Choosing the right hardware for your needs. When choosing the components for your HTPC you should first consider what you will be using your HTPC for.
- Do you plan to play full HD 1080p content?
- Do you plan to play games?
- Do you plan to record TV programmes?
You don’t need the hardware of a revved up gaming computer just to watch HD content but if you plan on playing some newer games then you’ll probably want to invest a bit more in components. For slower systens there is now an ideal (and cheap) hardware solution to provide smoother 1080p playback even on slower machines, it’s called Broadcom Crystal HD. Check out the Broadcom website for more details.
Continue reading Building an HTPC – Part 2: Components and hardware