Advantages of a HTPC

Gundog48 · 18 Aug 2010 at 12:57

I am a really keen PC user, I use it for everything especially gaming. However, I have never really seen the advantages of using a HTPC over a Blu-Ray player, surrond sound system or a set-top-box.

As far as I can see it would be quite annoying to have to start it up, the performance could vary and requires more maintainence. As much as I love using PCs for everything else, I can't see the advantage of a HTPC over a system that will start up in two seconds every time, always perform the same and needs no maintainence.

Could you please enlighten me? (I'm not slating HTPCs, just wondering what the hype is about!)

gibb · 18 Aug 2010 at 13:03

I think the versatility is a big bonus for most. When I used to have a HTPC it was tweaked and specced for really low power consumption. It was left on standbye most of the time so turning it on only took a matter of seconds, I then had access to my entire video collection, the internet, iPlayer etc and it could perform other tasks like downloading overnight etc.

Cycrow · 18 Aug 2010 at 13:07

Depends what u wanna do on the htpc really

One advantage is they can be used to watch and record tv shows. Stream any media you have as well as watch DVD and blu rays

U can get them to boot up pretty quick. Nine actually boots up faster than my old standalone Toshiba hd DVD player

Plus u. Can customise them to your choosing using meta data to display details and images of all your media etc

U can also use them to rip DVDs and even play games of you want

Mercenary Keyboard Warrior · 18 Aug 2010 at 13:11

Dont forget when you rip your DVD/Blue Rays you can remove all the FBI warnings etc so the startup time to the actual movie/ series can be considerably lower.
My HTPC boots to useable desktop within a minute, tops. Then finding stuff is very fast. Can take me longer to locate a DVD or Blue ray on a packed shelf than booting OS and finding series let alone navigating FBI warnings, trailers etc
Plus as above, internet etc

Although for me biggest win is knowing my original media isnt at risk of being damaged.