Do I need an HTPC?

[keithbuell]

I'm debating whether to build an HTPC. My setup now includes a HD TIVO with DirecTV (HR10-250), a Sony front projector (VPL-HS10), and other HT equipment.

I just had a Verizion FIOS Internet connection installed, and I'm now getting 15/2 Mbit speed for less than $50 per month. I've got DirecTV for HD, and get the locals OTA. DirecTV should have the locals on the satellite later this year, though I'll have to get new hardware via trade-in. Verizon's FIOS will have TV capability later this year, though the parameters are still unknown as to encoding, hardware, etc.

What I want an HTPC to do:

1) Display HD content downloaded and purchased from the internet. www.cinemanow.com has a few HD movies for download, and more on the way. I don't plan on "sharing" content, except perhaps OTA TV that I missed along the way.

2) Better performance from DVD. I've got a Panasonic XP-30, which is one of the best moderate priced DVD players ever made. I'm happy with it and have no plans to buy a new standalone upconvert DVD player with HD-DVD or Blu-Ray on the way.

What I don't need from an HTPC:

1) Time-shifting or recording. I'm happy with the HR10-250 and don't want to do PVR through a computer. If I do get an HTPC, I'll probably get an HD tuner card and DVD burner anyway to backup OTA programs, but this isn't a high priority.

I don't see the need for an HTPC for me right now due to the uncertainty as to what FIOS TV will bring, the fact that HD-DVD is imminent, and that I've already got HD-PVR capability. Upconverting DVD is not worth $1000 to me, nor is playing some video clips from the web. I thought about making a few upgrades to a Dell circa 2000-01, but it doesn't have the horsepower to run WMV HD.

Am I missing some advantages of an HTPC?

[sic0048]

It sounds like you have already answered your own question! If you are happy with your current setup, then I agree that there is little advantage to building a HTPC. However there are other things that a HTPC can do besides the items mentioned above (although whether they are cost effective is a personal question).

1) PC Gaming on a larger screen
2) Internet browsing on TV
3) Accessing stored media on home network (movies, music, pictures, etc) and viewing material on normal TV screen.
4) I'm sure they are others

But the two major reasons why most people build a HTPC is to A) upscale material to HD quality or B) build a DVR system. You've already said that neither is a high priority for you.

[umdivx]

Originally posted by keithbuell
.....I just had a Verizion FIOS Internet connection installed, and I'm now getting 15/2 Mbit speed for less than $50 per month. I've got DirecTV for HD, and get the locals OTA. DirecTV should have the locals on the satellite later this year, though I'll have to get new hardware via trade-in. Verizon's FIOS will have TV capability later this year, though the parameters are still unknown as to encoding, hardware, etc.....


That Alone Just makes me HATE you :) J/K where the hell do you live to get that service? I would absolutly die to get that kind of connection.

really the advantages for HTPCing for me the main one is Tinkering, you will find that many of the HTPCers are tinkerers in some way shape or form.

for me its being able to get away, putz around, and to get away from the wife :) (hope she donesnt see this)

then there are things like dvd upconversion, DVD juke box, MP3 jukebox, basicly a whole media solution all in one.

so thats the jist of it.

-Josh

[keithbuell]

Originally posted by umdivx
That Alone Just makes me HATE you :) J/K where the hell do you live to get that service? I would absolutly die to get that kind of connection.



FIOS has been deployed in parts of Texas, Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, and coming soon to other states in the Verizon footprint.

My connection is 15/2 Mbit, though it's hard to find someone on the other end to serve at this speed. This is 6.5GB/hour, enough for streaming HD if someone out there was providing it.

You can find out more at:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiber
http://www.verizon.net/fios

The specs of FIOS TV have not been announced, though Microsoft is involved.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/jan05/01-28VerizonFiOSServicePR.asp

[sgmccool]

One of my plans for the soon to be built HTPC is to view multi media. Share family photo's on the 61" Sammy instead of being huddled around a 19" monitor.
Create some Family slide shows with video and music Etc...

Also don't know how to do it yet but I plan on running some of my lighting by way of the machine.

O Yea I forgot My wife wants a 19" widescreen in the kitchen that can have Internet, and HD playback from the HTPC/Media server.

TiVo's nice but you don't get the freedom of networking it like a Media PC.

Sam

[Ian Fleet]

I'm very pleased right now with using my HTPC as a player.
It's something I could never do with my DVD player and projector was tweak the picture to the levels it's now at using fddshow, zoomplayer and the Nvidia codec.
It took a little while to get the bumps out so patience is a virtue.
In my opinion I don't think there's any player or cost effective scaler out there that can do what a good PC setup and software can do.
The second advantage is I'm controlling my media through my projector remote by using it as a mouse.

[keithbuell]

Originally posted by Ian Fleet
I'm very pleased right now with using my HTPC as a player.
It's something I could never do with my DVD player and projector was tweak the picture to the levels it's now at using fddshow, zoomplayer and the Nvidia codec.
It took a little while to get the bumps out so patience is a virtue.
In my opinion I don't think there's any player or cost effective scaler out there that can do what a good PC setup and software can do.

I'm sure I could improve the picture somewhat, but how long will it take HD-DVD or Blu-Ray to make it into computers? If I'm going to spend $1000 on a stand alone player at the end of the year and there is no internal HD-DVD for a computer, I can't justify going the HTPC route now.

[Ian Fleet]

We'll see if that technology takes off.
I still think I made a modest investment and got a big gain from it.
I had a couple of evenings of fun building it and have been quite amused trying to tie it together.

[mpgxsvcd]

Originally posted by keithbuell
FIOS has been deployed in parts of Texas, Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, and coming soon to other states in the Verizon footprint.

My connection is 15/2 Mbit, though it's hard to find someone on the other end to serve at this speed. This is 6.5GB/hour, enough for streaming HD if someone out there was providing it.

You can find out more at:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiber
http://www.verizon.net/fios

The specs of FIOS TV have not been announced, though Microsoft is involved.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/jan05/01-28VerizonFiOSServicePR.asp

Yea if I could get those speeds I would drop TWC in a heartbeat! I would just kill to have anything over 1 Mbit upstream. When FIOS hits my area I will be the first one to sign up.

[Tinker]

Originally posted by sgmccool
One of my plans for the soon to be built HTPC is to view multi media. Share family photo's on the 61" Sammy instead of being huddled around a 19" monitor.
Sam

Hope ur are young and has real steady hands.... :D or hope there is auto stablizing on ur camera. 61" mags all the camera shake that u'll never see on a 19" monitor. Believe me I have a 61" set too and I am getting old....:rolleyes:

[sgmccool]

quote:Originally posted by sgmccool
One of my plans for the soon to be built HTPC is to view multi media. Share family photo's on the 61" Sammy instead of being huddled around a 19" monitor.
Sam



Hope ur are young and has real steady hands.... or hope there is auto stablizing on ur camera. 61" mags all the camera shake that u'll never see on a 19" monitor. Believe me I have a 61" set too and I am getting old....

__________________
You do not stop playing because you get old....You get old because you stop playing.

So what your saying is when I try and watch those home movies on the 61" screen there going to look like grampa's old movies:D

O yea I still have one of those video recorders that has the taping done in a case, you know the one that slings over your shoulder:D I guess it wont give my digital quality movies:D

[umdivx]

Originally posted by keithbuell
FIOS has been deployed in parts of Texas, Florida, California, Maryland, Virginia, and coming soon to other states in the Verizon footprint.

My connection is 15/2 Mbit, though it's hard to find someone on the other end to serve at this speed. This is 6.5GB/hour, enough for streaming HD if someone out there was providing it.

You can find out more at:

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiber
http://www.verizon.net/fios

The specs of FIOS TV have not been announced, though Microsoft is involved.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2005/jan05/01-28VerizonFiOSServicePR.asp

Sure they implament it in all the states I'd never ever want to live in. :)

-Josh

[hubertk]

Your thinking around BlueRay/HDDVD is a good one. For the same reason, I choose to build my new HTPC with a "legacy" DVD-ROM that I had on my shelf collecting dust. I have a regular DVD burner (single layer) on another computer in the network, that I can use to "burn" shows to.
As for a burner in the new PC - I wait how this format-war is ending.

Hubert

[mpolicani]

I'm in a similar boat and seem to just use the HTPC as a PVR / MP3 jukebox. The next time that I upgrade, I'll probably replace one of my office PCs with a Media Center Edition PC and the HTPC in the living room with an XBOX coupled with the Media Center Extender title.

The idea is to get rid of the ugly PC in the living room, have access to a "second television" in the office when the kids are watching their cartoons in the living room, record all of my television shows while I'm out and let the wife, kids and guests navigate from the XBOX interface without worrying about them changing any system configs or settings.

[BenH]

Can Xbox media extender be used to play .vob files stored on another pc with Windows Media Center??