Tag Archives: HTPC

XBMC is a powerful HTPC front end, but you never truly realize its potential until you start exploring ways of extending its functionality.  Addons are what extends XBMC’s functionality bringing you new ways to enjoy your HTPC.  Given the large number of addons out there… here is MY list of the top 5.

It seems that each time I find a quality HTPC case, SilverStone has to come along and shake things up. The release of their GD06 HTPC case provided a great option for those that want a high quality HTPC case without spending a lot of money. Well, what happens when they introduce another case, again affordable, that builds on everything the GD06 was and more? You end up with the Grandia GD08.

Recently, we featured an article on sharing your playstate and watched status with MediaBrowser for WMC.  One of my main reasons for using the software was the shared library features.  Today, with XBMC you are able to perform the same functions.  The process is a bit more difficult, but well worth it.

Lately, it seems that my HTPC has been getting most of my attention. With the changes in front end software, I have finally settled, for now, on XBMC. One of the best features is the ability to skin XBMC to your liking.  After hours of searching for the perfect skin, I have rundown what I think are the best available.

Lately, I have been experimenting with various types of front ends for my HTPC from the likes of PLEX, XBMC, MediaPortal, and more.  For some reason though, they all seem to fall short, in their own ways, of Windows Media Center.  After tons if installs and uninstalls, I settled on using the MediaBrowser Plugin for Windows Media Center… but there …

If you frequent C.O.D. you will realize that I am a fan of Lian Li. I have had many of their cases over the years and it seems that they always seem to set the bar just a little higher every time they come out with something new. Granted, there have been some questionable designs over the years (U6), but I tend to forget those rather quickly when I look at the number of extremely well designed and meticulously manufactured chassis they have produced. Recently, Lian Li has produced an HTPC chassis that promises to impress... the PC-C60.

For a long time I had resisted converting my DVD and Blu-Ray disks into any other format because I didn’t want to lose any quality.  I had lived by this rule for a long time, and thankfully companies like QNAP and Thecus came to my storage rescue.  However, the day has come where the cost of storing all the extra …

There is no doubt that the HTPC enthusiast has some options when looking for a chassis to fill the void in their entertainment center. It seems like so many of the options are either too small, too big, to ugly, or too expensive. With that in mind, SilverStone has stepped up their game. SilverStone is no slouch when it comes to manufacturing high quality computer components and with the introduction of the GD06, the company is trying to shake up the HTPC chassis market a bit.

I have news for you, the days of large computers taking up your desk, floor, or entertainment center are long gone.  A lot of case manufacturers have made good money making small form factor PC enclosures and the seeming limited motherboard supply is catching up.  Some PC manufacturers have already started to take advantage of the newer technology and have …

Face it, most of us like the idea of having an HTPC (Home Theater PC) hooked up to our TV.  The flexibility we get with an HTPC over just a DVD player or a gaming console is enough alone to justify the cost.  I have built a bunch of these for people and until recently, I have never used pre-built …