Comments on: Microsoft Media Center 2005… Underwhelmed http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html Fri, 25 May 2012 09:06:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Gary http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-86362 Gary Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:15:42 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-86362 <strong>Gary...</strong> Thanks but some things here seems strange to me. Have a good Thursday anyway.... Gary…

Thanks but some things here seems strange to me. Have a good Thursday anyway….

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21103 Anonymous Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:43:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21103 I am running MCE 2005 with dual tunners and bought the boxed solution from HP. A real media center built to do Media Center functionality. I have two Series 2 Tivos and my picture quality is better on the MCE box. I also have HD service and would like the ability to view HD from my MCE box, however I am a realist and don't really want to pay for the storage to record it. I have a Xbox 360 setup as a media extender and also a HP media center. I would say that multi-room viewing on MCE is far superior to Tivo Series 2. I will add that I work for Microsoft and don't feel that you are giving them the time to get everything down. They did put out MCE 2005, but keep in mind that with the launch of Vista comming around the corner and it built with graphics aceleration into the UI, it is apparent that it is the future of MCE and probably the when you will see something that supports HD. It is my understanding that the problem is not MCE not supporting HD as much as it is the lack of hardware manufactures that have produced HD recording PCI cards. This all said, I believe that my setup with portable media centers, Creative Zen Vision:M, Xbox 360, HP Media Extender, and HP Media Center is far supperior to my Tivo functionaly, however if all you want is video quality... go with the Tivo for now and continue to pay the service fee to be on the cutting edge until MCE has matured to its next release. I am running MCE 2005 with dual tunners and bought the boxed solution from HP. A real media center built to do Media Center functionality. I have two Series 2 Tivos and my picture quality is better on the MCE box. I also have HD service and would like the ability to view HD from my MCE box, however I am a realist and don’t really want to pay for the storage to record it. I have a Xbox 360 setup as a media extender and also a HP media center. I would say that multi-room viewing on MCE is far superior to Tivo Series 2. I will add that I work for Microsoft and don’t feel that you are giving them the time to get everything down. They did put out MCE 2005, but keep in mind that with the launch of Vista comming around the corner and it built with graphics aceleration into the UI, it is apparent that it is the future of MCE and probably the when you will see something that supports HD. It is my understanding that the problem is not MCE not supporting HD as much as it is the lack of hardware manufactures that have produced HD recording PCI cards. This all said, I believe that my setup with portable media centers, Creative Zen Vision:M, Xbox 360, HP Media Extender, and HP Media Center is far supperior to my Tivo functionaly, however if all you want is video quality… go with the Tivo for now and continue to pay the service fee to be on the cutting edge until MCE has matured to its next release.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21104 Anonymous Mon, 03 Apr 2006 14:56:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21104 "Anonymous said... <br />HDTV is such a non-issue. Look at the market .......by everyone else I mean 99.999% of the population, HDTV isn't even remotely important.<br />Sure, 5 years from now, it will be....."<br /><br />- I imagine that is what some people had to say about the telephone. “Anonymous said…
HDTV is such a non-issue. Look at the market …….by everyone else I mean 99.999% of the population, HDTV isn’t even remotely important.
Sure, 5 years from now, it will be…..”

- I imagine that is what some people had to say about the telephone.

]]> By: CJay http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21105 CJay Sun, 26 Feb 2006 17:53:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21105 Wah Wah WAh!<br /><br />MCE sucks! Why? Menu navagation is crummy. Forward and back, Up and down. What a pain. The whole idea is kinda neat, but wait! How about a windows desktop that is formated for tv screens. Then what do I need MCE for. Get a All in wonder card if you want to tivo! MCE could be used for other things like web content. I'm so over MCE, it makes me vomit when I use it. <br /><br />Bottom line MCE is OLD HAT. Wah Wah WAh!

MCE sucks! Why? Menu navagation is crummy. Forward and back, Up and down. What a pain. The whole idea is kinda neat, but wait! How about a windows desktop that is formated for tv screens. Then what do I need MCE for. Get a All in wonder card if you want to tivo! MCE could be used for other things like web content. I’m so over MCE, it makes me vomit when I use it.

Bottom line MCE is OLD HAT.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21106 Anonymous Sat, 04 Feb 2006 19:25:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21106 Just because I feel the need to chime in, cause it's fun...<br /><br />The CableCard standard is already available in the US, and you can request the CableCard to receive HDTV support. Actually, there are 2 CableCard standards (2 versions)<br /><br />Microsoft, despite some belief that they aren't bothering, is trying it's best to get it. One person was completely correct in stating that you are allowed to get a CableCard! Great! And where do you plan to STICK that CableCard? Were you aware that it's against the law to develop a CableCard-supported device in the US without getting it approved from the CableLabs, the owner of the patents and algorithms used? Yes, Microsoft has *FINALLY* gotten approval from CableLabs to handle CableCard reception. This is just to help people understand WHY they don't have it yet. Tivo can support CableCard because CableLabs granted their closed-player a license to use CableCard. DirecTV is the same problem, they have a closed system, and it would be illegal in the US to develop a PC device to circumvent the tuner system without approval from DirecTV. Blame the cable company and SAT providers for the MCE not supporting their content, they are the ones blocking it, not Microsoft. Microsoft is too busy making MCE unstable. ;) Just because I feel the need to chime in, cause it’s fun…

The CableCard standard is already available in the US, and you can request the CableCard to receive HDTV support. Actually, there are 2 CableCard standards (2 versions)

Microsoft, despite some belief that they aren’t bothering, is trying it’s best to get it. One person was completely correct in stating that you are allowed to get a CableCard! Great! And where do you plan to STICK that CableCard? Were you aware that it’s against the law to develop a CableCard-supported device in the US without getting it approved from the CableLabs, the owner of the patents and algorithms used? Yes, Microsoft has *FINALLY* gotten approval from CableLabs to handle CableCard reception. This is just to help people understand WHY they don’t have it yet. Tivo can support CableCard because CableLabs granted their closed-player a license to use CableCard. DirecTV is the same problem, they have a closed system, and it would be illegal in the US to develop a PC device to circumvent the tuner system without approval from DirecTV. Blame the cable company and SAT providers for the MCE not supporting their content, they are the ones blocking it, not Microsoft. Microsoft is too busy making MCE unstable. ;)

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21107 Anonymous Mon, 16 Jan 2006 20:23:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21107 Well The whole flag issue doesn’t have anything to do with the software. It keeps tuner manufactures from making fully capable tuners. This mandate put out by the FCC the same people that tell you what words you need not hear, in July 2005. SO all HD tuner cards that where being sold prior to July 2005 (points to eBay)will continue to work. With that said not really sure about MCE 2005/04, but with the more stable and customizable MYTHTV would allow you to record your, HDTV. <br /><br />Also I would like to address this constant comparison to TIVO and MCE, you have to remember that while TIVO is a Linux based box, its only function is to record on the fly and that is it while it is possible to make it do other things it doesn’t have the full functionality of a computer. You still have this function with MCE and other HTPC software. One has dedicated chipsets for that work for one purpose to encode video on the fly. While the other is jerry rigged, if you will meaning it was an after thought and was added to the an exsiting computer that still is running tons of things in the background. Demanding it to edit pictures, video, music, word processors, and 3D games. Now we want it to control our TV and still do all these other task, that is asking a lot from one box, and not to mention most of the machines built are built with budget parts to “make it cheaper” making the problem worse. The Idea is faily new people just expect things to work right the first time when they have to pay for them, which is understandable. But the truth is that it is going to suck hard for the first few years, wouldn’t be so bad if it was open source…….oh well good thing there is MYTHTV. Although I do have a MCE 2005 box running in my house. <br /><br />This issue with all the moans and complaining comes up within the MYTHTV community, where someone will get it installed and because its not perfect and need to be tweaked every other day. Has some lag all the normal gripes. These are not the people that should be in the HTPC scene. It is in a very early stage and, requires patience MONEY and willing to try things and have them not work. With out this happening it won’t progress, so if all you want to do record your TV shows and watch them. Then I say that a box with dedicated chipsets and custom dedicated software is for you so get a TVIO and wait a few years for HTPC's to get better just needs time that’s all <br /><br />In my opinion I do think that if Microsoft waits years in between builds that it will flop, to add to the fact that it’s not possible code patches and fix problems….I think it will last a few years then they will move on to something different. So if you want my advice which I sure you don’t, go the open source route there is more support and plenty of walkthroughs I mean step by step. Well that’s my two cents. Well The whole flag issue doesn’t have anything to do with the software. It keeps tuner manufactures from making fully capable tuners. This mandate put out by the FCC the same people that tell you what words you need not hear, in July 2005. SO all HD tuner cards that where being sold prior to July 2005 (points to eBay)will continue to work. With that said not really sure about MCE 2005/04, but with the more stable and customizable MYTHTV would allow you to record your, HDTV.

Also I would like to address this constant comparison to TIVO and MCE, you have to remember that while TIVO is a Linux based box, its only function is to record on the fly and that is it while it is possible to make it do other things it doesn’t have the full functionality of a computer. You still have this function with MCE and other HTPC software. One has dedicated chipsets for that work for one purpose to encode video on the fly. While the other is jerry rigged, if you will meaning it was an after thought and was added to the an exsiting computer that still is running tons of things in the background. Demanding it to edit pictures, video, music, word processors, and 3D games. Now we want it to control our TV and still do all these other task, that is asking a lot from one box, and not to mention most of the machines built are built with budget parts to “make it cheaper” making the problem worse. The Idea is faily new people just expect things to work right the first time when they have to pay for them, which is understandable. But the truth is that it is going to suck hard for the first few years, wouldn’t be so bad if it was open source…….oh well good thing there is MYTHTV. Although I do have a MCE 2005 box running in my house.

This issue with all the moans and complaining comes up within the MYTHTV community, where someone will get it installed and because its not perfect and need to be tweaked every other day. Has some lag all the normal gripes. These are not the people that should be in the HTPC scene. It is in a very early stage and, requires patience MONEY and willing to try things and have them not work. With out this happening it won’t progress, so if all you want to do record your TV shows and watch them. Then I say that a box with dedicated chipsets and custom dedicated software is for you so get a TVIO and wait a few years for HTPC’s to get better just needs time that’s all

In my opinion I do think that if Microsoft waits years in between builds that it will flop, to add to the fact that it’s not possible code patches and fix problems….I think it will last a few years then they will move on to something different. So if you want my advice which I sure you don’t, go the open source route there is more support and plenty of walkthroughs I mean step by step. Well that’s my two cents.

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21108 Anonymous Fri, 13 Jan 2006 09:26:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21108 I don't know how long ago this original message was posted, but I'm having a slight issue and maybe some of you guys can help. I'm interested in the amount of overhead on MCE 2005. I'm running a 1.8 athlon 64 939 chip, with 2 gig's of RAM, and I'm experiencing some 'lag' with the windows interface. And I THINK, not sure, just think, that it's affecting my gaming as well. I've disabled services and well as interface 'perks' and it seemed to get better, but I'm wondering should I just switch to XP Pro and not worry, or is having that 2005 build of XP the best bet when it comes to stability?<br />I don't really use the media center console, but I really like the glass aqua improvements on the taskbar, windows etc...<br />So here's my question.<br />Is it worth the overhead?<br />Thanks,<br />Mike I don’t know how long ago this original message was posted, but I’m having a slight issue and maybe some of you guys can help. I’m interested in the amount of overhead on MCE 2005. I’m running a 1.8 athlon 64 939 chip, with 2 gig’s of RAM, and I’m experiencing some ‘lag’ with the windows interface. And I THINK, not sure, just think, that it’s affecting my gaming as well. I’ve disabled services and well as interface ‘perks’ and it seemed to get better, but I’m wondering should I just switch to XP Pro and not worry, or is having that 2005 build of XP the best bet when it comes to stability?
I don’t really use the media center console, but I really like the glass aqua improvements on the taskbar, windows etc…
So here’s my question.
Is it worth the overhead?
Thanks,
Mike

]]> By: Anonymous http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21109 Anonymous Wed, 11 Jan 2006 00:31:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21109 to the guy who said the xbox sucked, get a modchip. XBMC (xbox media center) kicks MCE's butt on so many levels its just sick.<br /><br />The only thing that sucks is no tv recording. I just use MCE for that and XBMC for the rest. <br /><br />Divx, Xvid, screenshot functions, you name it.<br /><br />Its called XBMC to the guy who said the xbox sucked, get a modchip. XBMC (xbox media center) kicks MCE’s butt on so many levels its just sick.

The only thing that sucks is no tv recording. I just use MCE for that and XBMC for the rest.

Divx, Xvid, screenshot functions, you name it.

Its called XBMC

]]> By: Tonycomm http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21110 Tonycomm Sun, 16 Oct 2005 09:11:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21110 Great stuff on video/TV but I am a new MCE user downloading my CDs both through ITunes and through the Media Player interface. I need some help!<br /><br />I like a high a fidelity bit rate since I want to perserve my CD collection and play it through my stereo system. This is the reason I purchased MCE it to begin with. It appears to me that MMP only downloads from a CD at around 190 KBS and the ITunes will allow me to download at over 300KBS which I prefer. My problem is that when downlosding from ITunes Some tracks and other metatag info do not get downloaded into the My Music part of the application especially album cover info but when I import using MMP 100% gets imported but with an inferior bit rate.<br /><br />I hope that this question is not naive but I could use some help!<br /><br />Tonycomm Great stuff on video/TV but I am a new MCE user downloading my CDs both through ITunes and through the Media Player interface. I need some help!

I like a high a fidelity bit rate since I want to perserve my CD collection and play it through my stereo system. This is the reason I purchased MCE it to begin with. It appears to me that MMP only downloads from a CD at around 190 KBS and the ITunes will allow me to download at over 300KBS which I prefer. My problem is that when downlosding from ITunes Some tracks and other metatag info do not get downloaded into the My Music part of the application especially album cover info but when I import using MMP 100% gets imported but with an inferior bit rate.

I hope that this question is not naive but I could use some help!

Tonycomm

]]> By: NMMNG1969 http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html/comment-page-1#comment-21111 NMMNG1969 Sat, 15 Oct 2005 12:14:00 +0000 http://clients.emmense.com/thomashawk/?p=4639#comment-21111 AT THIS POINT , I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE HDTV PROBLEM...MY PROBLEM IS BIGGER....MY DELL W/ THE LATEST TECH FOR MEDIA/GAMING W/ MCE 2005($3,000) WILL NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE 2 SATELITTE RECEIVERS THAT I HAVE...BOUGHT THE DELL IN JAN1,2005 W/ THE MEDIA EXTENDER ($300) AND CANT USE FOR 1 OF THE REASONS I BOUGHT IT FOR... TO RECORD TV AND WATCH AT MY CONVEINENCE ON MY EXTENDER..10 MONTHS--STILL NO SUPPORT FROM DELL OR MICRO...CAN ANYONE HELP...(P.OFF) AT THIS POINT , I DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE HDTV PROBLEM…MY PROBLEM IS BIGGER….MY DELL W/ THE LATEST TECH FOR MEDIA/GAMING W/ MCE 2005($3,000) WILL NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THE 2 SATELITTE RECEIVERS THAT I HAVE…BOUGHT THE DELL IN JAN1,2005 W/ THE MEDIA EXTENDER ($300) AND CANT USE FOR 1 OF THE REASONS I BOUGHT IT FOR… TO RECORD TV AND WATCH AT MY CONVEINENCE ON MY EXTENDER..10 MONTHS–STILL NO SUPPORT FROM DELL OR MICRO…CAN ANYONE HELP…(P.OFF)

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