forumdude123 9 Posting Pro in Training

I was just wondering, what are the benefits of using an Home Theater PC for your home theater rather than the normal setup. Here is an example:

HTPC Setup:

  • HTPC attached to LCD HDTV
  • Blu-ray Player (standard with htpc)
  • Cable Box hooked up to HTPC's tv tuner card
  • DVR (using vista media center)
  • 1000 Watt audio System attached to dedicated sound card

Regular Setup:

  • LCD HDTV with cable box attached to it
  • DVR (Leased from cable company)
  • 1000 watt audio system
  • Blu-ray player (PS3)


    The reason I was asking about this is because right now, when i think of an htpc, i worry about the longer boot up times (compared to just turning on the tv), having more remotes to deal with, and especially the maintenance required (virus scanning, defragging, disc cleanup, etc).

    I am not buying a home theater setup anytime soon, but i was wondering what your thoughts are about it.