Re: Does MCE meet my needs?

From: Luis A. Burgos [MCE MVP] (luis_at_net)
Date: 03/12/04 

Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 15:18:58 -0500

u2jrmw,

see inline.

> 1: PVR with pause and TV Guide technology, season pass style
> functionality etc.

MC has PVR capabilities, with Pause, FFWD and RWD up to 30 min, live
content. Has a TV guide, which is updated via the internet, so internet
connection is required to keep the guide up to date. You schedule shows to
record based on the guide, or manually. You can schedule to record series of
the same program.

>
> 2: Ability to record saved TV shows to DVD for playback on any DVD
> player, preferably with the ability to edit out commercials.
>

MC does not directly support this feature, but several third party
applications, some of them built specifically for MC already do this. Please
check Sonic, Intervideo and Cyberlink products amongst others.

> 3: Regular DVD playback with 5.1 output.

MC supports DVD playback. The 5.1 output depends on the audio card and
that's up to the OEMs to decide, so you should check what each manufacturer
has to offer. Most MCE on the market today support 5.1 and even 7.1

>
> 4: Ability to take old VHS tapes and copy to DVD.

That is possible via third party software, including the ones mentioned
above in point 2.

>
> 5: Ability to take MiniDV from camcorder to PC for editing and dumping
> to DVD.

That is possible with some of the software already mentioned in point 2.
iEEE 1394 (aka iLink, aka FireWire) or USB ports maybe required according to
your miniDV camera. Most MCE include at least 1 IEEE 1394 port and 1 USB
2.0

>
> 6: Only require a wireless network connection. (I understand it will
> require the TV cable in, but want to avoid ethernet and/or telephone
> cable)

All MCE have a networking port, usually 100BaseT Ethernet, but again, that's
up to the OEMs to decide. In any case, you can always add wireless support
after the fact. There are several USB 2,0 adapters for 802.11g which will
provide up to 54 Mbit/sec available for about $80.

>
> 7: Play MP3

MCEs play any tipe of music for which a directx filter is available. That
includes MP3, WMA, etc. To add support for a new sound file format, you just
need to download/purchase the appropriate directx codec. Most popular
formats are supported out of the box.

>
> 8: Play AAC

I confess I'm not familiar with the AAC format, but the answer is still the
same as 7. If a codec is available for Directx, then you should be able to
play AAC files, otherwise, you might need to convert the AAC files to a
format supported by WMP/MC (I'd suggest WMA)

>
> 9: Play streaming WMA from the internet

MC computers sure can stream WMA off the internet.

>
> 10: Play streaming RealAudio from the internet

Providing you have RealPlayer or any RealAudio compatible player, you should
be able to play .rm files and any compatible Realmedia off the internet or
local.

>
> 11: Control the audio functions from the remote without having the TV
> on. By this I mean skip to next track, pause, resume etc.

All MC computers ship with a remote control that will allow you, among other
things:

    * Put the computer into stand-by mode, or wake it up from stand-by
    * Control audio UP/DOWN and MUTE
    * Pause/Stop/Play/FFWD/RWD Live TV or any video
    * Pause/Play/DVD Menu/FFWD/RWD/Next Chapter/Previous Chapter for DVDs
    * Pause/Play/Stop/Next Track/Prev Track for music files (including CDs)
    * Chance channels (Up/Down)
    * Go to your Music, Pictures or Video collection
    * Navigate the MC application interface
    * Record a TV show
    * Browse the guide
    * etc.

> 12: Control the audio functions via another computer or PocketPC on
> the network. Either from a web browser or from something like
> terminal services or PCAnywhere.

You can use Remote Desktop from another PC or PPC, however, you may not be
able to watch the content from afar. There are third party applications such
as webguide (www.thegreenbutton.com) that make many functions of the MC
application available through a web interface, basically making it
accessible to any platform/device that supports http.

You should be able to control voulume level/mute your MC computer from a
remote PC.

>
> I think 11 and 12 may be the deal breakers for me, it is important for
> me to not have to turn my television on to play music, but I do have
> a PocketPC as well as two laptops and a desktop on my network that I
> would like to be able to do things like create playlists or just pick
> a song to play from.

I have never tries that. I don't turn the TV on to play my music as I have a
17" flat screen panel attached to my MC (yes, on the living room, I know...)
but what you suggest may actually be feasible.

> Any advice would be great. I have looked at a number of devices that
> together may be able to do this, but I would love to have it all in
> one...

As far as I can see, there's nothing that you want that MC cannot offer, so
t may be a perfect fit for you.

I have had an HP MC (873N) since early November 2002, working 24x7, not only
as MC, but also as my main computer, and I'm very happy with it. At this
moment I have more than 100 hours worth of recordings (after having deleted
more than 300) and it's been very dependable.

Hope this helps make up your mind.

Bets regards,

Luis

>
> Thanks,
>
> James
>
> Posted via http://www.xpMCE.com
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