In the next section are listed some quick-fire pre-built solution recommendations for client and server hardware based on common use-cases, with DiY components and special scenarios further below. Finding the best way for you takes some time and research. Setups vary and there are many ways to do things. Keyboard/mouse interaction or lots of storage.Īn advanced setup with might have a server/storage tucked away somewhere and one or more client PCs/media devices connected to each display. Usually if streaming or a remote-based interface is a priority, then a media device is best, where a PC is better for more customization, You should reference the video/ audio/ storage sections of the wiki as a guide to overall concepts if you're not familiar with them while researching a solution.Ī simple setup may just have a standalone PC (pre-built or DiY) with the appropriate software You should first decide which of these roles you need based on your use-case, budget, and hardware available. It can be client and server as well connected to a TV as a client, playing internal media, but also has server software installed, which it uses to send media to It can be a server which provides the media to the client as fore-mentioned. It can be a client connected to a TV/sound system and then connect to a server which provides it the media to play. How do I get started with a HTPC setup?Ī HTPC whether it be a PC or media device, can act as a client, a server, both or standalone.įor instance, it can act standalone and play media from internal storage or streaming services to a connected TV/sound system. What is NOT a HTPC: Playing media just on your laptop. This can be confusing it's not a traditional HTPC per-se, but performs the functions of one.īelow we'll advise you on how to get started with a HTPC. It also can have storage on it which allows you to install server software (like Plex for example) and serve media to other clients in your home. It is a powerful integrated device with an android media interface when connected to a TV. MOST of these small devices simply act as clients (they may not even connect to a server in your setup, but simply to internet streaming services, like Netflix),īut a small, powerful few also can act as servers.Īn example would be the Nvidia Shield TV. The biggest distinction is that these devices are usually designed specifically for playing media in a Home Theater setting. Media can be video content from ripped personal discs, streaming services, audio, photos, or emulation gaming content.Īs computing power has gotten smaller and smaller, traditional PCs have given way to integrated media devices which have blurred the line over what a PC is.Ī media device such as a Roku player is very small and performs most of the functions a PC does, with CPU, memory, storage, operating system, etc. Specific software can be media players, codecs, certain operating systems and specialized media software interfaces. Specific hardware can be a TV tuner card, high-end sound card, other decoder cards, remotes or a case optimized for noise and/or space. It does this through specific hardware and/or software. Traditionally a HTPC is a PC with a purpose to play and/or serve media in a theater-type setting (living room, etc.). HTPC stands for Home Theater Personal Computer. This page is best viewed with a PC web browser.
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