My precioouuusssss.

After using Win2K for too long, we finally upgraded to Windows XP Media Center this week. I was actually surprised to still get several BSODs with this version when I didn't install driver updates from Dell (which was later fixed by downloading support files).

The user experience of installing a fresh operating system is way much painless on the Mac no kidding. Would you believe that Windows MCE does not even come with DVD decoder? We fixed that by having to buy Nero 7 Ultra which is an OK bundle of media utilities along with their flagship CD/DVD burning software.

After shopping around for a decent TV tuner (we misread the specs on the Dell site thinking the PC we ordered came with at least one) we found a dual tuner in the form of the Hauppauge PVR-500 MCE. The default FM radio reception you get from this card is crappy to non-existent and you probably have to setup an external antenna to get usable radio. The cable TV video quality however is as good as it gets in my opinion considering the YUV color compression in video.

If you're looking to get one, I'd recommend this TV card as it comes with 2 hardware based MPEG encoders. That means less CPU load when you're recording live TV. Compared to my first TV tuner in 1998 (an early version of the ATI All-In-Wonder Pro) today's TV cards provide better integration with the operating system. As for Tivo, Windows MCE requires no monthly subscription and with this TV card, you can even record 2 channels at the same time from one cable connection.

Sweet? Totaaallllyyyy...