Is Snapstream part of MS XP Media Center?

[scamp]

Is Snapstream part of Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition???

If not what features will Snapstream have as compared to MS's version???

Thanks!!

[vogelap]

Originally posted by scamp
Is Snapstream part of Microsoft's Windows XP Media Center Edition???

If not what features will Snapstream have as compared to MS's version???

To my knowledge, SnapStream isn't part of the Media Center Edition. The products are similar, but different.

Like Coke and Pepsi.

[James]

XP Media Center Edition is intended for sale directly from OEMs who build *new PCs* that conform to specific specifications. Once they meet those specs, they'd ship with a specialized version of the XP operating system that then allows the user to use their PC as a entertainment hub in the home.

Snapstream is similar in functionality, but differs in philosophy. Personal Video Station / Quartz is intended for any PC with appropriate hardware (i.e. a video capture card, robust CPU for the types of recording being performed) to be able to record TV and watch them again at a later point in time.

[festivalman]

I'm sorry, but that Coke and Pepsi reference was really cute.

[pjosephson]

My only wish is that Snapstream integrate the audio, picture viewing and DVD viewing like MCE and othe packages (Showshifter, PowerCinema, Myth, Mediabox, etc...) Not to mention the ability to write the file to DVD or CD would be killer. A clear interface that seems to be coming with 3.0 would be better served with these added features attached. Not having to leave the interface is what my mother and wife like about the Tivo system. Leaving the interface to do it all is possible but would defeat the purpose. Ok rabbling onto other tangents, sorry.

So Snapstream is more like diet coke without all the extra sugar (audio, pciture viewing, etc..) . May keep some satisified but I like the extra sugar Ok not the best analogy, but I did not start this one. If viewing is your main pleasure you could not go wrong with Snapstream.

Hopefully we will see that Snapstream will become the taste of a new generation (hope Pepsi doesn't sue me)

[V_D_O]

My only wish is that Snapstream integrate the audio, picture viewing and DVD viewing like MCE and othe packages

That would be good, especially with the great-looking Quartz interface and remote control features.
But lets get the video recording working properly first!

[vogelap]

Originally posted by festivalman
I'm sorry, but that Coke and Pepsi reference was really cute.

"Thanks!," says Drew, sipping his Diet Mt. Dew!

[digitalWok]

So the products are different...then what is meant by "interoperate" in the following statement?

----------------------------------------------------------------
...With these new capabilities, SnapStream Personal Video Station 3.0 enables complete PC-based personal video recording for under $100. SnapStream's software will interoperate with the Media Center Edition of Windows XP, scheduled to be released later this year. As the Media Center Edition will only be sold on new PCs, SnapStream offers an ideal solution for existing PCs owners.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Are you just stating the fact that SSv3 will run in XPMCE?

Regards
DW

[Jason Bottjen]

Which is a funny statement in the first place. Because although Snap Stream WILL run on a Win MCE machine (I've tried this personally), you can't actually record TV using Snap Stream on the machine 'out of the box' because Snap Stream does not work with WinTV PVR-250 capture cards....

I guess you could add a second TV tuner and use both on the same machine, but I would question why you WOULD...

Jason

Originally posted by digitalWok
So the products are different...then what is meant by "interoperate" in the following statement?

----------------------------------------------------------------
...With these new capabilities, SnapStream Personal Video Station 3.0 enables complete PC-based personal video recording for under $100. SnapStream's software will interoperate with the Media Center Edition of Windows XP, scheduled to be released later this year. As the Media Center Edition will only be sold on new PCs, SnapStream offers an ideal solution for existing PCs owners.
-----------------------------------------------------------------

Are you just stating the fact that SSv3 will run in XPMCE?

Regards
DW

[festivalman]

yeah that is kind of a humorous statement... my personal theory is that the PR person was trying to find a way to mention MCE and then say how snapstream is better without being too obvious.

[digitalWok]

Yeah..this is a politically charged statement...I think they are just defining their turf...SSv3 = existing PCs and MCE = new PCs. I guess they do not want to be compared to MCE and vice versa.

What is interesting is that SSv3 is said to interoperate with MCE but states nothing about needed another capture card since WinPVR-250 is not compatible. The only other card MCE is using is the E-muze Maui card - is SSv3 compatible with that card?

Regards
dW

[festivalman]

nope, it's almost the same board as the pvr-250. If i'm correct, it uses the same hardware mpeg-2 encoder chip, or one very similar. Either way, it doesn't do uncompressed video which is why it won't work with SS.

[JazJon]

fyi, the latest windows updates will allow regular Windows to play/edit Media Center PC recorded .DVR-MS files.

Get the following four updates from: http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

1) Windows Media Player 9 Series

2) Windows Media 9 Series Codec Install Package

3) Q810243: Recommended Update - DirectShow playback support for Windows XP Media Center Edition recorded files

This item updates the Stream Buffer Engine (SBE) and Encryptor/Decryptor (EncDec) components released in Windows XP Service Pack 1 (SP1). Download to use DirectShow to play back files created in Windows XP Media Center Edition.

4) Windows Movie Maker 2

Windows® Movie Maker 2 is an update to previous versions of Windows Movie Maker. New features such as a new user interface, wizards, transitions, effects, titles, and AutoMovie make creating home movies easier. Windows Movie Maker 2 also takes advantage of the latest Windows Media® 9 Series audio and video codecs

[festivalman]

too bad movie maker 2 still doesn't let you edit the dvr-ms files... check out www.thegreenbutton.com btw, if you haven't already seen it.