These days focus has shifted to integration in a lot of fields, and home entertainment isn’t an exception. Newer “smart” TVs can connect to the internet, receive video input from a number of devices and playback movies from the home’s LAN or attached storage devices. But you still need a set-top box and a DVD (or Blu-Ray disc) player to enjoy TV channels or movies. What if you could integrate everything?
An interesting option is the HTPC (home theatre PC). This way, you can integrate storage, an optical drive, processing power and a control all into one neat package. You can also throw in a TV tuner card. An HTPC also serves as a media hub for other devices on your LAN.
Zotac and AsRock make good HTPC/Nettop computers, and the good ones include the ZBOX ID 81 and 82 and the Vision HT 321B. You may not find them in India, so here’s what you should look for, should you decide to build one yourself:
Low power consumption: Intel’s 2nd and 3rd generation Core, Pentium and Celeron processors have stellar efficiency, and they should serve you well in most HTPCs. If you’re looking at occasional console style gaming, look for the Core-i3s with HD4000 graphics.
AMD’s APUs: If you want your HTPC to play games as well (“just plug in an Xbox 360 controller and sit on your couch” type games, I mean) then AMD’s Llano and Trinity (coming next month!) APUs are perfect, especially the upcoming Trinity ones. They’ll be named A10, A8, A6 and A4, followed by a model number. Don’t go below the A8 line.
Silence and cooling: All components from the PSU to the fans should be both thermally and acoustically efficient and effective. Nor should the components heat up, because then the cooling systems have to work harder.
A compact case: Go for a well-built microATX or mini-ITX case, preferably one that blends in with the rest of your home entertainment system. Lian-Li, Silverstone and Antec have some pretty good ones.
Hybrid HDDs and SSDs: You don’t want to wait forever till the HTPC starts up. An SSD will offer you a lot of space but your media will need more space, so a hybrid like Seagate’s Momentus XT is an excellent option. SSDs are great if you already have a NAS device.
TV Tuners: While great on cable, set-top box makers may have their own proprietary signal encoding/decoding, so your tuner might not work with DTH television or even with IPTV signals.
Additionally, you’ll be able to find other peripherals like remotes that will help you out with controlling your devices. A wireless mouse is a good idea too!