The case for... an HTPC

The Need
The need for a home theatre PC (ie. a minimalist computer used for content viewing on your television) arises from the excessive pricing charged by our favourate cable companies.  What makes cable TV pricing so absurd is the fact that most of the channels/programs can be legally accessed for free.

The Goal
Ability to access all types of content available, at the lowest price.

The Options

		Can Do	Can’t Do
$110	Apple TV	·         Certain services included with interface (ex. Netflix, Youtube, etc)	·         Cannot hook up external HDD to read other media ·         Restricted to content providers  in their list (ex. Cannot access CTV, CBC, etc.) ·         Cannot browse web for other content ·         Cannot add tuner for OTA antenna ·         No internal HDD to store media
$185	WD TV Live Hub	·         Certain services included with interface (ex. Netflix, Youtube, etc) ·         Media formats (MKV, AVI, etc) ·         1TB HDD Included	·         Restricted to content providers  in their list (ex. Cannot access CTV, CBC, etc.) ·         Cannot browse web for other content ·         Cannot add tuner for OTA antenna
Varies	Built in TV Internet Connection	·         Certain services included with interface (ex. Netflix, Youtube, etc) ·         Media formats (MKV, AVI, etc)	·         Likely choppy playback when playing Flash web streams ·         Cannot add tuner for OTA antenna ·         No internal HDD to store media
$300+	HTPC	·         Anything	·         Nothing

The Answer
Well I guess depending on your needs, each of the above options have their own limitations (except the HTPC, because technically the possibilities are endless).  So in my opinion, the sure winner is the HTPC, since it provides the flexibility/customizability to view all types of content from different sources.  If you can access it on your desktop computer, then you can also do it on your HTPC.

The Benefits
Online:

• Stream music for free - ex. Grooveshark, Pandora
• Stream television shows for free - ex. TV network websites (CTV, CBC, etc), Hulu
• Watch live streaming on TV network websites - ex. CTV Olympics, PBS Democratic National Convention
• Watch video clips for free - ex. YouTube, Hulu
• Pay a minor fee for more extensive video content- ex. Netflix, Hulu Plus

Offline:

• Play your own media files (MP3, MKV, AVI, etc)
• Make use of a shnazzy interface with Windows Media Centre and Mediabrowser (WMC comes prepackaged with Windows7, and Mediabrowser is a free program).  Your media library will be organized in an easy to use interface:

Live over the air:

• Most of the major local stations broadcast their programs in HD format live over the air for free
• All you need is a television that can receive the signal (called ATSC), and preferably an antenna (but some people have received good results with just the bare coaxial cable!)
• Depending on your location, you can receive CTV, Global, CBC, CityTV, ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, CW, PBS, TVO, OMNI and many more!
• With the addition of a TV tuner card in your HTPC box, you can schedule recordings and fastforward/rewind live TV, just as you would with a DVR
• Check out:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/technology/gadgets-and-gear/tips-and-tools-for-the-over-the-air-tv-enthusiasts/article626456/

Note that WDLive and AppleTV do not provide the flexibility to access all of the various content that is available.

The Formula
In creating our HTPC, the goal is to minimize cost.  Keep in mind that the HTPC will effectively replace your cable bill, including the cost of the digital cable box and your monthly cable bill.  So most people start with a budget of $500 (DVR box) + $70 per month (monthly cable bill) to spend on an HTPC.  And the good news is that a minimalist HTPC box will cost less than $400 - so right off the bat you are saving money!

Based on my research, I believe this is the cheapest configuration without compromising the ability to access a wide variety of content:
$75 - CPU (Intel G620)
$95 - Mini ITX Motherboard (Asus P8H61-I)
$55 - Case (MI-008)
$25 - 2GB RAM
$50 - Hard drive (any hard drive will do, depending on whether you want to keep any media on the HTPC)

$300+  Total 

Assuming you replace your cable subscription for this HTPC, you would be saving more than $800 per year!

Alternatively, if you have an old laptop or desktop lying around, you may be able to use that too!  Just make sure it has enough power to access the various content.  Other things to keep in mind are power consumption and heat (don't want to blow anything up!).

One of the best benefits of building your own HTPC is that you can customize it to your needs.  So you can add 3d functionality (if you have a 3d TV), or a TV tuner if you have an antenna, or a Bluray drive, or an optical audio out if you have this equipment... and the list goes on.

The Limitations
So what's the downside?  Well, the biggest thing that I miss is live sports.  Some of the major games are aired on the national stations (such as NBA playoffs on NBC, and Hockey Night in Canada on CBC), but that's all you'll get.   I am fortunate to have a common room in my condo that has cable TV, so I can access that when I need to.  Otherwise, for the big events, I would normally go to the bar.

If you are using wifi to access your media, depending on your network setup, you may experience choppy playback when streaming full HD media.

The Conclusion
Entirely your choice, but I can tell you, it's a very liberating feeling to cut Rogers out of my life.

Raspberry Pi

Our friends in the UK are off to a kick-ass 2012.  They are host to the world at the Summer Olympics and so far they've kicked it off relatively smoothly, with the only major exception being Romney's slip (success!) and the slip on playing South Korea's national anthem in place of North Korea's (fail!).  Some would consider that witch's, I mean her Majesty the Queen's entrance to be a success.  But I will keep my differing opinion to myself.


So the jocks are taking up all the limelight AGAIN, huh?  Well, let me tell you a thing or two.  Well just one, but it's BIG!  Actually it's quite small... 


Introducing the Raspberry Pi:

It's a credit card sized single-board computer developed with the intention of stimulating the teaching of basic computer science in schools.  It does this by having an affordable $35 price tag on it.  And the kids are digging it - it's such a hot commodity that there is a 5 week waiting list to get their little hands on it.  Check out what these "kids" have done with it:

I know you're wondering why a jock like me would be interested in this.  Well here it is.  This tiny computer can play full HD movies without a problem - a $35 solution for your home entertainment needs!  Now if that's not something to get excited over, then go jump off a plane into the Olympic stadium.  Despite the extraordinary graphics processor on this baby, it is currently limited in terms of the type of video it can handle (apparently does not do well with Flash or MPEG2).  But it's a promising start, and a great option for those who don't care for such things.  I can't wait until there's a <$50 HTPC option that can play anything, has adequate storage space for your meda, and includes a TV tuner.  Absolute heaven.