what are the benefits of htpc ?

vaulsey · 16 Dec 2012 at 18:13

what are the benefits of htpc ? and why do people want them over a normal pc?

Infidelus · 16 Dec 2012 at 18:45

I don't know about 'over a normal PC'. I have a HTPC in addition to a normal PC. I can watch and record Freeview. I don't need a separate VCR/DVDR/Sky/Virgin box. The files are all recorded as .ts so I can edit them, remove the adverts and save the films/series. With the software I use it also means the others in the house can also schedule their recordings from their own computers - as well as from sitting in front of the telly.

vaulsey · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:03

hmmm but wouldnt you rather have a sky box? or virgin box? doesn't these let you record movies?

also is it better quality with htpc? or whats the catch im missing here XD

Subliminal Aura · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:12

My HTPC is my home server and is the cheapest cost effective way to keep 5TB online on demand rather than running a beastly PC 24/7

Glaucus · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:19

vaulsey said:
hmmm but wouldnt you rather have a sky box? or virgin box? doesn't these let you record movies?

also is it better quality with htpc? or whats the catch im missing here XD

Virgin/sky costs money. You can't add a blu-ray drive to those boxes. The old virgin/sky boxes don't have music, netflix, or any other type off apps/content.
A hTPc allows you to do pretty much anything you want.

You don't have them over a normal pc, they are two different things. But can sometimes be one and the same. But they have two very different purposes and are usually two very different builds.
As a hTPc isn't about power, its about small and quite. Which means using lower power parts to keep heat down, so you don't need noisy fans.

deadite66 · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:41

I love using mythtv for a HTPC, it's custom rules make it very powerful, plus addons like tvwish you can set up lists of stuff you'd like to see and it will autorecord them if they ever show up.

a small pc runs it fine as long as you don't transcode and barely any noise.

vaulsey · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:48

but can u get sky or virgin on your htpc? for free?
i see where your coming from with the 5tb thing

Glaucus · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:52

vaulsey said:
but can u get sky or virgin on your htpc? for free?

No, not everyone wants sky/virgin. You can get freesat/free view.
As wel as run loads not media apps, like catchuptv, filmon, netflix or whatever.

vaulsey · 16 Dec 2012 at 20:58

so whats the difference between htpc and a smart tv?

i might need to just see one up front to see what the benefits of it is... other than you can store a lot of movies, and recordings

Glaucus · 16 Dec 2012 at 21:04

For a start smart TVs are new.
Smart TVs don't have massive storage for films/TVs.
Smart TVs have limited apps and can't do everything.
Smart tv requires you to replace your tv, which is really expensive.
Can't customize the TV guide, predictive recording etc.

Infidelus · 17 Dec 2012 at 20:01

Glaucus said:
Virgin/sky costs money. You can't add a blu-ray drive to those boxes. The old virgin/sky boxes don't have music, netflix, or any other type off apps/content.
A hTPc allows you to do pretty much anything you want.

You don't have them over a normal pc, they are two different things. But can sometimes be one and the same. But they have two very different purposes and are usually two very different builds.
As a hTPc isn't about power, its about small and quite. Which means using lower power parts to keep heat down, so you don't need noisy fans.

No, not everyone wants sky/virgin. You can get freesat/free view.
As wel as run loads not media apps, like catchuptv, filmon, netflix or whatever.

Pretty much these exact reasons. I've no interest in paying Sky/Virgin for a recorder when I can build my own that does so much more.