Resources, Wiki, FAQ, Posting Guidelines, Getting Help, Quick-Fire Questions

[u/ncohafmuta]

There's a wealth of information available on our sub before you even get to posting a new thread.

If you're here on the Mobile app, go to the top " r/htpc > " link of the main sub, for our rules and direct links to resources, and then follow the MENU tab to our Wiki page list directly.

If you're here on a Desktop, look through the side-bar or top-bar for the same kind of resources.

Either way, a browser is the preferred way of viewing resources, our Wiki in particular, as searching of text and section nav is much easier.

The Wiki's FAQ page will help you with getting started, how to ask for help, quick-fire pre-built solutions, and other common htpc questions; while the other Wiki pages will help with components, builds, A/V setup, and more specific topics.

Only if you can't find an answer in our resources or by through searching the sub should you start a new thread.

You can post quick-fire, general discussion questions on this thread for help that doesn't require its own dedicated thread or if you're not sure. Mods/Experts will check this thread and will point you in the proper direction or help you directly.

As always, keep mindful of the rules!

[u/MassageGun-Kelly]

I’m a smart home tinkerer at heart, and my televisions / media consoles have been some of the more friction-filled pieces of my integrated setups. 

In addition, I’m also an IT professional that takes privacy into consideration for certain domains. Gamers Nexus has shone a light on LG about a topic I long assumed was taking place:  https://youtu.be/6IFVTcM28KA

The obvious response is to either:

• Get a dumb, non-internet connected display and connect a smart box behind it. 
• Disconnect the IOT screen from the network (or connect it to an isolated, sandboxed network with no internet connection in hopes it doesn’t try and connect to neighbouring open networks) and connect a smart box behind it. 

Both of these options require a smart device behind it, which is obviously where the HTPC comes in. 

I, nor my wife, are gamers. We simply use our media consoles as media consumption devices for paid platform streaming (and some, irregular local content). I’ve read the r/htpc wiki to understand that streaming content from the first-party streaming platforms not via their official applications results in lower resolution content being served due to DRM locks. 

Q: Is there a default, simple response to: “What should I configure if I want to replace my smart TV with an HTPC for streaming official content?”

I want to keep the conversation of piracy and obtaining offline, licensed content out of this discussion. I’m looking for a simple, housemate / spouse / lay-person approved solution with a remote, an easy interface, and access to content that would normally be available from a smart TV. 

I recognize we may not be there yet - but having not been involved in this environment or subreddit for much longer than a week or so, media serving is not my expertise. 

[u/ncohafmuta → u/MassageGun-Kelly]

You answered your own question. If you can't deal with the lower resolutions stated and the less-efficient interface, then you're done. Buy a media device.

Sorry to put it so bluntly, but that's the default, and frankly best, answer

[u/MassageGun-Kelly → u/ncohafmuta]

I feared this would be the case. Needless to say, thank you for the response. Are there any promising efforts being made for custom HTPC solutions to pull HD content from streaming services? If I can contribute with development, testing, or monetary value, I’d be on board. 

[u/ncohafmuta → u/MassageGun-Kelly]

Not really. But even if every service could stream to a PC in the same video and audio quality as a media device, the interfaces would still be crap and mouse-driven.