Metcarob's Windows MCE vs Linux MCE Comparison - Revision history

Ray N at 20:10, 24 August 2009

2009-08-24T20:10:18Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 20:10, 24 August 2009
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			[[Category: Testing]]
	The author of this document ([[User:metcarob\|metcarob]]) is a linuxMCE newbie and as such I am learning how LinuxMCE works and how I can get it working for me.		The author of this document ([[User:metcarob\|metcarob]]) is a linuxMCE newbie and as such I am learning how LinuxMCE works and how I can get it working for me.

Metcarob: /* TV Output, resoultion, etc. */

2009-06-14T15:45:03Z

TV Output, resoultion, etc.

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:45, 14 June 2009
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	<th valign=top>Video Connector used</th>		<th valign=top>Video Connector used</th>
	<td valign=top>Video connector</td>		<td valign=top>Video connector</td>
	<td valign=top>S-Video connector</td>		<td valign=top>S-Video connector (PAL-I)</td>
	</tr>		</tr>
	<tr>		<tr>
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	</tr>		</tr>
	</table>		</table>

	= Input =		= Input =
	<table border=1>		<table border=1>

Metcarob at 12:07, 5 May 2009

2009-05-05T12:07:53Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 12:07, 5 May 2009
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			The author of this document ([[User:metcarob\|metcarob]]) is a linuxMCE newbie and as such I am learning how LinuxMCE works and how I can get it working for me.

	I have both a Windows XP Media centre PC and a LinuxMCE PC set up in my living room attached to my TV. I am hoping to replace the windows Media centre PC but before I do this I need to ensure that LinuxMCE is up to the job of replacing it. I am hoping the LinuxMCE community will be able to assist me with advice on how to get LinuxMCE performing the way I want it. For this reason I have created this page comparing the two highlighting areas where the LinuxMCE set up is not currently living up to my requirements.		I have both a Windows XP Media centre PC and a LinuxMCE PC set up in my living room attached to my TV. I am hoping to replace the windows Media centre PC but before I do this I need to ensure that LinuxMCE is up to the job of replacing it. I am hoping the LinuxMCE community will be able to assist me with advice on how to get LinuxMCE performing the way I want it. For this reason I have created this page comparing the two highlighting areas where the LinuxMCE set up is not currently living up to my requirements.

	--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:41, 3 May 2009 (CEST) Firstly I do agree that some of the UI slickness ('eye candy' mostly I have to say) is not there in LinuxMCE. However you really need to understand that LinuxMCE is not just a 'MediaCenter' replacement...Media playback/recording/management is just one part of LinuxMCE. LinuxMCE is a whole House home automation system wgich allows you to manage media of all types, Control/manage lighting and monitor energy usage, control/manage your heating system, integrates a full VOIP PBX, manage security using PIR's, door/Window sensors, Smoke/Gas sensors, IP cameras and many other things too... and it does this in multiple zones in an integrated fashion using a number of different control devices to suit your requirements. Windows MediaCenter just does the media part...and only in one location.		--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:41, 3 May 2009 (CEST) Firstly I do agree that some of the UI slickness ('eye candy' mostly I have to say) is not there in LinuxMCE. However you really need to understand that LinuxMCE is not just a 'MediaCenter' replacement...Media playback/recording/management is just one part of LinuxMCE. LinuxMCE is a whole House home automation system wgich allows you to manage media of all types, Control/manage lighting and monitor energy usage, control/manage your heating system, integrates a full VOIP PBX, manage security using PIR's, door/Window sensors, Smoke/Gas sensors, IP cameras and many other things too... and it does this in multiple zones in an integrated fashion using a number of different control devices to suit your requirements. Windows MediaCenter just does the media part...and only in one location.

			--[[User:metcarob\|metcarob]] 12:57, 5 May 2009 (BST) Thanks for your comments and help. I have posted in the forum and since writing this I have learnt more about how LinuxMCE operates and this has helped with some of the issues. I fully understand that LinuxMCE is not simply a windows Media Centre alternative but an entire home automation platform. It has many exciting features which I want to use which is why I am trying to get to grips with it. I do however feel it should be Windows Media Centre (done right) + Home automation features. I want my LinuxMCE system to replace my Windows system and I think it's valid to compare the functionality in the Media Centre Area between the two systems.
			The way media is arranged in LinuxMCE is impressive my issues are with the fact it is taking me 10 or more button presses to get at the functions I use. E.g. Finding the TV show I want to watch, Queueing up music without intrupting what is currently playing, deleting the TV show I have just finished watching. I am hoping to find out more about tagging media and I might look at the UI designer to see how it works and if it can solve any of my issues.
			In the mean time I intend to update this article to reflect my progress.

	= Base Systems =		= Base Systems =

Totallymaxed at 15:41, 3 May 2009

2009-05-03T15:41:47Z

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:41, 3 May 2009
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	I have both a Windows XP Media centre PC and a LinuxMCE PC set up in my living room attached to my TV. I am hoping to replace the windows Media centre PC but before I do this I need to ensure that LinuxMCE is up to the job of replacing it. I am hoping the LinuxMCE community will be able to assist me with advice on how to get LinuxMCE performing the way I want it. For this reason I have created this page comparing the two highlighting areas where the LinuxMCE set up is not currently living up to my requirements.		I have both a Windows XP Media centre PC and a LinuxMCE PC set up in my living room attached to my TV. I am hoping to replace the windows Media centre PC but before I do this I need to ensure that LinuxMCE is up to the job of replacing it. I am hoping the LinuxMCE community will be able to assist me with advice on how to get LinuxMCE performing the way I want it. For this reason I have created this page comparing the two highlighting areas where the LinuxMCE set up is not currently living up to my requirements.

			--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:41, 3 May 2009 (CEST) Firstly I do agree that some of the UI slickness ('eye candy' mostly I have to say) is not there in LinuxMCE. However you really need to understand that LinuxMCE is not just a 'MediaCenter' replacement...Media playback/recording/management is just one part of LinuxMCE. LinuxMCE is a whole House home automation system wgich allows you to manage media of all types, Control/manage lighting and monitor energy usage, control/manage your heating system, integrates a full VOIP PBX, manage security using PIR's, door/Window sensors, Smoke/Gas sensors, IP cameras and many other things too... and it does this in multiple zones in an integrated fashion using a number of different control devices to suit your requirements. Windows MediaCenter just does the media part...and only in one location.

	= Base Systems =		= Base Systems =

Totallymaxed: /* Watching Recorded TV */

2009-05-03T15:33:07Z

Watching Recorded TV

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:33, 3 May 2009
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	=== Watching Recorded TV ===		=== Watching Recorded TV ===

	--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:32, 3 May 2009 (CEST) All the comments here are as far as i can see related to MythTV and its intergration into LinuxMCE...vdr in most cases addresses the functional critique leveled...but it still will not look like Windows MCE.		--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:32, 3 May 2009 (CEST) All the comments related to TV here are as far as i can see related to MythTV and its intergration into LinuxMCE...vdr in most cases addresses the functional critique leveled...but it still will not look like Windows MCE.

	==== Windows Madia Centre ====		==== Windows Madia Centre ====

Totallymaxed: /* Watching Recorded TV */

2009-05-03T15:32:22Z

Watching Recorded TV

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:32, 3 May 2009
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	=== Watching Recorded TV ===		=== Watching Recorded TV ===

			--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:32, 3 May 2009 (CEST) All the comments here are as far as i can see related to MythTV and its intergration into LinuxMCE...vdr in most cases addresses the functional critique leveled...but it still will not look like Windows MCE.

	==== Windows Madia Centre ====		==== Windows Madia Centre ====
	When you press the recorded TV button you see a list of recorded programs. This list can be viewed:		When you press the recorded TV button you see a list of recorded programs. This list can be viewed:

Totallymaxed: /* LinuxMCE */

2009-05-03T15:26:18Z

LinuxMCE

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:26, 3 May 2009
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	I have managed to play back DVD's both direct from disc and after being ripped. I was impressed that ripped DVD's retain the full DVD structure including menus etc. Playback is fine with no juttering. Unfortunatly the picture quality it not that good. The resolution is fine but the colours are all washed out and not bright at all.		I have managed to play back DVD's both direct from disc and after being ripped. I was impressed that ripped DVD's retain the full DVD structure including menus etc. Playback is fine with no juttering. Unfortunatly the picture quality it not that good. The resolution is fine but the colours are all washed out and not bright at all.

	**You are using S-Video for output. I would suggest moving to DVI or HDMI you will see a massive improvement.		--[[User:Totallymaxed\|Totallymaxed]] 17:26, 3 May 2009 (CEST) You are using S-Video for output. I would suggest moving to DVI or HDMI you will see a massive improvement.

	=== Recorded TV Playback ===		=== Recorded TV Playback ===

Totallymaxed: /* LinuxMCE */

2009-05-03T15:25:49Z

LinuxMCE

←Older revision		Revision as of 15:25, 3 May 2009
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	==== LinuxMCE ====		==== LinuxMCE ====
	I have managed to play back DVD's both direct from disc and after being ripped. I was impressed that ripped DVD's retain the full DVD structure including menus etc. Playback is fine with no juttering. Unfortunatly the picture quality it not that good. The resolution is fine but the colours are all washed out and not bright at all.		I have managed to play back DVD's both direct from disc and after being ripped. I was impressed that ripped DVD's retain the full DVD structure including menus etc. Playback is fine with no juttering. Unfortunatly the picture quality it not that good. The resolution is fine but the colours are all washed out and not bright at all.

			**You are using S-Video for output. I would suggest moving to DVI or HDMI you will see a massive improvement.

	=== Recorded TV Playback ===		=== Recorded TV Playback ===
	==== Windows Madia Centre ====		==== Windows Madia Centre ====

Metcarob: /* Other Input Methods tried for LinuxMCE Machine */

2009-05-03T13:44:46Z

Other Input Methods tried for LinuxMCE Machine

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:44, 3 May 2009
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	Windows Mobile Orbitor installed on my XDA Orbit 2 Mobile phone<BR>		Windows Mobile Orbitor installed on my XDA Orbit 2 Mobile phone<BR>
	Windows Mobile Orbitor installed on my XDA IIi (my old mobile)<BR>		Windows Mobile Orbitor installed on my XDA IIi (my old mobile)<BR>
			Wii Mote - I gave up on this quite quickly

	= Comparison =		= Comparison =
	== Picture Quality ==		== Picture Quality ==

Metcarob: /* Scheduling Recordings */

2009-05-03T13:43:48Z

Scheduling Recordings

←Older revision		Revision as of 13:43, 3 May 2009
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	=== Scheduling Recordings ===		=== Scheduling Recordings ===
	==== Windows Madia Centre ====		==== Windows Madia Centre ====
			This is best done from the guide. You can press the record button the controller once when the program is selected to record that showing. If you press again you record the whole series and if you press once more it cancels the record.
			You can also search for the show and record that way. Although I never use this feature.
	==== LinuxMCE ====		==== LinuxMCE ====
			I have selected my recordings form the guide. I am impressed by the range of options but I am still confused as to which series record option I should use.
			==== My Prefrence ====
			I like the range of functions availible in LinuxMCE but I wish the default ones would just be the ones that I want.

	== Stability ==		== Stability ==