Windows Xp Media Centre

[Admin]

Has anyone tried Windows Xp Media Centre yet?

Is it any good?

 

[bb99]

Yes, been using MCE 2005 for about a year. It's superb

There's basically two choices if you want TV on your PC and decent PVR functionality - you can either use MCE or use a TV card with Windows XP and the manufacturer's software.

The problem with MCE is that it's not really geared up to the UK market - it doesn't support digital radio for example.

The best non-MCE hardware/software is the Nebula Electronics DigiTV range, which you can get the cheapest in the UK here (that's my business).

If you go for MCE then I recommend one of the new dual tuner PCI express cards, none of which are out yet. But they will be very soon (before Christmas hopefully). Also remember to factor in the cost of the Microsoft remote control.

 

[aquanuke]

For my xmas present this year I was thinking of getting 3 or 4 of those 50" plasma tellys dotted around the house. Currently Ive got Telewest cable TV and I dont fancy having to have a number of their cable boxes.

Im not familiar with this Windows media centre, but would I be right in thinking I could ditch the Telewest boxes and save money by buying plasma screens rather then plasma tellys?

Is the media centre as user friendly as say normal cable tv, other members of my household arnt so computer techie.

 

[bb99]

MCE is extremely user friendly... so no problems with non-techie people (well, almost).

As for using "screens" instead of televisions, that's the next step. You can get Media Center Extenders but they're USA only. And you can use your Xbox but there's limited functionality (I think).

I think this will be the case in a couple of years though - you have one box with several tuners in it and you share the TV, video, music and other media around the house to screens plugged into extender boxes.

 

[accelerator]

Aquanuke

Just as a hunch, I think the non-techies in your family would find it more difficult if you set up a home TV network with MCE. If you're dealing with non-techies they tend to want a dedicated remote for a particular product. If it was all controlled through a master MCE box I just get the feeling they will be left scratching their heads. I don't have anything to base this on, it's just a gut feeling.

Anyway, Microsoft will certainly be making increasing efforts with MCE in the TV arena, coupling it with wireless networks and X-Box:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/extender/overview.mspx

A wireless LCD TV product also caught my eye recently:

http://flatscreenforum.blogspot.com/2005/08/coming-soon-wireless-lcd-tv.html

which is further evidence of the way things will be going.

I've never had cable and don't know much about it, but wouldn't the main problem be that if you only have one cable box connected in to MCE, you'll be limited to each screen in your house showing the same channel?

Finally, you might find the following page useful:

http://www.navito.co.uk/plasma-tvs.aspx

If you're thinking of big plasmas, how about digital projectors as well? Probably a better picture size to cost ratio!

Rgds

accelerator

 

[aquanuke]

Cheers for all the info.

I dont actually watch much if any TV myself. I do watch alot of dvd and divx. But the rest of my family are the opposite they watch tons of cable TV and no films.

They always have tried to make me get Sky but I always said no cos' the Telewest broadband is perfect for me (and thats the important bit ) so I get the whole broadband, telephone and TV package from Telewest.

I was looking over at Richersounds site and they have alot of good deals on plasma screens.

The number one thing is it does have to be tidy, the wife is not gonna be happy if I end up with multiple cable boxes, dvd boxes , TV tunners, or speakers. So it would mean everything would have to be ultra discreet cables buried in the walls, screens as close to wall as possible, speakers in the screens and all the boxes in one place like a cupboard somewhere.

I dont really want to get additional cable boxes as I doubt atleast two would get used.. but I still have to have them.

Anyone recommend any good home TV network forums

 

[aquanuke]

Another thought just occured to me to make it even more complicated I have my home surveillance system running from a dedicated PC but I would also need that to be conected to my TV network..

So either way I will end up having to connect my PC network to the TV network.

 

[Admin]

Thanks for all the replies.

I am looking at this now:

http://www.evesham.com/mce2005/systems.asp?v=2&p=27513&r=173

I like the fact that it does look like a PC Tower (aesthetics are important) and comes with wireless card, wireless kb and mouse and a remote.

Do you think is worth buying now or will be cheaper after xmas?

 

[housemusicdj]

Ive always quite liked the look of http://www.hushtechnologies.net/ systems, they are supposedly silent

 

[aquanuke]

The wall was cut out with an angle grinder so the cables could be hidden

Damn Im a muppet. The other week I chipped out a wall to fit a thermostat for a heated floor in my kitchen with a hammer and bolster...

Ive got an angle grinder sitting in the garage, never even crossed my mind


Cheers for all the info invincible.

 

[accelerator]

Admin

Do you think is worth buying now or will be cheaper after xmas?

Before you buy any computer it's worth noting user feedback at:

http://www.romulus2.com/feedback/

(undergoing maintenance at the moment, but it's a very good place to get feedback on computers).

As a general rule the margins on computers are already pretty thin, so I doubt they will be as great a bargain in the January Sales as other products.

I like these guys (and so does the above feedback forum):

http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/lifestyle.html

Rgds

accelerator