[mythtv-users] MythTV vs. Windows Media Center

[jedi]

On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 08:08:51PM -0500, Eric Sharkey wrote:
> On Sun, Feb 13, 2011 at 6:30 PM, john.baab at gmail.com
> <john.baab at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Keep in mind that Myth appears to add higher costs for the front-end
> >> hardware.  I can get Media Center Extenders for about $100 each.  Can I
> >> build a Myth front-end for $100 that will play HD content?
> >
> > More reasonably low $200 range for a some flavor of an Ion box.  Also
> > worth noting this is an actual PC so you will have much more control
> > and expandability over any extender.
> >
> > It was my understanding that the xbox 360 was the only MCE extender
> > still made, they aren't $100.
> 
> I think he's talking about something like this:
> 
> http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Linksys-Media-Center-Extender-DVD/dp/B000XQONSG
> 
> Years ago I used a Hauppauge MVP as a front end (standard def) using
> the mvpmc software.  It was a decent frontend package, but it wasn't a
> real MythTV frontend.  When I made the move to HD, I replaced it with
> a real PC.

    Some extenders only work with older versions of MCE. So a unit that
looks like a bargain might not be that useful. However, the big question
that seems to be completely unanswered is whether or not any MCE extender
at any price is the equivalent of having a Windows PC as an extender.

    Although for only $100, the hopeful future MCE user could certainly buy
one and put it through it's paces.