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SteveDallas · 09-13-2010, 09:57 AM

I have actually heard that the DVR functions of Windows Media Center are nice. Check it out.

[cue Hell freezing]

Also XBMC is getting very nice these days. It depends on where you get your content from. If you plan to have cable, IMO it is hard to beat the Tivo. Aside from the basic Tivo functions, you can pull shows off it to watch on your computer or handheld (with some hoop-jumping and/or extra charge for latter), or stream video and music to it from your computer. Does it do everything a loaded "server" would do? No. But at the price (even considering the service charge), I suggest it compares favorably with a "media center PC."

The problem for you, zippy, is you can't use one with satellite. DirecTV has been muttering about an HD tivo receiver for years, but it's not here yet. (Tivo's licensing agreement with DirecTV was victimized by its sale to Rupert Murdoch.)

If you're looking to "cut the cord" from cable/satellite altogether, you have a completely different calculation of what you need.

09-13-2010, 09:57 AM	#7
SteveDallas Your Bartender Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Philly Burbs, PA Posts: 7,651	I have actually heard that the DVR functions of Windows Media Center are nice. Check it out. [cue Hell freezing] Also XBMC is getting very nice these days. It depends on where you get your content from. If you plan to have cable, IMO it is hard to beat the Tivo. Aside from the basic Tivo functions, you can pull shows off it to watch on your computer or handheld (with some hoop-jumping and/or extra charge for latter), or stream video and music to it from your computer. Does it do everything a loaded "server" would do? No. But at the price (even considering the service charge), I suggest it compares favorably with a "media center PC." The problem for you, zippy, is you can't use one with satellite. DirecTV has been muttering about an HD tivo receiver for years, but it's not here yet. (Tivo's licensing agreement with DirecTV was victimized by its sale to Rupert Murdoch.) If you're looking to "cut the cord" from cable/satellite altogether, you have a completely different calculation of what you need.