[mythtv-users] MythTV vs. Windows Media Center

[Michael T. Dean]

On 02/12/2011 05:15 PM, Reynolds, Brian wrote:
> > IMHO, people who want a cheap DVR should go with the
> > cable-/satellite-company-provided DVR. People who want a DVR with a
> > good user-interface and a plug-and-play-and-forget system should go
> > with a TiVo. People who want to be able to tinker a bit should go
> > with Windows MCE. People who are looking for a hobby and a chance
> > to learn--and a great DVR, but at a time and money cost greater than
> > most other DVR solutions--should consider MythTV.
> >
> Mike,
>
> You've done a good job of putting my thoughts into words here.  I do see
> the learning opportunity here, and I love to learn new things.  However,
> with my current situation, I don't know if I have enough time to mess
> with the thing in the long term.  That's actually part of why I'm
> leaning toward Win MCE.  I'm sure it will take some time to setup
> initially, but once setup... I can just leave it alone and it will work.
>
> I don't think the TiVo offers what I want.  The MCE solution gives me
> MOST of what I want.  The Myth solution does too, with some added
> complexity.
>
> I'm still open to fact that I don't know a lot about any of them... and
> I welcome input from others with experience... especially those who can
> give me un-biased opinions... and I can't get un-biased opinions from MS
> haters.  However, I will still consider information you present to me,
> even if you're one of those haters.

This is not meant to be any kind of statement about you or your 
abilities, but based on what I've seen in this thread, I think you will 
be much happier with Windows MCE, because:

a)  You have a lot of experience with Windows in general.
b)  You seem to enjoy working in Windows and making it do what you want.
c)  And, most importantly, you want to do things that are impossible 
with GNU/Linux--things like recording premium channels using CableCARD 
(no cable-company set-top-box rental) and NetFlix streaming (which we 
can't do because the NetFlix DRM is Windows/Mac OS X).

So, I really think you'd be happiest with Windows MCE, since on that 
Windows MCE system, you could use the CableCARD and NetFlix streaming 
and all the other things that service providers and vendors support only 
on Windows or Mac OS X.

In other words, I think you want something that GNU/Linux and MythTV 
cannot provide.

Mike