So you have the big screen TV and the thumping surround sound speaker system, what next? If you don’t already have an HTPC (Home Theatre PC) then inviting a PC into your lounge as part of a home theatre setup might just be the icing on the cake to complete your home entertainment system.
But the lounge is no place for an ugly and noisy PC!
No arguments there, but the good news is a HTPC doesn’t need to be noisy or ugly! Advanced Computers have been utilising Antec Remote cases to build amazing looking HTPC systems which also happen to be whisper quiet due to the use of silent fans and power supplies. With its brushed aluminium look, this case will be right at home next to your Denon or Onkyo receiver.
Movies, music, internet and more
Running Windows 7 with the built in Windows Media Center (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-media-center/default.aspx), you can effortlessly access your digital movie and music collections or switch to an internet browser and surf the web. While accessing movies and music direct from the HTPC hard drive is recommended, you can also watch movies or listen to music directly from a BlueRay disc, DVD or CD. If like me you use iTunes to manage and play your music collection, then this is no problem at all with a quick link on your Windows 7 desktop all that is needed to fire up iTunes and access you music library.
Share your music and movies
With Windows 7, setting up a home network is a breeze. And with file sharing enabled on your HTPC, you can access your movies and music stored on your HTPC hard drive from other computers in the house. This comes in handy if like me, you also have a TV and HTPC in your bedroom!
Controlling the beast
Obviously if your HTPC is going to sit in your entertainment cabinet or another out of the way place near your TV or receiver, a wired mouse or keyboard is not really going to work too well. A wireless keyboard and mouse combo such as the Logitech MK710 (http://www.logitech.com/en-nz/keyboards/keyboard-mice-combos/devices/6541) is a great asset and can sit nicely out of the way under your coffee table or in another discreet location. To compliment the wireless keyboard and mouse, I also recommend a universal remote like the Logitech Harmony 600 (http://www.logitech.com/en-nz/remotes/universal-remotes/devices/6620). Once configured, you can use it to control your HTPC as well as your TV, receiver and other hi-fi equipment. If you have never used a powerful universal remote before, then I can’t recommend it highly enough. Once you have kissed goodbye to the half dozen or so remotes you used to use to control your hi-fi equipment, you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch long ago.
Setting it all up
Depending on your existing home theatre setup, integrating a HTPC into your entertainment system can be either a piece of cake, or mildly challenging. If you have a digital home theatre / AV receiver with an HDMI input and output, then connecting the HTPC to your receiver via HDMI is your best bet. From there, you can then connect the receiver directly to your TV using one of the receiver’s HDMI outputs. Other options include using the analogue audio outputs of the HTPC to connect the audio signal to your receiver or speaker system while using the HDMI output of the HTPC to connect the video signal directly to your TV.
Advanced Computers i3 HTPC System
For all of December 2010, Advanced Computers is running a special on our Intel i3 based HTPC. Get your hands on the latest Home Theatre PC as featured in this article for only $1263.85 inc. GST.
Here are the specs:
| Antec Remote case Intel i3 processor Gigabyte H55M-D2H motherboard – 7.1 channel audio – HDMI output – S/PDIF In/Out Western Digital 1TB 7200rpm hard drive 4GB DDR3 RAM BluRay player and DVD writer combo Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit 1 year return to base warranty |
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Only $1263.85 inc. GST
Advanced Computers HTPC Package
To compliment the Advanced Computer i3 HTPC system as featured above, Advanced Computers has also prepared a HTPC package to give you everything you need to setup a HTPC system as described in this article. Normally priced at $1686.38 for the entire package, until the end of December 2010 the whole setup can be yours for just $1493.85.
What’s included in the package:
| 1 x Advanced Computer i3 HTPC (as detailed above) 1 x Logitech MK710 wireless keyboard & mouse combo 1 x Logitech Harmony 600 remote |
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Only $1493.85 inc. GST
Go on! Treat yourself!
If you feel like treating yourself or a loved one this Christmas with the latest in HTPC technology, come in and see us in our store or contact Nancy on (09) 444 8823 if you would like more information about either of these great HTPC offers.