[mythtv-users] MythTV vs. Windows Media Center

[Reynolds, Brian]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
[mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org]
> On Behalf Of GZ

<snip>

> That's not completely accurate - keep in mind that consumers don't
> actually have cablecards in hand right now.  It sounds like Myth will

Not true.  Many Ceton users have CableCARDs up and running.  In fact, I
found out about the Ceton card when I was chatting with a Brighthouse
employee about their new whole-house DVR service.  He and his father are
building a Win MCE machine with a Ceton card... and the cards ARE
available to Brighthouse subscribers right now by simply walking into a
local office and picking one up.

> have Ceton support.  The real difference is that Myth will only ever
> be able to support Videos marked 'Copy freely' by the cable company
> (no DRM).  Note that although WinMCE may be able to play or stream
> DRM'ed videos, you cannot do whatever you want to them.  With Myth, if

That's OK with me.  I don't want to do anything with those DRM'd files
besides watch them on all my TV's while paying for only one CableCARD.
The MCE extenders give me that ability.  If I could build a Myth system
for say $1200 with 6 tuners (four being HD-PVR's with attached cable
boxes) and 5 front-ends, I might choose the HD-PVR route over the
CableCARD.  This price would need to include the price of all the
hardware required to build a combined back-end/front-end system, three
more front-end systems, and upgrade the video card in one of my PC's to
be used as a front-end.  That would save me about $1000 over my proposed
Win MCE system, including four extenders.  That $1000 savings would pay
for the extra cable boxes for about 3 years.  If I can do a Myth system
that meets my requirements for this cost, I would probably go with Myth.

Anyone up to the challenge to configure this mythical (pun intended)
system?

> I want to transcode a recording for viewing on a smartphone or tablet
> device, I can do that.  Under MCE, there's no guarantee you'll be able
> to do that, and it could be taken away by the cable co at any time (as
> could myth cablecard access).
> 

<snip>

> Myth currently doesn't support 3D playback, but that's likely not a
> difficult feature to add.  The problem is that the linux driver for
> NVIDIA doesn't seem to support 3D glasses on non-Quadro hardware.
> Fortunately or unfortunately, myth depends on the driver and OS
> support.  Note that the Geforce GT 430 is probably the right choice
> for a myth setup these days, particularly if you want to bitstream HD
> audio.
> 

I would love to have the 3D playback, but I could live with a 3D BluRay
player.  Of course, that's another $200 expense to add to the tab.

> These are limited function set-top boxes.  I suppose you could say
> that it's tough to find a HD-capable computer for that price, but it's
> a bit of apples and oranges.  With the extenders, you're locked into
> the software (and capabilities) written by the manufacturer.  However,

I can see that it would be nice to have a full function PC.  However, my
kids are frequently watching TV /while/ they play on a
computer/videogame.