The only media center-type thing I’ve really tried very much to date is Boxee. While I love the idea, I, as a usability consultant, have some major problems with that interface (and don’t even get me started on the game console interface problems – noting that I don’t have an Xbox 360, so I’ll spare that for now).

Thanks for the comments!

I did not use the software for recording as much as I used it as a media manager / server, similar to Boxee or Windows Media Center. I’ve tried Orb, MythTV (3 different linux distros), Media Portal, Simplify Media, WinAmp server, etc. Personally, I’ve had bad luck with all of them, mainly performance issues or Windows-only packaging (Ubuntu rulz!), have abandoned them all (although Boxee is promising) and was wondering what your experience has been with any others.

For portable media platforms I’ve tried iPod / iTunes (not enough end-user control in my opinion), Microsoft Zune (great hardware but the software felt like something Fisher Price would publish and didn’t integrate with sibling Microsoft media software), and Sony’s portable media players, but returned them all. I ultimately settled on the Sansa View (16gb) while using Miro on Ubuntu for RSS / subscription handling.

While there is no support for direct connection between Miro and the View, Sansa units support both MSC and MTP modes, allowing me to perform drag-n-drop operations or sync through Media Player in Windows (something the Zune doesn’t even do!) or Rhythbox in Ubuntu. The View hardware handles multiple video formats without requiring lengthy pre-processing, but unfortunately is not supported by the RockBox firmware yet. I love the unit’s completely “open” feel however, allowing me to make every decision on what / where / when / how to manage my portable media.

I also have a Philips portable DVR, but I use it mainly for playback and as an external USB HDD since I’ve never been able to get the composite-in video to record.

While I have used dozens of video conversion applications, my tool of choice is “Any Video Converter” (the free version handles everything I need for playback on the Sansa View or the Philips DVR and can do batch processing), and of course my favorite media playback software is the sinfully simple (and free) VLC Player from VideoLAN.

Marina: Yes, I’ve been trying out Boxee. Some serious UI issues but it seems there is some great functionality there. Probably up here north of the border is that it’s very complicated to set up IP spoofing so that we can get the “US-only” shows through things like Boxee . But, yeah, video is much more pleasant in a comfortable living room on a nice TV than in the desk where I spend the other 99% of my waking hours.

I read about Boxee in the New York Times. Have you had an opportunity to use it?

I love watching television or movie content on sites such as Hulu or Netflix, but would prefer to watch it on my television than my computer.

Thanks!

MacRadge: So do you find you watch less because you have to pay for it directly on iTunes?

Russ: Check out this link… http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html – that’s the FCC site on it.

Wilman: Yeah, I’m always worried about the cable or internet service providers pulling something that will cut this off (even just bad pricing for internet-only connections, which a lot of companies seem to do) but hopefully that becomes increasingly non-viable. Thanks for the kind words.

Dan Leuders: Wireless keyboard or some other kind of controller? Shame they don’t give that thing an IR receiver like the laptops.

Jeff

I’m using a MacMini as a media server on a 52? screen and I it works great!

Dan

Anyway, great initiative! The only inconvenience is I dont know if big companies will stand it and will eventually start inventing things to change the model… I hope not

Btw, great job at a CommandN. My regards to Amber, you rock people!