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Home Theater
PC (HTPC) or Media
Center applicance is a
convergence device that combines some
or all the capabilities of a personal
computer with a software application that
supports video, photo, and music playback,
and sometimes digital video recorder functionality.
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 computer.
An HTPC and other convergence
devices integrate many or all components
of a home theater into a single 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 either be purchased pre-configured
with the required hardware and software
needed to add television programming to
the PC, or can be cobbled together out
of discrete components as is commonly
done with software based HTPC setups.
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