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12/08/09
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As for the organization question, yes you do have to keep your folders somewhat neat, as the PS3 does not organize any of the files itself, simply display how you have saved the files on your host PC.
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My particular situation:
Right now, I've got my gaming pc (with HD card with HDMI out) hooked up to my 42" HDTV. The only things I currently do with it are: 1) Hulu, 2) Netflix, 3) gaming. For TV watching, I'm currently stuck with DirectTV, but trying to escape them. Once I do, it seems like my best option would be to just get an HD broadcast antenna and hook it up to my TV through one of the other HDMI inputs. The problem with that is that I really want DVR. I know there are programs out there that can handle this (I think Giz did something on them back in March or April, maybe), but that information would be good in conjunction with this article.
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I used a variety of custom HTPCs for years, and it's a relief to be free from the nuisances. Convergence isn't all it's cracked up to be.
12/08/09
Pretty nifty box, might be using it for digital signage, might drop more ram and a wireless into it. Should still be less than the model you guys are talking about.
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I will most likely not be using it in this fashion during times where i'm doing any heavy work on my computer.
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Why is the Mac Mini not listed? I've been using it as my Home Theatre PC/Network backup/Wifi router/DVD Player since February. I have been pay TV free for a very long time. The Hulu Desktop application is great, and at perfectly integrated with the included Apple Remote. It has everything those have and more.
It should have made this list. No excuse.
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It is easily the more capable machine, but definitely in a different price bracket.
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I don't know why that is so hard to understand. You are spending $600 on a PC, drop another $5 and buy a Displayport/HDMI converter. How hard is that?
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Anyways, it doesn't matter. Physical media is dead. Streaming/downloaded video is the future, and that is exactly what the MacMini was designed for.
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I know the 11.6" form factor is really pushing it as far as netbooks go, but for $400 the Acer 1410 with 1.2GHz dual core CULV processor and 45ooMHD graphics can output full 1080p over HDMI with DXVA acceleration.
12/08/09
It's crucial for reading small print on a giant screen that's on the other side of the room. I can't find a PC version of this thing anywhere, the closest thing is the janky magnifying glass in the windows accessibility menu, and that's garbage compared to having the whole screen blown up.
As for the mac mini lacking hdmi, boo hoo. Like it's so hard to get a dvi-hdmi adapter.
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THE GOOD: Windows 7. Works well on my Ion-powered HTPC, and Windows Media Center kicks ass (and is now compatible with ClearQAM).
THE BAD: These small HTPCs usually don't have an expansion slot to accommodate a PCI-e TV tuner. Sure, you can get a USB-interface tuner, but you sacrifice quality and performance. It shocks me that a dual TV tuner is not yet an option on most of these computers (with a couple of exceptions, one of which is the Lenovo Q700).
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Are there any stand-alone HDTV tuners that have USB or Firewire out? Would they suffer the same issue?
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Sure Tivo still has monthly fees for some reason but having them deal with the software is worth it for me.
I want to turn off my brain in the living room. Not try to configure a PC to do what a Tivo does better and easier.
12/08/09
Of course if you'd like to venture outside of Tivo Land... then you can get great on demand programing from services like Hulu, Netflix, Amazon On Demand. With a Media Center remote control, and maybe an accelerometer mouse (or just download an app to turn your iphone into a touchpad mouse like I did)... it's a breeze to navigate from your couch.
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As for the effort, MCE is pretty much a no-brainer. I ran Myth for years and it really did take a lot of tinkering. Part of was my own fault since I kept getting all the new updates. I could've just frozen it at a working level but I can't resist a shiny new update. MCE is much simpler. Of course, Tivo is simpler yet. It's just finding your own balance between simplicity and flexibility.
12/08/09
To me, the biggest advantage of a TiVo over an HTPC is compatibility with digital cable. This will hopefully change soon, as Windows 7 is now CableCARD compatible, but right now if you live in an area with Comcast or Time Warner, you're not going to get many HD channels with your tuner, because they encrypt most of them. An HTPC will pull off the over-the-aid HD channels (which look great) and any unencrypted ClearQAM cable channels (which are usually few and far between), but most people who are tech-savvy enough to set up an HTPC would probably also want some of those missing extended cable channels (on the other hand, maybe Hulu obviates this...).
12/08/09
Hell, I ordered pizza from the thing the other day just using the remote.
I've used Windows Media Center. Nice but not as good as Tivo IMHO.
I don't want a mouse and a keyboard. I just want entertainment.
I've had Tivos since they began making the things and they don't crash. You can't tell me a HTPC will never crash or won't require effort in settings and upkeep.
If you like the control of creating something just they way you want to I understand the HTPC option. You can make it whatever you need. It also has a lot more options to get around DRM. If that's your thing it's a good option.
If you just want to kick back and enjoy yourself without a keyboard and mouse to constantly change settings Tivo HD is a fine option as well.