TiVo vs. Windows Media Center Edition

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."

Comments

Sorry

[Anonymous Coward]

But anyone who picks a PC based solution is someone with too much time on their hands, and needs to examine their lifestyle, perhaps.

Computers are a hobby of mine, and *I* don't have the time or patience to set something like this up. $149 for a Tivo gave me dual tuners, snappy interface and recording of the original DirecTV data stream (no quality loss). $6 a month? If $6 a month is even an issue to you, again, take a magnifying lens to your life. Something isn't working correctly.

Re:Sorry

[dumpsterKEEPER]

I think you're overlooking differing points of view with these statements. First of all, computers are not a "hobby" of mine. I have always looked at them as being different than model railroading and stamp collecting because of the great rewards provided by being proficient at them. I work with computers for a living, and enjoy continuing to use them in my personal life as well.

One of my future goals is to set up a PC based solution for basic idea mentioned in this article. When I do, will use a PC based solution for several reasons. First, I consider it to be more flexible than the current mainstream offerings (although I'm always willing to keep my eye on them). Secondly, I thoroughly enjoy the process of setting up and configuring the system. Finally, when I complete the project, I will enjoy using it far more because it is something that I created myself and tuned to my exact specifications.

If computers really are just a hobby to you, then no, $6 a month is nothing at all. For me it would have nothing to do with the monthly cost but the satisfaction of creation. Yes, it also takes more time, but I'm sure you also choose to make time for things that you enjoy doing. Just because I select a route that involves more work but provides me with a great deal of personal enjoyment out of creating and using hardly means that "something isn't working correctly" with my life.

Re:Sorry

[SilentChris]

"If $6 a month is even an issue to you, again, take a magnifying lens to your life. Something isn't working correctly."

Maybe to you, but *understanding* it is worth far more than $6 a month to some people.

TiVo vs. MythTV

[gmplague]

I want to see a comparison of TiVo vs. MythTV vs. Freevo vs. Media Center. From my experience, MythTV should definitely come up on top. I've got a box running MythTV that acts as my tivo, fileserver, network audio device, and game console. Can tivo do all that?

Re:TiVo vs. MythTV

[kannibal_klown]

Throw "SnapStream" into there as well.

While not free, it's pretty cheap ($30 USD).

My main PC doubles as a DVR when I'm not using it. It's a breeze to setup (as simple as you could possibly get, actually), looks wonderful, and functions very well.

Granted, it requires some flavor of Windows (that can run .Net libraries), but it's still great. And they set it up that if the company ever goes under, you can point Snapstream to the same kind of data that Myth uses.

It's really a must-see-to-believe thing. I thought it was going to be some cheezy software, but it is really well put together.

However, I think a "Tivo" is a better solution. You don't have to sit there and configure stuff, update stuff, bla bla bla. It's relatively cheap (even with the lifetime subsription it's not that bad), and does everything you need (with the exception of burning the vids onto CD's or DVD's).

OT? - letter to Direct TV

[teamhasnoi]

Here's a copy of my letter to Direct TV in regards to the Home Media Option

Subject: Home Media Option

Details: Where is it? This is something I would PAY for. You don't
even have a mention of it on your website, or an option for a DVR in
your 'Topics' above . At least you could be forthcoming about the
reasons you don't offer this service.

I have been a customer of yours for several years (I'm not putting my
customer number in on purpose) and have had DirectTV Tivo for a little
over 4 months.

I purchased this 'service' under the impression that I would be able to
network it, burn my shows to DVD, and stream shows to my PCs and Macs.

DirectTV has disappointed.

Your customer service is great, and I have very few service complaints,
but your refusal to work with your customers on this issue has me
investigating Dish Network and Replay TV and cable offerings in my area
- soon my DSL provider will be providing video on demand.

It is obvious to me that if DirectTV continues treating its customers
unfairly, the customers are going to leave for a provider that
understands fair use.

Thanks for your time.

(Reply follows)
Dear Customer,

Thank you for writing. As you know, the TiVo stand alone may offer the
Home Media Option, but DIRECTV DVR with TiVo does not. However, DIRECTV
DVR with TiVo may focus more on other features, such as video-based
services like Starz on Demand. For information about TiVo stand alone
units and service, please visit the website at: www.tivo.com or you can
call 877-FOR-TIVO, that's 877-367-8486. Available 11AM-11PM ET daily.

Please know that we are always looking for ways to enhance our services.
Your suggestions are valuable and we use them to judge interest in
various programming sources. In fact, we have made changes as a result
of viewer feedback.

We have forwarded your comments to our programming department. Please
continue to visit our web site at DIRECTV.com for the latest news and
information about our services.

Additionally, as you know, DIRECTV makes changes and additions to our
programming line-up from time to time. However, it is a DIRECTV policy
not to discuss upcoming announcements until their official release date,
and at this time we have no official announcement beyond what we have
already communicated to the public. We invite you to visit the News
Releases section of our web site at
http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/aboutus/Headline s.js p for the latest
announcements

We hope that this information is helpful. Thanks again for writing.

Sincerely,

Ganesh
DIRECTV Customer Service

Re:Personally

[bje2]

that's exactly what i was thinking...don't let your anti-MS stance blind you to what they're doing...what if MS stumbles upon a cure for cancer...you just gonna ignore it, because MS discovered it???

forget MCE

[BitchAss]

It's been covered a million times here, but MythTV does more than MCE or Tivo.

One day I gave MCE a try and found it to be a dreadfull experience. Sure, some of the widgets and transitions were nice - and the remote was pretty sexy (anyone wanna help me write a driver for Linux?), but it just left me wanting more.

I have most of my media living on a different machine - MCE had a hard time dealing with that. I had to import my mp3s (not oggs - god forbid) into Media Player before MCE would recognize them.

Large movies were a pain too - MCE wanted a nice screen shot of each movie - so a directory with 10-15 divxs was painful to browse.

I have MythTV set up with a PVR-250 and it's the best thing ever. Automatic commercial flagging? check Windows? Not even. So much better.

Re:Personally

[darth_MALL]

"Even if eventually MCE became the better product? (god of technology forbid)"
Wouldn't it be a good thing to see MS bring out a product worth supporting? It's an awful lot of energy wasted trying to dislike something. Maybe they could earn the #1 spot for a change.

What about the A/V Vendors?

[grunt107]

A few years back the major a/v mfgs (like Yamaha, Denon, Pioneer) were supposedly agreeing on a common interface to their components, which could also be controlled by outside (read: PC) components. Has any of this gone forward? I would prefer the sonic advantage of standalone components, but would love to have server access (and use a live web connect as another "component"). Then MythTV (or TiVo) could be just another component enhanced by the home theatre system.

Canada as safe haven

[antarctican]

See, if I had the time and money I'd setup a company here in Canada where we don't have these insane laws limited consumer rights. Yes, it's getting worse up here, but for now I see this as the near-by safe haven for developing PVR type products safe from being sued.

Yes, importing could be restricted, but it's not stopping us from sending you guys cheaper drugs to get around that piece of insanity by your government - catering to all of big business' demands....

So look north, let us develop your PVRs, it'll be good for us, you'll have more freedom, and I can only hope we're sane enough to never let our government pass such outrageous laws.... Move MythTV's code base off-shore or north.... such a great solution. :)

PC will be the clear winner...

[MaestroSartori]

...for those of us in the UK, at least as long as there continues to be no new Tivo kit worth buying. There are some decent PVRs apparently, but I'm told they all fall short on various aspects...

Re:hackable tivos would be even more flexable.

[nchip]

Even if you don't want to hack them yourself, buying hackable hardware means you can probably install easily hacks done by others, which increases the value of the hardware a lot.

That's why I payed a little bit more on my phone (to get a symbian based one which allows you to install your own software instead of just java midlets), and a linksys Access Point.

Most people do not yet realize that the lifetime of hackable hardware is a lot longer than locked hardware.

This is all fine and good to compare, but...

[Not_Wiggins]

With the push to move towards digital-only signaling, the PC is going to get squeezed out.

I'm all for PC-based PVRs, but I have digital cable. The thought of re-encoding an MPEG2 stream that has already been encoded and decoded once really blows (especially when the compression they've used is so freakin' high to start).

At least with TiVo, one can record the original stream un-decoded. Even then, this isn't an option for me as I don't have satellite (it is supposed to be coming "soon" for digital cable boxes).

And I can't imagine that with the security wrapped into those digital receivers any of those companies are going to be hot to support a PC-based digital decoder card.

Hate to say it, but when it comes to quality, I think the "receiver with integrated pvr functionality" is going to win out. 8/

TiVo is a Linux based PC.

[foooo]

TiVo is a Linux based PC. It is hackable enough to do a *lot* of interesting things that you can't on a normal TiVo.

The reason why TiVo corporation doesn't support this "hacking" actively is that they need to be legally insulated from lawsuits.

http://www.tivocommunity.com/

~foooo

Re:With DirecTV?

[TopShelf]

DirecTiVo is a fantastic product, and unfortunately, I'm suffering major withdrawal right now. We sold our house and have moved into an apartment while we built a new home, but during the interim we're hooked up to cable instead of the dish.

Between the crappy picture quality and clumsy interface of digital cable, it makes me appreciate the seamless quality of DirecTiVo all the more. I can't wait until we move into the new place in September...