HTPC wasn’t a Windows thing though Microsoft did have Windows Media Center, which was a pretty slick interface for HTPCs
I used to use XBMC, which is now Kodi, for an interface. Before that I just used a PC running Mandrake Linux with a wireless mouse and keyboard. Haha.
Had a TV tuner, acted as a DVR, and also could play my library of SNES and NES games through it.
Crazy thing is… I’d pay for a service like the one mentioned in the post. As long as it was still a net savings of course. Even if I broke even it would still be taking the mental load of doing that off my wife and I.