To build a home theater, all you need is a TV, a projector, a receiver and speakers. However, one component has been added to this compilation – a home theater PC. Today, it is recognized as one of the essential components of a home theater due to its practical and cost-effective features.

What is a home theater PC?

An HTPC, short for home theater PC. Unlike a traditional desktop or laptop computer, the home theater PC is used for a specific purpose, entertainment. It also has features specifically designed to make it more convenient for home theater use, such as progressive DVD playback, HDTV support, video and audio outputs, and media storage.

Home theater PCs are usually a little different from traditional PCs. Often referred to as living room PCs, they are designed to be small enough to hide in a closet with your home theater or stereo.

While this is intended for home theater purposes, some people also use it for gaming or daily browsing. If you want to use the HTPC for everyday browsing, no complex configurations are required. However, if it is intended for theater and gaming purposes, it is necessary to do research to avoid spending a lot of money on the wrong variety.

Is home theater PC dead?

As technology advanced, new devices designed to play movies and television shows became available. It may seem that the HTPC is dying, but it is not.

HTPCs are still a viable option if you need a powerful media player, you can even watch movies and TV shows on the same device.

Does HTPC require a graphics card?

If you're thinking about building an HTPC, you might be wondering, "Do I need a GPU?"

Whether an HTPC needs a GPU or not depends on its intended use.

Then if you don't do games on the HTPC, buying a GPU for an HTPC is a waste of money and time. Intel's CPUs are equipped with integrated GPUs, they are powerful enough to handle 4K resolution.

Build Your Own Home Theater PC

When choosing hardware for your HTPC build, keep a few things in mind.

Why choose the mini PC for home theater

If you're planning on building a home theater setup, it's best to invest in a mini PC. If you're wondering why using a mini PC for home entertainment is a good idea, here are some reasons why.

1.Saves space

Mini PCs are popular because of their... Compared to normal PCs Significantly small size called “Mini”. HTPCs can be of various sizes, ranging from the size of a gaming console to the size of an Apple TV. Its small size saves space in your home theater and is even practical enough for outdoor use. As HTPCs become smaller, their prices also come down, making them not only a suitable choice but also a cost-effective device.

2.Flexibility

Using an HTPC is not limited to home theater use. Since they also have the same functions as a regular PC, it can be used as a replacement. Some HTPCs even include more advanced features than most PCs.

HTPCs can also be mounted behind a monitor to create a multifunctional PC. Versatility is one of the key features of HTPC and the most common reason people acquire it.

3. Energy efficient

Mini PCs generally use less power than regular PCs. Most mini PCs are manufactured with a processor programmed to consume no more than 15 watts without compromising its performance. In addition, mini PCs do not need constant cooling. However, you not only save costs, but also enable you to work or watch TV quietly without fan noise.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Mini PC for Home Theater

If you are unfamiliar with technical terms, purchasing a device can be a real challenge. If you have decided to buy a mini PC for your home theater but are worried about choosing the wrong specifications, worry no more because we provide you with a complete guide that you can easily follow to Get the perfect mini PC for your dream home theater.

A PC's processor indicates how well it will perform. Therefore, the first thing you should pay attention to when buying a mini PC is the processor. A mini PC that is intended for use in a home theater does hard work. For this reason, it needs a good processor to support its functions.

It also helps to opt for higher RAMs. RAM allows a PC to perform its functions smoothly and enhance its networking capabilities. PCs with less RAM tend to perform slower and are prone to lag and crashes. The recommended RAM for HTPCs ranges from 8GB to 16GB to prevent PC slowdown and improve overall performance.

Related content: How much RAM do I need?

You should get one too View mini PC with Windows 11. They have different types like Windows, Mac operating system and Linux. However, among these, Windows is highly recommended, especially for home theater use. Windows 11 enabled easy handling of tasks through the Task View feature.

This feature is best suited for working with multiple or larger screens connected to your Mini PC. This operating system also supports a 4k display, remarkably one of the best resolutions a device can offer.

This way, you can indulge in a high-end home theater experience by improving the quality of your display. These features make it the best operating system choice for home theater use.

One of the functions of the HTPC is to store digital audio and video files for playback. A large capacity is needed for this purpose because a small memory can slow down your mini PC. When it comes to home theater use, an SSD is preferable to HDD.

SSDs are primarily designed to handle heavy tasks. It has a speed of 550 to 520 megabytes/second, preferred for business, gaming and theater purposes that require significant speed to perform their tasks. They are also more durable and heat-resistant than HDDs, perfect for long-term use.

Mini PCs also have mounting kits on the back that allow you to easily merge them with other monitors or a projector. This feature makes a mini PC practical for a home theater. The mounting kits allow you to connect the Mini PC directly to the TV or projector, reducing the hassle of multiple installations.

However, some mini PCs do not have this feature. So if you intend to use the mini PC for home theater use, you must first check whether it has this.

Last but not least, you should consider pricing. If you are on a budget, you should consider the prices of the mini PC you are going to buy. Of course, the more expensive a mini PC is, the more advanced its features are. If you can't afford a high-end mini PC, you can make do with what you have and maximize it by creating a home theater setup that's affordable but also serves its purpose.

Which is the best mini PC?

If you don't want to bother checking the specs of every Mini PC, here are the Mini PCs on the market that are best suited for your home theater.

1.Apple Mac Mini

The Apple Mac Mini PC features an 8-core CPU and GPU, a 16-core Neural Engine, 8GB of memory expandable up to 16GB, 256GB storage configured up to 2TB can display a resolution of up to 6k, HDMI 2.0 that supports multiple channels audio outputs, two USB-A ports, Ethernet port and a built-in speaker. This mini PC costs $699 to $899, a bit expensive but its advanced features make for a great cinematic experience.

2.GEEKOM-MINI-IT8

The GEEKOM Mini PC features an Intel Coffee Lake i5 8259U, the latest 8th generation Core i5 processor, ensuring a smooth cinema experience. It has 8GB storage expandable to 16GB, 256GB storage also expandable to 512GB, 8GB RAM, 4 display support and wireless connectivity.

3.Intel NUC8

The Intel Core i7 processor powers the Intel NUC8 Mini PC with 8GB of memory, supports the Radeon 540X graphics controller model with a storage capacity of up to 2GB, six USB ports and wireless connectivity. While this works great as an HTPC, it is also recommended for gaming setups.

Conclusion

We hope this article helped improve your home theater gaming. Although mini PCs are cheaper than traditional PCs, they still cost a lot. Therefore, it's best to take time to plan and weigh your options before going to market. While technical terms can be confusing, nothing beats good research before committing to a risky decision.