Has Anyone Bought a Media Center PC with PVR?

[Guest MadManOnTheWater]

Is it worth it? Should I just buy a cheaper computer and upgrade by hand (I'm not going to build from scratch, but I can upgrade)? Any recommended brands/models?

[CanadianChris 0]

I was going to, until I read all the reviews saying the OS wasn't worth shit. I decided I didn't really want my entertainment centre to be at the mercy of any version of Windows.

[admin 0]

DON'T BUY ONE!!!! Seriously, get a normal PC or build it your self, and use the MediaPortal Software found @ http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/

Any PC which has a video out can be used as one of these and it’s FREE! The only thing an average PC lacks is a TV Tuner Card.

[Guest MadManOnTheWater]

DON'T BUY ONE!!!! Seriously, get a normal PC or build it your self, and use the MediaPortal Software found @ http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/

Any PC which has a video out can be used as one of these and it’s FREE! The only thing an average PC lacks is a TV Tuner Card.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Can you maybe recommend something whose most recent release has a version number higher than 0.1.3? I have had some not so happy experiences with open source software, including a tendency for software to sometimes be abandoned.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

Version numbers are set by the devleoper, there's no standard for what they mean. I could make the most stable software in the world and name it version 0.0.0.0.0.1 and it doesn't mean shit.

 

Lastly, because of how it works, if an open source project is abandoned by it's developer, someone may download the code, create their own custom version of the program, and continue on the legacy. Commercial programs are kind of dead once the company that makes it goes out of business, or if it gets sold it takes on some kind of mutant zombie "not quite dead" life (see also: WordPerfect.)

[Guest MadManOnTheWater]

Version numbers are set by the devleoper, there's no standard for what they mean. I could make the most stable software in the world and name it version 0.0.0.0.0.1 and it doesn't mean shit.

 

Lastly, because of how it works, if an open source project is abandoned by it's developer, someone may download the code, create their own custom version of the program, and continue on the legacy. Commercial programs are kind of dead once the company that makes it goes out of business, or if it gets sold it takes on some kind of mutant zombie "not quite dead" life (see also: WordPerfect.)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

I am quite familiar with how open source works, using several open source programs myself (I recommend FeedReader for RSS news feeds, for example.) On the other hand, the program I use for ripping MP3s, CDEx appears to have been abandoned for almost two years.

 

P.S. I still use WordPerfect.

[admin 0]

Just to let you know, this software is pretty dang stable, and if you compare it feature wise with Windows Media Center is has more features and possibilities.

From my expertise, which I know many of you don't even know what I do for a living, I would recommend this for at least a try. Very easy to install and uninstall, as well as setup. I have been using this throughout my house through a video distribution system for almost a year now, with little trouble. I bought the remote (ATI Remote Wonder I) for approximately $20 off eBay (NEW) and it works anywhere in my 2 story house.(from the PC in my computer networking closet upstairs. I did attach a FM antenna to it since they use similar frequencies and that helped it a lot.

 

Anyways. That’s my 2 cents.