Welcome
to HTPChelp.
This
site has been developed give you details of HTPC or Home Theatre
PC. It is only intended as a basic introduction into the subject
and details both hardware and software I use based around a Nebula
DVB TV hardware. It is not intended to cover the vast and fast
moving area of this technology, but should give you a start to go
out and build a system to your specifications and requirements.
I am also assuming that you know basic PC building and software
installation. If you don't then don't do it.
Before
we venture into the world of HTPC I would like to say a few things.
My main reason to venture into the world of HTPC was to have a
media center system that recorded digital broadcast TV and play back the recordings when
I wanted, similar to a Tivo or sky+ so I could skip the SVHS video recorder and many tapes. These devices have wonderful
interface, are quiet and start instantly from power off, however
both have limited disk space. I wanted a system that could grow,
and do much more than play a recorded TV program.
Consider
this as a hobby, expect things to crash (well its based on Microsoft),
expect to do a lot of tweaking and experimenting as it is not
as simple as tuning in the TV to the video channel and pressing
play. At some point you do get a stable product that does what
you want it to do how you want it to do and when you want it to
do, both with hardware and just as important the software.
Well
that was the theory back in 2004. Since then things have moved
on in some ways and some things have not and new technologies
have caused other issues and options.
My
system has grown and changed and the way I do things has also changed.
The heart of my system is now a media server that records
programs, has all the films, photos and MP3's and this is not in
the living room but in my study. This has an ever expanding number of hard disks with ever increasing storage size. The HTPC is now a client that
connects to the server and plays the media on the TV and the sound through
a 7.1 channel Audio visual amp.
This
now opens up a world of other devices that can connect to the
server like the the KISS DVD player that is LAN connected or the
pinnical show center .
