Home audio & video: Is Media Center Ready for Prime Time?

by g-mat - 6/18/07 1:35 PM

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Is Media Center Ready for Prime Time?

by g-mat - 6/18/07 1:35 PM

Is Microsoft Media Center truly able to handle the load as an HD-TV tuner/DVR/DVD player/Music repository and slide show player? Or are there any limitations? Even with hardware holding it back? Here is why I ask:

I currently use a D-Link media lounge to play music through my receiver and pictures/video on my television. The problem is, with a wireless connection the system constantly gets disconnected and the video plays very choppy - when it plays. I want to upgrade to a more permanent solution and I figure as long as I am doing it, why not re-think the whole entertainment center? If I can replace my cable box/DVR, and have a MCE system local to the receiver and television (meaning no choppy playback) then I would be a very happy camper.

If there are other alternatives worth considering, please let me know!

Thanks,
Geoff

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Post 2 of 6

Windows XP MCE 2005, is still very flakey!!!!!

by jcrobso - 6/19/07 10:58 AM In reply to: Is Media Center Ready for Prime Time? by g-mat

In reality a Mini Mac is a far better HTPC, now add Mac iTV box. You can get USB HDTV tuner for it also.

If you want a Windows Based unit then get Windows XP Pro(while you still can) this will work very well.
Wireless is OK for surfing the internet, but for high quality video use a cat5 cable. John

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Post 3 of 6

HTPC?

by g-mat - 6/19/07 11:10 AM In reply to: Windows XP MCE 2005, is still very flakey!!!!! by jcrobso

Sorry - I thought I had all the acronyms down - what's an HTPC?

I honestly don't have any issues with Macs, per se, but will it still play my WMA and DRM songs?

Also - what's the price range we're talking for the setup you outlined?

Thanks a lot for your response!

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Post 4 of 6

Home Theater Personal Computer

by jcrobso - 6/19/07 11:20 AM In reply to: HTPC? by g-mat

With Mac you get iTunes, you can download the codec for wma for Micro $oft.
For the Mac prices go to apple.com.
A good HTPC would cost about the same as a Mac Mini.
Around $600~700.John

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Post 5 of 6

TV Tuner

by g-mat - 6/19/07 12:20 PM In reply to: Home Theater Personal Computer by jcrobso

So I just checked out the mini and it is great except that the one feature I want to include is DVR/TV Tuner functionality. I didn't see any options for that. Do you know how/if that could be accomodated on this system (accessory or other)?

Also - are these devices (PC or MAC) really ready to handle HDTV and DVR functionality or is it still very early adoption type stuff?

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