Questions tagged [htpc]

An HTPC, or Home Theater PC, is a computer used in a home theater. It normally is used to record and play back media.

Filter by
Sorted by
Tagged with
19 votes
4 answers
72k views

is there a simple tool to determine if my combo of video card and TV is HDCP compatible?

I'm using Arcsoft TMT3 to play Blurays. It's been playing fine for a few years but all of a sudden TMT3 says that my system isn't HDCP compatible. No changes to anything in the system -- possibly a ...
jcollum's user avatar
  • 5,153
15 votes
6 answers
26k views

HDMI Audio drops out when display enters powersave

I have a Windows 8 machine with an AMD APU attached to my Home Theater system through HDMI (HDMI routes through a Home Theater AMP, then into the TV). Here's my problem, Whenever the display is ...
Jared Tritsch's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
103k views

Install unsigned drivers in Windows 7? [duplicate]

Possible Duplicate: Use an unsigned driver in Windows 7 x64 This question was never answered. I ask again because I need a way install unsigned drivers on Windows 7 so I can use my IR remote. ...
zillion's user avatar
  • 468
11 votes
2 answers
14k views

What are some tweaks to Windows 7 that can be done for a HTPC?

I've built a HTPC and would like to optimize Windows 7 to dedicate as much of the resources to Media playback through the HTPC. I'll be using XBMC and Media Center (testing them out, and making a ...
James Mertz's user avatar
  • 26.3k
10 votes
8 answers
2k views

How functional/practical is it to use an hdtv as a computer monitor?

My small (22") monitor went bad on the pc I use to watch hulu/netflix with... The kids like to use this computer to play online games. I am considering buying a HDTV (~32") to replace the smaller lcd....
James Moore's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
12k views

Using a computer monitor as a TV screen: is it possible / any reasons not to do it?

I am currently looking for a new TV screen since my current one is over 15 years old (about time, I guess). I am seriously considering upgrading to a HTPC in the future (I am using a HDD recorder ...
Aron Rotteveel's user avatar
8 votes
5 answers
34k views

No digital audio output with Asus Xonar DG

I've purchased an Asus Xonar DG as replacement for faulty onboard audio in a Medion 8822 as it has an optical output which is all I really need to feed my HTPC. I uninstalled the previous drivers/...
Lunatik's user avatar
  • 5,531
8 votes
4 answers
6k views

VGA resolution with Sony Bravia TV

I've just bought a Sony Bravia KDL40S5100 TV. Its VGA input is acting weird. I have a Gateway desktop with Windows 7 and Intel 945 graphics. I also have a laptop running Ubuntu 9.04. The TV will not ...
prestomation's user avatar
7 votes
4 answers
689 views

How do I build a cheap home theater pc?

I want to create a home theater pc. Currently I have a system with a cheap barebones pc and a PVR-150 capture card. But I need another and Im looking around. About a month ago I found that its ...
Artur Carvalho's user avatar
7 votes
7 answers
855 views

Htpc aka "Media Center": cheap and *silent*?

It may be me, or the place I live (Italy), but it seems pretty hard to get a build or a prebuilt nettop or a laptop that fits the need. I need something silent able to playback all h.264 fullhd ...
Unknown's user avatar
  • 71
6 votes
3 answers
23k views

Computer will not boot to BIOS

I have a custom-built HTPC with the following specs: * Motherboard: Intel DG45ID * CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 8300 * Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (using HDMI) * RAM: 8 GB ...
Jeremy White's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
618 views

Why does Windows Media Center make http requests for watched folders on a network drive?

I have a Linux server on my home LAN that has a filesystem shared via Samba (/export), where I store some older recorded TV (under /export/Recorded\ TV). The system is also a web server, running a ...
jtimberman's user avatar
  • 21.7k
5 votes
7 answers
9k views

What’s the best way to stream video from my computer to my TV? (preferably wirelessly)

Basically I have a bunch of AVI's and such sitting around. In the past I've used an svideo/5mm [computer side] to RCA [TV side] wire that basically makes the TV act as a monitor and uses the TV as ...
Andrew G. Johnson's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
4k views

Windows Media Center HDMI Capture Cards

I'm working on a new software application that utilizes windows media center to play recorded TV shows in the center of the screen. We can get this to work with standard coax or RCA input TV Tuner/...
RSolberg's user avatar
  • 1,220
5 votes
3 answers
17k views

How to build a LGA1150 HTPC with HDMI CEC support? [closed]

Story: I decided to build myself powerful HTPC using top modern "bleeding-edge" hardware, I mean LGA1150 with Haswell (Desktop 4th Generation Intel Core Processor Family). And because an easy way of ...
dmnc's user avatar
  • 538
4 votes
2 answers
260 views

Good motherboards for hibernation

We're trying to build an HTPC but our current motherboard refuses to reliably go into hibernation - we'll hibernate it last thing at night and come down in the morning to find it running again. I've ...
Mark Pim's user avatar
  • 1,654
4 votes
2 answers
5k views

How can I access my mini-pc (RaspberryPi / MK802 / Mele A1000 / VIA APC) via ethernet/wifi without having Monitor?

Soon I will be getting my own mini-PC (RaspberryPi / MK802 / Mele A1000 / VIA APC). But I was wondering whether is there any possibility that I can just power up and access my mini-pc's OS by ...
sky770's user avatar
  • 43
4 votes
4 answers
745 views

Can you combine your Home Theater PC with your Home Server on the same box?

A HTPC and a Home Server seem to have a lot of overlap. Both are designed to be on (or on standby) all of the time. Both have modest CPU requirements but should have large storage capacities. Has ...
user1232's user avatar
  • 149
4 votes
1 answer
2k views

Streaming to PS3 with NAS and built-in dlna server?

With consumer-grade hardware, is it possible to successfully stream 1080p mp4 videos to a PS3? I have a linksys router that can only do 10/100. The PS3 is wired to it with cat5e cable, and the PS3 ...
user avatar
4 votes
0 answers
331 views

Should I use a solid state drive for OS or data? [closed]

I have a HTPC that occasionally locks up for a couple of seconds while playing video. I currently have two normal hard drives in there, one for OS and the latest videos we're watching and a second ...
dlanod's user avatar
  • 513
3 votes
4 answers
8k views

Controlling music player from web

I have a ubuntu machine that is connected to my house's sound system. Is there a way I can control what it is playing remotely? I have SSH access if necessary. I typically use Rhythmbox to play music....
Malfist's user avatar
  • 3,049
3 votes
3 answers
7k views

Cheap/simple way to turn TV on/off using computer and/or Windows Meda Center remote

I have a Windows Media Center HTPC, and it's great. I'm trying to rid myself of one last minor inconvenience, though. The only thing I need my TV remote for on a day-to-day basis is to turn the TV ...
Joel Wietelmann's user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
22k views

What is a good IR-receiver for my Linux (XBMC) HTPC?

I have bought a Asrock 330 ION-BD and use it as a HTPC. I'm running XBMC under Linux (Ubuntu). I'm missing a good Remote control. The problem is that the Asrock doesn't have an IR receiver onboard ...
user avatar
3 votes
4 answers
9k views

Are there any HTPC-optimized web browsers? [closed]

Features that I would ideally include in "HTPC-optimized": Full-screen. Navigable using a remote or the keyboard arrows. Legible at couch distances. Or, to put it another way, imagine the design ...
Scott McIntyre's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

What is needed to utilize my HTPC as a DVR? [closed]

What is the recommended hardware/software that I need to install? FYI, I am running Windows 7 on the HTPC
Jon Erickson's user avatar
  • 2,304
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Blu-Ray on Windows 7 HTPC

I have configured an HTPC with the following components: Motherboard: Intel DG45ID CPU: Intel Core 2 Quad 8300 Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X4500HD (using HDMI) RAM: 8 GB OCZ ...
Jeremy White's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
441 views

Disable Hulu Desktop Startup Show

I'm using Hulu Desktop as part of my HTPC. However, as anyone who has used it knows, whenever I start Hulu Desktop it chooses a show of Hulu's choice and starts playing it, which is incredibly ...
Joel's user avatar
  • 235
3 votes
2 answers
15k views

How to eliminate overscan on Ubuntu HTPC

I'm using an Ubuntu box with Nvidia graphics card as an HTPC. My HDTV is a Sony Bravia KDS-R50XBR1; this is a rear-projection unit with many inputs. I am using the HDMI input. I'm using the ...
Norman Ramsey's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
1k views

Can the NVIDIA ION chipset handle streaming and gaming reasonable well?

I'm considering getting a small-footprint "nettop" computer to use as a home theater PC with my Samsung LN40A550 HDTV. I've been looking at systems like the AS Rock ION HT330, the Acer AspireRevo 3610,...
Greg R.'s user avatar
  • 1,884
3 votes
1 answer
772 views

Is the Miracast protocol a practical equivalent of an HDMI signal?

Miracast has been described as "HDMI over WiFi"†, and as such I've recommended it to a couple of people asking about HTPC setups when unable to run wire. After giving it more thought, I'm ...
Louis Waweru's user avatar
  • 24.6k
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Both Windows and Event Ghost are handling IR remote commands. How do I get Windows to stop?

Long story short, I installed the Windows 10 tech preview on my HTPC. After a recent update to build 10041, I noticed that Windows has started to handle at least some of the commands that are being ...
MBraedley's user avatar
  • 2,812
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

Does Power DVD have any command line options to automatically play a DVD in fullscreen?

I'd like to launch PowerDVD8 from a shortcut and have it automatically start the DVD/BluRay and display in fulllscreen mode. Is this possible?
McBainUK's user avatar
  • 305
3 votes
4 answers
604 views

Super-silent (mid tower) case and fan combo

I want to build a HTPC for music/video/blu-ray playback (no gaming). I don't need an expensive HTPC case but just want to go with a standard medium tower case. However, I want it to be super silent so ...
Dennis G.'s user avatar
  • 163
3 votes
2 answers
2k views

Windows 7 Media Center alternatives with Blu Ray Support

I can't believe Win7 doesn't have Blu-Ray support yet. Having plugins open in the background breaks the 10Ft experience. PowerDVD (came with blu-ray player) is unusable from the couch. Are there any ...
Rob Allen's user avatar
  • 1,879
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

How do I start silverlight on netflix in full screen automatically?

I know that there this great big button that I can click for full screen on the bottom left of the screen. What I'm doing though is launching the direct movie/tv episode in chrome from XBMC using ...
James Mertz's user avatar
  • 26.3k
3 votes
1 answer
2k views

How can a reduce the read speed of a Liteon DVD drive under Windows 7

How can I reduce the read speed of a Liteon DVD drive under Windows 7? The aim is to reduce the level of noise generated by an wasteful high-speed as it's used in an HTPC environment.
McBainUK's user avatar
  • 305
2 votes
3 answers
460 views

HTPC Software setup recommendation [closed]

I need recommendation for my HTPC. I checked a lot of HTPC forums, and still not sure about what Interface, plugin, codec combination to install. This is what I need from HTPC: 10foot UI video ...
Jox's user avatar
  • 177
2 votes
3 answers
4k views

Can S-Video drive HDTV?

The High-Def TV I'm trying to use is an older model, without HDMI, and more importantly, without a digital tuner built-in. My HTPC has an S-Video out, and the video card actually includes an S-Video ...
Ankur Goel's user avatar
2 votes
3 answers
2k views

Windows Home Server virtualized

I have a Windows 7 Home Premium (64-bit) HTPC. I've been considering getting Windows Home Server to complement the HTPC. While I'm still learning about the features/benefits of WHS, I'm curious to ...
osij2is's user avatar
  • 1,943
2 votes
1 answer
9k views

How to watch a uTorrent download that's still in progress?

By default, μTorrent requests pieces out of order and tries to finish the download as quickly as possible. How can I set it up to download pieces sequentially, from first to last, so that I can start ...
Louis Waweru's user avatar
  • 24.6k
2 votes
2 answers
428 views

Are there guides or even custom Linux distributions available for dedicated "slideshow" PCs? [closed]

First of all, I'm not entirely sure what the term is for a computer that only stands around and shows pictures, but I'm sure you've all encountered them at work, in stores and so on. Usually we notice ...
pzkpfw's user avatar
  • 1,033
2 votes
3 answers
4k views

PC BluRay - Multichannel HD Audio output

When playing a BluRay movie on a PC (any OS, Mac/Win/Linux), I have some questions about audio output: When playing a BluRay disc on the PC using a BluRay player program, can it decode the ...
J. Polfer's user avatar
  • 2,342
2 votes
2 answers
6k views

Does DLNA do streaming the way AirPlay does?

Everyone says how DLNA and AirPlay are similar things. As far as I understood, this is simply not true - AirPlay lets an audio stream travel wirelessly to an AirPlay "receiver" which reproduces it, ...
Armen Michaeli's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

NAS + XBMC combination

I currently own a WD Sharespace and I am not too happy about it. It will freeze constantly and its rather slow. I've been thinking of replacing it. I also own a WD HD Live, and it works like it is ...
Hendrik's user avatar
  • 137
2 votes
6 answers
5k views

looking for a simple program launcher that works with a remote [closed]

I am looking for a sort of launcher program for my HTPC. The idea is this program starts when windows (or linux, I am happy with either OS) and brings up a menu of programs, such as XBMC, HULU Desktop,...
lanrat's user avatar
  • 303
2 votes
2 answers
3k views

Connecting HDMI MediaCenter PC to Standard Def TV

I just purchased a ASRock ION 330-HT-BD to use as my new Media Center. Sadly I still have a crappy standard-def old tube TV for the foreseeable future. The TV has Coax & Composite (Red, White, ...
Adam's user avatar
  • 131
2 votes
1 answer
7k views

How to watch video podcasts using XBMC

How do I configure Xbox Media Center (XBMC) to subscribe and show videos from a video podcast (aka vodcast)?
salle's user avatar
  • 982
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can I test/analyse the digital output of my sound card without external hardware?

My HTPC recently started producing glitchy audio. It's connected to my processor via an optical cable. This seems to happen with all digital audio; DVR-MS, AVI/WMV/MKV, MP3, WAV & DVD. It is ...
Lunatik's user avatar
  • 5,531
2 votes
1 answer
7k views

If I buy a TV show or movie with AppleTV or iTunes, can I download it again later if I delete it?

If I buy a TV show or movie with AppleTV or iTunes, can I download it again later if I delete it? I'm not very well-versed with how iTunes works, especially in conjunction with the AppleTV. I do ...
Chris W. Rea's user avatar
  • 10.8k
2 votes
2 answers
273 views

What is the best policy for user account on a Windows 7 Media Center shared by the whole family

What is a good way to manage user accounts for a Windows 7 Media Center PC that is part of an entertainment center for a family? Each family member keeps most of their personal stuff on their own ...
Matt Spradley's user avatar