- #How to build tv tuner for pc how to#
- #How to build tv tuner for pc Pc#
- #How to build tv tuner for pc windows#
But it's also possible to take your HTPC to the next level by upgrading your old PC or even building an entirely new one. There are two reasons to use a PC as a media center - the one we've been emphasizing so far is the fact that it's simple and affordable to just use an old PC as a media center.
#How to build tv tuner for pc windows#
Tweaking your user settings in Windows can also give you a more app-focused desktop view that might be more suitable for a media center project. Windows has apps for popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, Spotify, and more, so you won't have to run all of those things in browser tabs. Windows: Windows Media Center may have been discontinued, but if your PC is running Windows, you can still rely heavily on apps you get from the Windows store.Plus, you can use Plex's channels (their term for apps) and plug-ins to access streaming services like Netflix. You can use Plex's apps to play your local files on mobile devices, streaming boxes, and more. But it is also a media server application, which means that it can make your local files available on other devices. Plex: Plex is a media center application like Kodi.Thanks to add-ons, Kodi can also serve as a portal to your various streaming services. If you have lots of video files on your computer, Kodi is a great way to organize them and make it easy to pick something great to watch. Kodi: Kodi, formerly known as XBMC, might be the single best choice for folks with a lot of local content.But to get a really nice HTPC experience, you may want to take a bit more time to put together a media center experience.įirst, you'll want to choose a platform for handling your media and streaming options. If you have an internet connection, you could just connect your PC to your computer, grab a wireless keyboard and mouse, and start using your TV as a big ol' computer monitor. Choose Your Streaming and Media Platform(s) That's a bit outside the scope of this article, but there are plenty of great places to turn for gaming PC-building advice online. With the right setup, you could be playing your favorite PC games (and even streaming them on Twitch TV!) right from your couch.
You may also want to consider making your PC gaming-ready. If you're building your own, of course, the sky's the limit! Check out our section below on upgrades for tips on what to emphasize. They use your home’s electrical wiring to give you internet speeds nearly as fast as those of a wired connection.Īll of this assumes that you're using an existing PC for this project. If your home isn’t wired for Ethernet and your computer is too far from your router, a powerline adapter can be a great alternative to a wired connection. A wired connection is ideal, but if your chosen machine has a good Wi-Fi antenna, then wireless internet might be a solid option, too. If you're okay with settling for 1080p, you'll have even less to worry about in terms of specs.įinally, make sure that your HTPC can maintain a speedy internet connection.
Intel’s integrated graphics have come a long way in recent years, but it still takes a decent processor or graphics card to handle 4K Ultra HD streaming. Your old laptop or desktop can probably top that easily, though it may lag behind top-flight streaming boxes in other areas, particularly in terms of 4K-readiness. Still, it pays to boot the thing up and take a look at its specs.Īs a frame of reference, a 4K Roku TV has a 1.2 GHz quad-core processor and 2 GB of RAM. If your PC isn't truly a stone-age machine, it's probably more than up to the task of serving as your media center. Let’s tackle your big HTPC project step by step! Check Those Specs
#How to build tv tuner for pc how to#
Here's everything you need to know about how to make a media center PC out of your current PC. Of course, there are a few tweaks you'll want to make to your PC before it's ready to serve as your HTPC.
And HTPCs are also perfect for playing your local music and video files. It doesn't take that much firepower under the hood for a PC to do great work streaming Netflix, HBO Max, Sling TV, and more. If you have an old computer (or a new one, for that matter), then you have the makings of a media center PC - also known as a home theater personal computer (HTPC). That includes plenty of consumer-facing streaming boxes and platforms like Roku and Fire TV but it also includes more creative DIY solutions - which is why we're here to show you how to convert your PC to a media center. Here at, we're big fans of anything that lets us watch our favorite movies, TV shows, and more without cable.
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