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What's the Point of Building a Home Theater PC?
An anonymous reader writes "FiringSquad has written Building a Basic HTPC. They discuss why Building a HTPC only makes sense if it can do something better than any other commercially available solution, as well as why HTPC should integrate act like a component not a computer. They also go into upsampling of DVDs to HDTV."
The point, Taco, is price. Why should I pay $2000 when I can have it for $200 in parts. Plus, there are plenty to people who get more enjoyment out of building something themselves.
If you have the computer experience, why not build a Home Theater PC? It's fun to do (if that sort of thing is fun to you), and it *can* cost less than a commercial model with the same features, especially if you equip a lot of features into the system. Besides, if the PC can also serve as a PVR or other cool functions, then it's a doubly-good deal.
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What's the point? 480P is converted to either 540P or 1080i in most HDTVs anyway.
I do it for the challenges.
Things like:
"Build a HTPC into a VCR, and keep the original funcionality of the VCR"
"Build a HTPC in my receiver, and make sure everything works" (Side note: That one was only sort of successful - had to remove the amp and use an external one, to much EMI)
I do it because I like having choices, I do it because I like to be able to stream show X to TV Y or burn it to DVD.
I do it because I'm a geek and a tinkerer, and it's in my nature.
Looking for hardware (Currently need: Large Etch-a-Sketch) Have one? See my journal!
Most of the DVR units out there come as part of a Satellite system or come with a subscription fee.
.MOV files well and are vary limited.
You can make your own system with an on-screen guide, time shifting and the ability to play DIVX movies and games for rather cheap now.
The retail units still don't play DIVX or Apple
EA David Gardner -"... but the consumers have proven that actually what they want is fun."
"If I have a computer, why would I care about television?"
"Flyin' in just a sweet place,
Never been known to fail..."
The number one reason for me to build my own Linux-based PVR is privacy.
Did you know that Tivo tracks not only what shows you watch, but exaclty what parts of shows you replay or skip over?
Now, I know it's *supposed* to be anonymous. And I do believe them when they say they aren't selling the data *at the moment*.
I also know they have systems in place to anonymize the data.
But can you (or Tivo) guarentee that they will *never* be bought out be someone less ethical?
Can you guarentee that Tivo won't get a new CEO who decides selling your viewing habits to direct mail advertisers is more lucrative? (Imagine if Darl McBride went to Tivo instead of SCO).
That's my biggest reason for me to put together my own PVR.
Of course, there's also flexibility. I get to decide exactly what capabilities I want, not the marketing department of a profit-motivated company.
not having to pay the monthly Tivo fee
This is an important point. While the out-of-pocket costs may or may not be less, the freedom from monthly fees is a significant incentive.
I despise recurring fees. When given the choice between a lower-cost porduct with a recurring charge or a higher-cost one-time purchase, I will invariably choose the latter alternative. Why rent when you can own? Even if the cost to build it yourself is significantly more than the cost of a similarly-featured commercial solution, how many months of subscription fees will you have to pay before the actual cost swings the other way?
There must be a law that says people only mirror or post the text of articles on sites that aren't being slashdotted.
Douglas P. Price