Windows Media Center

[Slugbait]

Got proof that TM doesn't use buffering when timeshifting is enabled? Because without timeshifting it's not a PVR.

Shhh...first he has to prove it has a PVR feature at all...

 

[Berryracer]

The first thing I do when I format my laptop is uninstall ALL the MEDIA FEATURES from the Program and Features section

Useless crap

 

[thewhat]

If you have two audio sources, you have to tell Windows which one you want to use... I've tried multiple media players over the last 15 years or so, and have never been able to hear sound if I was allowed to choose a non-default audio device. I have no experience with XMBC, but I'm unaware of any other software that can bypass the default audio device. And after some searching, I could find nothing specifically that claims XMBC can do it, either.

Pretty much every decent media player I used allows you to switch to a non-default audio device. From VLC to MPC-HC to Foobar to, yes, XMBC as well. It's really just regular functionality of a media player.
Regarding XBMC specifically: I posted a screenshot showing exactly where that setting is, so I'm not sure what your problem is. Here it is, again:

"Audio output device" - in plain English, really. You can switch there to any device you want and XBMC will use it for the audio output.

I went to arcsoft's website, and did some looking around...I can't find any evidence that TotalMedia even has PVR capabilities

I'm not sure what is considered sufficient evidence for you. Earlier I posted a screenshot and it was overlooked by at least two posters. So, believe what you want.
And I already said that the short buffering (which is needed for watching) and "constant recording" (which is needed for timeshifting) are two different things. I would definitely expect TV viewing software to either let me disable timeshifting or let me assign a different drive for the related files (WMC only lets you assign a drive for files used for on-demand/manual recording).

 

[notposting]

Obviously, whoever coded for the WMC team should be burned at the stake, and anyone who uses it should be drawn and quartered.

Translated thewhat's response.

Of course his lack of understanding seems to hamper things anyway. In general, you don't use it as "a media player". It's the single frontend which is always on for a specific purpose.. I don't flip flop back and forth swapping to the desktop on our HTPC. It's an appliance that always outputs sound to the TV. On my desktop, the laptop, I use WMP or VLC if needed for music/video needs. On the HTPC, if it ever needs to reboot, login is automated and 7MC starts automatically.

But anyways, obviously you are a computing elite stud, no one who uses MC can hope to compete with you, nor could anyone who uses a different program than you hope to be a worthwhile human being. You seem a little *intense* about this. Maybe your setup is aggravating you subconsciously? :sneaky:

 

[Dulanic]

Translated thewhat's response.

Of course his lack of understanding seems to hamper things anyway. In general, you don't use it as "a media player". It's the single frontend which is always on for a specific purpose.. I don't flip flop back and forth swapping to the desktop on our HTPC. It's an appliance that always outputs sound to the TV. On my desktop, the laptop, I use WMP or VLC if needed for music/video needs. On the HTPC, if it ever needs to reboot, login is automated and 7MC starts automatically.

But anyways, obviously you are a computing elite stud, no one who uses MC can hope to compete with you, nor could anyone who uses a different program than you hope to be a worthwhile human being. You seem a little *intense* about this. Maybe your setup is aggravating you subconsciously? :sneaky:

:thumbsup: It is easy to use and does what I need. I must be a moron for using something that works for me.

 

[thewhat]

@notposting

I only pointed out the shortcomings I encountered when using WMC. If they don't apply to your specific use, fine. In fact I might use WMC myself in the future, if it will be fit for the job. But for my specific needs at the time, it didn't do well and I think it's just too limited in some areas. No need to be vague and smart-assy with your comments.

The only thing I got *intense* about was posters who *repeatedly* tried to counter my arguments with "other programs do the same" and without checking up facts first. And later even with some straw man, which IMO is just low. It has nothing to do with WMC either, we could be talking about anything and that attitude would still bother me.

 

[Slugbait]

Regarding XBMC specifically: I posted a screenshot showing exactly where that setting is, so I'm not sure what your problem is. Here it is, again:

"Audio output device" - in plain English, really.

Really? Looked like geek speak to me...

You can switch there to any device you want and XBMC will use it for the audio output.

I think every media player has an Options setting page for changing the audio device. Posting a screenshot proves absolutely nothing.

I'm not sure what is considered sufficient evidence for you. Earlier I posted a screenshot and it was overlooked by at least two posters.

I was shocked, SHOCKED I say, to think that I missed the screenshot showing PVR capabilities of TotalMedia, or the settings page that allows you to turn buffering off. So I went back to page 1 and...um, nope. You never posted a screenshot. Unless, of course, I overlooked it again.

So, believe what you want.

OK. I believe I will call bullshit.

And I already said that the short buffering (which is needed for watching) and "constant recording" (which is needed for timeshifting) are two different things.

The "constant recording" (which is needed for timeshifting) is called "buffering". It's not two different things. Plus, it consumes a finite amount of space, it doesn't "constantly record".

And whereas you cannot change the buffer time in the UI, you CAN change it in the registry (you XBMC people should be well-versed in doing that kind of thing). Doug Knox even wrote a reg utility for it, but the lowest buffer time he gives is 15 minutes: this is because the vast majority of people who want to change the buffer want to INCREASE the pause time, not decrease it.

 

[Slugbait]

No need to be vague and smart-assy with your comments.

Actually, it's kinda understandable.

The only thing I got *intense* about was posters who *repeatedly* tried to counter my arguments with "other programs do the same" and without checking up facts first.

I, for one, specifically stated that I went to arcsoft's website about one "argument" you made, and provided a link to ms.com to show that you encountered a long-known Windows issue, not a Media Center issue. Don't pull bullshit out of your ass and accuse the rest of us of not "checking up facts first"

And later even with some straw man, which IMO is just low.

OK, I'll admit...you stumped me with this one. I have no idea what it means.

 

[thewhat]

@Slugbait:

Regarding audio outputs: You're still not convinced that XBMC can use a specific audio device? You think they just put that setting there for aesthetic purposes? Well, then I really don't know what to do to convince you. But I think the ball is on your side to prove me wrong.

Regarding the option to disable time shifting ("buffering") in TotalMedia: I don't use TotalMedia anymore (besides, screenshots of settings apparently don't convince you). But I'll do this one last googling for you just in case.. there you go. Scroll down to Time Shifting and notice how it mentions an option to enable/disable it. (Or you can also read the manual [PDF].)

provided a link to ms.com to show that you encountered a long-known Windows issue, not a Media Center issue.

So let me get this right:
Program A can use a non-default audio device inside Windows.
Program B can't use a non-default audio device inside Windows.
And the shortcoming of program B is a Windows issue?
I know WMC is more "integrated in Windows" than 3rd party software, but either way, for the user it's a media program that competes with other media programs.

And oh yeah, regarding XMBC you certainly did not "check the facts" before posting. So that I can certainly accuse you of.

Regarding the straw man: it was directed at another post (not yours), but I guess calling others "XBMC people" (I don't even like XBMC, I just used it as an example) could be perhaps considered as some sort of a straw man.


This being said, I'm most likely done posting in this thread. I think I wasted too much time repeating the same stuff anyway. Perhaps someone else could start doing some careful reading.

 

[go_gordon]

I've been using MythTV for awhile now on a dedicated computer in the living room. It's been working great.

 

[berryraceroldMatrixLeader]

Never used it, this is the first thing I uninstall after I install a fresh copy of Windows

 

[triffid_98]

I've been using MythTV for awhile now on a dedicated computer in the living room. It's been working great.

As much as I really wanted to love MythTV it's truly a pain in the ass compared to the current version of Windows Media center and is incapable of doing everything that it does. You also end up on a paid subscription model since MythTV does not get free channel feeds, you have to pay schedulesdirect.

It's certainly not an exorbitant amount but it's also not a total solution if you want things like Netflix. In contrast, I can use my MCE remote to click into Hulu, XBMC (for any local content or XBMC plugins), Netflix, or DVR/TV all with a single low powered and quiet DVR box (AMD A350)