New Alienware Media Center 225
Cyno01 writes "Alienware recently introduced a new product that seems to fill the gap between PVRs and PCs. The Navigator Media Center. It runs a new version of XP (Media Center Edition) and displays pictures, movies and plays DVDs. If I had the cash for it i would definitly ditch my 160Gb HD and Radeon AIW card."
Build it (Score:3, Insightful)
Like, a lot cheaper
Re:Build it (Score:3, Informative)
The Problem is you can't get XP Media Center(legally) without buying a new computer right now. I haven't seen XP MC in action, but I for one have been waiting for this convergence for quite a while.
I've got an ATI AIW. It's cool and a really great use for an old PC and extra monitor, but the tools are just 'ok'.
There are a couple of Linux programs out there, but last time I checked they were still in their infancy or had a more narrow focus.
Re:Build it (Score:2)
Re:Build it (Score:2)
The free t-shirt is what sold me. (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Build it (Score:4, Insightful)
Looking at the specs, I'd say probably so. But that's not the most important part: I've not check up on Microsoft's "Media centre" edition of XP but I'm betting it includes that marvelous mechanism whereby a broadcaster can prevent you from recording a program (and maybe even force recording for sponsor's programs).
With a home-built solution you're free to use what you like... Makes you wonder who they're targeting this thing at really - since the tech-types will doubtless have the ability to build this from parts and the average J6P won't splash out $1700 to play DVDs and record programs. They seem to make a big deal of the 3D performance too, but I'd imagine playing Quake with a keyboard and mouse in the lounge is not the ideal gaming environment - and the picture will be crap on most TVs too...
I do like their laptops though...
Re:Build it (Score:1)
Re:Build it (Score:2)
Black Navigator Case (200-Watt PS)
Intel® Pentium® 4 Processor 2.53GHz 533MHz FSB w/ 512KB Cache
Hi-Performance Heatsink/CPU Cooling Fan
512MB DDR SDRAM PC-2700
My first consern...why all this stuff if it will play my DVD/SVCD/VCD/DivX/Mp3 ?. Sounds like serious overkill to me.
My second consern, somewhat related to the first, how much heat does this piece generate? If I for some reason really would benefint from having 2.5 Ghz and 512MB DDR to play my media files, would I also benefit from the sound I assume the box generates? It sure cant be that silent... and if it sounds like a "shuttle", i really _dont_ need one of these in my living room.
Re:Build it (Score:2)
But if you *did* want one, you can buy the same case in the same funky colors. They're Chieftec/Antec cases (both brands made by same manufacturer), available for $65-$120 on NewEgg.com . Thermaltake and other companies love to take the same brand of case and modify it a little to sell as their own. I'm sure Alienware probabloy adds a few nice clear protective coats to the paintjob, but that's easy enough...
Hell, anyone who can build his own PC could easily recreate a better Alienware-like PC for much less, right down to printing out his own Alienware logo to put under a clear case badge. I think that's why they finally added the decal up the side of their cases, to actually make it more difficult for DIYers to "fake" Alienware PCs.
Re:Build it (Score:1)
I mean this thing doesn't seem whisper quiet--you could easily spend the same ammount on a better computer.
Re:Build it (Score:2)
Have you tried the catalyst 2.4 drivers? Do they fix the problem? How big is the improvement in quality going fron S-Video to component video? If the Component Video thing still doesn't work, that would suck. (Why don't they just put VGA in on TVs nowadays?)
My plan is to make my 'puter be an "entertainment appliance" kinda like a fancy X-box (i.e. games) as well as email device and cd/dvd/mp3 player. Because basically, that's all I do with it anyway, and my living room is more comfortable than the "office" where the computer is now.
Re:Build it (Score:2, Informative)
Using this component [ati.com] to feed a widescreen TV.
Yes, I tried all the drivers and went around and around with their tech support. They even had me try drivers for the 9500.
Anyways long story short. I could find no one anywhere that was able to over come the overscan issues which renders the output almost useless. Try using Windows missing at least 5% around the perimeter. It's a real adventure
While the output was decent enough to be legible for email etc. it was unusable due to the overscan.
ATI has left us hanging simply saying to keep checking back for updated drivers.
Definetely a product released that shoulldn't have been and my last ATI purchase (of course, I had said that 5 years ago because of their lousy drivers and support).
Shuttle - ugh (Score:2)
Microsoft? (Score:2)
Re:Microsoft? (Score:2, Informative)
It is a tweaked version of XP, mostly.
But surely it will be released at some point.
Re:Microsoft? (Score:2, Funny)
They mostly come at night, mostly.
Re:Microsoft? (Score:3, Informative)
Multimedia-centric Linux? (Score:2)
psxndc
Re:Multimedia-centric Linux? (Score:2)
The latter can't record as of yet AFAIK. While MythTV is more or less a complete TiVo replacement. (But apparently it's a bit of a bitch to get installed.) None of these are actual distros BTW. Both are just programs you run.
Re:Multimedia-centric Linux? (Score:2)
While the various larger distributions are geared towards multimedia functionality to different degrees, it obviously depends exactly what you want out of your box and how much you want to play with the guts (hardware and software). Many people would be happy with a DVD/VCD/mp3 player rather than a full-blown PVR, and I'm not sure how much freedom you'll get in this area with Media Center Pc's - I doubt this version of XP is designed around being able to rip, mix and burn ;) This is where some of the other Linux projects come in (some focussed on the embedded market only though). Maybe distribution in the classical sense was not the best of description for me to use, although projects like Flamethrower Linux [washington.edu] are aiming for that - RedHat and Debian are working on multimedia based distributions, altho they are aimed more at the multimedia worker rather than player.
Projects like Dave/Dina [apestaart.org], homeDVR [sourceforge.net], OpenPVR [sourceforge.net], MythTV [sourceforge.net] and FreeVo [sourceforge.net] aim at homebrew boxes somewhat akin to the Media Center idea and there are a myriad of sources for building boxes that do as much if not more than the Media Center. Flexibility is always good IMHO, and if you can start with a box that may just do DVD, DivX, CD's, mp3's and ogg, but expand it into a classic gaming machine running MAME et al as well as serving up content to the rest of your flat/house/hovel then that is "a good thing". More info at ding [sourceforge.net], eboxy [bluelightning.org].
Remember that Linux is used for commercial PVR's (and the Moxi [digeo.com] Media Center [digeo.com]) too and while there are companies [metrolink.com] that do these things commercially, that's normally a sign of open versions being around somewhere, especially if you like to get your hands dirty :) If you don't, then it won't be long before you new (or old) console will be able to fulfill many of these functions, again, they already can to a degree, if you don't mind hacking away a bit.
Amazing! (Score:3, Funny)
Shit, I wish my computer could do all that!
I think I just might ditch Linux and my self-built box in exchange for an over-priced pre-fab system with WindowsXP so that I too can enjoy the thrill of displaying pictures, movies and DVDs.
Will the innovation never cease at Redmond?
Re:Amazing! (Score:1)
full-fledged home entertainment mecca
You *need* a P4 2.66 to display pictures
Re:Amazing! (Score:2)
Re:Amazing! (Score:4, Insightful)
Incorrect. It is Alienware using an OEM only OS (XP Media Center), that Microsoft is heavily pushing, to build a "media center" box.
.13 ghz = 300$ (Score:2)
(alienware makes some nice stuff...but so overpriced!)
Re:.13 ghz = 300$ (Score:3, Informative)
The PRO version also comes with a Western Digital Special Edition 120GB Hard Drive and a Pioneer DVD-RW Drive. So, the $300 upgrade may be well worth it.
Ahhh... Shuttle (Score:1, Redundant)
This is new? (Score:2)
Re:This is new? (Score:1)
Limited by TV? (Score:1, Interesting)
Then again, people who can drop enough cash to meet alienware prices can probably afford a HDTV setup as well... Then it might be diffferent
Its not a lowly specced machine by anymeans. Maybe it make a good lan box, or anything else where a small form factor is called for. Beowolf cluster anyone?
Seriously, what can it do that any other PC cant?
I bet a lot of spoiled brats are gonna get one for brag-value...
win mediacenter. (Score:2)
that is the only reason to buy it instead of buying your own ss-51g (or gbox or..).
because you can't have it seperately...
i'm seriously having doubts about (all)games working straight on it(sure, they _should_, it's just another xp, but that was the case with xp itself too). this, and the probable 'easy' configuration system limiting what you're able to do lesser it's value.. (especially as lanbox).
720*480 from gf2gts looked ok. anyone know any tv-out tweak tools for radeons?
also, outputting movies through mpeg2 decoder cards looks great, though outputting divx through hollywood+ (that costs ~20-30$ now) eats huge amounts of cpu(95% on 1140mhz duron-morgan, the program used is HHPlus, hungarian hollywood+, and seems to be dropped out of dev, i highly recommend using codec such as ffdshow, or some extra codec to scale the picture, hhplus doesnt know how to do it properly), this is, the_best_tv-out from pc that i have seen. though, several limitations, like, you need to have another display to start the thing.. i'm yet to test mplayers hollywood+ output(on linux, my linux machines are not powerful enough to decode divx), but i'm told it's ok. i'd imagine building a headless linux box that could be operated through zaurus or similar wouldnt be that hard, and it would kiiiiiiiick ass. i only have combined bedroom, movie room, and computer room so i haven't had too much intrest to anything except highquality output to my lowquality shitprojector.
Re:win mediacenter. (Score:2)
looks ok.
(just bought the card on monday...)
Geforce (Score:2)
Re:Geforce (Score:2)
Cap it off with the fact that the GF4 Ti4200 are arguably the best bang for buck card on the market and you have a few reasons.
Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:1)
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:1)
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:1)
Maybe that's why they are dying.
Okay, okay, it's the plasma display that caught my eye. The PC may be an ugly POS, and maybe that's why it's not being shown.
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:2)
I predict that stereo components will converge on a smaller standard over the next decade or so. There's really no need for such bulky cases any more - they hail from the days of massive vacuum tube assemblies, tape mechanisms, and power supplies - all totally obsolete now, with the exception of high-power solid state amps, I guess. If you open up a DVD player, for example, it's just one PCB in the front and then a bunch of dead space inside... personally I'd rather have the compactness of a mini system with the modularity of a component system. It'd be much cheaper, and would look better too.
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:1)
I look at my Sony DB930 Reciever (not super high end by anyone's definition, was $700 new) and it's pretty chock full at component width and some of the actuall highend models from B&K, Denon, Bob Carver, etc are even taller (at the same component width) and just as full or fuller. If I must have one component in my system that big, I'd rather waste a little space in the other components so they stack nice and neat.
But not all the other components are wasting space. My 400 disc CD carasel is pretty chock full (once it has CD's in it) as would be one of those spiffy DVD carasels. Yeah, my single disc tray loading DVD player could be thinner. I wish it was actually, but I don't want it any narrower.
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:2)
I don't care too much about the size but I do care about the bloody FANs (or harddrives for that matter).
I'd much rather stuff a box like this in a closet and have a fanless, diskless box in my AV setup for playback over network.
Re:Why can't these things ever be component width? (Score:2)
Maybe not *your* system; however there are plenty of folks out there buying Nintendo GameCubes despite the non-AV dimensions that your argument fails to hold up. Besides, with the heat that this PC must generate, I can guarantee you wouldn't want to stack your carousel CD player on top of this thing.
Silence is golden (Score:5, Informative)
I already have one of these... (Score:5, Informative)
Ok, I don't have the nifty remote, but I'm sure you can get one after market. Or get the All In Wonder 7500, like Tom did, and get a remote.
There are instructions for this @ Toms Hardware [tomshardware.com].
More flexibility on the configuration, etc, and you don't have to support any vendor (like Microsoft or Intel) that you don't want to.
So do I (Score:5, Interesting)
Used a 4u rackmount case and slid it right into my home entertainment center/stereo rack. Used an 8500 AIW card, soundblaster LIVE, integrated LAN, duron processor, and enough memory to make it work.
Fleshed it out with a wireless keyboard/mouse, some front port adapters, and a front-mounted LCD that displays song title/etc.
Plays audio streams, CDs, DVDs, MP3s, TV-out... runs them right into the receiver unit for the home stereo. Best of all, it looks like it belongs right in the stereo rack with all the other components.
I honestly don't know where I'd put one of those Shuttle cubes, but it certainly wouldn't fit in a rack. The alienware/shuttle cube looks pretty hip, but where's the joy of tinkering? the satisfaction of building it yourself?
Re:So do I (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm using latest version of the ATI MMC software. I really haven't had many problems with ATI, except the occasional game bug. Their drivers are improving.
The comp I mentioned is primarily a home entertainment appliance, though it's beefy enough to do lots of other things. For instance, aside from the lag in the wireless mouse/keyboard, it's a pretty fair Counterstrike machine (though I am definitely NOT 31337, more like cannon fodder). This box will also eventually drive a home theatre projector.
Here's the hardware and prices:
4U Rackmount case (100 bucks)
Enermax PS (60 bucks)
1.3gig duron (50 bucks)
256M pc2700 ram (80 bucks)
80gig Seagate drive (100 bucks)
ECS motherboard (60 bucks)
Soundblaster LIVE 5.1 (40 bucks)
AIW 8500DV (200 bucks)
DVD drive (40 bucks)
USB 2.0 card (20 bucks)
Koutech USB/Firewire 3.5" hub (50 bucks)
CrystalFontz LCD (70 bucks)
Wireless keyboard/mouse (100 bucks)
Total, if you had to build it from scratch, just under 1000 bucks. I didn't pay that... some of this stuff I had laying around, or cannibalized from other boxen. You could certainly get away with much cheaper if you deleted some of the bells and whistles (less fancy video card, no LCD, etc). Also, in fairness to Alienware, my system is NOT portable... it's approx 30lbs.
Honestly, I most enjoy the way it looks. Black, locking front door (keeps little hands away from important buttons) with a lexan window so the LCD is visible. Looks just like an amp, or some other home stereo component.
My wife would say this is the first useful thing my computer tinkering has ever produced.
Re:So do I (Score:2)
Yah, ATI isn't market-dominant (they haven't been since the mid-90's, when the Mach 64 was the biz for gaming). Their drivers don't get the attention that nVidia's do. Wish ATI would pump more into their cards. They compete on the same level hardware-wise...
I went cheap on the speakers, as we don't really have the setup in the room for a 4.1 or 5.1.
How do you find the wireless keboard/mouse? I went with the Logitec wireless mouse/keyboard. The range only seems to be about 4 feet, and it's laggy. Read that electrical components can reduce range. The signal-receiver is sitting right on top of the tv, so that might be it...
Mine is mostly for music and divx. No cable, no satellite. Just antenna, and a 2.5 megabit DSL line, so that makes sense. Bought my first DVD the other day - Extended Lord of the Rings - waiting till closer to the Two Towers before I play it... Be interesting to see how good it looks.
Re:So do I (Score:2)
It is VERY finicky with regards to how it is oriented. If I turn it 90 degrees to the receiver, it doesn't pick up at all (!). Mine is about fifteen feet away from the receiver, which sits on top of the entertainment center. It works, but not in every position.
I really wish it had better range... but it's not a deal-breaker.
Re:So do I (Score:2)
The LCD is made by Crystalfontz. It's driven from a serial port, and requires a power connector for backlight. Similar units are made by MatrixOrbital. The software to drive the LCD is a free download, and can monitor system parameters out the wazoo... temp, network stats, cpu load, memory management, winamp... you name it.
Links:
CrystalFontz Website [crystalfontz.com]
Matrix Orbital [matrixorbital.com]
Re:So do I (Score:2)
All I see... (Score:1)
Let's see... Enjoy DVDs, control live television, burn CDs, view photos, edit video, play games. Sounds like any other PC from Best Buy, no? Honestly, I will probably be modded down, but please enlighten me. Building this thing from scratch from Frys would probably be about $800 (50% the price). What am I paying for, the famous Alienware brand???
Now if this was in a slim form factor that would fit neatly in my stereo rack and work without a keyboard or mouse, that would be something. Ah if only M$ would unlock the X-box.
I think Slashdot has gone beyond link ads, to selling stories to advertisers.
Re:All I see... (Score:1)
Exactly right. It really doesn't matter how much cheaper you could get it other ways, there are some people who will shell out any amount of money at anything Alienware sells.
I think Slashdot has gone beyond link ads, to selling stories to advertisers.
This is not news. For a while now many stories have looked like little more than advertisements.
Xbox (Score:5, Interesting)
Control Live Television - can do with xbox
Enjoy DVDs - can do with xbox
Listen digital music - can do with xbox
Burn music, photos and videos - not yet possible, but might be possible in future
View your favorite photos - can do with xbox
Edit digital videos - can do with xbox
Incredible gaming performance - xbox games aren't that bad..
Cost :
Xbox+modifications = $400
Navigator Mediacenter = $1699
Which one would you choose?
Pr0n box (Score:1, Funny)
They outperformed an HP ?!?!?! (Score:1)
Yea right, and I can beat Stephen Hawking in the 100 yard dash.
You vs. Stephen Hawking (Score:1, Offtopic)
Not if Stephen Hawking drives a rocket powered wheelchair...
Stats are shite, error page slashdotted? (Score:2)
Cooling system: None on the media center PC? Oh come on, it at least has a fan and decent heatsink. If they're going to give us stats, then I want to see stats of a system built for the same price (and not by monkeys).
Also, seems that their "page not found" error is slashdotted or something, it shows me the server JScript. Maybe they're running it on one of these navigators
Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:5, Informative)
So far, the Media Edition version of the OS is OEM only and it will stay like that for the foreseeable future. Having used it, I can say it is extremely functional and does what it says.
So, no, you could not really build one like the Alienware PC that easily, and you most likely think you have a "media" pc. Microsoft bashing aside, if this is their v1 effort, I cannot wait to see what they will make of it in a couple of years.
Re:Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:1)
Most people will probably look at it and go, "Why would I need one when I can get a home entertainment centre for much cheaper". And the average Linux tard probably will be, "I'm a freak, and can spend all my free time making one like it."
But if they cost it down a little bit then they might get more of a market share (or give one to me and i'll recommend it to everyone I know).
Re:Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:2)
Re:Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:4, Informative)
So, I went to an eHome presentation about these things. Basically, v1 of the stuff will not do too much more than PVR/10' UI (that is, ui designed to be operated from 10' away). The media player is spiffed up, uses directX for the ui.
The really cool stuff will start with v2 - that is: multiple tv tuners, a non-oem only license perhaps (the problem with the first time was the hardware support - they didn't want to try to do pvr on whatever hardware, so for now they only have a few supported cards/setups), and best of all, the smaller boxes that some people say that they want, connected to the pc via a network. That way your computer becomes a media server for the entire house, powering these smaller devices. I think there were also some discussions about integrating the Xbox2 into some of these plans, but I dunno, hey, I just attended a meeting.. :)
Re:Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:2)
In conclusion, you can record MPEG2 just fine with other solutions. (Even the free MythTV.)
Re:Windows XP Media Edition... (Score:2)
And the quality sucks. You just can't get decent realtime software MPEG1/MPEG2 on the PC. You're better off recording into something lossless (huffyUV) or something high bitrate (perhaps divx at 100% quality) and converting to MPEG2 later on using CCE or TMPGEnc.
Ye olde Entertainment fyfteme (Score:1)
All I want to know is (Score:1)
I am not going to argue the obvious 'build it yourself' threads that are going to inundate this topic. I'm also not going to argue whether those Soldam cases are more stylish (some of us don't understand what is appealing about the direction the macs are going).
I have bought several spacewalkers, and though I'm not floored by its performance, I generally think they are ok for 'tuck-away' systems.
Has anyone seen that ebony gloss miniitx case design for sale elsewhere?
Re:All I want to know is (Score:1)
Personally, I prefer the coolermaster [coolermaster.com] cases for home theater PCs: they have two 5 1/4" bays, the ability to contain up to four agp/pci cards and about the same form factor as a VCR.
Looks nice but ... (Score:5, Informative)
Short story is that a few weeks later I successfully managed to get MythTV working (tonight in fact). Sure, it took me a while longer, but I learned a heck of a lot in the process, and it didn't cost me much more at all.
Series 2 + lifetime subscription to programming guide:
$550
The non-refundable cost of shipping/return shipping:
$30
My new Pentium IV with Asus P4PE motheroboard (supports hyperthreading CPU, with onboard firewire, usb 2.0, serial ata, RAID, Gigabit LAN and intel8x0 5.1 surround sound -- all linux compatible) and ATI TV-Wonder (stereo version, not VE mono) for video-in and NVidia Ti4200 LeadTek for video-out (which sports Conexant Tv-out chip that is HDTV compatible unlike Philips Tv-out chip and also produces better picture quality with richer feature set)
$700
The satisfaction of doing it yourself
Priceless
So for all others out there like myself, remember there's www.mythtv.org
More on XP Media Center (Score:5, Informative)
The title of the article sums it all up nicely in my book.
Russ
Umm, can't we do this already? (Score:2, Insightful)
Alienware (Score:1, Informative)
Annoying Cube Case. (Score:1, Interesting)
I'll be glad to take that 160GB HDD and Radeon AIW (Score:1)
I don't desire a crippled PC acting as an entertainment center. I want to use the hardware to it's full potential. That's why DVD player's can cost less than $60, they only use the components they need for the job.
Freevo (Score:5, Informative)
Current Features
* Watching TV, with TV Guide (using XMLTV).
* Playing Movies (AVI, MPEG, etc) and DVDs.
* Playing Music (MP3, Ogg).
* Viewing Pictures.
* Skins are configurable using XML files.
* Movie and Music file info using XML files.
* Preliminary Mame support.
Price == the cost of hardware.
Why exactly would I pay through the nose, ass and other body cavities for the alienware box?
Re:Freevo (Score:2, Insightful)
Because you'd like to record?
Re:Freevo (Score:2)
Wow... (Score:3, Informative)
Oh, it has the Alienware name on it? We should pay more for that, right?
You know, I owned a overpriced cube-like computer that played DVDs too, the PowerMac Cube...it looked better and didn't have that $hitty XP on it either.
This is not a new concept people, MicroATX faactor motherboards are fairly common, and frankly, I could build the same machine for about half the price...Damn, for the extra 500 bucks it costs for them to market their name, I'll DRAW an alien head on the front of your's for you.
Just build it yourself (Score:4, Interesting)
According to the website. (Score:4, Funny)
What? I can stand over here and watch it..? What about over here? I can't possibly watch it from over HERE can I?!
Re:According to the website. (Score:3, Funny)
replaytv (Score:2)
Ah, my NetFlix account is going to be handy!
Wow what an innovation (Score:1, Interesting)
Am I a psycho?
Noice level (?) (Score:1)
I think its very important that new gadgets like this also is as quiet as the rest of the equipment below the tv.
Price: $1699.00 (Score:2)
It displays pictures! (Score:2)
Wow! It displays pictures! Not only that, but it plays DVD's and movies! I bet it even makes sounds!
Gee Wizz! It does all that, which of course I can do on my two year old system, and it runs a new version of Windows that gives Bil Gates the right to disable whatever software he wants (even though you may have paid good money for it). And not only was Cyno01 willing to say "If I had the cash for it i would definitly ditch my 160Gb HD and Radeon AIW card." but /. thought this remark was worthy of front page attention!
Linux equiv. (Score:2)
I'd like to put a 'multimedia' centre in the living room, maybe using a nice small micro atx board and case.
Problem will be crowbaring a wireless ethernet card (I'd like it to be the wireless gateway too), and a tv out video card as well...
Brand X (Score:1)
a beautiful table showing how this compares to
a "Competing Media Center PC". I guess there's
exactly one of those, since numbers like '243' for
BAPCo SysMark2002 Rating are given.
"Whereas brand X leaves clothes faded and dirty."
translation (Score:2)
I hate to point this out (Score:2)
Why wouldn't I just buy a TiVO? (Score:2)
Also, unless you go with the "Pro" version you still have the problem that when the HD is full, you then have to choose between deleting a program or not recording another. And the Pro version is as much more than the regular version as the DVD drive would cost you retail. Hmmm...
Finally, you are looking at a solution where the upgradability is studiously not addressed. Can I add another HD and use it? Or will the DRM controls only recognize specifically configured disks?
Basically I just don't see this as a solution.
What I'm hearing... (Score:2)
And then, invariably, comes the 'except'...
XP Media edition gives full Tivo-like functionality in a PC. I've seen one (a friend has one) and played around with it. No PC-based TV recording software comes close. Not to mention the fact that this one box ends up replacing 2 or 3 components in your A/V stack.
So go ahead and bash XP. I don't mind that. Just make sure you're not basing out of ignorance.
Ask Slashdot: Do it yourself TIVO? (Score:2)
This box that the article links to costs a whopping $1700! For that price you could get a TIVO and lifetime subscription and have money left over to get your mom a TIVO with a lifetime subscription for Christmas (or for un-Christmas if you're a Jehovah's witness).
Now, it seems to me you could build something with no DRM built into it for cheap. Does anyone who has experience with this want to tell me how to go about it? I really want to just build it into my existing computer, since I have my PC in the living room already.
1). Is there a video capture card that's up to snuff?
2). Assuming I buy a big-ass SCSI for TV to live in, could I record TV and do stuff (other than quake or NWN, I guess) at the same time? Or should I just not kid myself and build a new system? In this case, can I cheap out on the system, or do I need a high performance one like the one I've got already?
3). Do the free internet services offer the same sort of stuff as TIVO. Anyone have experience with both?
4). Should I just upgrade to digital cable and get the free DVR that comes with that now (here in Austin with Time Warner)
Anyway, there are so many factors to consider I'd really like some feedback on this from those of you who have experience in the matter.
Remote Control (Score:2)
Pretty pointless... (Score:3, Informative)
Secondly, mp3, photos, etc., are what my computer is for. I already have that capability.
Games? If you have a big screen TV, I guess. I also second the post about the shape and size of this thing; why make it so radically different than every other AV component I have? The old desktop shape is more the proper shape than a cube.
I still don't understand why I can't just shell out $350 for a device that does nothing but record TV. I want a digital VCR, that's all.
Major issue overlooked (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Major issue overlooked (Score:2)
There are a few hardware MPEG2 encoder/decoder's out there that are PVR's. A few that come to mind are:
* Sigma Designs REALMagic DVR -- My personal favorite, has had the best quality so far, both at low bitrates and high.
* Hauppauge WinTV PVR -- It's decent quality for those on a budget. Encodes high-bitrate MPEG2 like a charm.
A webpage detailing and reviewing a ton of MPEG1/MPEG2 encoders (both hardware and software) can be found here [tangentsoft.net].
It has to be posted (Score:2)
An old one but still relevant:
http://www.theonion.com/onion3308/realtimetv.ht
Re:So impressive! (Score:1)
I'll give ya $20 for that stuff, so's I can ditch my 20gb drive and POS^h^h^hSiS onboard video. Hey, and yer Athlon XP & mobo's about to be obsolete too. $25 for 'em so's I can find a suitable home for my K6-2?
And you're not gonna need your standalone DVD player anymore either, so I'll trade ya straight up for my eight-track.
Re:I call this Windows Update Now! (Score:2)
Updated Price: $7900.00 Who wants the Navi? If only to call themselves Lain? buhahaha
Navi is easy to upgrade, it had no DRM, and handheld version had self-hosted development environment.
Re:A lot of people are missing the point! (Score:2)
MOD PARENT UP (Score:2)