How well does SKY+ integrate with windows MCE?

[CryptKeeper]

I've been thinking to setting up a HTPC with MCE for some time now. I last look at this over a year ago before I had the magic that is Sky +. My prime concern is integrating the two. How straighforward is this and what benefits will I see? I currently have a Chunky Yamaha AV amp, dvd player and sky +. I was wondering what benefits a HTPC could give me. I am also on the verge of purchasing a video/mp3 player so was hoping to be able to transfer recorded programmes easily.

I would be greatful for any info on any of these points.

CK

 

[csmager]

I've been thinking to setting up a HTPC with MCE for some time now. I last look at this over a year ago before I had the magic that is Sky +. My prime concern is integrating the two. How straighforward is this and what benefits will I see? I currently have a Chunky Yamaha AV amp, dvd player and sky +. I was wondering what benefits a HTPC could give me. I am also on the verge of purchasing a video/mp3 player so was hoping to be able to transfer recorded programmes easily.

I would be greatful for any info on any of these points.

CK

I can't see it would be that much better. I've thought about it, and dismissed the idea.

The problem you've got is that your Sky+ box has two feeds, which allows you to record one thing while watching another. So Sky+ immediately has the advantage. The interface is pretty good too. If you plugged it into MCE, you'd just be watching the Sky+ box through the PC, and probably using the Sky+ remote for your Sky box. Because of the two tuner issue, you'd probably not use MCE for recording... so it renders the whole thing a bit pointless.

DirecTV, Sky's sister company in the US, have released a DVB-S card for use with their system that's compatible with MCE. With any luck, Sky might do the same some time in the future. Sky are already heavily involved with MS (skybybroadband is expected to be integrated with MCE soon), so I'd expect some sort of integration in the future.