i don't think you have to spend $900.
I stand corrected... I didn't realize how much prices have dropped since I bought my system 3 months ago. I just noticed in this weekend's Circuit City ad that there was a Gateway MCE system (nicely appointed, complete with TV tuner, monitor, and printer) for $750. Even J6P might appreciate the value there; it doesn't cost much more than any other high end PC.
Anyway, let me address your questions before the thread regulars lose their patience with us :).
how do you use your MCE? do you have it connected directly to a TV, or do you watch on the PC? or do you use Extenders? why do you like it better than Tivo?
I currently have my MCE connected directly to a new HDTV. Prior to that, I had it connected to a standard TV via S-Video, but I was only using it as a music jukebox, essentially, because I was loving my dual tuner direct Tivo combo box. Personally, I consider the DirecTIVO unit to be a device that is far greater than the sum of it's parts. I know MCE also supports dual tuners, but to use them with DSS, one would need to attach a separate STB to each tuner (and pay $5/additional STB). With the DirecTIVO, you connect two satellite feeds to the box and you're set. Plus it records the original DirecTV bitstream (preserving video clarity + dolby digital audio, if available).
I'm now in a situation without DirecTV and I find standalone TiVo solutions to be far less compelling. Which is why I'm switching to MCE. For no additional cost, I can record free OTA HDTV, play back recorded shows over the network on any PC in the house, stream shows over the internet using Orb (now a free service), burn a show to DVD, set up recordings over the internet, etc. A TiVo may do many of those things also, but I see no reason to buy new hardware/pay a subscription to do so, when the MCE does everything so well. I already have the MCE, after all.
Incidentally, I don't use an extender, but am eagerly awaiting future versions of it so I can stream to other rooms of the house. I do believe that HDTV recordings are not streamed satisfactorily, unfortunately, so the Extender technology may not be ready for the home theater enthusiast. |
