For years I have had a computer sitting behind the TV stand in my living room. Many people these days do, too. As computers continue to become more and more integrated into our every day lives, it just makes sense that your living room TV can, and should, be connected to a computer. Most TV’s at your local electronics store have internet access now, granting access to services such as Netflix and Hulu, but for those of us without an internet-ready TV, a media PC is a must. Plus, all those songs and movies you download are a waste if you can’t watch them on the living room TV, right?
The setup I have used for years now is very simple. An old computer I wasn’t using anymore and an upgraded video card for High Definition video output. This, connected directly to my TV and configured properly to allow sharing, lets me access music, pictures, video, and documents from any computer in the house. With a large hard drive, it can also double as a place to backup important files. The goal of this entire setup is to make life less complicated. Want to look something up on the internet? No problem. You don’t even have to get off the couch.
But now, the game has changed. With the release of the iPad 2 on March 11, my media PC has gone the way of the VCR. The iPad is a revolutionary device that changed the way people think about accessing media, and with the iPad 2’s ability to output full 1080p high definition video, streaming media to your TV has never been easier. Plug it in, hit one button on your remote, and off you go. The iPad detects your TV’s resolution automatically and adjusts itself as necessary.
It is the ultimate media PC, and here’s why:
1. Convenience – No more bulky computer behind the TV. No additional hardware in your media center. You never have to boot it up, and it never goes to sleep. It’s ready when you are, and it can stream media from anywhere in the house directly to your TV. It can even control the mouse on your computer upstairs. And when you’re done, unplug it and take it with you where ever you go.
2. Video Quality – The iPad 2 can stream full 1080p high definition video and audio to any device with a HDMI port. Although movies and slideshows only play at 720p, the difference is hardly noticeable, and the video quality is shockingly good.
3. Less Noise – One setback to a media PC is the noise it produces. Normal computers have fans, and fans make noise. Unless you have a fanless computer, you’re going to have to get used to it. The iPad 2 has no fans, and makes no noise.
4. Control – Say good bye to that wireless keyboard/mouse combo you keep under the coffee table. With the proper length HDMI cable you can hold the iPad 2 in your hands as you recline your favorite lazy boy.
5. A good excuse to buy an iPad 2 – You may laugh, but when you have to explain large purchases to a significant other, this reason might actually fly. If you have ever been told that you don’t need another toy, she might actually appreciate the elimination of that ugly, noisy computer behind the TV, or the ability to stream her favorite shows from the net to her TV.
If you are considering buying or building a media PC, you should really consider the iPad 2. With a ticket price of $500, it really is a value for those who know how to use it to its fullest. Streaming media to your TV is just one of hundreds of applications for this awesome tablet computer. If you already own an iPad 2, check out my post on How to Setup your iPad 2 as a Media Center PC.
