Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

I see no difference in a HTPC than a regular PC build.
at first, i thought HTPC would use some other installation set up.
but nope, same PC build, uses same OS, and more.
(only difference being a smaller form factor for the more "home theater" feel"
and hooked up to a big TV.

So, what exactly is the difference?

HTPCs are almost universally low power (<150W) and low noise (a well built HTPC is inaudible even in a quiet room). They are typically constructed with playing movies and shows in mind, and prioritize efficiency, storage capacity, and silence over any other purpose. They also rarely go larger than microATX simply because smaller and less featured boards can do what needs to be done.

An example build would likely be built around the A8-7600 as it is low power (can be configured for 45W TDP, easily passively cooled), and doesnt need anything extra like video cards, as its already on the CPU. A mini-ITX board and case can keep the build small and out of the way. A high capacity low RPM HDD can ensure you have all of your media ready to go while remaining silent.

In short, an HTPC is a very low power silent machine built for watching shows and movies.

 

Some people do not build HTPC correctly. Key differences are:

HTPC wants to have passive cooling.
HTPC wants as little power consumption as possible
HTPC wants as many media outputs as possible (HDMI and such)
HTPC wants quality audio

HTPC doesn't need good 3D performance
HTPC doesn't need OCability
HTPC doesn't need upgradability as much as gaming PC.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

I see no difference in a HTPC than a regular PC build.
at first, i thought HTPC would use some other installation set up.
but nope, same PC build, uses same OS, and more.
(only difference being a smaller form factor for the more "home theater" feel"
and hooked up to a big TV.

So, what exactly is the difference?

What you speak of is a PC built with HTPC form factor, like mine in sig. Just got sick of haf932 so I've put almost all parts into htpc for cleaner look and the fact that it is my living room.
HTPC key factor will be low to none at all noise. This means no fancy GPU, low tdp CPU and few low rpm fans. As of OS there is a ton of those.

 

Well, in addition to the above points:

HTPC generally have DVR type capabilities including a live TV tuner card and a front end for more appropriate TV use. It's kind of like the difference between a server and a regular computer. In all technicality there isn't any difference. One is just more purpose-built.

 

Convetional htpc is mentioned already. I built a fully functional gaming rig except I did try and keep it quiet. Its cable box in my sig. It has 3tb internal and 3tb external( networked by pogoplug).

In added a silicon dust hd homerun to transform wmc into fully funcioning dvr using comcast.

I built another more standerd htpc for another room to take advantage of the hdhomerun since its networked. I have zero comcast equipment in my home.

So in the end I have a one stop device for all my media including video convertions and I am able to game on my 73inch 1080p screen.

 

As everybody has pointed out

low power usage

noiseless as possible

small case

with hdmi wifi connections

if you are going to try and turn into a gaming machine then you might as well have a proper desktop

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

I see no difference in a HTPC than a regular PC build.
at first, i thought HTPC would use some other installation set up.
but nope, same PC build, uses same OS, and more.
(only difference being a smaller form factor for the more "home theater" feel"
and hooked up to a big TV.

So, what exactly is the difference?

Smaller form factor is definitely the biggest thing. Other features include quietness, HDMI output (no real need for a GPU, Intel's built-in GPU is good enough), quality soundcard and speakers (maybe even an amp), WiFi, wireless keyboard with trackpad. Maybe specialised media software such as Windows Media Center.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

As someone else mentioned, a TV tuner is always a good addition for an htpc

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

htpc as above. low power, low noise, low footprint, light weight os with media player, good audio, tv card potentially, just enough power to run videos at 4k. controller, small mouse+trackball remote ..

but the great thing about PC's over a roku box for example is that if your skilled enough you can design an OS setup that offers easy access to movies and game and does most of the above almost as good, like a steambox.

 

My HTPC is used to organize my media collection and give me an awesome user interface experience. I store all my media on a home server (unRAID) and stream to the HTPC over a wired network.













My silent HTPC is in my sig.

 

Everyone has different setups depending on needs.

The one thing an HTPC of any form will be......

Is a cpu connected to a tv (or projector) in a living room or media room environment.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

I see no difference in a HTPC than a regular PC build.
at first, i thought HTPC would use some other installation set up.
but nope, same PC build, uses same OS, and more.
(only difference being a smaller form factor for the more "home theater" feel"
and hooked up to a big TV.

So, what exactly is the difference?

YOU ARE RIGHT no difference...it can game like a regular PC
if you are going low power then that is the isssue...no intense 3D
form factor another...
HTPC is a fancy way of saying it can play 1080p videos to my flat screen...
people love buying PC stuff just to complicate life...

 

What's the difference between a file server, HTPC, PC, mainframe, grid, smartphone, AIO, thin client, router, database server, etc?

They are computers.... each one is just tuned or optimized for different usage.

A HTPC is just a computer optimized to be used a non-primary computer connected to a TV and requires a "10-feet" interface.... generally. How you build it determines what you want out of it. Low-noise and aesthetics are common important factors due to it's placement (aka the "wife factor").

 

I never use the term HTPC...I just say media machine. I started calling the PC I had hooked up to TV that back before any one even dreamed up the term HTPC. Which makes me wonder...who coined the term HTPC for a PC that is in your living room and connected to a TV? I looked around day and then every one was throwing the term around left and right.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant Storm

I never use the term HTPC...I just say media machine. I started calling the PC I had hooked up to TV that back before any one even dreamed up the term HTPC. Which makes me wonder...who coined the term HTPC for a PC that is in your living room and connected to a TV? I looked around day and then every one was throwing the term around left and right.

Term started appearing late 90s.... Digital music/video and GPU-TV standard interfaces allowed it to become a thing.

 

Hmm, what makes people build a htpc over buying like, say a blueray player or a PS3 ?
it seems cheaper to take that alternative and you can do everything you wanted to do with an HTPC

 

Also, I just want to mention, that there usually are not many reasons to not use your existing PC as an HTPC(vs building a new HTPC), unless you have lots of disposable income.

I recently did some research as to whether it would save me money to build a more energy efficient HTPC. It basically worked out that I would take me over 10 years to pay off the HTPC with the energy savings, so it was not worth it at all. Especially since my gaming PC would be in the same room as the TV anyway.

 

The original xbox could be hacked and made to run xbmc. That was my first experience with an htpc.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

Hmm, what makes people build a htpc over buying like, say a blueray player or a PS3 ?
it seems cheaper to take that alternative and you can do everything you wanted to do with an HTPC

Custom DVRs, store a large database of TV shows and movies, lots more customization, more powerful, a full web browser on the TV, light/medium gaming, stream from many more locations, more control, music at your fingertips,the fun of doing it....

 

I think with a very efficient cpu like haswell and a modern gpu. You can save power with a system on 24/7 and still max games at 1080p.

My htpc will sleep and wake up on its own to record with wmc. Then go right back to powersave.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckieHo

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vagrant Storm

I never use the term HTPC...I just say media machine. I started calling the PC I had hooked up to TV that back before any one even dreamed up the term HTPC. Which makes me wonder...who coined the term HTPC for a PC that is in your living room and connected to a TV? I looked around day and then every one was throwing the term around left and right.

Term started appearing late 90s.... Digital music/video and GPU-TV standard interfaces allowed it to become a thing.

LOL really? I didn't realize it had been around that long.

 

VAGRANT STORM had an HTPC before it was cool.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger

VAGRANT STORM had an HTPC before it was cool.

I did. I had them hooked up to a CRT TV since getting a Voodoo 3500 that came with RCA hookups, and I've had a PC sitting next to every TV I've had since.

I just guess the term Hoe Theater Personal Computer eluded me for a few years.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

Hmm, what makes people build a htpc over buying like, say a blueray player or a PS3 ?
it seems cheaper to take that alternative and you can do everything you wanted to do with an HTPC

For me it makes sense because instead of disks, all of my media is digitally stored between our NAS and home server. It would be impossible to manage all of those disks and display them in as nice of an interface as you can with a PC (running XBMC or Plex).

Its just simpler than sorting through the disks and picking a movie, here you have them organized very nicely and you can just go down the list, see the covers and other metadata, and pick what you want to watch.

Plex and XBMC are very helpful when your movie collection hits the 500+ range and and you have many many recorded TV shows.

That and anyone on our network can watch whats on our collection, not just the person using the HTPC connected to the TV. Technically I could watch stuff on our server from anywhere I have internet access thanks to Plex.

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by IMKR

Hmm, what makes people build a htpc over buying like, say a blueray player or a PS3 ?
it seems cheaper to take that alternative and you can do everything you wanted to do with an HTPC

Flexibility.

How long did it take to get a Netflix app for the XBox, PS3, or BluRay? Do they support Netflix's Super-HD? How about Amazon Prime stream? How about the next mainstream content platform?

A PC can basically play any format or encoding. A BluRay player may never support something like H.265.

Don't like the interface of BluRay player or PS4? Too bad.

You want to improve image quality with something like MadVR on a XBox One? Too bad.

Want to remotely connect and a watch streaming TV/video while on the road? Not without a lot more work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wirerat

I think with a very efficient cpu like haswell and a modern gpu. You can save power with a system on 24/7 and still max games at 1080p.

My htpc will sleep and wake up on its own to record with wmc. Then go right back to powersave.

You don't even need a discrete GPU anymore with APUs or higher-end Intel CPUs.