HTPC DIY – Putting It All Together
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This HTPC DIY will give you an integrated view on what you need to take into account when transforming your living room into the digital age. According to our experience the best media experience can be achieved by using the home theater PC as the core of the entertainment center. This do-it-yourself (DIY) article will highlight the HTPC accessories you need to put it all together.
However, it is important to recognize that HTPC alone does not create your media experience, but it also depends on how you control the HTPC, how devices are connected to the Internet, how you share media files over the home network and how you get entertained by the right media center software.
Play:
Play your media files from the HTPC, display them on the HDTV and listen through A/V receiver and speakers.
- TV (Now a days HDTV is a must. Make sure you opt for 1080P Full HD display)
- A/V Receiver (A/V Receivers have not changed much. Make sure there are HDMI and upscaling features)
- Speakers (Speakers should be one of the more valuable elements in the home theater)
- Home Theater Computer (The silent and stylish computer is the hearth of your living room)
Connect:
Create a home network and connect devices together with the necessary cables.
- Router (Allows you to create a wireless home network)
- Cables (High quality cables ensures good quality image, sound and network performance)
– HDMI to DVI cable
– Toslink mini plug and optical cable
– Cat 5 or 6 Ethernet Cable
– Surge protector to hide cables
Control:
Control your home theater devices conveniently from your sofa.
- Mouse (Choose a mouse that is easy to use from the sofa. E.g. Logitech MX Air Mouse)
- Keyboard (Choose a keyboard that fits nicely to the living room. E.g. Logitech diNovo Mini)
- Remote Control (Choose a remote to control all the activities. E.g. Logitech Harmony 900 Remote)
- iPhone/iPod Touch (Extend the media experience outside of the HTPC with Apple iPod Touch)
Share:
Store and share your media files through home network.
- Network Hard Drive (Share media files between computers with e.g. Synology DiskStation DS209+)
- Webcam (Stay-in-touch with your friends and family with e.g. Logitech Quickcam Sphere)
Entertain:
Get the right software to your needs to play media files.
- iTunes (Simple media management software)
- Picasa / iPhoto (Simple photo management software)
- Boxee (Social media center software)
- XBMC (Famous and traditional media center software)
- FrontRow (Media center software that is installed by default in the Mac OS X)
To conclude, this HTPC DIY gives you a good idea on what you need to take into account when building your media experience in your digital living room.
For more DIY type of articles you might also like to read about the HTPC guide to build the optimal Home Theater PC for your needs.
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