10 Steps to a cord free lifestyle!

In an earlier writing I shared my family’s experience with cutting the cord.   Overall, things are still going smoothly for us.  I have been asked several times how we did it, so I thought I would provide more details on our transition.

I realize that cutting the cord for an HTPC may not be for everyone. There are many different solutions for consuming content (both online and locally based PC content). While some have very attractive price points, they also include challenges that potentially limit the experience.  Limited storage capabilities, limited selection/availability of online content sources and lack of DVD/Optical drive, combined with the additional complexity of another box under the TV, made me realize that these scenarios just did not work for my home.  Here are the steps I took to create a cordless HTPC set up.

1 ) Selecting the right platform
Whether you buy or build, at the heart of any cord free experience is the hardware. Choosing hardware is not always about the most powerful or most expensive solution, it is about the most elegant solution. It needs to meet your expectations and those of the family (assuming there are multiple family members/users of the box). It should to deliver the full entertainment experience, yet be quiet enough for the living room.  It’s critical to evaluate your needs and what you want your box to do. 

I selected the MSI Media Live Diva board that offers great video and audio — an integrated solution that combines the functionality of several components into a single box under the TV.  This scenario provides the simplicity I want for my home. 

For my CPU choice, I went with a low power (65W) AMD Phenom^TM X4 quad-core processor.  Some may say this is overkill for a stand alone device; however I plan on expanding my media entertainment access by adding media extenders in the near future. The quad -core processing will allow me to stream content to other rooms while servicing the main HTPC needs and is still a low power processor.   

2 ) Selecting the right chassis
Previously, I provided several examples of chassis for the HTPC market space and discussed how vendors are developing technology and chassis to meet the market needs. Care should be taken to understand the requirements of the chassis while considering the look and feel that best suits your decor and budget.  Given the subjective nature of beauty, only you can determine which chassis is the right one for you.

3 ) Selecting the right software
Much like the hardware selection, choosing the software interface can make or break the cord free lifestyle. Microsoft® Windows® Media Center is one option, while alternatives include Sage TV, XBMC, Boxee and others. Each offers its own unique approach to delivering that 10-foot experience.  Currently, I am using Windows 7 Media Center (the public beta version), but the other options are certainly viable.

Another important step is loading the up-to-date drivers.  Having the right drivers installed will help ensure that all the devices are functioning normally while providing the performance needed for smooth audio and video playback.

An optional step is installing the desired plug-ins to get the most out of your HTPC.  A list of potential plug-ins was offered in an earlier blog.  

Lastly, I would suggest that once you have the box working as intended, don’t mess with it.  I have seen too many systems fail because the builder did not leave well enough alone. As the saying goes: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”

4 ) Increase your bandwidth speed
One of the first things I decided upon was to increase my broadband speed.  Whether it’s DSL, cable, FIOS or some other broadband connection, consuming video can require a fast connection for stutter free playback of video content.  I chose to spend a little more per month on the faster service knowing that it can help me not only offset, but actually save money each month by not having a paid TV service bill (see “Install a TV Tuner” below). I am using a cable modem with a 7Mbps download / 512Kbps upload plan.

5 ) Choosing a remote or wireless keyboard
There are many options to control your box.  Most controls are wireless and operate the box from a distance.  Some use infrared (IR), while others use radio frequency (RF) and still some are starting to use Bluetooth (BT) to operate the HTPC. Generally, they all perform the necessary functions. 

Choosing the right solution depends on the operating environment and how you will be using the HTPC.  A fully functional keyboard and mouse allows the HTPC to be both an entertainment device and a fully functional PC (email, web surfing, etc.).  A remote control with no keyboard/mouse can also be useful.  I am using the Gyration Media Center Remote in our home. I plan to write a blog post about the various options and the features they offer — so stay tuned.   

6 ) Online content
Online content is a big part of cutting the cord. Finding and saving those online content-rich sites is an important step.  Previously, I offered websites/sources of where you can find online TV and movie content.  I recommend that folks bookmark their favorite sites and perhaps set up folders in their browser links bar.  I set up folders according to content type (Network TV, Kid’s Programming, Specialty Channels, News Channels, etc.) and then bookmark the sites in each folder.  This makes it easy to find the site and content that our family likes to watch. 

Note: Some online content providers require the installation of proprietary players. Be sure to have the right playback software installed so you can enjoy the online content of your choice.  

7 ) Install a TV Tuner
To me, the TV tuner is an integral part of the HTPC experience and another one of the strengths of the HTPC.  By combining the online content with the Over the Air (OTA) broadcasts, I really do get the best of both worlds.  Now, not all areas of served with many local broadcast stations, but if you do happen to have a robust OTA market, a TV tuner can really expand your access to content.  Alternatively, some TV tuners can tune in clear QAM channels (unencrypted digital cable content) broadcast by your cable provider. Contact your local cable operator to find out just how many clear QAM channels they provide. In my case, I went with our ATI TV Wonder^TM 650 PCIe® combo card. Paired with a home made antenna, I get great local digital TV reception and no monthly fee.

8 ) Install DVD or Blu-ray drive
Adding a Blu-ray drive into the HTPC integrates one more device and one less box/remote under the TV.  With an integrated drive, when used with a software playback application like Arcsoft’s Total Media Theater or Cyberlink’s Power DVD, you can enjoy DVD and Blu-ray movies without the need for a stand-alone player (don’t forget that an HD monitor is required). It really simplifies the overall usage model and removes the added cost and complexity of a separate player.

9 ) Setting up a network
Given that you are trying to cut the cord, online content is likely to play a major role in your viewing habits.  Unfortunately, the broadband pipe coming into the home may not be in your living room, so you may need to set up a home network to access the content from your HTPC. Now, don’t panic as this is really not as hard as it sounds. 

In my home, I don’t have an Ethernet (wired LAN) port in my living room, so I set up a wireless network to connect to the internet and download/stream content from the web to the HTPC. A wireless 802.11g  (a.k.a. wireless G) network may or may not work well for you depending on how much traffic is routinely on your network.

To ensure I had enough network bandwidth to service all the PCs in my home along with the HTPC, I opted for a D-Link® 655 802.11n router (a.k.a. wireless N). Now, we have plenty of network bandwidth available for the HTPC to stream content from the web without dropping frames.  My new router also supports QoS (Quality of Service) which allows me to set priorities for different types network traffic or give priority to certain devices on the network (like the HTPC). Don’t forget to secure your wireless network during set up.

10 ) Break out the snacks
Once your HTPC is set up correctly, break out the popcorn or your favorite snack, sit back and enjoy all the content from the comfort of your couch.

So there you have it – how I eliminated my paid TV services and moved to an OTA and Online TV model.  While we may not get all the exact same content we had before, we now have access to a wide variety of new content.  And I think it shouldn’t take long for my monthly savings to cover the costs of what I spent to switch to this new entertainment model – although, as they say, your mileage may vary.

If you have an experience to share, please add your own personal story in the box below.
 

Till next time, Happy Trails!

Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.