Overboard?
I know that I may get some bad feedback for my comments on this, but please take a couple of moments to just contemplate my assertion about this system.
I think the articles from Parts 1 to 4 are all well written and fully explained. I just want to say as a general comment that this is exactly the reason why I switched from PCs to Macs five years ago. Prior to that, I had a computer business building custom PCs. My overall system-building experience is in excess of 12+ years and I do have to say that I did enjoy it for the most part (except for getting my hands cut-up occasionally by the metal cases and internal snap-out parts that prevailed many years ago).
When I looked at this latest project, the first thing that came to my mind was that this should be a fairly smooth process now that both software and hardward has advanced so much since the days I worked on these things.
However, after reading through each article, it became obviously clear to me that MS just doesn't quite get it yet. I kept feeling like my move to Mac was more strongly reinforced. Just the areas about enabling the Media player after everything is installed or face problems with drivers, media, etc. and the need for a complete reinstall to resolve this was enough to turn me off. I'm not sure how to explain it, but, it is just too much work for not a great payoff. I did like the specs on the DVD performance though. My main gripe is that it just seems to me that the idea of a media-center PC is great, but the hardware and software, at least in the PC implementation, is not nearly mature enough for mainstream users. Some of my PC friends jokingly hassle me about using Macs, but, I've been able to "convert" a number of them to Macs after several months where they realized that I spend literally "no" time doing any hardware configuration, re-installing software, fixing bugs, updating virus software, etc. etc. I'm not about to claim one system is better than the other, that is a matter of personal choice. My main point is that, once again, a supreme effort is required to put together functions for producing a convenience that, at best, should be vastly cheaper and simpler to do. I know Apple's "Front Row" application doesn't have as many features, but it would literally take one paragraph to explain how to get started using it:
- Plug Apple computer in.
- Turn on computer and login.
- Startup Front Row application, pickup remote control, and select desired function.
- Choose media from application and press "Play" on the remote control.
- Enjoy!
Now granted, it isn't hooked up to digital cable, etc., but the principle of integration and simplicity is applied quite well. There are external USB devices for capturing cable TV, software for DVR functionality, etc as well, but it is not as mainstream as those available for the PC.
I just hope that in the next few months Apple will bring out a set-top device that will basically add HDTV and DVR functionality to their fine product, then we can see a review that just has a very small "Part 1". I think the Windows version will be very good once they can get hardware suppliers to integrate the necessary tools easily, simply, and at a reasonable cost. I would look foward to seeing that happen!
