What do people use thier HTPC for?

[Staz]

I am new to this whole HTPC craze, so wanted some info before I buy/build one myself.

1) What do you use your HTPC for?

2) What equipment makes up your HTPC?

3) Why a HTPC instead of a normal PC or other non-computer devices?

 

[mjreddy]

i haven't bought built one yet, so i don't have any specs to flaunt just yet... but I have been researching them a lot. My main reason for building one is to use a as a PVR and media library for music and video. I want to catalog, backup and store, my entire dvd collection on my HDDs and music collection and be able to browse them view trailers, read info and play them. There is a system by www.kaleidescape.com that does only that that costs 27K, but a HTPC can do that and record tv for playback.

You can also incorporate home automation features into an HTPC, this I feel could lend a forum unto itself, which is a suggestion that I have posted in the Forum Issues forum, but u could have your HTPC control lighting schemes, security systems, sprinklers and variety of things whether as a stand alone unit or connected to a Home Server... there's a lot more you can do too... but i gotta get back to work, let me know if this helped u get an idea or if you have any ?'s...

 

[Staz]

It seems like any old system with enough storage and power and one that is fairly close to your TV could do that.

Main reason I am asking is I have a server running that is bearly being used. It's a AMD XP 2000+ with 768MB RAM and a 120GB hard drive. Before I build a HTPC, I want to know what an HTPC can do that this server can't, and the questions from my first post should answer that for me. Thanks in advance.

 

[SLCentral]

I use my HTPC for a central location for all my movies, music, and photos. I've backed up all my DVD's on it, as well as all my CD's, and using some 3rd party programs for MCE2005, I can do exactly what Mrjeddy wants to do with his movies. I also do gaming on it.

Specs are in the sig, and I use a Samsung 50" DLP (HL-P5085W) via DVI for my display. I love it.

My HTPC IS a normal PC, just hooked up to my TV, making it a HTPC. It could be used in any environment, its just hooked up to a TV.

 

[jevans64]

I don't have a dedicated HTPC box, but I converted an existing Shuttle xPC SB75G2 to a PVR by adding a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 350. The Shuttle xPC systems are small and quiet enough to serve as a HTPC. It is easily transportable from my computer room to my living room.

I mainly use mine to time shift and convert that material into Divx format for storage.

Your choice on case format depends upon transportability and integration into your HT "rack."

You will probably want to add a second HD into the mix since a typical one hour program will consume 2.5 GB of space. Even a 120 GB will fill up fast at this rate.

My HTPC
----------
Shuttle xPC SB75G2
P4 Northwood 3.2 GHz
1024 MB PDP PC3200 2-2-2-5
160 GB WD SATA HD
MSI 5900XT ( Coming Soon!! ATI X800Pro )
Pioneer DVR-A08XL 16x DVD±RW/DL
Hauppauge WinTV PVR 350 using TitanTV ( 'cause I like it better than SageTV or BeyondTV )

 

[loup garou]

1)I use my MCE2k5 box for everything--PVR, DVDs, videos, music, pictures, web radio, access and manage my Netflix account, dumping shows from my bedroom TiVo via TivoToGo for watching in the livingroom, check the weather while still watching tv or a movie, and burning picture/music slideshow Video DVDs for friends & family. It is hooked up to my TV via component cables & 5.1 receiver via SPDIF passthrough for perfect DD from DVDs.

I can access all my recorded TV and music from all my other computers as well. Works, looks and sounds great!

2) Components:
iDEQ 200v SFF system
1600XP
512MB PC2700
80GB system drive
160GB data drive (music, videos, recorded tv)
8x DVD+-RW DL drive
Radeon 9600xt + component adapter
Audigy NX (iDeq 200v builtin sound sucks ass)
Hauppauge WinPVR 150 TV Card
OEM MS MCE Remote

Hooked up to:
32" Samsung CRT EDTV
Onkyo TX-SR600 6.1 receiver & Onkyo 5.1 speakers (I only use 5.1 sound though, no rear center channel speaker)

3) I have a Series2 TiVo, started building MCE box as a project for music mostly. Found the performance and quality to be just as good, if not better than the TiVo in most regards. Moved MCE box to livingroom and moved TiVo and DVD player to bedroom.

 

[mjreddy]

Originally posted by: Staz
It seems like any old system with enough storage and power and one that is fairly close to your TV could do that.

Main reason I am asking is I have a server running that is bearly being used. It's a AMD XP 2000+ with 768MB RAM and a 120GB hard drive. Before I build a HTPC, I want to know what an HTPC can do that this server can't, and the questions from my first post should answer that for me. Thanks in advance.

Well, then i guess you have half the battle done for you. Realize HTPC is still just a computer. It's a computer that's geared toward media applications and ease of use, so if you want to just stick a better video card, more storage, and a good sound card, and maybe a tv capture card into the server it fxns fine im sure. But as move the computer into the living room it's also nice to have it fit in aesthetically with the other components of your home theater, and there are new cases designed just for that purpose....

 

[wisdomtooth]

My HTPC is constantly in a state of construction as I add new stuff.

It will eventually be used to drive a 42" Plasma HDTV (the model I'm getting will have DVI inputs) and will be hooked up to my home theater audio rack components. And I will be adding PVR functions to it (similar to what TiVO does). Plus it will have a lot of movies stored on the HD so I don't have to swap discs, which is convenient especially for multidisc movies-- Each episode of the Lord of the Rings for example is 2 DVDs apiece.

And I will be able to control it all with one single programmable handheld remote control.

And yes, it will be able to surf the internet and play games too.

The HTPC is the ultimate couch potato geek's toy. :laugh:

 

[Staz]

Originally posted by: mjreddy

Originally posted by: Staz
It seems like any old system with enough storage and power and one that is fairly close to your TV could do that.

Main reason I am asking is I have a server running that is bearly being used. It's a AMD XP 2000+ with 768MB RAM and a 120GB hard drive. Before I build a HTPC, I want to know what an HTPC can do that this server can't, and the questions from my first post should answer that for me. Thanks in advance.

Well, then i guess you have half the battle done for you. Realize HTPC is still just a computer. It's a computer that's geared toward media applications and ease of use, so if you want to just stick a better video card, more storage, and a good sound card, and maybe a tv capture card into the server it fxns fine im sure. But as move the computer into the living room it's also nice to have it fit in aesthetically with the other components of your home theater, and there are new cases designed just for that purpose....

Well, my server is already using a mATX mobo, so I could easilly just get a mATX case for it and turn it into a HTPC. I can see the reason to get a TV card, but why a better videocard also?

My main TV is a Sony 53" 4:3 projection TV that has component in, but no DVI. I already have a DVD player and a DirectTV DVR box on it and don't save any of my DVD's or music to my computer. I just make copies of my DVD's. Not sure a HTPC would offer me anything that I don't already have or would use. Thoughts?

 

[Stark]

you can just buy MCE and make the server an HTPC. If you're hooking it up to your HT, you'll want at least an s-video output from your video card and spdif out from your sound card. Add a DVD burner and TV tuner card (like Hauppauge PVR150) and you have an HTPC. It may not look as cool as it would in a slick HTPC case, but it will work.

I built a MCE shuttle mainly because I was sick of a huge Antec tower and wanted something to send divx TV shows and my music files to my HT system. The PC is on the other side of the wall of the HT, so I just run the cables through the wall and have an office PC/HTPC all in one box.

 

[Staz]

Originally posted by: Stark
you can just buy MCE and make the server an HTPC. If you're hooking it up to your HT, you'll want at least an s-video output from your video card and spdif out from your sound card. Add a DVD burner and TV tuner card (like Hauppauge PVR150) and you have an HTPC. It may not look as cool as it would in a slick HTPC case, but it will work.

I built a MCE shuttle mainly because I was sick of a huge Antec tower and wanted something to send divx TV shows and my music files to my HT system. The PC is on the other side of the wall of the HT, so I just run the cables through the wall and have an office PC/HTPC all in one box.

First of all, what is MCE?

Second is it sounds like I need a videocard with an s-video tv out?

Third is will any TV card work, or are some better or offer more features than others?

Fourth is would this do anything above and beyond my current DVD player and DVR system?

 

[Stark]

1. windows XP Media Center Edition

It's basically XP Pro (supposedly not able to join a domain, but it gives you the option in setup) with an added "Media Center" application set. Media Center looks a ton better when viewed on a TV set and works with a specially designed remote you can buy.

2. if you want to watch on a TV, not necessary if you are going to watch on PC monitor

3. MS has a list. you can also check out www.pcalchemy.com for a list of cards that work. I think you can get an ATI TV Wonder card from Best Buy.

4. No, but it will play Divx files and your MP3s.

 

[weeber]

I made my HTPC out of spare parts I had. It's a 900Mhz Athlon with PC100 Ram and a PVR-250 video capture card. I have it networked with my main computer so I can play all my MP3s and videos through my reciever. But mainly I use it with Sage 2.0 to record all my shows. I never had a Tivo or DVR before, but the functionality of this over my old VCR is just phenomenal. It only took me a little while to get me to dump my VCR completely. I love it.

 

[loup garou]

Another quick feature of my MCE setup:
Just downloaded Rudeo MCE Remote's trial and I can now control my MCE box from any room in my house via WiFi on my old Toshiba e740 WiFi PocketPC! This is really cool!

Can't wait to try out Niveus Media's upcoming PocketPC remote software. :thumbsup: