Linux HTPC with Just a Mini PC

Tired of overpriced streaming services and mind-numbing cable TV cluttered with ads? It’s time to take control. A DIY HTPC (Home Theater PC) built with a sleek mini PC and the power of Linux gives you total freedom over what you watch, how you watch it, and when. No subscriptions. No restrictions. Just pure, customized entertainment. In this guide, we’ll walk you through building a compact, cost-effective Linux-powered HTPC that delivers a smooth, ad-free media experience—whether you’re binge-watching your favorite series, streaming music, or diving into retro gaming. Let’s turn that humble mini PC into a home theater powerhouse.

What Is an HTPC?

An HTPC (Home Theater PC) transforms your TV into a powerful media hub. Unlike regular PCs designed for work or gaming, an HTPC focuses entirely on entertainment. Here’s what it does and what you need:

What an HTPC Can Do for You:

• Connects directly to your living room TV for a true home theater experience.
• Plays your personal collection of movies, TV shows, and music without ads or restrictions.
• Streams content from services like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, and even live TV.
• Protects your privacy by replacing the need for a smart TV connected to the internet.
• Offers total control over what you watch and when—no more algorithm-driven chaos.

What You Need to Build Linux HTPC ?

1. A Mini PC – compact, quiet, and powerful enough to handle high-definition playback.

2. A Linux OS – lightweight, stable, and perfect for media-focused setups.

3. Ample Storage – internal or external drives to house your entire media library.

With just these essentials, you can build a sleek, ad-free entertainment system tailored exactly to your taste.

Hardware You Need to Build a Solid Linux HTPC

A well-equipped mini PC can power a flawless home theater experience. Here’s how to choose the right components and accessories for a smooth, high-quality setup:

1. Pick a Mini PC Built for Performance

• Choose a mini PC for its compact size, quiet operation, and low power consumption.
• Ensure it has at least 8GB of RAM and an Intel i5 or equivalent CPU for seamless 4K playback.
• Look for a model with an HDMI port to connect directly to your TV.
• Prioritize one with built-in Wi-Fi, multiple USB ports for peripherals, and Ethernet support if your home is wired.

2. Add a USB Blu-ray Drive (Optional but Powerful)

• If you plan to digitize your Blu-ray and DVD collection, grab a USB Blu-ray drive.
• Use it to rip your discs, then unplug and store it to keep your setup clean and clutter-free.

3. Choose a User-Friendly Remote or Controller

• Go for a mini wireless keyboard with a built-in touchpad for full control.
• Search for “mini wireless keyboard” online and choose one that fits your budget and comfort.
• Alternatively, use a Bluetooth game controller if you prefer a minimalist setup and don’t need typing functionality.

HTPC Software and Operating Systems

Once you’ve assembled your HTPC hardware, it’s time to choose the right software to drive your entertainment experience. Linux offers a flexible foundation, and you can either customize a general-purpose distro or go with one purpose-built for media.

1. Choose the Right Linux Distribution

• You can install standard distros like Ubuntu or Fedora and layer on your favorite media software.
• For a more streamlined setup, choose a pre-configured HTPC distro like:
• LibreELEC – lightweight, fast, and tailored for Kodi.
• OSMC – user-friendly and optimized for Raspberry Pi and Vero devices.

These distributions come with media-center interfaces ready out of the box, built for TV screens and remote navigation.

2. Make Sure the UI Works for the Living Room

• Pick software with a TV-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate from the couch.
• Ensure it supports remote controls and game controllers, so you don’t need a keyboard hogging space.

3. Decide Between Standalone or Networked Setup

Option A: Networked (Client/Server) Media Centers

• These setups separate the media server from the playback device (client).
• The server stores and streams media, while clients handle playback on different screens.
• Ideal for homes with multiple TV s, phones, or tablets connected to a single central media library.

Popular choices:

• Plex – sleek UI, powerful metadata management.
• Emby – flexible, customizable, semi-open source.
• Jellyfin – 100% open source and privacy-focused.

Option B: Standalone Media Centers

• Everything runs on a single device, with media stored locally or pulled from a network share.
• Easier to set up and maintain—perfect for single-TV households or minimalists.
• Kodi leads this category with its robust features and plugin support.

HTPC Storage: Should You Choose a NAS or an External USB Drive?

Storage is the final piece in your HTPC setup—and it’s just as important as your hardware and software. Whether you’re storing a massive movie library or just a few favorite shows, your storage solution affects speed, flexibility, and scalability.

1. Use a NAS for a Smarter, Scalable Setup

• If you already use a Network Attached Storage (NAS) or share media from your main PC, you’re good to go.
• A NAS gives you centralized access to your media across multiple devices.

It’s ideal for larger libraries, especially when you want to:

• Stream to multiple clients in different rooms.
• Host HTPC software like Jellyfin directly on the NAS.
• Run Docker containers to explore self-hosted apps beyond media.

A NAS is a future-proof investment if you’re aiming to build a smart, multi-purpose home server setup.

2. Go with an External USB Drive for Simplicity

• If you prefer a plug-and-play option, use an external USB hard drive.
• Just copy your media from your PC, plug the drive into your HTPC, and start watching.
• It’s a budget-friendly, hassle-free solution—especially if you’re running a standalone setup.
• While it lacks the flexibility of a NAS, a USB drive delivers reliable performance with zero configuration.

HTPC With What You’ve Got Lying Around

Got a free weekend and some spare parts? You can build a surprisingly powerful HTPC using a Raspberry Pi, a USB hard drive, and LibreELEC—a lightweight version of Kodi designed specifically for media playback. It’s quick, budget-friendly, and surprisingly fun.

What You’ll Need:

• Raspberry Pi 4 or 5 – the heart of your mini HTPC
• SD Card (32GB minimum) – for the OS and essential files
• USB External Hard Drive (1TB or more recommended) – to store all your media
• Wireless USB Keyboard/Trackpad Combo – make sure it uses a USB dongle (not Bluetooth)
• HDMI Cable – grab one from your tech drawer or buy a spare if needed.

How to Set It All Up:

1. Install LibreELEC on the Raspberry Pi

• Download and launch the Raspberry Pi Imager from the official Raspberry Pi website.
• Choose Media Player OS > LibreELEC as your operating system.
• Pick the correct LibreELEC version based on your Pi model.
• Carefully select your SD card as the install target—this process will erase it.

2. Boot Up Your Raspberry Pi

• Insert the SD card into your Pi and power it on.
• Follow the LibreELEC/Kodi setup wizard, which guides you through language, network, and UI preferences.
• Connect to Wi-Fi and continue with the on-screen instructions.
• You can skip enabling SSH and SAMBA for now—they’re optional and easy to enable later.

3. Prepare and Connect Your Media Drive

• Format your USB hard drive to exFAT to ensure compatibility.
• Copy your media files from your PC to the drive.
• Plug it into the Raspberry Pi and let LibreELEC recognize it automatically.

4. Access and Play Your Media in Kodi

• Use your wireless keyboard or arrow keys to navigate the Kodi interface.
• Browse to your USB drive and play media directly or add files to your library.
• Kodi supports nearly every media format, and its layout is optimized for TVs.
• As you get familiar, explore media library management, game emulators, and Kodi add-ons for a fully customized experience.

Move forward with HTPC

Your HTPC can do more than just stream movies—it can become a powerful part of your home network. Instead of letting it sit idle, you can unlock its full potential with a few smart upgrades.

1. Turn Your HTPC Into a Home Server with TrueNAS

• If you outgrow Kodi and have a compatible device, install TrueNAS to transform your HTPC into a full-fledged home server.
• Use it to stream media to any device with a web browser—perfect for households with multiple users and screens.
• TrueNAS also supports ZFS, file sharing, and virtualization, making your setup future-proof and multifunctional.

2. Supercharge Your Raspberry Pi With More Features

• If you’re using a Raspberry Pi, you can still expand its functionality far beyond media playback:

Stream Games from Your PC to TV

Install Sunshine on your gaming PC and use Moonlight on your Pi to stream games directly to your TV with low latency.

Set Up an AirPlay Server

Convert your Pi into a wireless speaker system using software like Shairport Sync, enabling you to stream music from your Apple devices.

Enable Remote Access With Tailscale

Use Tailscale to securely access your HTPC remotely from anywhere—ideal for managing files or media libraries on the go.

Linux HTPC with 99RDP

Building your own HTPC with Linux and a mini PC (or Raspberry Pi) isn’t just a weekend project—it’s a long-term investment in digital freedom. You choose the content, the interface, the storage, and the experience—without the noise of ads, rising subscription costs, or invasive tracking. Whether you’re streaming movies, playing games, or running a lightweight server, your HTPC can evolve with your needs.

But why stop at your living room?

At 99RDP, we help you take the same DIY spirit into the cloud. From powerful Linux VPS solutions to customizable remote desktops, our services are perfect for those who want full control over their infrastructure—just like you built with your HTPC. Whether you’re looking to run a remote Plex server, test Linux distros, host Docker containers, or stream content from anywhere in the world, 99RDP gives you the speed, storage, and reliability to do it all.

Ready to expand your home media setup into something even bigger?
Explore 99RDP and unlock the next level of your digital freedom.

EXPLORE MORE : Linux Evolution: 6 Distros That Will Define 2025. 

READ OUR BLOGS .