[H]ard|OCP takes a long hard look at the troubled life of HTPCs.  While a computer junkie will have no trouble assembling their own HTPC, either Linux or Windows based, they are not a mainstream product.  With PVRs and STBs making an appearance on store shelves, HTPCs already have competition.  Add to that DRM and HDCP, which make HTPCs not manufactured by a content provider difficult to work with.  Plus, you also need to make it HD compatible, and with enormous amounts of storage to be able to keep your HD shows long enough to watch them.
“Two new classes of devices threaten to make the Home Theater PC obsolete. Has the HTPC party ended before it even began, or will competing devices be crippled over fears of copyright infringement?”

Here are some more Systems articles from around the web:

Click Here to go to Systems   HTPC