Home theater PC

A Mac Mini as a home theater PC showing Apple's discontinued Front Row interface

A 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. 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. The term "media center" also refers to specialized application software designed to run on standard personal computers.[1]

HTPC and other convergent devices integrate components of a home theater into a unit co-located with a home entertainment system. 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. An HTPC can be purchased pre-configured with the required hardware and software needed to add video programming or music to the PC. Enthusiasts can also piece together a system out of discrete components as part of a software-based HTPC.[1][2][3][4][5]

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. 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.[6]

  1. ^ a b Won, Brian (December 1, 2010). "Ars Technica HTPC Guide: December 2010". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  2. ^ Won, Brian (December 1, 2008). "Ars Ultimate Home Theater PC Guide: 1080p HDMI Edition". Ars Technica. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Jason; Purdy, Kevin (February 2, 2010). "Which Media Center Is Right for You: Boxee, XBMC, and Windows Media Center Compared". Lifehacker. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  4. ^ Pash, Adam (December 7, 2008). "Five Best Media Center Applications". Lifehacker. Retrieved February 12, 2010.
  5. ^ Murph, Darren. "Acer ships AMD-powered Revo RL100 HTPC to Americans: $499 and up". Engadget. AOL. Retrieved October 2, 2015.
  6. ^ Brown, Michael (September 7, 2010). "Can a Media Player Replace a Home Theater PC?". Maximum PC. Archived from the original on February 12, 2013. Retrieved February 14, 2011.