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To build a home theater, all you need is a television, projector, receiver and speakers. However, one component was added to this assembly - a home theater PC. Today it is recognized as one of the essential parts of a home theater due to its practicality and cost efficiency. What is a […]
What is a Home Theater PC?
An HTPC, which stands for Home Theater PC, unlike a traditional desktop or laptop computer, the Home Theater PC is used for a specific purpose, namely entertainment. It also has features specifically designed to make home theater use more convenient, such as progressive DVD playback, HDTV support, video and audio outputs, and media storage.
Home theater PCs are usually a little different from conventional PCs, they are often called living room PCs and are designed to be small enough to hide in a cabinet with your home theater or stereo system.
Although they are meant to be used for home theater, some also use them for gaming or everyday browsing. If you intend to use the HTPC for daily browsing, there is no need for complex configurations. However, if it is intended for such or gaming purposes, you need to conduct research to avoid spending a large amount of money on the wrong type of PC.
Is the Home Theater PC Dead?
As technology advances and new devices designed for playing movies and TV shows become available, it may seem like the HTPC is dying, but that's not the case.
HTPCs are still a solid option if you need a powerful media player, and you can even use the same PC to watch movies and TV shows.
Is a Home Theater PC worth it?
HTPCs are a great way to expand your entertainment capabilities without breaking the bank.
Streaming devices have become popular in recent years, but the PC is still capable of delivering its capabilities. When paired with a television, an HTPC will amaze you with its versatility.
HTPCs also allow you to control your home through the Internet of Things (IoT). They can control the lighting, temperature, and cooling of your home, and can even be programmed to control security settings.
Finally, an HTPC allows you to customize your experience and modify the software as you see fit.
In any case, it's worth it. You will be amazed at the versatility of an HTPC.
Does the HTPC need a graphics card?
If you're thinking about building an HTPC, you might be wondering, “Do I need a GPU?”
Whether or not a GPU is necessary for an HTPC depends on the intended use of it.
If you don't intend to game on your HTPC, purchasing a GPU for an HTPC is a waste of money and time. Intel CPUs are equipped with Integrated GPUs and they are powerful enough to handle 4K resolution.
Build your own Home Theater PC
Building an HTPC is easier than ever. When choosing hardware for your HTPC, keep a few things in mind.
- CPU: When choosing a processor for an HTPC, you need to consider the TDP (Total Power Dissipation).
- Graphics card (GPU): In most cases, a video playback-only setup doesn't necessarily require a discrete graphics card.
- How much RAM for an HTPC: Typically, 4 to 8 GB of RAM is sufficient if you don't plan on playing large-scale video games.
- Storage: Hard disk drives (HDDs) are the cheapest option, but solid-state drives are recommended for their speed and responsiveness.
- HTPC operating system: Windows is the most popular choice, but you can also choose Linux or a free operating system.
- Software for HTPC: some software is specifically designed to accommodate alternative control schemes for use in a home entertainment environment.
In addition to being able to build your own HTPC from scratch, you can also purchase mini PC pre-assembled to be used as a Home Theater PC.
Why choose a mini PC for home theater
If you plan to create a home theater system, it is best to invest in a mini PC. If you're wondering why using a mini PC for home entertainment is a good idea, here are some reasons that will tell you why.
1. Space saving
Mini PCs are defined as "mini" due to their significantly small size compared to normal PCs. HTPCs come in various sizes, from that of a gaming console to that of an Apple TV. The small size saves space in your home theater and is even convenient enough for outdoor use. As HTPCs become smaller, their prices also decrease, making them not only a suitable choice but also an affordable one.
2. Flexibility
The use of an HTPC is not limited to home theater. Since they also have the same functions as a normal PC, they can be used as replacements. Some HTPCs even contain more advanced features than most PCs.
HTPCs can also be connected behind a monitor to create a multifunctional PC. Versatility is one of the main features of HTPCs and is the most common reason why they are purchased.
3. Energy efficiency
Mini PCs tend to consume less power than regular PCs. Most mini PCs are manufactured with a processor programmed to consume no more than 15 watts without affecting performance. Furthermore, mini PCs do not need constant cooling. That said, they not only save costs, but also allow you to work or watch quietly without the noise caused by cooling fans.
Factors to consider when purchasing a mini PC for home theater
If you're not familiar with tech terms, buying a Mini PC can be a real challenge. If you have decided to buy a mini PC for home theater but are worried about choosing the wrong specifications, worry no more because we will provide you with a complete guide that you can easily follow to buy the perfect mini PC for the home theater of your dreams.
A PC's processor indicates its performance. Therefore, the first thing you should look for when buying a mini PC is its processor. A mini PC, intended for home theater use, will do some heavy lifting. For this reason, it will need a good processor to support its functions.
It is also useful to opt for higher RAM. RAM is what allows a PC to perform its functions smoothly and boost its networking capabilities. PCs with less RAM tend to run slower and are prone to slowdowns and crashes. The recommended RAM for HTPCs ranges from 8GB to 16GB to avoid slowdowns and improve the overall performance of the PC.
Related content: How much RAM do I need?
You should also consider a mini PC with Windows 11. There are different types, such as Windows, there are Mac and Linux operating systems. But among them, Windows is highly recommended especially for home theater use. Windows 11 has made it easy to manage tasks thanks to the Task View feature.
This feature is ideal for working with multiple or larger screens connected to the mini PC. This operating system It also supports 4K displays, one of the best resolutions a device can offer.
This allows you to enjoy a high-end home theater experience by enhancing the quality of the display. These features make it the best operating system for home theater use.
One of the functions of the HTPC is to store digital audio and video files for playback. For this purpose, you need to have a large storage capacity, as small memory could slow down the mini PC. In terms of home theater use, an SSD drive is preferable to an HDD drive.
SSD drives are primarily designed to perform heavy tasks. They boast a speed of between 550 and 520 Megabytes/second, preferable for business, gaming and multimedia purposes that need considerable speed to carry out their tasks. They are also more durable and can withstand heat better than HDDs, making them perfect for extended use.
The mini PCs also come with VESA mounting kits that allow you to easily connect them to other monitors or a projector. This feature makes the mini PC convenient for home theater. Mounting kits allow you to connect your mini PC directly to your TV or projector, reducing the hassle of multiple installations.
However, some mini PCs do not have this feature. Therefore, if you intend to use the mini PC for home theater, you should first check whether it is equipped with this function.
Last but not least, you need to consider the price. If you have a limited budget, you should consider the prices of the mini PCs you will purchase. Naturally, the more expensive a mini PC is, the more advanced its features are. If you can't afford a high-end mini PC, you can make do with what you have and maximize it by designing a home theater setup that is affordable but serves its purpose.
What is the best home theater PC
If you don't want to check the specs of each mini PC, here are the mini PCs on the market that work best for home theater.
1. Apple Mac Mini
The Apple Mac Mini PC has an 8-core CPU and GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB memory expandable up to 16GB, 256GB storage configurable up to 2TB, can display a resolution up to 6k, an HDMI 2.0 that supports multi-channel audio outputs, two USB-A ports, an Ethernet port and a built-in speaker. This mini PC costs 699-899 euros, compared to Windows mini PCs, it is a little expensive, but its advanced features ensure a great multimedia experience.
2. GEEKOM MINI IT8
The GEEKOM mini PC is equipped with an Intel Coffee Lake i5 8259U processor, the latest 8th generation Core i5, which ensures a smooth multimedia experience. It has 8GB of memory, expandable to 16GB, 256GB of storage, also expandable to 512GB, 8GB of RAM, support for 4 displays, and wireless connectivity.
3. Intel NUC8
The Intel Core i7 processor powers the Intel NUC8 Mini PC, has 8 GB of memory, has a Radeon 540X GPU with up to 2 GB of memory capacity, six USB ports and wireless connectivity. While it works great as an HTPC, it is also recommended for gaming setups.
Conclusion
We hope this article was helpful in improving your home theater. Mini PCs, although cheaper than traditional PCs, still have a high cost. Therefore, it is best to take the time to plan and evaluate your options before buying. While the technical terms can be confusing, there's nothing better than good research before venturing into a risky decision.
