What's the Story with Media Center PCs?

Reader William writes: I have a DVR and really love it (Comcast Cable), but I want to be able to put the recorded shows on my PC so I can take them with me. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a media center PC over a DVR?

First, a little terminology note: A "media center PC" can mean (at least) two things. First, a media center PC can refer to any PC with a TV tuner card and media center software (typically Windows XP Media Center or a Vista version that includes Windows Media Center). Alternately it can refer to a specialized PC that fits in your home theater cabinet, designed to blend in with your other a/v components but offering both DVR and PC features: You generally access these via a wireless keyboard and/or remote control and use your TV as a monitor (check out the CannonPC in the photo for an example). While these media center PCs offer similar features, the main difference is that the set-top types are not nearly as customizable as a standard PC with media center software. More on this in a moment...

What's the big advantage of a media center PC? You can take the whole thing with you: Numerous laptops (like the awesome Toshiba Qosmio line) come with media center hardware and software all ready to go. Just plug it in to your cable line, configure it, and start recording TV like you would with a DVR. When you want to take them with you, simply unplug and and go, no mess. Even if you don't have a laptop media center, it's rather simple to transfer programs from one PC to another, or even to a USB thumbdrive.

But many DVRs (most notably TiVo) have come a long way in letting you do similar things: TiVo's PC desktop software lets you download almost any recorded file for taking it on the road. I use the software regularly and it works with no trouble at all.

So what's the real difference? Lately, there's less and less. Fundamentally it comes down to being able to use your media center PC as a PC: Say, you can play PC games on your big screen LCD, or type a letter on it if you're desperate. DVRs, on the other hand, will generally fit in better with your home theater. Your Comcast DVR, for example, already knows how to get schedule info from the cable company, and doesn't require mucking around in Windows to configure. DVRs are generally quieter than media center PCs (which often have loud fans inside), and of course, they're much less expensive. I have a hunch DVRs are more reliable, too, and if yours dies, your cable company will probably replace it for free. Finally, while they're on the way soon, you won't find HDMI connections on media center PCs today, so getting high-definition video is tricky on one.

If you're a hardcore video nerd and willing to invest in the expense and the configuration intricacies of a media center PC (and you don't mind having a wireless keyboard on your coffee table), give one a try. For casual users, a DVR is the way to go.