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Semi On · 06-17-2004, 08:22 PM

Please show me what software you guys are using on your HTPCs that allow it to predict what kind of shows you like and record content you haven't specified.

nxtour · 06-17-2004, 09:22 PM

Why would I want something to be recorded without me knowing it and take up disk space. Those so called predictive analysis are nothing more than TiVo gathering all your viewing habits down to the last channel, show you watched. I don't know, I would be a little paranoid letting others keep track of my tv viewing habits. They probably have some simple algorithm (or may be even feasible manually) that analyze the type, time, channels, etc. every time you watch tv and suggest other shows that closely match those criteria.

So you're telling me that you have a TiVo (or would consider getting a TiVo) because of this functionality?

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT/Black Obsidian + the works

Semi On · 06-17-2004, 10:39 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I don't know, I would be a little paranoid letting others keep track of my tv viewing habits. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

They state very clearly in their EULA that their data collection is anonymous. Were they to do anything else in light of that, it would be illegal.

Additionally, to my knowledge, only TiVo and MCE have what TiVo calls "Season Pass" by which you can set the unit to record every instance of a non-rerun of the show regardless of timeslot which it then ballances against all your other season passes to find the best time to record in which the highest priority shows all get recorded.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">So you're telling me that you have a TiVo (or would consider getting a TiVo) because of this functionality?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Nope. I use Windows XP MCE. I just understand the tech well enough to not make claims as to feature parity which aren't entirely true.

nxtour · 06-17-2004, 11:33 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Semi On
They state very clearly in their EULA that their data collection is anonymous. Were they to do anything else in light of that, it would be illegal.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
So if a stranger came into your house, video-cammed ALL your activities and said that they were going to sell the tapes on ebay and that you needn't worry because they will make you and whoever's in it anonymous by putting a black bar across your face, you would be okay with that.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
I just understand the tech well enough to not make claims as to feature parity which aren't entirely true.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I don't know about you but I wasn't claiming anything, except that an HTPC "can do almost everything" a TiVo does.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT/Black Obsidian + the works

Semi On · 06-18-2004, 02:29 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">So if a stranger came into your house, video-cammed ALL your activities and said that they were going to sell the tapes on ebay and that you needn't worry because they will make you and whoever's in it anonymous by putting a black bar across your face, you would be okay with that.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's the dumbest analogy I've ever heard.

If I invite a stranger into my home in order to clean it for me and with the full knowledge that they note my dirty habbits in order to determine what things to focus on and potential services to offer me, of course I wouldn't care.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I don't know about you but I wasn't claiming anything, except that an HTPC "can do almost everything" a TiVo does.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

s0l, did.

Regardless, your statement still isn't true unless you're running MCE, in which case I wouldn't call it an HTPC in the first place, using the original definition.

Regards,
Semi

Ru_G36c · 06-18-2004, 03:01 AM

Its nice to see an argument where brit isn't one of the combatants [boxing]

[lol]

6MT|Ivory Pearl|Willow Leather|Premium Package

nxtour · 06-18-2004, 04:25 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Semi On
..your statement still isn't true unless you're running MCE, in which case I wouldn't call it an HTPC in the first place, using the original definition.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
So you bought into the all Microsoft solution. Good for you. So it's only considered HTPC if it's running the MCE...That IS the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Home Theater Personal Computer has nothing to do with Microsoft's Media Center Edition. It's just an operating system. I've seen many HTPC's that run on Linux boxes(KDE and Gnome), MacOSX, Windows XP/2003. I myself, and countless others, did not want to run MCE because Microsoft uses their own proprietary encoding. HTPC is a generic term used for a box that can accomplish most of your "home theater" and multimedia needs. But then again, I am not running MCE so I don't have an HTPC. But what should I call this under my TV:

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT/Black Obsidian + the works

Semi On · 06-18-2004, 10:35 AM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">So you bought into the all Microsoft solution. Good for you. So it's only considered HTPC if it's running the MCE...That IS the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Home Theater Personal Computer has nothing to do with Microsoft's Media Center Edition. It's just an operating system. I've seen many HTPC's that run on Linux boxes(KDE and Gnome), MacOSX, Windows XP/2003. I myself, and countless others, did not want to run MCE because Microsoft uses their own proprietary encoding. HTPC is a generic term used for a box that can accomplish most of your "home theater" and multimedia needs. But then again, I am not running MCE so I don't have an HTPC. But what should I call this under my TV:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually, I stole the Microsoft solution. That said, you may find this site helpful:

http://www.esylvan.com/BB/BBFundRead.aspx

I actually stated the exact opposite of to what you're objecting. MCE doesn't qualify as an HTPC. I've been screwing around with the tech for some time and it was never meant to refer to the media server that seems to be the focus of most people's attention when they use the term these days. It was used to refer to the scalers people built rather than buy the $3k units typically required by CRT based projectors.

What I stated was that your PVR computer doesn't approach TiVo functionality, in its intended purpose, because it can't do something like Season Pass which is the whole reason why TiVo users fall over themselves to recommend the little boxes. To my knowledge, MCE is still the only PVR software with this feature (though I'd be really interested in alternatives if I've missed something). I then stated that MCE doesn't qualify as an HTPC because it doesn't allow you to funnel its video source through dscaler or something similar.

nxtour · 06-18-2004, 04:07 PM

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Semi On
I then stated that MCE doesn't qualify as an HTPC because it doesn't allow you to funnel its video source through dscaler or something similar.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
This is the first time you even mentioned video scalers. But that's okay.

You have an HTPC. Video scalers are just that, another clunky box taking up space that converts one resolution to another. HTPC's, unlike scalers for digital projectors like LCD and DLP is that PC's output can be matched exactly to the projector's native resolution and bypass the internal scaler in the projector altogether. Hey, but then if you want to pay for a $20,000 Faroudja scaler to call your setup an HTPC, dont let me get in the way.

2004 G35 Coupe 6MT/Black Obsidian + the works

ckforensic · 06-18-2004, 04:25 PM

[hypno][dunno][dunno]

Tivo is cool...it makes me happy [hypno]. I watch Gene Autry on Tivo...it makes me happy [hypno]

03 6MT Coupe/DG-G/Navi/Aero/Clear bra/Aluminum pedals

s0l · 06-19-2004, 11:33 AM

myHTPC (its a program) does offer season pass... Ive never tried using it... since I dont watch a season of shows... but I do know there is a button there... and it says season pass... right inside the menus.

I lied - I forgot tivo has predictive recording... which wouldnt apply to me... as I would never use it.

We only record:

The simpsons, futurama, family guy, a few movies, and any Georgia Tech Sports. BUT... i still dont pay to use the service... which is fine since I am not comfortable with some third party having the capacity to observe my every TV viewing habit.

Not that someone in TIVO's home office really cares what kind of shows I watch... but ya never know... some people get the kicks in odd ways.

Semi On · 06-21-2004, 08:27 PM

Having a semantic argument with someone that doesn't read carefully is a frustrating prospect...

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Video scalers are just that, another clunky box taking up space that converts one resolution to another. HTPC's, unlike scalers for digital projectors like LCD and DLP is that PC's output can be matched exactly to the projector's native resolution and bypass the internal scaler in the projector altogether. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

And HTPC's were originally built because this same functionality has been part of GPU's for decades. Enterprising geeks realized this and utilized PC's for this functionality long before digital media was all the rage. Hence my original statement that the term "HTPC" originally refered to a PC built for scaling duties.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Hey, but then if you want to pay for a $20,000 Faroudja scaler to call your setup an HTPC, dont let me get in the way.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

If you actually read the words I've typed, I said nothing of the sort. The functionality of scalers is a basic function of PC video output and has been such since the 80's.

Which was the whole purpose of the HTPC concept from the beginning.

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">myHTPC (its a program) does offer season pass... Ive never tried using it... since I dont watch a season of shows... but I do know there is a button there... and it says season pass... right inside the menus.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm familiar with the app, but I've not actually used it. Good to know.

lead_foot · 06-21-2004, 08:33 PM

Funny you should mention that. myHTPC is actually written by one of my best friends, Pablo. I'm a Mac user though, otherwise I'd use it. [

]

s0l · 06-21-2004, 09:09 PM

Lead - give pablo some props for me... the program is cool... and seems to have lots of support on the internet.

We are considering moving to Linux... but that sounds like alot of work. And I dont like to learn. So I doubt I do that.

Ah... its great to be lazy.