Any need for HTPC IF....
- Thread starter gigeorge
- Start date
Soldato
Dunno, read the manual!?
Soldato
A HTPC is much more flexible. Do you just want to play videos using your TV speakers with a directory browser? If so, it's probably sufficient for you.
Soldato
I very much doubt much TVs can handle a 42 gig blu ray mkv
I have been streaming MKVs from a PC to a Samsung LED (wired connection) for a year or so without issues, with the audio going out of the TV to an AVR via optical. Its all you need really, but I did add an HTPC for the following benefits:
- Better looking user interface with XBMC
- better control of subtitles and settings
- Iplayer (my TV doesn't support the app as I am non-UK)
- more flexibility to use different front ends and players
Disadvantages
- It does add an extra layer of complexity though, and may not be as wife or kid friendly
- takes more space, needs an extra remote, keyboard, mouse
- start up time
- random crashes, errors make it not as stable as DLNA (for me anyway)
- extra cost for the same basic function.
So its not essential at all.. but if you want additional functionality and a better looking interface, try it.
- Better looking user interface with XBMC
- better control of subtitles and settings
- Iplayer (my TV doesn't support the app as I am non-UK)
- more flexibility to use different front ends and players
Disadvantages
- It does add an extra layer of complexity though, and may not be as wife or kid friendly
- takes more space, needs an extra remote, keyboard, mouse
- start up time
- random crashes, errors make it not as stable as DLNA (for me anyway)
- extra cost for the same basic function.
So its not essential at all.. but if you want additional functionality and a better looking interface, try it.
Soldato
I really want DLNA to be worth having but the user interface for music playback on every TV I've looked at is appalling so for that reason alone I'd say HTPC.
Soldato
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or just get a media streamer. they are under £100 and silent and you arent relying on windows etc.
no good for me. half the point of blu-ray is uncompressed audio and additional channels. you arent getting them via optical.
no good for me. half the point of blu-ray is uncompressed audio and additional channels. you arent getting them via optical.
Soldato
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the new toshibas use a modified cell chip, IIRC which is a lot more than dual core.
i think many use them for the 2d ==> 3d conversions and video processing etc. i just hope they dont need a noisy fan.
yes, it is true.. I can only get DTS or NEO 6 on the AVR with this setup.. having said that, I dont get much better on XBMC without a lot of tweaking, but I didnt try Eden yet.
Associate
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You don't need a lot of tweaking... just modify playercorefactory.xml to fire up TMT5 or PowerDVD to play blu rays instead of using the built in player in XBMC... DONE... now you can bitstream lossless audio to your AVR...
I spent like maybe 2-3 hours perfecting the HTPC, from installing windows and other utilities and XBMC and modifying some GFX settings (including 3D setup).
Very worth it imo.
For everyday use, if your tv supports dnla then you dont need a separate htpc. The samsung will deal with anything you will probably throw at it.
Some people of course have bionic ears and can tell the difference in the height a pin drops onto 17 mattresses, through the walls of a nuclear bunker though, just from the noise it makes. If you are one of these people then it might not be enough
Some people of course have bionic ears and can tell the difference in the height a pin drops onto 17 mattresses, through the walls of a nuclear bunker though, just from the noise it makes. If you are one of these people then it might not be enough
I understand a lot of new Smart TV's will never access iplayer etc (not really sure why "legal issues" were mentioned although it sounded like a fob off to me.
I am definitely in the camp of a seperate streamer (also if the streamer goes faulty, do you really want to potentally lose your tv while its fixed offsite?) , although I tend to watch any iplayer stuff on my laptop in bed
I like the idea of an htpc, but blu's are common enough now there should be a decent setup available without the hastle of configuring for 2 - 3 hours.
My ideal home theatre is as basic and large a screen as possible (either projector or Plasma) with one box which is a Blu /dvd player, streamer and HD freeview recorder in one box, and an AV reciever (or pre/power amps)
I am definitely in the camp of a seperate streamer (also if the streamer goes faulty, do you really want to potentally lose your tv while its fixed offsite?) , although I tend to watch any iplayer stuff on my laptop in bed
I like the idea of an htpc, but blu's are common enough now there should be a decent setup available without the hastle of configuring for 2 - 3 hours.
My ideal home theatre is as basic and large a screen as possible (either projector or Plasma) with one box which is a Blu /dvd player, streamer and HD freeview recorder in one box, and an AV reciever (or pre/power amps)