Home Theatre PC: What Specs?
Discussion
Just a hypothetical at the moment. If I wanted to build a HTPC capable of 4k streaming, what would the acceptable specs be?
I'm thinking of having it in the living room to use for the usual subscription services (yes, I understand not all of them allow 4k on a PC) as well as DVD/Blue Ray, my VPN (for the US stuff I watch), internet browsing, YouTube and a little light gaming. It would get me out of my office in the evenings too as I'm working there and then watching TV at my desk.
From what I have read, Intel 7th gen onwards CPUs should support it, what about AMD (I'm not tied to one or the other, but it would be good to know)?
Aside from the motherboard having HDMI (if I don't go down the GPU route), are their any other necessary features needed?
Very early stages with this so I'm probably missing a lot!
I guess I'd set an initial budget of £550 but I truthfully have no idea how much this will get me.
Thank you in advance.
I'm thinking of having it in the living room to use for the usual subscription services (yes, I understand not all of them allow 4k on a PC) as well as DVD/Blue Ray, my VPN (for the US stuff I watch), internet browsing, YouTube and a little light gaming. It would get me out of my office in the evenings too as I'm working there and then watching TV at my desk.
From what I have read, Intel 7th gen onwards CPUs should support it, what about AMD (I'm not tied to one or the other, but it would be good to know)?
Aside from the motherboard having HDMI (if I don't go down the GPU route), are their any other necessary features needed?
Very early stages with this so I'm probably missing a lot!
I guess I'd set an initial budget of £550 but I truthfully have no idea how much this will get me.
Thank you in advance.
If you aren't sure you would use Blue Ray / DVDs, you could consider an nVidia Shield.
Excellent for streaming services and watching whatever movies/series/... you have on a hard drive or server, capable of games.
( https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/ )
It's less expensive initially and will probably be useful for longer
I'm saying this as I own a HTPC, an nVidia Shield, a Xiaomi Mi Box (similar to shield, less powerful so mainly for Netflix and the like) and there's also an Xbox here.
I never use the HTPC anymore and am intending to get rid as by now, it is still good for all content (incl 4K) yet useless for gaming and I have no intent on getting into the frequent upgrade game again...
FWIW of course...
Excellent for streaming services and watching whatever movies/series/... you have on a hard drive or server, capable of games.
( https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/ )
It's less expensive initially and will probably be useful for longer
I'm saying this as I own a HTPC, an nVidia Shield, a Xiaomi Mi Box (similar to shield, less powerful so mainly for Netflix and the like) and there's also an Xbox here.
I never use the HTPC anymore and am intending to get rid as by now, it is still good for all content (incl 4K) yet useless for gaming and I have no intent on getting into the frequent upgrade game again...
FWIW of course...
Church of Noise said:
If you aren't sure you would use Blue Ray / DVDs, you could consider an nVidia Shield.
Excellent for streaming services and watching whatever movies/series/... you have on a hard drive or server, capable of games.
( https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/ )
It's less expensive initially and will probably be useful for longer
I'm saying this as I own a HTPC, an nVidia Shield, a Xiaomi Mi Box (similar to shield, less powerful so mainly for Netflix and the like) and there's also an Xbox here.
I never use the HTPC anymore and am intending to get rid as by now, it is still good for all content (incl 4K) yet useless for gaming and I have no intent on getting into the frequent upgrade game again...
FWIW of course...
Over the years I've tried various HTPCs, desktop boxes and sticks and I'd second the Shield. I have two connected to my NAS. The best of the Android TV bunch, and as mentioned, you can play games natively and via GForce Now.Excellent for streaming services and watching whatever movies/series/... you have on a hard drive or server, capable of games.
( https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/shield/ )
It's less expensive initially and will probably be useful for longer
I'm saying this as I own a HTPC, an nVidia Shield, a Xiaomi Mi Box (similar to shield, less powerful so mainly for Netflix and the like) and there's also an Xbox here.
I never use the HTPC anymore and am intending to get rid as by now, it is still good for all content (incl 4K) yet useless for gaming and I have no intent on getting into the frequent upgrade game again...
FWIW of course...
I'd echo all the comments above re. the Shield TV.
Just get one and run that as your Plex media server, either with a large external drive plugged into it, or connected to a NAS on your network.
Far simpler and cheaper than building a PC, particularly if it's only function is to act as a media server and streamer.
I've run one as a Plex server with a NAS in another room for 6 years now. It's also the main streaming box in the living room, and 2 MiBoxes, a FireStick, tablets/phones/laptops all stream content from it using Plex.
Just get one and run that as your Plex media server, either with a large external drive plugged into it, or connected to a NAS on your network.
Far simpler and cheaper than building a PC, particularly if it's only function is to act as a media server and streamer.
I've run one as a Plex server with a NAS in another room for 6 years now. It's also the main streaming box in the living room, and 2 MiBoxes, a FireStick, tablets/phones/laptops all stream content from it using Plex.
RizzoTheRat said:
I ended up going for a Google Chrome with Google TV instead of building an HTPC when I looked a this recently. Similar concept to the Shield but cheaper and less powerful without the gaming abilities. I'm not on 4k though.
You could have mentioned that your 'looking into it' was a thread on here asking exactly the same question that went on for pages. OP - find that thread!I'm now up to 3 Google TVs, I got one for my workshop too.
Good point. Here you go
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm really impressed by the Chromecast, considerably better than the Firestick in my opinion.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
I'm really impressed by the Chromecast, considerably better than the Firestick in my opinion.
As others have noted, spend the money on the PC for a "server" (I'd get a NAS).
Then get a Firestick TV or Google TV.
HTPC(/Mac) were necessary a while ago pre-Firesticks etc, but the latter are so decent and cheap now, I wouldn't (don't) bother with anything else. The Mac Minis I used to use are now doing other duties.
Then get a Firestick TV or Google TV.
HTPC(/Mac) were necessary a while ago pre-Firesticks etc, but the latter are so decent and cheap now, I wouldn't (don't) bother with anything else. The Mac Minis I used to use are now doing other duties.
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