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Part 3 of the MythTV vs. XP MCE is up. This part focuses on the TV/PVR features of each solution. I should mention that I never personally evaluated Tivo. I am sure that it is a great solution for many folks. A subscription is not required, but adds some important features… but there are many ways to work around the subscription. I already had the hardware (for the most part), and I wanted to browse the web and play some games… so Tivo wouldn’t cut it for me.

Once again, I’ve dug out my Newton and am trying to justify uses for it. It is still, by far, the best PDA I’ve ever owned. (I’ve had 3 Palm Pilots and a PocketPC.) It’s handwriting recognition is stellar, and it’s interface is intuitive and quick. It’s just to damn huge. I’ve destroyed jacket pockets carrying this thing around. Please, Apple, release a new device that his smaller and lighter with a big screen. For now, I’ll continue to telnet and email from my beloved Newton while I carry out all other personal organization with my Palm Zire. (I’m a sell-out.)

- Duane

I’ve posted part 2 (out of 4) of my home media center round-up. Check it out. Although I hoped to get updates out a few days apart, it looks like a week apart is more realistic. Blame school.

A few friends from work (Brad and Keith) and I are working on a geek review site. We’re hoping to cover hardware, software, phones, handheld gadgets, toys, etc. Elitegeek.net will be available in January of 2005.

- Duane

After far to long, I’ve finally added a new article. I’ve made up for my procrastination with a doozie. It’s a 4 part piece detailing the process of evaluating a few home media center options. I’ll post each section as I complete the editing and layout… most likely a day or 2 apart.

Thanksgiving has come and gone, as has the day-after-Thanksgiving shop-o-thon. Gina and I had dinner with my family at my Aunt Sharon’s house. Nice, simple, and relaxing… not to mention the good eats. Michigan delivered a little snow. Not enough to complicate travel, just enough to remind us that we are, in fact, still in Michigan. Sigh.

Gina has been putting in 12-18 hour days finishing her doctoral thesis. She is completing her graduate research in neuroscience at U of M. I’m sure she’s looking forward to getting her defense behind her and continuing with her career. I’ve always been fascinated with the microscope imagery she captures. In fact, I’ve decided to use these images as the basis for my next (and hopefully final) painting project at Wayne State.

- Duane

Last night I successfully installed and configured MythTV using a NVidia card (much easier than ATI). First off, I’ll say it purty. It is by far the most attractive Linux GUI I’ve yet encountered. The installation was not difficult, but I would recommend that novice Linux users read the instructions in entirety 3 times before beginning the installation.

That said, I’ll cut straight to my 1 word review: immature. The feature set is rich (TV, Program Guide, PVR, DVD player, music player, online tools, CD/DVD burning, and more). But none of it functioned at a “production” level. Linux fans would argue that ” it’s not production software.” Fair enough. But I’m looking for a production solution. Something that just plain works. MythTV v4r5 is far less complete than the first beta release of Mac OS X. It’s a good hobbiest’s solution, not a reliable appliance.

Things that would have swayed my opinion? How about the ability to control the GUI with a mouse (especially the music playlists)? (I know… it’s designed for a remote/keyboard, but still…) How about a DVD player with a useable interface? How about a video player that I don’t have to tweak command line settings for different file types? These are all things that can be adjusted, tweaked, and customized as MythTV is simply a frontend to a set of well-established Linux multimedia tools.

Since Tivo has implemented fast-forward ads and still has a monthly fee while lacking a lot of major features and MythTV has proven to lack stability and polish, it looks as though I will be using Windows MCE… at least for the time being. I have decided, however, to keep my options open by using hardware compatible with both MCE and MythTV.

- Duane

I’ve been using computer-based tv (and recording it) since 1996. Yeah, I know, worship me for being so ahead of the trend. I started with an Xclaim TV on my Power Mac 7500, then a bt878-based PCI card in a Windows PC (using MS Web TV for listings). I moved on to an EyeTV about 2 years ago (using Watson for my TV listings/program guide). Well, Watson is no longer available, so automated recording is little more difficult than I like… not to mention the hassle of running into my home office to record something.

I’ve been thinking about Tivo, MythTV, and Windows MCE for a while now. I’ve seen Tivo in action at George and Jenny’s and Windows MCE at the house of Lloyd. I should have MythTV up and running tonight on some surplus hardware.

Considering that Tivo would cost $100-$200 after rebate + monthly subscription fees, and MCE is ~$130 for the software (plus hefty hardware requirements), Myth is looking very tempting. Not to mention, KnoppMyth makes it pretty idiot proof. So, it’s a deathmatch: MCE vs. MythTV. More to come…

- Duane