[EXPERT TIPS][MARK
REJHON]
Advantages and Uses of HTPC
<< Back to Mark Rejhon Tips
(5/31/00) Advantages Of A HTPC: What do YOU use it for?
Here are some common advantages of a HTPC, especially on a high resolution progressive
scan display (such as a Big Screen Computer or HDTV Display):
- DVD player: Scaling-capable progressive scan player with aspect ratio control
capability!
- Line Doubler/Scaler: Using a computer as a line doubler or scaler for analog
video sources!
- CD Player: High quality 100% digital setups are possible, to make it sound like
an audiophile CD player!
- MP3 Jukebox: Songs, songs, as far as the eye can see in all 4 directions, all in
one box!
- Digital photos: High resolution slideshow viewer. Digital photos are *AMAZING* on
the big screen!
- Videogames: Superior to a PlayStation or N64. Imagine Star Wars Racer at 1024x768
at 60 frames per second, versus N64's 320x240 at 30 frames per second!
- Internet: Some people like to switch to the big screen for some Internet surfing.
Normally not a primary Internet display, but it can be a LOT of fun to surf some websites
on the big screen!
- Movie Trailers: Did you know that some cable modem trailers at QuickTime.com are now 640 pixels wide and better
than VHS quality? See these trailers in near-DVD quality even before they show in the
local movie theaters!
Some people use a HTPC just to do only 1 or 2 of the above. Others like to do all the
above. Some people don't even use a HTPC for DVD, although DVD is an obvious advantage of
a HTPC. DVD picture quality from a HTPC can be better looking than the picture from a
Faroudja 3000 in certain ways, especially with a HTPC at 120Hz vertical refresh rate on a
high-quality display!
New readers may be interested to know that some new computer video and sound cards
provide a lot of flexibility. Such as the ability to do custom screen resolutions in
1-pixel increments, making it possible to use a HTPC at high resolution on a HDTV set or a
16:9 projection display without distorted images. And 24/96 digital audio is now possible
from a HTPC these days.
New software developments including dTV/DScaler from www.dscaler.com , make it possible to add an
inexpensive TV tuner card to a PC and be able to get stunning picture quality from analog
video sources connected to the back of the computer. DScaler software replaces the TV
viewing software normally included with the TV tuner card. Some people have reported
picture quality being competitive to Faroudja at a tiny fraction of the price!
With PowerStrip software from www.entechtaiwan.com, a Matrox or nVidia
powered video card (GeForce) can support custom resolutions in 1-pixel increments, even
weird resolutions such as 1352x773 which makes it perfect for plasma displays and DILA
projectors that demand a pixel-exact resolution for stunning results. These video cards
can also be configured to do 1920x1080 with interlacing enabled - making it possible to
connect a HTPC directly to a HDTV set. You can even use an Audio Authority VGA-to-YPbPr
adaptor and connect the HTPC to a Toshiba HDTV set - with stunning progressive scan DVD
results at 480p or 540p. Be noted that software DVD is superior to hardware DVD for
progressive scan picture quality [This refers to legacy DxR2, DxR3, Hollywood Plus
boards]. For best results, use WinDVD or PowerDVD on a GeForce video card [Note: This was
posted May 2000. Radeon cards are now great too.]
The above are features that exist today, right now. Upcoming features are TiVo/ReplayTV
style software (PVR software) from InterVideo and Ravisent. And upcoming HDTV tuner cards
to allow a HTPC to act as a HDTV settop box with builtin scaler to scale HDTV to any
computer resolution!
Other than the above, what do YOU use your HTPC for?
|
