Introduction
Determining your needs
Basic Hardware
Audio
Video
Video Card Configuration
LIRC
Input Devices
TV/HDTV Tuner Cards
Installing Linux
HTPC Software
HTPC Tips and Tricks
Conclusion

Determining Your needs

What you will need

The type of computer hardware you will need depends entirely on what you plan to use the HTPC for. There isn't a best for everything. (ie: The latest hardware is usually more powerful but you'll have a harder time keeping it cool and pay more on your power bill.)

Grab a pencil and some paper to make six lists as you read this how-to to take notes on the following six thoughts.
  • The features that you want in a HTPC as a minimum.
  • Any and all features you could possibly ever want in a HTPC.
  • The minimum hardware requirements needed for your HTPC and their cost.
  • The best hardware you could get for your HTPC and their cost.
  • The features you will really end up with in your HTPC.
  • The hardware that you will need to buy for your HTPC and their cost.
First I'll tell you what you need as a minimum for any HTPC system regardless of a use you need the following (But few people would settle for this hardware as it wouldn't do much):
  • A Case & Power Supply
  • CPU of 450Mhz
  • 128MB RAM
  • 20GB Hard drive
  • Keyboard/Mouse
  • Basic Video Card
Next are the lists of what you need in order to get the following features.

For HDTV:
  • CPU of 1.8Ghz (I recommend 2.4Ghz though if you don't want much frame drop)
  • Disk space needs (up to 18GB/hr for HDTV, but you can transcode down to .5GB/hr if you have to)
  • Shared type of interface between HDTV display and video card
  • Shared type of interface between AV Receiver and sound card
  • DD/DTS sound interface
  • Remote control support
  • Network card
For TV:
  • CPU of 800Mhz
  • Disk space needs (up to 2GB/hr, normally 1GB/hr, as low as .3GB/hr)
  • Shared type of interface between TV and video card
  • Shared type of interface between stereo and sound card
  • Remote control support
For DVD:
  • CPU of 400Mhz
  • DVD Drive
  • Shared type of interface between HDTV display and video card
  • Shared type of interface between AV Receiver and sound card
  • DD/DTS sound interface
  • Remote control support
For 3D Gaming:
  • CPU of 1800Mhz
  • Fast 3D graphics card
  • At least 256MB RAM
  • Good mouse/keyboard/game pad
  • Network card
  • Sound card
For Music:
  • DD/DTS sound interface
  • Shared type of interface between AV Receiver and sound card
  • Remote control support
Photo Gallery:
  • Device to handle cards or inputs from cameras (SD, CF, 1394)
In general, most HTPC's are designed for HDTV (and/or TV), DVD, Music, Photo Gallery, Web Surfing/e-mail, Weather, and sometimes 3D games. This means that the common requirements are as follows:
  • A Case & Power Supply
  • CPU of 2.4Ghz
  • Disk space needs (up to 18GB/hr for HDTV, but you can transcode down to .5GB/hr if you have to)
  • Shared type of interface between HDTV display and video card
  • Shared type of interface between AV Receiver and sound card
  • DD/DTS sound interface
  • DVD Drive
  • Remote control support
  • Network card
  • Good mouse/keyboard/game pad
  • Fast 3D graphics card
  • At least 256MB RAM