another new product coming soon: Beyond Media

[richt]

I use myHTPC currently along with BTV3. Together they have almost all the features I want or need.
The only reason I would have to move awy from myHTPC would be if a product offered some improvement over its features. For example, playlists for songs, photos, etc. CDRipping would be nice. Beyond Media will have to do everything myHTPC does better and then add some other functions to be worth the purchase price.

[Mr.X]

Ok, all you myHTPC users...

How come you don't use the tv plugin in myHTPC? I was thinking about trying it, but I'd like to hear from the myHTPC crowd as to what's wrong with it and/or why they're using BTV instead.

[riekl]

no season pass functionality makes it completely useless to me

[debennett2]

To be completely honest (don't tell top100 in myHTPC this), the only reason I haven't tried the TV plugin for myHTPC is because I already had Snapstream working well (ok..sorta) and didn't want to bother. I might try it out sometime being as I am one of the senior members of myHTPC and should know how to use it at least.

[-LD]

i use the TVPlugin...the main limitation is the GUI which relies heavily, almost exclusively, on myHTPC...the myHTPC EPG is really the limiting factor

with the TVPlugin i get multituner capabilities, client/server, HD support (i don't use it, but it's there if i had the hardware)

the "guts" of the TVPlugin are very, very good...it just needs a pretty face...it relies on XMLTV for guide data which is ok, but not as good as the data from Sage or BTV since they use a service to provide better, more inclusive data...it has almost no GUI of its own, just a very basic one...if it had the GUI and guide data of BTV or Sage it would outclass them both by far

[Rita]

I use myHTPC too, but not very often. The delay switching between Snapstream and myHTPC was driving me nuts which is why I rarely run myHTPC. If this product is able to integrate Beyond TV into it with no delays I would probably buy it. But I don't think it's worth more than $20 or $25 unless it has a LOT more features than the free myHTPC.

[richt]

How come you don't use the tv plugin in myHTPC?

I have tried it twice now. My ATI TV card got pretty poor results. The PVR250 did better, but the TV interface and functionality was weak in comparison to what BTV offers.
I was also put off a while ago by problems with the EPG and the data sources changing from time to time, making it impossible to get data until XMLTV got "fixed".
Overall, at the price I paid for version 2 of "PVR", I have received a great value for my money with Snapstream. If I compare value to cost, Snapstream has been a great investment to date. Even with some of the bumps along the way.

[debennett2]

The delay switching between Snapstream and myHTPC was driving me nuts which is why I rarely run myHTPC.

What delay are you talking about? The delay it takes for the FSUI to come up? There cannot be a difference in how fast Snapstream loads from myHTPC or by itself.

[mesomorphic]

I'm a new user of BeyondTV (I got it for xmas) and have been very happy with it. Beyond Media looks to complement BeyondTV very well, and is exactly what I need. My only comment is that I hope the DVD playback will allow chosing ISO or any other ripped format, so I can have a library of titles on-hand.

I'm using demon tools now, but its a bit of a pain to switch images, especially when using a tv and remote.

[-LD]

you can already use ISOs in myHTPC for free with the simpleVideo plugin

[ctebo]

Ripping DVDs to ISOs is too cumbersome...

Instead use DVDShrink or DVD Decryptor to save the DVD as a set of ifo/vob/bup files in a directory on your PC. All decent DVD players today can play from that structure (PowerDVD, WinDVD, TheaterTek, Zoom Player, etc).

Chris

[dheinle]

It looks awesome to me. My box is a dedicated PVR and has to be to easy to use for the wife, the interface looks great. I never really looked at myhtpc but I will now.

Ok so how much is it?

I would buy if it could see my Mac on the network and be able to play all my music which is in AAC format and be able to browse my iPhoto librarys.

Dennis

[-LD]

myHTPC = free

you can share files form your mac (are you using OS X?) to windows example ...AAC can be played through one of the myHTPC plugins...i know winamp has a plugin that can be added, then use the winamp plugin for myHTPC

it can browser pictures, though probably not use an iPhoto database (i don't know how iPhoto works)

i sound like a commercial for myHTPC ...i guess what i'm getting at is that Snapstream if for DVR and myHTPC is better for a frontend...and a much better price...i don't see the advantage yet of Beyond Media

[Cayars]

Originally posted by ctebo
Ripping DVDs to ISOs is too cumbersome...

Instead use DVDShrink or DVD Decryptor to save the DVD as a set of ifo/vob/bup files in a directory on your PC. All decent DVD players today can play from that structure (PowerDVD, WinDVD, TheaterTek, Zoom Player, etc).

Chris

How so?

You can use DVD Decrypter to create an ISO file just as easy as the info/vob/bup files and you only have 1 file to worry about. Doing it this way you can use 1 directory and put all your Ripped DVDs in it.

You should be able to rip a full length (double layer) disk in 18 to 20 minutes with DVD Decrypter this way.

Carlo

[riekl]

It still isn't as efficient Yes they can be ripped as easily but you have to mount every image before you can play it this adds further lag time and problems of drives already being mapped etc .. it is far easier to play dvd's from vob's / ifo's with many less potentials for complications ..