Hardware Analysis Community Forums http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/ 2009-01-08T00:14:16-05:00 http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/ http://media.hardwareanalysis.com/halogo.gif text/html 2005-01-11T23:51:24-05:00 Freak Head http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#226554 hey sounds like you have a hobby. nothing wrong with that.<br /> <br /> tivo is for people that don't want a hobby. <br /> <br /> text/html 2004-12-22T09:40:22-05:00 Sean B http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#217149 Freak, TiVo costs $12 a month, despite how often you use it.<br /> <br /> If you've ever used TiVo before, you'd understand what I mean when I say you'll appreciate everything it does, but you'll still feel the void that is left in the pit of your stomach before, during, and after using it.<br /> <br /> For me, it was the fact that it didn't offer enough, and a lot of what it did offer didn't interest me- such as the intuitive program recording.<br /> <br /> A PVR is called a personal video recorder for a reason. I don't want to be labeled as part of a demographic based on what I watch(and yes, read your TOS, they DO have power to survey what your program guide consists of), nor do I want to be taking up recording space on something I might not watch. Granted, this feature can be set by limitations or disabled entirely, but most users choose to keep it enabled. I, for one, know what I like to watch and have my own intuition as to what will be good to watch and what won't be.<br /> <br /> Media PCs aren't any harder to use than Windows- you don't need to be a professional video editor or have the software they're tied to, because content creation is only a few mouse clicks away. With XP Media Center, most of the functions are selectable in the same fashion as TiVO or a DVD menu. <br /> <br /> I personally hate that, so I use either a custom MythTV setup or just Windows XP Pro and only install the applications I need, such as WinDVD 6(which is the best DVD playback software available, by the way).<br /> <br /> <br /> HP, Sony, Dell, Compaq, Gateway, [the list goes on] are all marketing their latest and greatest systems with Media Center Edition 2005.<br /> <br /> Why? <br /> <br /> They're trying to target the same simple-minded, average joes that fork out for simplicities such as TiVO, electric can openers, and prebuilt computers.<br /> <br /> I prefer to open my cans manually, thank you.<br /> <br /> text/html 2004-12-22T06:58:55-05:00 Michael A. http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#217129 I don't understand your post, Sander. text/html 2004-12-22T06:41:04-05:00 Freak Head http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#217119 media pcs will never make it into the living room. they are too expensive and too hard (read time consuming) for the majority of the public. Tivo rules cause it's simple. unless you want a hobby then media pcs aren't the way to go. <br /> <br /> text/html 2004-12-21T09:50:19-05:00 Sean B http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#216735 Psh... I don't base my vocabulary from reviews. text/html 2004-12-20T20:13:17-05:00 Sander Sassen http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#216583 Sean?<br /> <br /> ...constricts the average enthusiast...unobtrusive...capitalization on innovation...wallet of the consumer...merited at the fact...is roomy...room for modding.<br /> <br /> You positively read too many project reviews I'm afraid.<br /> text/html 2004-12-20T17:52:03-05:00 Sean B http://www.hardwareanalysis.com/content/topic/36210/#0 The fact of the matter is... PVRs (personal video recorders) were made for the enthusiast.<br /> <br /> With an ounce of research, the common consumer could get a media PC not only set up and running how it is intended to, but running the way the consumer wants it to.<br /> <br /> However, not every consumer needs all of the features that come with the media capabilities that Media Center Edition tries to encapsulate. I certainly wouldn't use an MPC for anything other than watching and recording HDTV and DVDs, while occasionally pulling up the playlist for some tunes. <br /> <br /> In my opinion, Media Center Edition, with its PVR-like frontend, actually constricts the average enthusiast. I find that any operating system with an unobtrusive enviornment is just as easy to use as a PVR frontend is.<br /> <br /> TiVO is a capitalization on innovation that both takes advantage of technology and advantage of the wallet of the consumer. But, if you're an &quot;average joe&quot; you shouldn't mind paying the $12.99 a month for something a media PC not only does for free, but does more efficiently.<br /> <br /> <br /> For a decent media system case, the AHANIX D6, priced at $200, is the best case you can possibly find.<br /> The steep price is merited at the fact that it includes a built in VFD(vaccum florescent display), making it look like a standard reciever.<br /> <br /> The case is roomy, at about the same size as a surround sound amplifier and accomodates two 60mm exhaust fans and 4 PCI slots. It also opens up a lot of room for modding.<br />