Common electrical devices such as DVD players, gaming consoles and audio systems are really just basic computers designed for a single application. Considering todays computers can easily carry out these basic functions, it is no surprise to find them taking over the entire home entertainment department. Over the past year a new bread of computers known as a HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computer) has begun to take over the home entertainment roll. These HTPC systems are highly versatile computers that can potentially carry out all the normal tasks of a desktop computer.

While a HTPC can be used for general computing purposes such as surfing the net, word processing and e-mail, its abilities go way beyond these basic functions. The HTPC is effectively a VCR/DVD, TV Tuner replacement. When including a basic DVD player into a HTPC, it allows the user to watch movies with full Digital Dolby 5.1 surround sound. However, such a system can also record audio and video from the TV using a capture card. When coupled with the right hardware, a HTPC can easily out gun any of the latest gaming consoles. This means a HTPC will offer a far better gaming experience when compared to an Xbox or PS2.

Although the HTPC cannot replace a HiFi audio system as powerful speakers are not something these systems can replace, they can enhance the functionality of a HiFi system. The HTPC effectively replaces the CD/Tape deck section of the HiFi system using its vast storage capacity and optical drives. They are much like a Jukebox, with the potential to store literally thousands of songs. Other functions of a HTPC system include digital video editing from a camcorder and it can also act as a HDTV decoder.

So as you can see, the skys the limit when it comes to building your own HTPC. The more powerful the hardware you use in a HTPC, the greater its functionality will be. While these systems can comprise of typical desktop computer hardware, there is one special ingredient required and that is an appropriate case. A conventional desktop computer case is certainly not ideal as a building block for a Home Theater PC. Obviously such a system would look clumsy and out of place in most entertainment rooms.

Therefore, case manufacturers such as Thermaltake, have taken it upon themselves to address this growing market. It would seem that HTPC systems have transformed what were once bland computer cases into stylish entertainment systems. If you can remember back to the early days most computers lay flat on the desk, these were known as desktop cases. They were soon phased out by the trendier tower type cases. Todays sleek and stylish cases have now reverted back to the desktop flat-bed design.

Last month (11th March 2005) Thermaltake announced their first flat-bed case which goes by the name Tenor and is of course designed as a HTPC case. This case is of course very stylish and will allow for a great degree of flexibility when selecting the appropriate hardware. The Tenor is built to the standard ATX specifications, meaning it will support any and all ATX motherboards. The case also offers three external 5.25 drive bays, two 3.5 bays and another three internal 3.5 bays. This allows the Tenor to house a number of hard drives and optical devices, suggesting it is designed for powerful HTPC systems.