I think it depends what you term as an HTPC and we've all got different ideas on that. I found Media Center too cluttered for me and always had hardware that negated the need to use much of it. I had a Topfield DVR in the early days (still works), and now a freesat DVR for several years and would NEVER consider using a PC to record TV. And given that modern TVs will record to USB there's even less need to do it via a PC. SACD / DVD-A never considered HTPC, always via hardware, Pioneer DVD, SACD, DVD-A player does the business quickly and simply. TV on PC? Can't see the point unless it's a laptop and you're camping. Music and Music Videos (100% digital on WHS and NAS drive) plays simply via a Network Media Tank, Videos get stored on that as I want them, and that's a fast simple hardware solution.
My HTPC is my portal to ad-hoc things SK Jukebox for a full Jukebox experience (viewing, selecting, queing of music and video on the spot), browsing youtube music videos with the family, connecting to the internet for live video feeds (still frustrating), Putting XBMC onto it has offered some features there too and my guess is full xbox hardware or XBMC on HTPC is likely to be the best way forward for Media Center enthusiasts. Personally I found the features too awkward and too limiting to use, and got in the way of other solutions. WHS running Twonky or just file access, or NAS with or without Twonky presents my music, photos, videos to the network easily and reliably. All I want thereafter is to play them on PC, HTPC, media device-Amp as suits best at the time.
Media Center itself may be kaput, but I think HTPC will live on in many guises. (wireless keyboard with inbuilt trackball recomended)
On Wednesday, 20 June 2012 21:37:24 UTC+1, Tab Cursor wrote:
A Windows Home Theater PC has played a major role in my home theater now for years. Starting with Windows XP Media Center, followed by Windows Vista, and now Windows 7, I've found the experience both frustrating and satisfying. Satisfying when I found the right combination of software and hardware to play my entire collection; frustrating when an errant update forced me to start again and the regular house-keeping and maintenance involved. Owning a Windows HTPC has never been an easy pain-free experience. It requires a specialized "geek" skill set whose details have changed over the years but the fundamental "DRM hurdle" persists. Simply put, we HTPC owners have had complete freedom over our media -- the rules don't apply -- but was it worth the learning curve?--
Has the HTPC died?
http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/14/the-home-theater-pc-is- dead-long-live-windows-media- center/
http://www.thegreenbutton.tv/forums/viewtopic.php?f=49&p= 19430
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20005643-1.html
Will we look back at our HTPC era as time well spent or wasted years?
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