how reliable is media center as a PVR

[movingtables]

toying with the idea of a digital tv tuner card for my pc.
just wondering how reliable it would be to use media centre
as a PVR. ie- does the series link always work ect?

PS- i have vista SP2 ( 32 bit )

 

[movingtables]

have i posted this in the wrong forum or doesnt anyone use media centre to record and watch tv in ?

 

[_TubbZ_]

I have used Windows Media Center a bit in the past with my TV tuner and it seems to do a reasonable job and i really like it. Although i don't watch enough TV to provide you with a run down on if its any good.

 

[DreXeL]

I use a HTPC running 7 media centre on a daily basis as my main PVR. It's running a dual tuner Freeview card and a Cable TV tuner, and over all it does a good job and rarely misses a recording. The great thing is that if it does miss a recording for whatever reason (tuner conflict etc.) it will scan the guide for another showing (even on alternative channels) then re-schedule the recording.

Series link works quite well, but if you don't set the options to 'record from this channel only', and 'first showing only', it will record every episode on every channel, even if it is a repeat.

The only downside is that Media Centre can be a little flakey and unresponsive at times, which can be frustrating.

 

[movingtables]

thanks for the replies.

i think when i finaly ditch sky+ (dont watch enough of the channels) i will
go for a HD freeview dedicated PVR box.

im keeping my eye on this little gem: http://www.3view.com/Home.aspx

im in the Granada area (not winter hill) and im due the few HD channels within weeks

 

[Meatball]

I'm waiting for them to release a DVB-T2 PCI-Express card so I can record Freeview HD to my home server .