If I want to use my PC as a PVR...

[Professor Frink]

...do I have to have XP Media Center? Or can I have a regular XP Pro setup and just use some sort of application?

This is assuming I have a TV Tuner card, of course. When you buy a good tuner card, do they always come with some sort of app that turns your PC into a TIVO?

If I'm right about this, then I'm open to suggestions for hardware/software.

[IcemanND]

it depends upon you TV tuner card, most will work in PRO and Media, some only in media. The two cards I have one from MSI don't remember which and I have a the DTV tuner from ATI both came with DVR software, the ATI card is a royal pain to set up and has to be paired with an ATI video card (according to them).

[mageguru]

Yes you can use just WinXP...

There are several options, some are free, some do have a cost.

ATI MMC - http://www.ati.com/products/multimediacenter/index.html

Specifications

INTELLIGENT TELEVISION

Eazyconnect™ for streaming live or captured content over a home LAN

EAZYLOOK™ integrated REMOTE WONDER user interface

TV-ON-DEMAND™

Live pause; catch up to pause

Instant replay

Skip forward and back

Archive to ATI VCR or MPEG format

Personal Video Recording

One Touch Record Button

VIDEOSOAP™ filtering

Frame reconstruction

Real-time MPEG2 or MPEG4 encoding

Schedulable recording session

Configurable frame size / rate, video and audio format or choose from preconfigured list

Selectable file naming conventions

Still Capture

To file, desktop or printer

Display Zoom

Closed Caption

Over Video or in Window

TV Magazine

HOTWORDS™

Closed captioning search

Parental Controls

Input Connector

Selectable from control panel

Display Options

Full screen or pre-sized window

Video Desktop

THRUVIEW™ for translucent TV, playback

MULTVIEW™

Picture in Picture

Picture outside Picture

Channel surf, TV-ON-DEMAND™ , PVR while watching live TV

DVD PLAYER

EAZYLOOK™ integrated REMOTE WONDER user interface

Advanced menu support

Variable Speed Fast Forward and Rewind

Subtitle Support

Dual Subtitle Display

Captions over Video

External Caption File

Bookmarks

Set maximum

Set Expiry date

Display Options

THRUVIEW™ Desktop and window

Full screen, pre-sized screen displays

Zoom

Parental Controls

A/B looping

Still Capture

To file, desktop or printer

VCD PLAYER

Supports VCD 1.0 and 2.0

Zoom, Fast Forward, Rewind, Skip Segment, Previous Segment

Still Capture

To file, desktop or printer

Display Options

THRUVIEW™ Desktop

Full screen, pre-sized screen displays

CD PLAYER

Play, Pause, Stop, Skip Forward, Skip Previous

Shuffle, Loop

Time Mode

Set display options for elapsed, remaining, track, total elapsed, total remaining or total play time

FILE PLAYER

EAZYLOOK™ integrated REMOTE WONDER user interface

Single User interface for Media File Playback

MPEG-1, MPEG-2, *.AVI and other video formats

*.MP3, *.MID, *.WAV and other audio formats

Display Options

THRUVIEW™ Desktop and window

Full-screen, pre-sized screen displays

Zoom

Still Capture

GEMSTAR GUIDE PLUS+™ TV LISTINGS (NORTH AMERICA ONLY)

Integrated TV Listings – GUIDE Plus+™ TV Listings are downloaded weekly

Advanced Search – Search the listings for program name, actor, event and other choices

One Touch Record – Easily schedule a Personal Video Recording session through GUIDE Plus+™ listings

TELETEXT (EUROPEAN)

Print teletext feed

Save page

Capture to clipboard

Hotwords – Programmable real time word notification

TV Magazine – using the Teletext subtitle feed, create a transcript of a program, including still capture images

MULTIMEDIA CENTER™ LIBRARY

Autoscan system for media file

List available audio, video or picture files

Protect from Deletion

Recommend for Deletion

Export to MPEG2 or MPEG4 format

Add custom file formats to library

Cleanup Library

Create Playlists

Export to *.M3U (WinAMP)

GENERAL

Initialization Wizards for easy configuration

Customizable Skins – choose from Classic, Modern, Tranquility or ZeroG

Consistent user interface

Integrated with REMOTE WONDER™

Cost:

Free, But requires an AIW/TV wonder product, and a Remote Wonder to use Easylook which is a front end that is like MCE.

(FYI, I used this prior to going to MCE2005, and it wasn't really that bad, I just had issues with the first revision of the Remote Wonder and its RF range.)

CTpvr/CTtv - http://www.ctpvr.com/

intro:

CTpvr is a Personal Video Recorder(PVR) designed to work with Hauppauge PVR 250/350. PVRs use TV tuner cards to record TV shows to your PC's harddrive. CTpvr allows you to record TV shows while playing back shows you have already recorded. Our PVR is actually made up of two programs. One is CTpvr which is primarily for scheduling show to record and managing the settings that control the behavior of the PVR. The other is CTtv which does the actual TV viewing and recording of TV shows.

features:

watch, pause, or record livetv.

integrated electronic tv-guide.

schedule recording of tv-shows.

auto mulitcard recording system. (not yet available)

video library to manage all recorded shows.

integrated media player for quick and easy playback.

remote control support frees you from the pc keyboard.

free form skinning engine, allows for custom skins.

requirements:

hauppauge pvr250/350, wmp9, mpeg2 video and audio decoders

screenshots:

http://ctpvr.com/ss.html

cost:

free... for now

Beyond TV3 - http://www.snapstream.com/

intro:

Beyond TV (formerly Personal Video Station) frees you to watch TV and movies at your leisure. Use your PC to record, watch, pause, and SmartSkip your favorite programs using the award-winning ViewScape interface.

features:

SmartSkip, skip commercials and other parts of tv shows with a single click.

watch, pause, or record livetv.

Free Program Guide (U.S. and Canada).

ViewScape animations and sounds.

Configure as a Home Video Server.

schedule recordings over the internet, even from your WAP enabled cell phone.

ShowSqueeze compresses your recordings to windows media format to save disk space or take shows with you on the road.

requirements:

http://snapstream.com/Products/Products_PVS3_SysReq.asp

screenshots:

http://snapstream.com/Products/Products_PVS3.asp#screenshots

cost:

$59.99 USD

GB-PVR - http://www.gbpvr.com/

intro:

GB-PVR is a fully featured Personal Video Recorder (PVR), allowing you to schedule TV recordings and view and pause live TV. In additional to this PVR functionality, it also acts as a media center allowing you to watch movies, listen to music and view pictures. GB-PVR also supports specialist hardware decoders including Sigma Designs XCard, Hauppauge PVR350 and Hauppauge MediaMVP, with support the full application including On Screen Display (OSD).

features:

watch, pause, or record livetv.

free electronic programing guide via xmltv.

ability to create libraries for media: store/watch movies, store/listen to music,

store/view pictures.

weather module.

skin support.

requirements:

MS .net framework 1.1+, windows 2000/xp, Hauppauge PVR250/PVR250MCE/'Roslyn'/'Blackbird'/PVR350/PVR USB2, Adaptec VideOh, Provideo PV258/PV259, Leadtek PVR2000, Avermedia M179, Prolink PlayTV@P7000, Generic Conexant "Blackbird" based card.

screenshots:

http://www.gbpvr.com/screenshots.htm

cost:

free

MediaPortal (formerly known as xbmc-pc) - http://dott.lir.dk/mediaportal/forum/ & http://sourceforge.net/projects/mediaportal/

intro:

This program opens the portal to a new digital media Experience.Listen,record and organise music, movies pictures and even Pause TV!.Use internet sources to enrich your media with albumart or songnames. Experience media as never been seen or heard before

features:

watch livetv, record tv.

free electronic program guide via xmltv.

library for music, movies, recordings, pictures,

weather module.

skin support.

requirements:

windows 2000/xp, directx 9.0+, MS .net framework 1.1+, mpeg2 codecs for mpeg2/dvd playback

screenshots:

http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/gallery.html

cost:

free

OpenHTPC - http://www.openhtpc.com/

intro:

OpenHTPC is an open source home theater PC (HTPC) front end project. The system is written in C#. Currently it's running on the Windows platform. However, the system is design to be platform independent so that in the future it could be deployed on other platforms like Linux.

features:

Versatile. The system is primarily a front-end. On Windows platform it uses the DirectX interface. As long as the codec of the specific media type is installed, it should be able to play it.

Simple maintenance. The system is composed of several DLLs, one executable, at least one skin folder and one configuration file. Basically the users just need to copy the files. Make changes to no more than 10 lines in XML configuration and run.

Easy to use. The system is designed to work with any input device (keyboard, remote controller and joysticks etc) with at least 6 buttons (up, down, left, right, ok and cancel).

I designed the innovative context sensitive key map mechanism. For example, the Right function and FastForward function can be assigned to the same button. If the current context is DVD navigation, the code will only check if the button supports the Right. If the current context is playback, it will only check if the button supports FastForward function.

'media center' functionality gives the ability to store/watch movies, pictures, dvd's, or store/listen to music.

skin support.

requirements:

MS .net framework 1.1+

screenshots:

http://weiopenhtpc.sourceforge.net/screenshots.html

cost:

free

SageTV - http://www.sage.tv/

intro:

SageTV puts you in control of the first networked media center experience for your PC. Record and watch your favorite shows while playing games, listening to music, surfing the Web and more - all from your existing PC. Explore your options with the power of SageTV.

features:

Never miss your favorite TV shows.

Free yourself from the confinement of television schedules and complexity of your VCR.

Skip through commercials in the blink of an eye.

Use your PC without realizing it's recording TV while gaming, playing music, surfing the Internet or more.

Record news shows automatically and intelligently.

Watch shows on your TV, PC or both.

Have access to all your recorded television and music on your PC anywhere in any environment.

Stream High Quality MPEG-2 Live and recorded TV across your network with SageTV on any PC.

Access your MP3 collection quickly by Album, Artist or Playlists.

requirements:

http://www.sage.tv/requirements.html?sageSub=tv

screenshots:

http://www.sage.tv/stvscreenshots.html?sageSub=tv

cost:

$79.95 USD

Meedio (formerly myHTPC) - http://www.meedio.com/

intro:

myHTPC is a highly customizable,menu driven front end that allows you, among other things, to launch external programs, browse pictures and large collections of almost any type of media stored on your computer.

myHTPC is extremely flexible and allows you to easily build nested menu structures that can accomplish many tasks. Its large, clear display makes it perfect for large monitors or TV sets.

features:

'media center' functionality gives you the ability to store/watch movies, pictures, dvd's, (s)vcd's, store/listen to music.

extremly flexible allowing you to build nested menu structures to accomplish tasks.

extensible plugin architecture.

ability with plugins to watch/record/pause livetv.

free electronic program guide, listings can be provided by xmltv.

configuration wizard makes setup quick and simple.

weather module.

contacts module.

supports multiple users, and password protected screens.

requirements:

windows98/me/2000/xp, gdi+, msxml4 sp2+, wsh 5.6+.

screenshots:

http://myhtpc.net/screens/

cost:

Free Trial

$20.00 untill 4/30/05 (special cause they reached 200 plugins)

Normally $59.95

Mimic - http://uimimic.sourceforge.net/

intro:

Mimic allows HTPC enthusiasts to dynamically build complex, flexible user interfaces. In addition to the front-end functionality you would expect to see in an application of this nature, such as a picture viewer and a media player.

features:

freedom to contribute to (or influence) the development of Mimic

a reliable and flexible plugin architecture

truly dynamic user interface creation

a wide variety of user interface elements with which to design your interface (buttons, text fields, active text fields, keyboard accelerators, decorations, animations, media lists, graphical preview windows, text preview windows, and more)

automatically scales screens to the current system resolution

... and much more!

requrirements:

windows98/me/2000/xp, MS .net framework 1.1+, wmp9

screenshots:

http://uimimic.sourceforge.net/

cost:

free

Chameleon - http://www.xmission.com/~smesser/

intro:

Chameleon is a menu driven framework with a very customizable interface. You can add your own bitmaps or use the built in button types. All buttons currently have four functions. Buttons can execute a command , launch an executable, call a submenu, or launch a Chameleon dll. It is my intention to have Chameleon be just a front-end. Adding functionality would be accomplished by standalone executables, worker dll's, or add-on modules.

features:

http://www.xmission.com/~smesser/features.htm

requirements:

?

screenshots:

http://www.xmission.com/~smesser/photo.htm

cost:

free

MediaEngine - http://www.mediaengine.org

intro:

originaly designed for the carpc, does have some features that some may find enjoyable on a media center pc.

features:

play/store music.

watch/store movies.

play dvd's, cd's, (s)vcd's.

listen to fm radio.

gps directions/maps.

vfd/touchscreen support.

skin support.

requirements:

?

screenshots:

http://www.mediaengine.org/index.php?scree...sults=5&start=1

cost:

free

Multi-Median - http://imon.soundgraph.com/contents/e_204.html

intro:

Multi-Median is designed to enjoy the media files like Music, Movie, Photo and use the multimedia device like DVD, TV, Digital Camcoder and Digital Camera in your PC. All the controls and settings could be controlled by iMON remote controller, and this Multi-Median is the most advanced media center which manages every multimedia files and devices in your PC. You can use your PC as a real Home Theater system with iMON and Multi-Median.

features:

pull media from devices such as hdd, odd, tv, digital camcorder, or digital camera.

music storage and playback

movie and video storage and playback.

picture storage and slideshow viewing.

preview mode or fullscreen mode.

requirements:

imon remote

screenshots:

http://imon.soundgraph.com/contents/e_204.html

cost:

free

xLobby - http://www.xlobby.com/

intro:

Xlobby is not your average home theater front end. It is a highly customizable piece of software that can be whatever you want it to be.

features:

free form skin support w/drag and drop skin editor.

library system to manage and playback music and movies, recordings and pictures.

multi client support for more pc's or even ppc's.

multi zone audio support. turn on speakers in certian rooms, turn them off, or even play different music in different rooms at the same time.

pocket pc support.

independant client support allows clients to browse simultaneously and independantly of other clients or the server.

requirements:

winamp2 or winamp5, MS .net framework 1.1+

screenshots:

http://www.xlobby.com/screenshots/

cost:

free

x-o-n-e - http://www.x-o-n-e.com/

intro:

?

features:

?

requirements:

?

screenshots:

http://www.x-o-n-e.com/

cost:

?

MainLobby - http://www.webpromotion.com/cinemar/mainlobby.html

intro:

If you've been searching for a cool looking front end for your HTPC, look no further. You no longer need to spend thousands to have a great looking media server or whole house automation control. MainLobby 2 turns your TV, Computer or Webtablet into a huge color remote control. MainLobby 2 allows you to drag provided buttons on to a Stage, name them, then launch your favorite program, movie, music, playlist, or link to another Scene. Send IR commands, launch external CD's or DVD's in your changer or control your entire theater using third party programs and hardware (GIRDER SUPPORT BUILT-IN). Create your own HTPC kiosk for friends and family to use without being concerned they will access other files. MainLobby 2 makes you look like a seasoned graphics artist because we provide all the graphics and background skins. Think you've got talent too...create your own background skins using your favorite paint program. Start creating your own desktop Kiosk today!

features:

Control Components & Lighting

Launch programs, batch files, mp3, cds, dvds, etc.

Add an unlimited number of buttons

Exchange themes with a friend who has MainLobby

Design your own Music or Media Jukebox

HTPC Builders: Design your own kiosk for clients to navigate the software you include with your systems (resale license required)

Assign keyboard shortcuts to any button

Drag-and-drop elements on to screen (Time clock display)

Create a movie trailers page

Link to family photos and slideshows

Design a simple to use interactive home theater wizard so even your kids and significant can watch a movie

Launch movies from your hard drive

and much more

requirements:

?

screenshots:

http://www.webpromotion.com/cinemar/mainlo...creenshots.html

cost:

$59.99 USD ($239.99 USD for the suite - mainlobby, dvdlobby, weblobby, musiclobby, weatherlobby - see website for more information)

PowerCinema - http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/product...nema/3/main.jsp

intro:

PowerCinema is an exciting new innovation from CyberLink that brings all your favorite entertainment applications together on your PC. Offering exceptional Movie, Video, Photo, and Music enjoyment through an easy to navigate interface, PowerCinema gives you an all-in-one home entertainment center that can be used with or without a remote control.

features:

Watch your DVD movies in total comfort...

Import your favorite photos and create dazzling slideshows...

Easily browse, organize, and view your video files...

Listen to some great MP3 or Audio CD tunes..

Connect to the Web for the latest news and updates...

Special video and audio modes for enhanced audio and video experience. CyberLink Eagle Vision (CLEV), CyberLink Pano Vision (CLPV), CyberLink Multi-Channel Environment Impression (CLMEI), and CL Headphone.

requirements:

http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/cyberst...p?ProdVerId=66#

screenshots:

http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/product.../3/features.jsp

cost:

$49.95 USD (regular $79.95 USD)

Showshifter - http://www.showshifter.com/

intro:

ShowShifter software has been developed specifically for home use to further empower the PC as a home entertainment device.

Whilst other PC entertainment software packages use traditional desktop or 'lean forward' interfaces ShowShifter uses a distance-based or 'lean back', remote enabled interface allowing the PC to be just as convenient to use as traditional remote controlled home entertainment products, like a TV or VCR.

Unlike other software ShowShifter provides access to all forms of home entertainment through a single interface. With ShowShifter the user doesn't need to return to their desktop to open and close applications when switching between DVD, TV and CDs etc, dramatically increasing the convenience factor.

features:

Pause Live TV

Digital Video Recorder

Electronic Program Guide

Home Network Compatible

Watch DVDs

Use a Remote Control

Music Jukebox and CD Player

Digital Picture Viewer

DVB support

requirements:

http://www.showshifter.com/support/system.htm

screenshots:

http://www.showshifter.com/support/screenshots/screens.htm

cost:

Showshifter3 - $59.99 USD

ShowshifterDVB - $74.99 USD - regular showshifter with dvb support

ShowshifterPRO - $74.99 USD - regular showshifter with DIVXpro codec

J.River Media Center http://www.jriver.com/

intro:

Music, photos, and video YOUR way -- all from a single software program! Connect your PC to your home entertainment hardware and control it all with a remote! Load your music on your iPod while you watch TV! All with one easy-to-use program -- MEDIA CENTER!

features:

Improved Action Window

Media Mode Buttons

3D Visualizations

Support for all cameras that use WIA

Supports the Apple iPod

Digital Images

DVD Burning

Cover View

Remote control

Theater View

Slideshow

Auto Smartlists (playlists)

Powerful TV Feature

File Browser

CD and Track Lookup

requirements:

http://www.musicex.com/cgi-bin/faq/mc_faq.pl

screenshots:

http://www.musicex.com/mediacenter/features.html

cost:

$24.98 USD (regular $39.98 USD)

InterVideo Home Theater - http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/HomeTheater_Profile.jsp

intro:

InterVideo Home Theater is your complete entertainment center! Get the most out of your multimedia content - TV, DVDs, Picture, Music, and Video - pause live TV, record a show, listen to your favorite song, import playlists, create a unique slideshow of photos and enjoy a DVD movie with theater-like sound. Experience all this & more from the comfort of your couch with the included remote control!

features:

http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/HomeTheater.jsp?mode=Features

requirements:

http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/HomeTheater....de=Requirements

screenshots:

http://www.intervideo.com/jsp/HomeTheater.jsp?mode=Features

cost:

$99.95 USD

Digital Theater Professional - http://www.binarymetal.com/dtpgeneral.html

intro:

Digital Theater Pro is an infinitely expandable and fully interactive automation and control interface - the most advanced program of its kind to date.

Unlike traditional high-end control systems costing over $10,000 which only allow you control your off-the-shelf theater hardware, Digital Theater can interact directly with your theater hardware and computers- making Digital Theater the first solution to allow direct control over Home Theater Personal Computers (HTPCs).

features:

fully interactive gui

touch screen support

plugin expandable architecture

custom windows

macro support

multitasking environment

themable gui

networking capabilities

client/server aware

dvd catalog

window maker

macro maker

theme browser

local and remote file browser

automated settings backup

screenshots:

http://www.binarymetal.com/dtpscreenshots.html

requirements:

http://www.binarymetal.com/dtpreqs.html

cost:

$65.00 USD + addons. product is in beta at the time of this writing. the beta costs 65 USD and you get a free upgrade to the final version when complete.

4am Media Console - http://www.overnighttech.com/products/4amMC_overview.html

intro:

What you need to customize your Home Theater Personal Computer (HTPC). This software will allow you to simplify the front end of your system, and allow you to get away from the boring and sometimes cryptic computer desktop look that is normally provided with the operating system.

4am Media Console now provides full support for both 4:3 and 16:9 ratio resolutions, allowing you to maximize the screen usage of your particular viewing device, whether it be a 4:3 computer screen, TV or webtablet PC or a 16:9 projector or plasma. (And no the 16:9 version is not a simple scaled version of the 4:3, it is reconfigured to setup without weird scaling effects.)

features:

Launch ANY file type with it's associated program

execute a command line directive, allowing you to open any file in any desired software

Use a 4:3 or 16:9 ratio version!

4 customizable menu options (by default these are labelled Video, Music, Interent, Games); may be scrolled through using the up and down arrow keys, or using Insert, Home, Delete, and End keys.

Use keyboard to access almost all features

Control your system volume (master, wave, and CD)

Customize color and tint of the list buttons

Hide mouse and force it's start location

Setup close button to shutdown, reboot, or logoff windows directly (excellent for shell use.)

Impress your friends with a whole new vision for you HTPC

Configure upto 100 buttons for each menu option

Activate any button with a single keyboard click

Configure a simple layout anyone can use

requirements:

http://www.overnighttech.com/products/4amMC_sysreq.html

screenshots:

http://www.overnighttech.com/products/imag...amMC21-ss1b.jpg

http://www.overnighttech.com/products/imag...amMC21-ss2b.jpg

cost:

$25.00 USD

while not quite a frontend, 4am Music Console (located at the same place you get 4am Media Console) can be used in conjunction with 4am Media Console to orginize and play your music. 4am Music Console supports a music collection that is based on the harddrive. the internal player can play most formats, and for those it cant, you can launch an external player, integrated support for winamp2.x, command line support, and skins.

the best part. 4am Music Console is free. please note that this program as well as its cosuin is in beta stage.

GotTV PVR - http://www.gottvpvr.com

intro:

Many of you that use myHTPC know of GotTV. Well here is GotTV PVR, based off the same core of GotTV but with skin support, an EPG, DVD and Videos, and even Photos.

features:

TV/Guide Features

Supports all TV Cards with WDM drivers.

Supports Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 250/350 and other hardware MPEG2 cards.

Supports FusionHDTV I/II/III card in WDM and HDTV modes.

TV Guide based on XMLTV or Zap2It Direct.

TV recordings scheduling.

TV recordings playback.

Multituner support for viewing and recording.

On the fly screen design switching.

Recording with Windows Media/DiVX/XVid, MPEG2 and other codecs.

Playback of any video types.

Digital timeshifting combined with analog non-timeshifting channels.

Channel profiles per input,type and other.

Native support for MCE remotes.

Closed Captions.

Support for MPEG2 selection for video and audio, TV viewing and files playback.

Direct support for RedRat2 or ACTiSYS IR-200L IR Blaster using OpenSource

IRTuner.dll or the drivers themself.

Direct support for DCT2000 series serial control.

Support for software Deinterlace filter. This filter is copyright by open source project Dscaler at http://www.dscaler.com.

Hardware Deinterlace with VMR9 and VMR7.

Channels Tuning - Custom and fine tunning.

Recordings: MPEG2 for MPEG2 hardware cards. Transport stream with Fusion HDTV cards. WMV, Custom (Divx, Xvid or others) or MPEG2 (Needs Intervideo codecs) for other cards.

ffdShow for TV and File Playback with presets.

DVD/Movies Features

Custom MPEG2 Decoders selection.

Fast aspect ratio selection.

Custom zoom controls.

VMR9/7/Overlay selection.

ffdShow support with presets.

DVD Profiler information support.

Fast filtering by Genre or online/offline.

Fast search by Title.

Online (Hard Disk) DVD playback.

Offline (DVD Drive) DVD disk management and identification.

Music Features

Catalog based selection.

Fast queuing and/or playback.

Fast search by Artist or Album Title.

Photos Features

Catalog based selection.

Fast rotation and navigation.

requirements

http://www.gottvpvr.com/Downloads/default.aspx

screenshots

http://www.gottvpvr.com

cost

free

The Charmed Quark Controller - http://www.charmedquark.com

intro:

CQC is a Windows based, distributed control and automation software suite. CQC provides a secure, network distributed, highly integrated, control and automation solution, including an extensive backend architecture, powerful user drawn interface system, user based security, object oriented macro and driver development language with graphical IDE, supporting X-10, IR, socket, serial, and USB devices, as wellas software applications.

features:

Application Control. The major new feature in this release is the ability to control applications. New classes have been added to the CML language runtime, which allow CML drivers to control applications and make them look just like any other device to the CQC system. A new application control server program is now provided which runs on any machines where you want to control applications, and drivers communicate with this server to manage those applications.

SmartHome 1132U USB X-10 Controller. The driver for this device has been much improved. SmartHome has refused to provide documentation on this device, so companies such as Charmed Quark have to figure it out by trial and error unfortunately. In this release, much trial and error was done to get the driver solid.

User Drawn Interface Enhancements. There are a number of nice enhancements to the user drawn interface system, including the ability to execute applications (which allows user interfaces to act as 'front ends' that can invoke other applications), the ability to invoke an action after a new overlay is loaded, significant performance improvements for interfaces that use lots of transparent images, and support for 'Marquee' style display in static and dynamic text widgets.

Direct TV Set Top Box Many DirecTV set top boxes are serially controllable, and this driver should provide control for both standard and HD models that suport the standard serial protocol.

Sony VPL-W10HT Driver. A new driver for the Sony 10HT projector is in this version. The documentation is somewhat lacking, and the driver acts strange when polled in certain circumstances, so this first release of the driver is a write-only driver and doesn't provide any feedback. We will continue to try to figure this issue out and provide two way control.

Zektor HDS4.2 Video Switcher. A new driver for the Zektor HD-capable HDS4.2 video switcher is in this release. It should provide full, two-way control of this device.

DVI Link DS-41R DVI Switcher. A new driver for the DVI Link 4x DVI video switcher is in this release.

Update of HD Leeza Driver. The HD Leeza driver has been updated to work with the latest (as of this release) firmware release, 5.5.74.

Application Drivers. The first software application drivers are for the WinDVD4, TheaterTek 1.5, and Media Player 9 software players.

requirements:

http://www.charmedquark.com/Technical/Requirements.htm

screenshots:

none

cost:

$200USD for the base package. $40 USD for the application control package, $40 USD for the xml gateway

TVedia - http://www.8dim.com/products/

intro:

TVedia is a Home Theater PC software that uses TV and remote control as primary user interface. It allows your PC to blend naturally into your normal entertainment environment, while not losing PC's flexibility and power. It is capable of playing various formats of encoded video and audio clips. Unlike other software Home Theater PC solutions in the market, using a hardware REALmagic® XCard decoder card from SigmaDesigns, TVedia provides extremely high quality decoding and TV/HDTV/VGA signal encoding abilities with minimal CPU consumption. The signal quality is even better than your hardware DVD player, and miles ahead of video card TV out and other scan converter based solutions.

features:

Sophiscated OSD engine to provide overlay text/graphics on playing video.

Full PVR support with the Hauppauge PVR-150/250/350/500/USB2.

Full PVR support for DVB cards through the use of DVBCore.

Media collection search with OSD

On screen media collection search and selection queuing without stopping the current playing media. Media collection information is stored in XML files, with a flexible schema.

Playlist management with OSD

Display, move and clear queued media

File selection with OSD

You can navigate the file system and select arbitrary media to play.

VCD PBC

Playback control info of VCD is loaded and interpreted to allow remote control of

VCD playback.

DVD playback

Playback controls (pause, resume, repeat, fast forward, rewind)

Media clip playback controls are accessible through remote, and status is displayed with OSD.

Multi-language support (preconfigured with English and Chinese)

Simple localization framework allows rapid localization of existing features and switching between languages. Localized strings are stored in separate files.

Player setting and media management app on PC

A PC UI based Media Manager app can be used to perform media collection management functions, such as add/replace/delete media to the collection. Player settings can be adjusted with options dialogs invoked from tasktray.

Play software decoded AVI files (e.g. MPEG4 derivative formats and MPEG4 with advanced features)

Theoretically any media formats can be played, as long as you have DirectShow codec installed for the format.

Play other media formats, such as MKV, OGM with multi audio and subtitle support.

Subtitle for both software and hardware decoded AVI files

Picture slideshow

Web browsing

Streaming WMV/WMA file, Shoutcast from the web

Personal video recording and timeshifting

requirements:

Win98SE, WinME, Win2000, WinXP, Pentium MMX processor 450MHz, 64MB RAM. For software decoding AVI/WMV/OGM/RM files, 1GHz or above, and 256MB RAM or above,MSXML3 SP2, Internet Explorer 6.0, Driver for XCard from SigmaDesigns (Driver 2.0b or higher is recommended for best playback quality and overall player experience), Xmedia Player from SigmaDesigns.

screenshots:

http://www.8dim.com/products/screenshots.asp

cost:

$59.95 USD - 15 day trial.

$19.95 USD for the DVB add-on

$29.95 USD for an upgrade from Jove Player

[Professor Frink]

Wow, thanks mageguru. I think my head's going to explode!

[Professor Frink]

One more thing that I need to ask. Obviously I have a bunch of options as far as video cards and associated software, and they can all be run on XP.

But do I actually gain any sort of advantage by using Media Center? I guess that was my main thought all along, I just didn't say it properly.

[raskren]

I've used about half of the programs that the previous poster listed. Yes, you do gain an advantage in using MCE 2005. Simply put, MCE 2005 is the most polished, most intuitive PVR you can get today, period (well, IMO).

[Marsden]

Nobody comes even close to the "smart" TV recording that is standard in MCE 2005.

Want to record a program every Friday night? But what is it has been pre-empted by some special? No problem it won't record. Want to record only first run shows? No problem as MCE will ignore reruns and only record first runs. What if the usual one hour show is two hours? No problem, MCE goes out before record time and checks the broadcast schedual. If there is a 2 hour special instead of the usual one hour it records two hours automatically without user interventation.

There are even cool tools available to trim commercials out and another tool to compress into WMV all done using your MCE Remote Control.