HTPCentric

While I won’t pretend that I’ve used every one of the methods you’re going to find listed in this post, I thought it a good idea to take time to help people thinking of getting into the use of an HTPC by listing some of the software options you have. 

Each software choice has different qualities.  I doubt there’s one that will do everything which is why it can be such a hard choice.  You have to look at each system, see if it has the features you want and go from there.  I’m going to try and compare each one and tell you exactly how they can benefit you as well as hold you back.  Let’s get started!

Windows Media Center

Sure, I’m going to cover this first.  It’s probably the best known and not only that, it’s included with ever PC running Vista Premium/Ultimate and with the new Windows 7 Beta.  With no extra software to buy, almost anyone with a PC fast enough to run it has an HTPC in their home already.

Media Center (MCE) will provide you with the following features:

• DVR-with an added TV tuner, you can use Media Center to replace your cable/sat company’s DVR and stop paying monthly fees.
• Program guide-MCE has a built in program guide you can set up if you have a tuner installed.  You can use it to schedule recordings, see what’s on, etc.  just like your provider’s guide.  Especially helpful if you get OTA signals.
• Access to your other media-MCE allows you to bring pictures, music and video files right to the TV. 
• The use of MCE Extenders to access your media across your home network-Attach one of several MCE Extenders (Xbox 360, Linksys DMA-21/2200) and you can stream your media to other TVs.

While MCE is great, (I use it in my home) it does have its limitations.  For one, if you know anything about video codecs, you’ll need the knowledge.  Extenders won’t play every video file type out there so you have to watch what you download/record your content in.  Also, to really get extra functionality out of it, you may need to purchase third party applications.

Overall I’m very happy with Media Center.  It doesn’t do everything I want it to but it’s family friendly and if you don’t need more than DVR as well as access to music and pictures, it should be perfect for you.

SageTV

SageTV is what Tim uses.  Sage has been around for awhile now and it shows.  With proprietary extenders that play nice with almost any file type you throw at them, built in DVR (with a tuner of course) as well as Placeshifter software that allows you to access your content outside of your home network, this is some great software.

While the UI isn’t as pretty as Windows Media Center, it is customizable and the community has come up with some great designs and layouts.

The same goes with add-ons.  Sage has a huge community of users who develop new apps for the core product.  Movie, TV, Music and picture add-ons can make Sage into whatever you want it to be.

Here are some of SageTV’s features:

Wired@Home.com has posted today that VUDU is looking to find partners for it’s content delivery system.  VUDU is an HD movie delivery system much like Netflix, so far only available by buying the hardware to go with the service.

From the post:

Currently, the company employs about 50, which is down from a high of around 110. Co-founder Tony Miranz seems pretty optimistic about the future, though, noting that the outfit is being "bombarded with inquiries" from potential partners. Speaking of which, he also asserted that VUDU was — at its heart — a software company, and thus it was currently looking to integrate its top-shelf UI and movie delivery network into HDTVs, DVD / Blu-ray players and other standalone boxes.

Maybe the company should look to go the Netflix way and try and push it’s way into boxes that are already in people’s homes (IE: Xbox 360)?  Either way, choice is always good and competition will drive the market.  I wouldn’t mind having this over Netflix.  While you have to pay per movie, at least they seem to have some newer release stuff.  Not only that but you can purchase instead of just renting.

There is a paradigm shift happening in the way we consume content.  Gone are the days when you watched television or listened to music on the content provider’s schedule.  New broadband services are popping up everyday which allow you to get the content you want at the time you want it.

As such, a new (relatively speaking) hardware and software arena has emerged in the home theater industry.  There are those of us who have been using this hard/software for years.  We’ve hacked our way through the early jungle of HTPC overgrowth and have found what works for us.  Everyone is different and so is the solution for their home.  For me, it’s Windows Media Center.  I know Tim is using SageTV.

If you’re new to the world of HTPC or just thinking about it at this point, this is the site to visit.  As we progress we’ll be doing hardware reviews, software reviews as well as general tips and tricks to use with whichever platform you decide is right for you. You won’t see us talking about what content you can get.  We’re focused on the core structure of HTPC.  How you use it is up to you.  (If you’re looking for real good content articles, as well as HTPC coverage, I can recommend Geektonic.  Brent knows his stuff.)

We’ll start out slowly but, stick with us and we’ll get you the info you need.  We’re all at different levels of knowledge when it comes to this stuff so whether you’re a pro, or you’re just starting out, we’re here to help.

Stay tuned as we’ll be starting the podcast soon.  This is where you’ll get to hear our reviews of products as well as a back and forth about what each software system offers you.  We both have our opinions and we’re not afraid to share them.

As always, let us know if you have questions, comments or anything.  We always welcome the feedback and we want to hear from you.  Looking for a new HTPC case?  Maybe thinking of changing your HTPC OS?  We’ll do our best to guide you in the right direction.