Moe Long
In the smart home space, devices connect using various protocols. Z-Wave is a radio frequency (RF) protocol which provides connectivity and interoperability between individual gadgets. It’s similar to Wi-Fi or Zigbee. Loads of devices utilize the Z-Wave protocol, from security cameras to door locks. Z-wave components are an essential part … read more
Despite a Kodi addon crackdown, Kodi remains one of the most popular home theatre PC (HTPC) open-source software options. The robust media center offers installations for a variety of platforms ranging from PCs to Raspberry Pi boards and even set-top boxes such as the Nvidia Shield TV. While Kodi plays … read more
One of the easiest upgrades for a smart home is a smart thermostat. Though Nest and Ecobee are among the most popular options available, Z-Wave is a solid contender. Nest is a “learning” thermostat that can automatically learn your habits and adjust the home conditions automatically. Ecobee, on the other … read more
In the smart home realm, there are loads of protocols and connectivity options. Among the most popular and prevalent, there’s Samsung SmartThings. A bevy of gadgets works with SmartThings offering smart home automation and control. But to integrate devices, it’s essential to find tech which functions with the proper protocol. … read more
Within the smart home space, there are several options for connecting devices. One of the simplest and most popular is Samsung SmartThings. All that’s required is a hub and compatible devices. For home theatre PC (HTPC) buffs there’s even a Samsung SmartThings USB hub for the Nvidia Shield TV streaming … read more
Here at htpcBeginner, we’re huge Plex fans. Ever since discovering Plex, my journey into cord cutting began. Though it’s best known as a do-it-yourself (DIY) Netflix or Spotify, Plex far surpasses mere media server software. Rather, it’s an entire home theatre PC (HTPC) experiance. Enhancements include DVR and live TV … read more
YouTube rapidly rose to prominence as a streaming service. Now, YouTube competes with the top cable replacement streaming services with its YouTube TV. Interested in using YouTube TV as a cable alternative? Learn more in this YouTube TV review! Cord cutting with YouTube TV Starting at $35, YouTube TV is … read more
Cutting the cord is a feasible venture. However, after shedding the shackles of traditional pay TV cable or satellite providers, content delivery comes via over-the-air (OTA) sources or streaming. While many streaming outlets including Netflix and Amazon Prime offer on-demand content, cable replacement services like Hulu TV yield live TV … read more
Despite the popularity of streaming, downloading remains an oft-used means of procuring content. Primarily, torrents offer the best means of downloading, but Usenet is a seasoned method as well. While torrenting is not inherently illicit, many of the top torrent sites don’t separate legal from illegal content. Searching for completely … read more