’s ok to be wrong it doesn’t make you a bad guy you’re just wrong about Bryce . You said quote “Bryce can’t throw down field” do you still feel that way? You said a lot of nonsense that has now been proven wrong but we need to keep waiting right ok kool. I can agree with that we need more much more good play before we fully commit for next season, but to act like the progression being shown isn’t impressive as sht. We’re seeing Bryce play good while waiting on more consistency to crown em but you gotta get out of that dark place because living in denial is a bad place to reside.
    • Jay Roosevelt
      Free agent WR targets?

      By Jay Roosevelt · Posted

      Thielen is a free agent, isn't he? And regardless we need a younger version of him anyway. I see XL + Coker as our #1 and #2 with Palmer as the #3 in that scenario.
×
×
  • Create New...