Home theater PC

Home Theater PC (HTPC) atau Media Center appliance adalah sebuah peralatan yang merupakan konvergensi dari komputer dengan aplikasi untuk video, foto, musik, dan kadang-kadang mempunyai kemampuan merekam video. Meskipun komputer dengan kemampuan ini sudah tersedia di akhir tahun 1980-an, istilah "Home Theater PC" keluar pertama kali di media sekitar tahun 1996.

term first appeared in mainstream press in 1996. In recent years, other types of consumer electronics, including gaming systems and dedicated media devices have crossed over to manage video and music content. The term "media center" also refers to specialized application software designed to run on standard personal computers.

An HTPC and other convergence devices integrate components of a home theater into a unit co-located with a home entertainment system. An HTPC system typically has a remote control and the software interface normally has a 10-foot user interface design so that it can be comfortably viewed at typical television viewing distances. An HTPC can be purchased pre-configured with the required hardware and software needed to add video programming or music to the PC. Enthusiasts can also piece together a system out of discrete components as part of a software-based HTPC.

Since 2007 digital media receiver software has been incorporated into consumer electronics through software or hardware changes including gaming systems, blu-ray players, televisions, and set top boxes. The increased availability of specialized devices, coupled with paid and free digital content, now offer alternatives to multipurpose (and more costly) personal computers.