Oldest known version of this page was edited on 2003-09-05 12:44:26 by music-media-02.lib.duke.edu []
(originally posted here∞)

I've had a dedicated HTPC since 2000 and consider myself an ardent fan of the concept. Nothing else offers the quality -- and more importantly, the flexibility -- that a PC can provide. And you don't need an uber-powerful machine either: my 2001-vintage setup (1.4 TBird) drops no frames with all my favorite DScaler filters on, plays non-full-HDTV-res clips beautifully, and has a retail value of $300 tops.

That said, I think the idea of an HTPC as Tivo is years away. As we tell people in the A/V Club: if you want a Tivo, buy a Tivo. MyHTPC, MythTV, and MCE are a step in the right direction, but intelligent, reliable timeshifting ain't here yet. PC-based video capture is for my workstation, where I can devote the editing time and CPU horsepower needed to do it right (recording far fewer hours per week than a Tivo, of course).

My rationale against a fully remote-controlled setup is similar. If you want a TV remote, buy a TV; using one for HTPC depends on programming (and worse, remembering) tons of macros, and you still give up some of the flexibility that makes an HTPC valuable in the first place. Some will complain about using "real" peripherals, but even relative newbies are quite used to the mouse-based GUI paradigm. Personally, I think scrolling channels with a wireless mouse's wheel is a godsend for channel surfing, and all of my (usually nontechnical) roommates have agreed.

Oh, and Win2k crashing every month is FUD. My HTPC has been down less than 2 hours this year, and that's just security patches + one HD swap. Stick to industry-standard parts & drivers and you'll be fine.

Back to CollectedWritings