Best Media centre?
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I've just bought an AzBox HD Premium. It has an HD digital satellite tunner, HD digital terrestrial tunner, with an internal slot for 3.5' Hard disk, HDMI output, WIFI, youtube, web browser, media player... It has linux embedded and a really nice GUI (you can even install plugins for it, for example a torrent client that downloads TV shows directly to its hard drive. It's hooked to my motorized satellite antenna.
-- Miguel A. Vilariño Software Developer
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I used to have a pretty sweet video card (nVidia GeForce FX5700?) that allowed me to watch and record TV on my computer. I don't have a TV, so I've never tried the reverse. I've always wondered how that works though. For example, can you stream anything to the TV, such as a protected iTunes video, a WMV, or just a Windows desktop? Just something to think about to make sure you don't get locked into a specific media format (MOV, WMV, etc.).
Chris Maunder wrote:
I need a distraction
Write a few more articles?
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
One of the new ATI graphics cards will give you the ability for full HD sound from any BluRays, and also provide decent DVD upscaling too. Media Centre is probly the easiest (as long as your happy to follow Microsofts quirks), esp for recording tv (mate has 3 digital tv tuners and one sat tuner working well). However media centre won't play everything, thinking of the HD .mkv TV episodes etc.
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I used to have a pretty sweet video card (nVidia GeForce FX5700?) that allowed me to watch and record TV on my computer. I don't have a TV, so I've never tried the reverse. I've always wondered how that works though. For example, can you stream anything to the TV, such as a protected iTunes video, a WMV, or just a Windows desktop? Just something to think about to make sure you don't get locked into a specific media format (MOV, WMV, etc.).
Chris Maunder wrote:
I need a distraction
Write a few more articles?
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
Not sure if it’s the best but I have the following: Vista home premium Dell 531 bought from their scratch and dent eBay site (hidden in a cupboard) Connected to a Sony bravia 32" via hdmi from the computers DVI Modem router sits on top of pc Haupage freeview TV card Sound into TV but will get an amp and speakers sometime Connect to other pcs via wireless and Ethernet cable ms remote It generally works fine, mostly just use media centre part of vista. The advantage of a PC is that its going to be easier and cheaper to add Hdd to. The fact is you are going to record a lot of TV and films that you will never watch and won't want to delete. Now have all pics, music, TV, kids DVDs (ripped onto the PC - otherwise will get scratched) in one place. Thus can get rid of a lot of other tech paraphernalia e.g. DVD player, music centre, cds, DVDs Disadvantage is that I have to do a 2 min computer course every time we get a new babysitter! Will be upgrading to windows 7 and adding another 1.5 TB of space. Its just easier and more cost effective to go down the PC route. Will
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I'm using MediaPortal at the moment. It has some quirks, but is nowhere near as buggy as Windows Media Center (I'm basing this on MCE 2005). Both programs seem to have a problem with gobbling up more and more RAM unless you restart them every week or so though (the media center applications, not the entire system).
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Chris Maunder wrote:
Has anyone had any experience in doing this?
I tried and failed with this a few times, a few years back. Biggest problems was low quality source, cant switch channels due to satellite receiver, pain in the b*tt to use, terribly over Wifi, etc.
xacc.ide
IronScheme - 1.0 RC 1 - out now!
((λ (x) `(,x ',x)) '(λ (x) `(,x ',x))) The Scheme Programming Language – Fourth EditionQuality should be fine if using a digital tuner such as a DVB-T card. The output of satellite receivers / cable boxes is generally analog though unfortunately so you'll get low quality because of all the analog-digital-analog-digital-analog conversion going on. I'd imagine it to be fine if using a DVB-S card (for satellite) or DVB-C card (for cable). Trouble is I think it's illegal to do that in the UK for cable and it's a gray area for satellite. Channel switching of an external box such as a satellite or cable box is possible with some apps, but generally means having an IR transmitter in front of your box that the computer controls so is messy and can be a pain to get working properly. When using an external box though the quality ends up being so low i'm not sure there's any point. Haven't tried over wi-fi, but mediaportal works well over my powerline networking.
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Lenovo IdeaCentre Q Series look promising. [^](http://shop.lenovo.com/SEUILibrary/controller/e/web/LenovoPortal/en_US/catalog.workflow:category.details?current-catalog-id=12F0696583E04D86B9B79B0FEC01C087¤t-category-id=8CA7835A58394EDDAB271C9F01CD5103”>Clickety</a>[<a href= "New Window")]
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Chris Maunder wrote:
The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
Build a dedicated HTPC. That's the best way. If you want a distraction, convince two beautiful women to live with you during the winter months.
.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001 -
Chris Maunder wrote:
The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
Build a dedicated HTPC. That's the best way. If you want a distraction, convince two beautiful women to live with you during the winter months.
.45 ACP - because shooting twice is just silly
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"Why don't you tie a kerosene-soaked rag around your ankles so the ants won't climb up and eat your candy ass..." - Dale Earnhardt, 1997
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"The staggering layers of obscenity in your statement make it a work of art on so many levels." - J. Jystad, 2001John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
convince two beautiful women to live with you
Then, not only does he have to find something for himself to do, he has to entertain two additional people who are probably very high maintenance. :doh:
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
What happened to the spiked tires (or tyres) for the bike and riding during the Canadian winter? Don't tell us you've been sucked into the mind-numbing void of {shudder} television!
Software Zen:
delete this; -
John Simmons / outlaw programmer wrote:
convince two beautiful women to live with you
Then, not only does he have to find something for himself to do, he has to entertain two additional people who are probably very high maintenance. :doh:
Visual Studio is an excellent GUIIDE.
That all depends on how he pleases them. If he plays it right, they can do maintenance e.g. dishes, laundry, ironing, etc. W.I.F.E. duties.
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Quality should be fine if using a digital tuner such as a DVB-T card. The output of satellite receivers / cable boxes is generally analog though unfortunately so you'll get low quality because of all the analog-digital-analog-digital-analog conversion going on. I'd imagine it to be fine if using a DVB-S card (for satellite) or DVB-C card (for cable). Trouble is I think it's illegal to do that in the UK for cable and it's a gray area for satellite. Channel switching of an external box such as a satellite or cable box is possible with some apps, but generally means having an IR transmitter in front of your box that the computer controls so is messy and can be a pain to get working properly. When using an external box though the quality ends up being so low i'm not sure there's any point. Haven't tried over wi-fi, but mediaportal works well over my powerline networking.
Dave Parker wrote:
... a lot of fine points ...
But that adds up to the cost again. Also in SA, we cant use DVB cards for television :( (I know they are used for other multicast broadcast applications)
xacc.ide
IronScheme - 1.0 RC 1 - out now!
((λ (x) `(,x ',x)) '(λ (x) `(,x ',x))) The Scheme Programming Language – Fourth Edition -
I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I'll vote for using a Mac Mini. They have enough processor to decode HD video. Elgato's EyeTV tuner and software works really well. The Mini can be connected to your television through VGA or DVI, and the audio output is optical. You just need the right cable -- 1/8" optical to SPDIF. An external hard drive (or Drobo) gives you all the storage that you might need. Apple's FrontRow interface is decent, but a lot of people like Plex better.
Paul A .NET developer who now drinks the Ruby and Cocoa Koolaid.
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
Depending on power and OS of the laptop another option for some of this is an X-Box 360. Currently we have Netflix (may not be available for you) streaming shows, movies, and other such things to our X-box. System works well as I can push any music/movies/pictures via media center to the X-box. The plus side is you can also buy some games. The X-box 360 and Window Media Center work about as easily together as the Apple solution. From what I saw Windows 7 Media Center and the 360 work very well together now. Using some nice software out there for DVR ability combined with what may not be all that much in hardware to make it work the set up for PC might not be that bad. When we were looking to do this some years ago this route was expensive and looked to be a total PITA. The only downside to the Apple TV route is that it is not going to work well with the PC stuff you have and it is a sole function box. Personally the wife and I have a Tivo for DVR functions (we like the service it provides and set up was a breeze) and a 360 for streaming from our boxes on Media Center. Like Apple TV, the Tivo does just one thing, but does it well.
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
www.digitalhome.ca[^] is the best place for this kind of information for Canadian TV, in particular the forums. I rip my CD/DVD/BD/HD to my main computer and stream to my PS3 - works well. This is actually the main reason i plan on getting Win7 - the DLNA server also does transcoding on the fly. I don't record TV shows as there isn't a solution for HD content that i'm happy with yet. If i really wanted a show i'd probably use something like Hulu. However, downloading media via internet counts against your monthly allowance[^]. Some have tried getting the firewire port on the Rogers box activated, or using the component cables, to stream decrypted data to the PC for recording with limited success. Unfortunately, unlike the US, we don't have the option of setting up a Cable Card equipped PC. I've used Media Center, it's fine. Installing a TV tuner (card/usb stick) in your PC will allow you to record most SD but only a few HD channels. You can get more HD over the air[^], and Toronto receives an ok selection of channels[^]. I'd be interested to hear what you decide on for recording TV.
...cmk The idea that I can be presented with a problem, set out to logically solve it with the tools at hand, and wind up with a program that could not be legally used because someone else followed the same logical steps some years ago and filed for a patent on it is horrifying. - John Carmack
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I have a Windows Media Center setup in the house. With a media center extender I can use and view content on the XBox, laptops and the HP Media TV in the bedroom. The only drawback is the lack of components for watching HD TV via the Media Center. You can start watching the footbal game 30 minutes late and skip past the commercials, timeouts and inane prattle of the commentators.
I know the language. I've read a book. - _Madmatt
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I built an HTPC for this specific purpose. I'm writing this on that computer right now. Sure, it costs more than a TV-card, but it sure beats hooking the laptop in and out of the TV/sound system all the time. You could build a fully capable HTPC for as little as 1000 USD, and have it sit right next to your AV-receiver, and always hooked up. Give in to the dark side... ;)
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
I have also built a custom media center and have been using Beyond TV for almost 2 years now. (Works well on both XP and Win7 pro) It is unfortunately a windows program, however it is compatible with a number of video formats. By boss has also used this from a laptop with a USB capture card with little issue. He;s since switch to a desktop to get better performace and more tuners however. I do not use this feature myself, however there are ways to use this program with a set top box as well, such as those for digital cable. There is also no subscription fees for the program guide (Where I am located at least) an there is quite a long free trial available I have used an asus main board with the onboard video that has a built in HDMI port to connect the PC to my receiver. Onboard video is not always the best, but this particular board displays on my 1080p LCD just fine. My largest complaint about beyond is that is does not have built in DVD playback so I have to use some other video player (usually media player) and I personally use iTunes for all my music anyhow. Ed
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I have a laptop and an iMac at home. They hate each other like cats and dogs and I'm trying to work out the best way to setup a media centre - something that will allow me to record TV and play music and DVDs. Everything should go through my sound system and into the TV. I could buy a cable TV card for the computer, buy a cheap HP laptop with remote control and use Windows media centre or home server, or I could go the AppleTV route. Has anyone had any experience in doing this? Any suggestions, pros, cons? The long cold winter is fast approaching and I need a distraction.
cheers, Chris Maunder The Code Project Co-founder Microsoft C++ MVP
No ballet nearby?
