Home Theater PC and a projector - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

sub780lime · 01-21-2005, 04:49 AM

Do you guys think its necessary to use a HTPC if you are using a projector and why?

***Wirehed*** · 01-21-2005, 05:33 AM

Necessary? No. Fun, yes.

that is if you're into that sort of thing.

What are you trying to do that you can't do with a nice DVD player?

I 8 Piglet · 01-21-2005, 04:12 PM

Definately not necessary, but really nice. It gives you the ability to create a low cost, HD, DVR. It allows you watch HD content from the current DVD format. But most important it allows to set the exact resolution, so you can pixel match your source to your display.

Also, PC games are insame when played across a 6' wide screen.

plissken99 · 01-21-2005, 11:42 PM

Necissary? No, nice, yes...if you know computers and have patience. Also, do you have(or are planning) a digital projector, or CRT projector? With CRT projectors, they are largely preferred.

sub780lime · 01-24-2005, 08:53 PM

its for future reference, but thanks for the responses. What program is ideal for playback in your guys opinion?

plissken99 · 01-24-2005, 09:35 PM

Theatertek 2.0, no contest. Nothing else comes close.

Paul.n3w · 01-29-2005, 03:50 AM

Necessary... no. But, it is soooo much cooler!

As I8Piglet mentioned, you can use a program like Powerstrip to create a custom resolution for your PC that matches your projector's native resolution perfectly. (This is really only necessary for 16:9 projectors or projectors with a non-standard native resolution). So with the combination of the video connection to your HTPC and 1:1 pixel mapping, you will be getting the best possible picture out of your projector.

Plus, you'll be able to surf the web from it on a 100+ inch screen. Believe me, its actually fun to surf the web with a large group of people when your screen is this big

Plus you'll have an instant media center. Your PC will be connected to your stereo, so you can play music from it, play downloaded video, turn the PC into a Tivo-like-box with a TV capture card, etc etc.

Edit: I am using WinDVD now, because I'm too cheap to spring for TheaterTek and I dislike their no-demo policy.

01-21-2005, 04:49 AM	#1 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	Home Theater PC and a projector Do you guys think its necessary to use a HTPC if you are using a projector and why? __________________ love comes and goes, but an avatar . . . that's forever. - Pirate

01-21-2005, 05:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
*Wirehed* Producer/Admin NSFW Off 'the list' Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Sacto, Ca --Near Galt, home of LeVar Burton	Necessary? No. Fun, yes. that is if you're into that sort of thing. What are you trying to do that you can't do with a nice DVD player? __________________ The Order of the Zombie. The world's greatest zombie culture website. "Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wagn'nagl dominos" In his house in R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits for the pizza delivery guy.

01-21-2005, 04:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
I 8 Piglet Actor Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: missing NYC hardcore :(	Definately not necessary, but really nice. It gives you the ability to create a low cost, HD, DVR. It allows you watch HD content from the current DVD format. But most important it allows to set the exact resolution, so you can pixel match your source to your display. Also, PC games are insame when played across a 6' wide screen. __________________ "I have respect for Beer!" - John Nash "He was a wise man, who invented beer." - Plato My HT v2.1: with x1 screen shots New screen shots 2/4/04 \| My DVD Collection as of 12/15/04

01-21-2005, 11:42 PM	#4 (permalink)
plissken99 Actor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Dallas, Ft Worth	Necissary? No, nice, yes...if you know computers and have patience. Also, do you have(or are planning) a digital projector, or CRT projector? With CRT projectors, they are largely preferred. __________________ “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Snake Plissken Plissken's DVD, HD-DVD and Blu Ray collection And Plissken's home theater

01-24-2005, 08:53 PM	#5 (permalink)
sub780lime Can't Spell Bilbo Join Date: May 2002 Location: A Galaxy Far Far Away	its for future reference, but thanks for the responses. What program is ideal for playback in your guys opinion? __________________ love comes and goes, but an avatar . . . that's forever. - Pirate

01-24-2005, 09:35 PM	#6 (permalink)
plissken99 Actor Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Dallas, Ft Worth	Theatertek 2.0, no contest. Nothing else comes close. __________________ “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Snake Plissken Plissken's DVD, HD-DVD and Blu Ray collection And Plissken's home theater

01-29-2005, 03:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Paul.n3w Actor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Upstate NY	Necessary... no. But, it is soooo much cooler! As I8Piglet mentioned, you can use a program like Powerstrip to create a custom resolution for your PC that matches your projector's native resolution perfectly. (This is really only necessary for 16:9 projectors or projectors with a non-standard native resolution). So with the combination of the video connection to your HTPC and 1:1 pixel mapping, you will be getting the best possible picture out of your projector. Plus, you'll be able to surf the web from it on a 100+ inch screen. Believe me, its actually fun to surf the web with a large group of people when your screen is this big Plus you'll have an instant media center. Your PC will be connected to your stereo, so you can play music from it, play downloaded video, turn the PC into a Tivo-like-box with a TV capture card, etc etc. Edit: I am using WinDVD now, because I'm too cheap to spring for TheaterTek and I dislike their no-demo policy.

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