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TiVo vs. Windows Media Center Edition

Posted by timothy on from the compare-contrast dept.

The Importance of writes "Two reviewers make head-to-head comparisons of TiVo and Windows Media Center Edition (here and here). TiVo still comes out ahead, but MCE is improving. Of course, some tout the flexibility of PC-based DVRs, while others question what this flexibility means when you have things like the broadcast flag and the INDUCE Act."

4 of 335 comments (clear)

  1. Main reason I (and others) use Tivo by SilentChris · · Score: 5, Informative

    No, not Linux. No, not even ease of use. Picture quality with DirecTV. DirecTV with Tivo is the only solution I've seen that captures the satellite's MPEG stream perfectly, while still providing a usable interface (hear me, Dish Network?)

    I'd seriously consider building my own set, but there is no solution out there that doesn't have some analog to digital conversion at some point. And yes, it matters. Particularly if you have a 40" HDTV. Digital cable/satellite compression is pretty visible as it is; adding an analog conversion makes it look hideous.

    In my idea world, I'd have a media PC that played DVDs, stored CDs, streamed direct digital television (like my Tivo) and (as a luxury) was wirelessly connected to the internet. All of these features exist as different pieces in other machines, but no one has them all together.

  2. Re:hackable tivos would be even more flexable. by Monsieur+Canard · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well they are hackable, just not fully supported by Tivo Inc.

    --
    He took a duck to the face at 250 knots.
  3. Re:forget MCE by BRock97 · · Score: 5, Informative

    - and the remote was pretty sexy (anyone wanna help me write a driver for Linux?)

    Take a look at the LIRC 0.7.0 snapshots. The Microsoft remote has been in there for quite some time and works well. In fact, you can use the IR receiver that comes with it and quite a few compatible IR remotes.

    I have MythTV set up with a PVR-250 and it's the best thing ever.

    Hear hear! I have a Myth server running two Hauppauge PVR 250s and it is smooth. The guide is smart enough that I just select two shows to record and it handles the rest. The best part is that I have a Myth client running in the main TV room that is a stripped down Dell 4600c which I got refurbished for $360that fits perfectly into the entertainment center. All the advantages of the two tuners, but the quiet-ness of a small form factor PC. Awesome stuff AND two TVs can use the same recording repository!

    --

    Bryan R.
    The price of freedom is eternal vigilance, or $12.50 as seen on eBay.....
  4. Re:hackable tivos would be even more flexable. by thinksnow · · Score: 5, Informative

    Yeah, it's a shame there's nothing like that...