PVR vs Media Centre?

**dafi** · 11-01-09, 01:54 PM

Hi,

I've been using a Topfield PVR since '05 and love it, but I'm thinking it's time to upgrade to HD. Having perused the current crop of PVR's I'm inclined towards going with a Media Centre PC (HTPC) instead.

My reasoning is more flexibility with the PC, can change the software if I don't like one program etc. I can also browse the web from the lounge if I want to.

Functionality I want:
Dual tuner PVR - pause/rewind live TV etc
View slideshows or browse still pics (not well done on some PVRs I've tried)
Music Jukebox (also not too well done on PVRs)
Occasional web browsing

What features should I be spec'ing on the Media Centre? (I'm figuring on $1500-$2000, not the $3k-$4k flavours out there)
Is Windoze Vista Premium the best Media Centre software to use or are there better alternatives out there?

I'm interested to hear any thoughts on the subject.

Cheers,

**Exhorder** · 11-01-09, 02:26 PM

Hey Dafi,
I started out with a Topfield PVR, and upgraded to a HTPC (got rid of the workstation,) about 12 months ago.
Bought a system for about $1200, and I'm using Windows Vista Ultimate. Would never go back to a PVR now, as my current solution provides absolute flexibility.
As far as O/S and software apps are concerned, it's best to play around and see what you're into.
I generally use Windows Media Center for most music/movies etc, there are a lot of solutions, but this seems to be the most painless.
Initially wanted to browse the web from my HTPC as well, and I can do this (easy downloading all the 'good stuff'), but I find I surf on my laptop most times.
I'm sure you'll get a lot of contrasting opinions, but that's my two bob.

**porkop** · 11-01-09, 03:39 PM

I run a Pent4 pc as my media centre. Havent yet installed a HD TV Card for PVR usage, still got the good old trusty Straithfield $69 STB (add your own HDD). But I reckon as soon as they get their act together with multi programming that the Fusion HDTV card will find a place

.

The HTPC method is great for versatility with new/strange video formats as you can just upgrade yout codecs quickly. If you have a Dreambox 500 you can mount the drive and have a PayTv PVR and so on......My money is with a PC!

Downside though is power consumption if you have it running all the time.

**Redwight** · 11-01-09, 10:13 PM

I started with the PC experimentally, bought a DVD recorder with hard drive inbuilt and used it for 6 months, got the PC working after multiple little issue with hardware and software and haven't looked back since. Until about 9 months ago it was analogue tuners but now the original hybrid card I bought is in it and running fine after putting an ATI 3450 graphics card in it to clear up some driver issues; it also suddenly started running HD properly at that time.
Point one would be either buy a known combination or be prepared to do interesting things in the name of getting it to work. Point two is both have their benefits: the dvd recorder did exactly what the box said, and the PC has better editing and burning as a start.
The big question is really are you after straight out of the box and go or to work for it a bit?

11-01-09, 01:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
dafi Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NSW 70km WNW of Sydney Posts: 16 Gameroom cash: $750 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 0	PVR vs Media Centre? Hi, I've been using a Topfield PVR since '05 and love it, but I'm thinking it's time to upgrade to HD. Having perused the current crop of PVR's I'm inclined towards going with a Media Centre PC (HTPC) instead. My reasoning is more flexibility with the PC, can change the software if I don't like one program etc. I can also browse the web from the lounge if I want to. Functionality I want: Dual tuner PVR - pause/rewind live TV etc View slideshows or browse still pics (not well done on some PVRs I've tried) Music Jukebox (also not too well done on PVRs) Occasional web browsing What features should I be spec'ing on the Media Centre? (I'm figuring on $1500-$2000, not the $3k-$4k flavours out there) Is Windoze Vista Premium the best Media Centre software to use or are there better alternatives out there? I'm interested to hear any thoughts on the subject. Cheers, __________________ Dafi

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11-01-09, 02:26 PM	#2
Exhorder Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 33 Gameroom cash: $1819 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Rep Power: 2	Hey Dafi, I started out with a Topfield PVR, and upgraded to a HTPC (got rid of the workstation,) about 12 months ago. Bought a system for about $1200, and I'm using Windows Vista Ultimate. Would never go back to a PVR now, as my current solution provides absolute flexibility. As far as O/S and software apps are concerned, it's best to play around and see what you're into. I generally use Windows Media Center for most music/movies etc, there are a lot of solutions, but this seems to be the most painless. Initially wanted to browse the web from my HTPC as well, and I can do this (easy downloading all the 'good stuff'), but I find I surf on my laptop most times. I'm sure you'll get a lot of contrasting opinions, but that's my two bob.

11-01-09, 03:39 PM	#3
porkop Premium Lager Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,318 Gameroom cash: $1523 Thanks: 83 Thanked 82 Times in 53 Posts Rep Power: 31	I run a Pent4 pc as my media centre. Havent yet installed a HD TV Card for PVR usage, still got the good old trusty Straithfield $69 STB (add your own HDD). But I reckon as soon as they get their act together with multi programming that the Fusion HDTV card will find a place . The HTPC method is great for versatility with new/strange video formats as you can just upgrade yout codecs quickly. If you have a Dreambox 500 you can mount the drive and have a PayTv PVR and so on......My money is with a PC! Downside though is power consumption if you have it running all the time.

11-01-09, 10:13 PM	#4
Redwight Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 505 Gameroom cash: $1696 Thanks: 21 Thanked 15 Times in 15 Posts Rep Power: 14	I started with the PC experimentally, bought a DVD recorder with hard drive inbuilt and used it for 6 months, got the PC working after multiple little issue with hardware and software and haven't looked back since. Until about 9 months ago it was analogue tuners but now the original hybrid card I bought is in it and running fine after putting an ATI 3450 graphics card in it to clear up some driver issues; it also suddenly started running HD properly at that time. Point one would be either buy a known combination or be prepared to do interesting things in the name of getting it to work. Point two is both have their benefits: the dvd recorder did exactly what the box said, and the PC has better editing and burning as a start. The big question is really are you after straight out of the box and go or to work for it a bit?