Could your next laptop double as an HTPC?

by Darren Murph posted Aug 16th 2008 at 5:15PM

Crazy, right? But let's think about it -- the market for standalone HTPCs is clearly narrowing, while Media Center Extenders are still far too pricey for many (and far too complicated for some) to be taken seriously. Meanwhile, just about everyone can find a reason to own a notebook, and the newer rigs are tossing in gratuitous amounts of RAM and CPU power alongside Blu-ray drives, HDMI sockets and enough wireless protocols to warrant a tin-foil hat. Granted, there are some limitations, but if someone were to pump out an AV dock (of sorts) to house a few OTA TV tuners and a digital audio output, one could essentially dock their laptop, step back and have a full-fledged HTPC. Chances are your gears are already turning, so tune into Ross Rubin's writeup in the read link for even more food for thought.

Filed under: Industry, Media PCs, Media streamers, Other hardware

Tags: extender, extenders, htpc, laptop, mce, media center pc, media pc, MediaCenterPc, MediaPc, microsoft, notebook, vista, windows, xbox 360, Xbox360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

J.Goodwin @ Aug 16th 2008 6:04PM

I dunno, there are what, 19, 20 million Xbox 360s out there at this point?

As soon as you connect your 360 to your network, if you have Vista, next time you visit your PC you'll see a bubble telling you that you have a media center extender telling you how to set it up with a relatively short (for Microsoft) device authentication code.

Not exactly rare or difficult.

Neutral

zargon @ Aug 16th 2008 7:05PM

The draw back to your solution, you need a Xbox 360 and Vista, I don't have either and don't plan to ever have Vista (linux user) but I may eventually pick up a Xbox 360. By requiring those two, you are really limiting the consumer base.

I am not up to date with the Xbox 360 or PS3 as a media extender, but their needs to be a better solution rather than proprietary software limited to a specific platform or even OS. I am going to take a wild guess that there are some third party solutions to for both the Xbox 360 and PS3, which that would help.

Personally for me, I think the best solution is a system that can run isolated by itself or on a network to share resources but not require any software. This is something that most media extenders currently cannot do. The Roku Photobridge is the first to really create a good media extender that met this critaria, sadly, there were issues with it and Roku totally dropped the ball supporting and all together gave up on it. There however is a replacement, the Popcorn Hour A-100/A-110 seems to start mostly where the Roku Photobridge left off. I am looking forward to purchase one coming up shortly and I don't doubt it will replace me dead Roku Photobridge as an excellent media extender.

Neutral

J.Goodwin @ Aug 16th 2008 7:30PM

If all you're talking about is a client for media streaming, both 360 and PS3 function perfectly well with third party clients available for all platforms. The article specifically was discussing Windows Media Center Extenders though, and if you're talking about the likelihood of someone having Vista and a 360 in their house vs the likelihood that they're running Linux on their PC and have a popcorn extender, then I have to think that the odds are way over 10:1 in favor of Vista and a 360, probably closer to 100 or 1000:1.

Neutral

zargon @ Aug 16th 2008 7:53PM

I am not talking about the likely hood of having one thing or another, I am talking about the requirements that are needed for most of todays media extenders. It is not about whether you have a Xbox 360 or PS3 or run Windows, OSX or even linux, it is about ease of use.

My biggest gripe with most of the current media extenders is that they are not isolated systems, they force you to run some kind of server software. I think isolated systems like the Popcorn Hour is a much better solution due to its low cost of ownership and maintenance. You are not required to have a "server" in order to stream your media. You can either attach storage directly to it or use a network shared resource, which includes a NAS or like systems that also have a low cost of ownership and maintenance.

I am a computer, gadget, electronics and technology junkie and have made a career out of it. If I don't like most of todays media extender options because I am not willing to accept their requirements that demand a high cost of ownership and maintenance, I find it hard to believe that the average Joe is going to also or even be able to. Media extenders and HTPC have come a long way, but they still have a ways to go.

Neutral

Mark @ Aug 16th 2008 7:00PM

I wouldn't use a laptop as a HTPC. To me, a HTPC shouldn't even remotely look like a computer, it should look like it belongs in the living room.

Also, to me, a keyboard and mouse DO NOT BELONG in the living room. There is nothing worse then seeing a keyboard on the living room table. It looks tacky and very out of place. Home Theater equipment should only use the remote..nothing else.

Neutral

Zach @ Aug 16th 2008 8:18PM

I agree Mark. The Dell hybrid is a step in the right direction and it does look great (perfect for that use), but the parts are a bit weak for full HTPC use. I think I'll wait till the next version to pick one of those up.

One of the things I love about my laptop is sitting on my couch doing my work on it while watching TV/movies. I don't think I'd like if I want to put something on using the HTPC and have to dock my laptop to view it.

Neutral

Harry D @ Aug 16th 2008 7:20PM

@ Mark: You don't need a keyboard. VMC can be controlled fully by a standard Media Center remote. My Toshiba laptop came with an NTSC tuner and the MC remote, and it works well.

So, I'm already using a laptop as HTPC. Works almost great. The laptop has a DVI output instead of HDMI, so the audio has to be connected separately, The worst problem is the video card - being relatively slow, it's the weakest link in the system, so I can only run it at 1080X720 without stuttering. Still, using both the NTSC tuner provided by Toshiba, and an HDHomeRun on the network, the laptop tunes NTSC and HD, can record 3 channels simultaneously (2 of them HD), and displays it all wonderfully.

HDMI is now more or less standard on laptops, so what's needed is a laptop that can do all of this AND use a CableCard (or tru2way) for tuning all the HD stations via the cable company's set top box. i think Centrino2 will also add a lot to this capability.

Neutral

ron b @ Aug 18th 2008 2:38PM

The trouble is docking the laptop.. what do you do if you want to use the laptop and someone else wants to use HTPC? Plus docking stations arent really made for heavy duty home use.. A great idea.. give me a laptop without a screen and a wireless keyboard and mouse.. that gets my juices going. That could stay sitting below the below the Tv and saves the expense of the screen which is the most expensive part of any laptop. HD is much less prevalent over here in uk so SD does fine. At present Popcorn Hour looks one of the better solutions.

Neutral

Tejas @ Aug 17th 2008 3:59AM

I already use a laptop as my HTPC.

It's a relatively low-spec Sony VGN-N320E, but it serves my purpose! Added the My Movies plug-in for VMC, and it runs smooth as silk! If needed, I can always use it for quick look-ups on the internet of course!

Have a wireless Keyboard and mouse, VGA output to HDTV and Optical output through Creative's USB X-Fi sound card, and things are just perfect! I've streamed HD Movies over the wireless network, and that's worked out perfectly for me... I have 720p HDTV, and the laptop works at 1366x768 over VGA. Haven't had any issues with picture quality or sound quality. Dolby Digital output works perfectly too... the output's hooked to a Samsung HTiB...

it's a cheap cost effective set-up... plus the laptop tucks away neatly, so most people almost never realize where my computer is!

Neutral

GhostDoggy @ Aug 17th 2008 10:24AM

How is a $400 PS3 deemed too expensive? Any legit copy of Windows XP allows for streaming through the PS3, or one could simply dual-display directly to the display of choice with a PC. I'd much rather have a good wireless KBM to a PC connected to a display along with a PS3 than using a laptop.

Then again, I have no need for portability in computing in my personal life. And for professional life, I let the employer pay for it.

Neutral

dj496 @ Aug 17th 2008 9:30PM

It won't be long, we just need a mobile mobo chipset that supports PAVP and HDMI Video+Audio including 7.1ch bitstream TrueHD and DTS-MA. Like how it's starting to happen with Desktops.

Then we will be talking.

Neutral

dj496 @ Aug 17th 2008 9:30PM

Neutral

Greg @ Aug 17th 2008 11:03PM

The whole point of a laptop is to enable portability. And portability is not at all a required feature for a HTPC.

Having some sort of docking station for OTA is not going to turn your laptop into a viable DVR if your wife has taken it to the sofa to do her e-mail. Your DVR needs to be left in-situ, connected to the antenna, 24/7.

Neutral

Alex @ Aug 18th 2008 2:20AM

I currently use Vista Media Center on a laptop connected to my TV.

Unlike some people I do not have unlimited funds.

I do not use the laptop as a DVR, but I do use it to stream media from my WHS to the TV. I keep a VGA and audio cable under my TV stand and connect the laptop to it to watch DVDs stored on my server.

Typically when I'm playing a DVD, my wife & I are watching.

If you want external TV tuners that won't use up the limited resources a laptop has, get an HDhomerun box.

Neutral

Karl @ Aug 18th 2008 12:01PM

This is a seriously flawed concept, dunno why Engadget has been pushing it as of late.

There's a lot more that an HTPC can do besides record OTA TV. Home Automation comes to mind, and could cause problems bringing your home controller on and off the network all the time. Plus, the whole what if the wife/kids/dog want to watch TV while the laptop is off doing other things. If anything, VMC functions should be moved over to WHS, and then give that laptop Softsled!

Neutral

Brent @ Aug 18th 2008 12:06PM

I guess you could use a powerful laptop to do this, but I think the laptop makes a good "extension" to a HTPC setup, but a lousy HTPC extender by itself. To me the whole point of an HTPC is to have control of all of your media including TV/PVR all from the 10-foot interface using a remote control. Now when you take the laptop and use it to as a mobile placeshifter device like I do with SageTV's Placeshifter software that is useful. It gives me access to everything (Live/recorded TV, Movies, Music, Photos etc) wherever I have an internet connection. The quality of the video is dependent on the internet connection though so it's really just a way to access stuff on the road and such.

I personally want my main HTPC setup to like this: Hidden, powerful HTPC server that runs everything & then small, silent extenders at the HD television for viewing. That way you take the PC out of the HTPC for the end user. All updating and behind-the-scenes computer stuff happens at that server away from the television.

Neutral

burndive @ Aug 18th 2008 12:57PM

Problems:

1. My laptop is not always on, ready to record or download content.
2. My laptop does not have multiple tuners.
3. My laptop doesn't have terabytes of storage.
4. My laptop is my laptop, not a living room fixture.

Neutral

David S @ Aug 18th 2008 2:51PM

Personally, I feel a HTPC without a TV tuner is NOT a HTPC. Therefore, say if someone uses Apple Front Row, that is not a HTPC. Likewise, since most laptops don't have tuners, they can't be real HTPCs. That said, I'm sure some college kid would love to use their laptop to watch their favorite video on one of those college provided LCDs in the common room or etc... There's some use for these levels of features, and OEMs should develop them. What I think is most important is that consumers have the option to plug into larger displays for viewing different types of content. They might be match a true VMC experience with CableCard, but it's not a bad half-way step.

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