Anyone have a Windows XP Media Center PC?

[funnybone]

I'm in the market for a new laptop this fall and I am curious about Windows Media Center PCs. I know you have to buy the software with the computer and it isn't something that can be loaded afterwards. It's like having a TIVO and more I hear. Does anyone have it and use it? Any info would help. Thanks.

[slknight]

Huh. My new PC has Windows XP Media Center on it, and I don't really notice anything different with it. :confused: Then again, I'm not doing a lot of media stuff since I use it mostly for programming and surfing.

[Beth]

We have it, but we haven't hooked up a TV to it (yet). Some music and photos, but haven't really learned how to deal with video yet. If you get it, will you give tutoring? ;)

[Gumbeaux]

Tivo is a product and a service. I doubt that a laptop would be an adequate replacement being as a Tivo has to run 24/7, be connected to cable or satellite service and a phone line.

[funnybone]

Tivo is a product and a service. I doubt that a laptop would be an adequate replacement being as a Tivo has to run 24/7, be connected to cable or satellite service and a phone line.

I'm not looking for it to replace my existing TIVO since we have Directv and have their TIVO version DVR. I'm just wondering about how this version of Windows works. I was thinking more of being able to record things on the computer and view them later on on the computer.

[funnybone]

We have it, but we haven't hooked up a TV to it (yet). Some music and photos, but haven't really learned how to deal with video yet. If you get it, will you give tutoring? ;)

Of course! In this house, I'm the techie who has to connect everthing and get it to work. DH couldn't care less about such things. I keep telling him that if remote controls didn't come with TV's he'd never look to get one. :D :rolleyes:

[mbrogier]

I'm not familiar with this product. I do know (from inside sources) that the goal of TIVO is to be able to get your TIVO at home to record any show and then have that show play on your PC. I think that technology is still a few years off. The idea is that if you were on a business trip in Hong Kong, you could still get at your TIVO'd shows and set things to record. I think it's a cool idea.

[mbrogier]

Oh, I just bought a new laptop last month. It's a Compaq Presario V2000 AMD Turion 64. It has a DVD-R drive and a widescreen monitor. I got it at Costco for $700 because it was an open box buy. My Costco has the same model new for $800. I love it.

[funnybone]

I'm not familiar with this product. I do know (from inside sources) that the goal of TIVO is to be able to get your TIVO at home to record any show and then have that show play on your PC. I think that technology is still a few years off. The idea is that if you were on a business trip in Hong Kong, you could still get at your TIVO'd shows and set things to record. I think it's a cool idea.

Slingbox is that sort of thing. I think someone asked about it here once. I don't think Media works quite that way.

Here is some info from the Microsoft site:

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 powers the all-in-one PC and entertainment center for your entire home. Get all the advanced computing power of Windows XP and enjoy your favorite entertainment on your PC—watch DVDs, record TV, listen to music, share your digital photos, and more.

My TV offers a simple way to browse, watch, and record TV, even on multiple channels at the same time (both analog and over-the-air digital). TV features work with an antenna, cable, or satellite TV signal and have a fast and easy setup. My TV includes Live TV, Recorded TV, the Program Guide, Guide Search, and the new Movie Finder2 service—all without a monthly service fee.

[slknight]

I'm not familiar with this product. I do know (from inside sources) that the goal of TIVO is to be able to get your TIVO at home to record any show and then have that show play on your PC. I think that technology is still a few years off. The idea is that if you were on a business trip in Hong Kong, you could still get at your TIVO'd shows and set things to record. I think it's a cool idea.

But you can already do that. :confused: I have it set up so that I can set TIVO to record through my Yahoo account. So all I need is web access to get to Yahoo.

[CompassRose]

You know, I was kind of excited about TiVo until I realised it needed to be connected to cable/satellite as well. If it was a true delivery system that ONLY charged you, say, for the shows you want, that would be perfect... (other than the fact that it doesn't seem to be in Canada yet of course).

There ARE things I would watch on rare occasions if I could, but I still don't feel the need to get a whole cable package at a thousand dollars a year for a half-dozen shows. What I need is something to record shows off the Internet. I ALREADY pay a thousand dollars a year for high-speed. :rolleyes:

Slknight, your avatar makes me laugh. It's pretty unseasonable!

[funnybone]

But you can already do that. :confused: I have it set up so that I can set TIVO to record through my Yahoo account. So all I need is web access to get to Yahoo.

You must have real TIVO and not Directv TIVO (which they are slowly eliminating to se Directv DVR), since we can't do that. However, I prefer Directv's version since we can record two shows at once, and watch a pre-recorded show at the same time.

[staceye]

I just bought a Dell XPS laptop in May with the Media Center software and I had NO IDEA it can record TV like TIVO!!

I already loved the laptop...and now I have some more exploring to do! I'll report back if I figure it out.
-Stacey

[funnybone]

Just bumping the thread in case anyone has more to add.

[staceye]

Thanks for the reminder.

You have to have the (optional) TV tuner in your computer in order to record television...guess which way I opted... :mad:

Aw, well, someday I'll just have to spring for TIVO.
-Stacey

[funnybone]

You have to have the (optional) TV tuner in your computer in order to record television...guess which way I opted... :mad:



Good to know. I guess I need to make sure the laptop has one then. Thanks.

[funnybone]

Bump - just in case anyone may have this. I'll be buying one this month.

[charley]

We have the media edition. I told dh I'd never use the media part and then ended up eating my words. Sometimes it's fun to watch TV and surf at the same time. :p

You can record TV programming, but the computer has to be on and you can't watch another channel at the same time. If you're watching something and walk away from the computer once the screen saver pops up (depending on how you have it set) the program is saved from that point so you can come back and pick up where you left off.

I'm sure dh could give you more info, but he's fast asleep right now.

[imloulou]

Thanks for the reminder.

You have to have the (optional) TV tuner in your computer in order to record television...guess which way I opted... :mad:

Aw, well, someday I'll just have to spring for TIVO.
-Stacey

OK...as I was reading this thread I was thinking that this was the case. I just bought a new computer but opted not to get the TV tuner because of the cost.

I am still OK with our decision as there are only a few shows that we watch regularly.

editing to add: I just went into Media Center and clicked on Settings>TV and got this error:

Tuner not found.
The tuner hardware is either malfunctioning or not installed. Please ensure that both the tuner hardware and valid tuner hardware driver are installed

Does this mean that you can install the hardware later if you want? Does anyone know? I'm not afraid of opening my computer and plugging new things in :D

[funnybone]

Does this mean that you can install the hardware later if you want? Does anyone know? I'm not afraid of opening my computer and plugging new things in :D

My understanding is that it is a separate, exernal item.

Thanks for the info Charley.

[funnybone]

Here is a TV tuner from Dell's site:
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&cs=19&sku=A0417046
http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/images/products/mlrg/A0417046.jpg