The Destination was called a "PC-TV Combo" but by December the term "Home-theater PC" appeared in mainstream media: "The home theater PC will be a combination entertainment and information appliance." īy 2000, DVD players had become relatively ubiquitous and consumers were seeking ways to improve the picture. The unit cost $4,000 and mostly integrated television viewing and computer functions on one color monitor. In 1996 Gateway Computer unveiled the Destination computer, which included a tuner card and video card. Apple Computer also developed the Macintosh TV in late 1993 that included a tuner card built into a Macintosh LC 520 chassis but quickly withdrew from the market with only 10,000 units shipped. This adaptation would allow a small video window to appear on the screen with broadcast or cable content. Integrating televisions and personal computers dates back to the late 1980s with tuner cards that could be added to Amiga computers via the Video Toaster. The HTPC as a concept is the product of several technology innovations including high-powered home computers, digital media, and the shift from standard-resolution CRT to high-definition monitors, projectors, and large-screen televisions. The increased availability of specialized devices, coupled with paid and free digital online content, now offers an alternative to multipurpose (and more costly) personal computers. Since 2007, digital media players and smart TV software has been incorporated into consumer electronics through software or hardware changes including video game consoles, Blu-ray players, networked media players, televisions, and set-top boxes. Enthusiasts can also piece together a system out of discrete components as part of a software-based HTPC. An HTPC can be purchased pre-configured with the required hardware and software needed to add video programming or music to the PC. An HTPC system typically has a remote control and the software interface normally has a 10-foot (3 m) user interface design so that it can be comfortably viewed at typical television viewing distances. HTPC and other convergent devices integrate components of a home theater into a unit co-located with a home entertainment system. The term "media center" also refers to specialized application software designed to run on standard personal computers. Since the mid-2000s, other types of consumer electronics, including game consoles and dedicated media devices, have crossed over to manage video and music content. Outside of an HTPC application, though, I agree that Media Center doesn't offer much, and I've never used it on my laptop.PC meant to be used in a home theater settingĪ Mac Mini as a home theater PC showing Apple's discontinued Front Row interfaceĪ home theater PC ( HTPC) or media center computer is a convergent device that combines some or all the capabilities of a personal computer with a software application that focuses on video, photo, audio playback, and sometimes video recording functionality. Granted, I'm just using over-the-air TV (from an antenna I built in the attic), but it's still a pretty slick system (DVR, plays DVDs I ripped, handles music just fine, etc.) that's easy to navigate using a remote control (or a wireless keyboard I use from time-to-time) from the couch. It works very well, IMO, an it easy passes the "wife test". I thought that before I setup my HTPC in the living room. Apparently VLC and DAPlayer can do Blu Ray. Although I do wish Apple would make a separate music only iTunes, like it used to be, that is all I use it for.Yeah Arcsoft is paid. Pavtube to rip Blu-rays and DVDs I bought to folders, Arcsoft Totalmedia Theater to play them and iTunes for my music library. Velocityg4Why in the heck would I ever pay for that Media Center Garbage? There are free alternatives that blow it out of the water.Personally I prefer using different programs for different tasks.
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