This page is dedicated to HTPC and CarPC builders.  Each day we integrate technology more and more into our daily lives.  These pages will give some background and info on creating your own Home Theater PC and/or Car-PC.  Again this information is based mainly off of my own experience in each and personal projects I've done.

Microsoft Media Center PCs can be bought, pre-built. However, the fun thing and best way to do it is to build it yourself. ;-)  Hopefully these pages will help you with your HTPC/MCE or CARPC experience.

Enjoy! seamonkey420

HTPC (Home Theater PC) or PVR (Personal Video Recorder) computers are basically the same, a computer that can be used in living room as an entertainment replacement.  These type of systems allow one to integrate many consumer devices into one centralized device (ie a PC) and add even more functionality to your Home Theater / Living room / Bedroom.

What is  HTPC? A HTPC ideally should be able to replace one's full audio/video system with just one PC.  Most people who build a HTPC also integrate PVR into it by adding a TV Tuner and software front-end like SageTV or MythTV.  Your typical HTPC should have a video card that allows you to either hook it up to your TV via S-Video or if you have a newer TV, DVI or HD.  Another attribute of a HTPC is a sleek case.  Since this PC will not only do computer stuff, it also will be on display in your living room and having an eye pleasing case is a bonus (however you can use any PC normal case if your budget/style demands it).  Another thing to remember is that you will probably want to get a wireless keyboard/remote package so you can control it like a normal Home Theater system, from your couch or anywhere.  I will discuss a few remote solutions in the HTPC section also.

So what is a PVR computer, or PVR itself?  PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder.  This is starting to become the biggest trend in TV watching since color tv.  PVR systems basically act as 'digital vcr' but with TONS of more features.  An example of a consumer system would be TiVo or DVR by timewarner cable.  Usually these are set-top boxes tha that require a monthly service charge to use.  PVR systems usually include options of being able to setup recording schedules, automatically record new shows based on previous viewing/favorites, skip through commercials, pause live TV (when you are watching TV w/a PVR system, the show you see is actually a few minutes behind the real broadcast, allowing you to move forward in the show that padded amount of time or pause it, more info can be found on the PVR page).  The best part about recording TV on your PC is that you can easily move the shows to any device or format you wish instantly! 

For now, lets just leave our summary of what a HTPC to this:   A PC that you use in your living room, to replace your av receiver, DVD player, vcr, and perhaps even cable/tivo box.  And we leave our summary of a PVR to this:  A PC that is used to capture/watch live tv with.  It will allow users the same functionality of a TiVo / DVR/ PVR set-top system but without the monthly fees.   Most HTPC's are also PVRS. and vice-versa. 

CarPC is a computer that runs in your car.

The idea is very basic: put a pc in your car.  But actually getting a working, SAFE solution is the hardest part.  Also, before you start building a CarPC system, first sit down and think about some of these questions: 

What will I use it for?  How do I want to be able to control it, via touch screen or keypads, or voice?  Will it run off the car's battery/electrical system?  GPS? Will I build the machine from ground up? Integration into your current car's interior, modding?

This will get you started in the right direction; the biggest challenges and concerns for a CarPC (to me at least) are: input, safety, power. 

Now that we got the summary and introductions done, lets take a more detailed look at both!