Software PVRs Becoming Tivo Killers

mikemuch writes "ExtremeTech's Jason Cross examines PVR software that runs on Windows -- applications from SnapStream, Cyberlink, and SageTV. With TiVo's mounting price hikes, service contracts, and 'features' like self-deleting shows, the DIY option is getting more appealing all the time." From the article: "All the major TV features you're used to with TiVo or Windows Media Center Edition are there--quick 30 second skip, padding show recordings (start early and stop late), a nice integrated guide with easy-to-read program info. The interface design isn't quite as good as either of those two other options, but it's one of the best we've seen in a Windows-based PVR application outside of MCE. If we had to pick an annoyance, it's that you can't seem to bring up the program guide or navigate the menu without stopping the live TV or recording that you're watching. TiVo plays the current TV program in the background, and MCE plays it in a small window in the lower left. We didn't miss it until it was gone."

Comments

Re:MCE for me, unfortunately

[MarkGriz]

"What does MythTV offer that you don't have with MCE?"

Less EVIL?

Re:I work for SnapStream!

[Daedius]

I asked some higher ups here at SnapStream about getting some photos of Beyond TV 4.0 =) Enjoy.

- Main Menu - This shot shows of the new theme for BTV 4. Please note that the red bar color itself is likely to change. Its currently a hot topic on the beta forums for some reason.

- Library Information Screen - A really useful screen that you can do compression to divx, copying, playback, and browse information about your recorded shows.

- Time-Shift Dock - This is the control panel that you can use while watching tv to pause, stop, rewind, record, and back-capture tv. My appologies for having to use static. Don't want to get sued here.

- Transparent Guide - The transparent guide allows you to browse through whats on without ever having to stop viewing what you are watching. Very nifty feature. Once again, sorry about the static.

* PLEASE NOTE (FOR ALL YOU TROLLS), THE ART THEME IS NOT FINALIZED

Re:MCE for me, unfortunately

[Pig Hogger]

With my women...I pretty much let them have the run over the place...decorating, etc, 'cause frankly, they do a better job than me. But, I spend $$$ putting together AV equipment, and no one tells me it doesn't 'match', or that proper speaker placement isn't working with room design...etc. Lord, do all you married guys have to put up that? If so...what do you get out of the deal...it sounds like they have to give their stamp of approval over any new toy in the house...how it looks, how it sounds...etc.

This is why there are so many gay men. Geeez, if women would understand that we don't give a shit whether the colours match, whether the doily looks good or not, there would not be so many men who would say "the hell with it" and go to live with another man. Then they won't have to bother if colours match, they won't give a shit about doilies, driking beer, watching the game, farting, making sex jokes and comments on other men and, most important, they'll be able to have all the sex they want, whenever they want, with whomever they want, wherever they want, because, men don't have headaches.