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
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?