RE: [OT] Expierience with Media Edition 2005 ?

["Jon Whiten" <jon@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I recently built a MCE2005 machine and have been using it for a few weeks
now.  The system is basically a P4-3.2Ghz, 1Gig Ram, 80Gig HDD, ATI 9200
Graphics with DVI and Svid Out, 2 x BlackGold DVB-T TV Cards, Dual Layer
DVD
Writer, Soundblaster Audigy and MCE Remote control.

The first iteration worked well but sounded like a Jet Plane taking off.
After a hunt around I settled on a new case and fitted a Q-Technology
silent
PSU and a Zalman Copper Heatsink/Fan with the speed set at 1800 rpm.
Choosing the video card without a fan had already helped a degree.  The PC
is now quieter than either the Tivo or a Sky+ :).

My first "Gotcha" was that MCE is not supplied with an MPEG codec
for DVD
playback - This was sorted as I had already decided to use TheaterTek and
the nVidia codec works a treat.

Second gotcha was driving the AV receiver with a digital signal and
retaining the DTS/DD5.1.  The SoundBlaster sorted this out for the DVD but
I
still need to bottom out 5.1 mp3 files.

In use, I am more than happy (but with one exception - see later) with the
dual channel TV recording and the media (mp3, VCD, xVid, etc) playback.
This PC can happily replace the old DVD, MVP and Netgem freeview boxes.

However, I am finding that the playback is not quite as reliable as Tivo.
On three occasions so far Media centre (the front end application only)
needs to be restarted to clear an error in playing back video (any format).
I hope to track this down but it is annoying.

Finally,  I love the front end and find it a breeze to navigate - probably
easier, and definitely faster than Tivo.  I think that it has earned a
permanent home under the TV.

Now need to see if there is a web front-end to xPLHal that I can integrate!
(Homeseer do something for MCE so I am hopeful!)

Regards

Jon Whiten
http://www.whiten.co.uk
-----Original Message-----
From: ianh1000 [mailto:ianh1000@xxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, November 16, 2004 9:43 AM
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] [OT] Expierience with Media Edition 2005 ?



Hi All, I know some of you have played with Media edition 2005. I have the
opportunity to get a new machine via the gov backed HCI scheme which means
that I don't pay VAT or Income tax.

I am looking at a Media Edition PC and 23" widescreen HDTV ready LCD.

I would love this to replace my Tivo and home media center (music
only) but expect it to be sadly lacking in comparison. Also it is only in a
PC style box as we do not currently sell our nice HTPC style box in the UK.
I am concerned that the thing is going to be very noisy.

Any one have experience with this solution and its limitations?

Many Thanks
Ian