HTPC viz Media Server

[goodman]

What are the differences between a HTPC and a media server?

 

[Nemo128]

Quick answer for your question.

HTPC is simply that, a computer hooked up to your home theater. It has the same function as any computer would for your purposes, from web browsing to high res gaming to big screen graphic design.

A media server only distributes files over a network. It will require something to play them at the streaming end, like an HTPC or a media streaming device. A server only holds your library, collection, content, whatever you want to call it.

Hope that illustrates the difference well enough.

 

[ChunkyDark]

Nemo is spot on!
As a side note; the media server doesn't have to be a full blown server. Often people just use their office pc ect to store the files and that allows them to stream from there.

 

[Nemo128]

As a side note; the media server doesn't have to be a full blown server. Often people just use their office pc ect to store the files and that allows them to stream from there.

Darn tootin. We should think of server simply as, "The box that serves files on a network." And for all intents and purposes, a server can be a crapbox you picked up from the trash bin and threw some hard drives into.

On a personal note, for a server, I want:

Norco 4020 case
Areca 1280ML
20 1TB HDDs in RAID6
16GB DDR2
Dual Intel Gb NICs with reliable jumbo frame support

Man, the things I would do in a large house...

 

[fuji0050]

HTPC is artlessly that, a computer absorbed up to your home theater. It has the aforementioned action as any computer would for your purposes, from web browsing to top res gaming to big awning clear design.

A media server alone distributes files over a network. It will crave something to play them at the alive end, like an HTPC or a media alive device. A server alone holds your library, collection, content, whatever you wish to alarm it.

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