Home Theatre PC
A home theatre personal computer or HTPC is basically a personal computer connected to a television. It is used for various purposes such as for digital photos, music, and video player or as gaming device. Transmission on television can be recorded to home theatre personal computer just by including a TV tuner card. The idea of HTPC is to combine all components of home theater apparatus into a single computer and it is also called as media centre system or media server unit. A home theatre personal computer has three important features namely television connectivity, low noise while in operation and larger storage capacities.
Features of Home Theatre PC:
An individual can have close look on the features in HTPC. Firstly, comes the television connectivity, it is a feature in HTPC that allows for connection with the television which is not the case in normal PC and can only be connected to Cathode Ray Tube (CRT).
The second feature is lower level of noise. Mostly the computers are designed to give performance to their level best at clock's speed but HTPC are not that processor intensified. So, inactive cooling systems, slow speed ventillators, elastic backings for fans that absorb vibration, hard drives and other low disturbance devices are replaced in conventional cooling systems to keep the noise within permissible limits.
Final feature is the large storage capacity. The storage capacity of HTPC is much higher than other conventional computers in terms of pictures storage, music, television shows, videos, and other multimedia programs download. Due to the limitation in its design of low permanent storage space it can be equipped with DVD writter to copy and store the important data.
Merits and Demerits of HTPC:
Advantages of home theatre personal computer or HTPC are as follows:
Quality- Home theatre personal computers gives high quality picture and surround sound that is not visible in other conventional personal computers.
Digital Video Recording- HTPC equipped with digital video recorder software enables the computer to record a video directly from a television signal skipping monthly subscription or rental charges. It offers flexibility of scheduling recordings from any mobile phones via internet or any general computers. Recording space is easily adjusted using DVD media.
One Media Location- Home theatre personal computers allows online storage of music, movies and easy access of contents by searching artist, genre and director.
Gaming- It provides ability to play interesting games that are made by developers who often don't get publishing license lawfully.
Disadvantages of home theatre personal computer or HTPC are as follows:
Noise- HTPC is less expensive devices but makes use of more power and produces heat. It uses cheap quality fans and drives which are more prone to noise.
Cost- HTPC are usually more costlier than other conventional personal computers as they include TV tuner card, a remote control and a flash memory card reader which is used to load digital photos. Smoothness in recording and playback along with DVD writer installed increases the cost of HTPC.
Setup or maintenance- Set up or maintenance of HTPC can be done only by those people who are proficient in computer arrangement skills. It is not a general man's task. Maintenance is quite a difficult work in case of HTPCs.
Other Articles