The Fall 2012 thread - What technology to move-up to?

I feel a bit guilty for stirring the waters again, but maybe this will be a nice distraction from the election commercials! It looks like it’s been about a half-year since the last thread like this, and I want to test the waters. WHERE TO NEXT? I'm not doom-and-gloom, I just recoginze that my Replays won't last me forever, and I want to mentally prepare myself for Plan B.

I still have two working 5040s (HDs upgraded, and a used spare HD). I’d been thinking of jumping to the Ceton Q, but the “Coming in 2012” changed to Release TBD, and now the web page is Error 404.

I’m not thrilled about the HTPC route. A) Although I could probably set-up a HTPC system, I want to have something that is maintainable by my Apple-based wife, if I’m not available B) I’m concerned about the Media Center support (or lack of) coming from Microsoft, C) I’m not thrilled with having yet another PC in the house to support (I even left WiRNS and went back to The Mother Ship for program updates – let’s see how long that lasts). It just seems that if I’m going to make the time and $ investment in something new at this point, it shouldn’t be to something that’s already on the ropes.

I do have a Synology NAS that I’ve been VERY happy with. They have started development of a Video Station application. Is supports some USB tuners, but appears not to have United States-based tuner support yet. They are an innovative company, and I like the audio streaming and photo support (not to mention new DDNS support). It’s amazing having a functioning, supported piece of equipment that the vendor just adds new applications for free as they develop them. So, I’m definitely thinking of waiting longer to let them to develop a more fully-functional application. But, again there’s the waiting. And you never know what you’re going to get (or not). A dream system could be a Ceton 6-tuner CableCard USB input into the Synology, with Ceton Echo players…

I have mixed feelings on HDTV. The HDTV is nice. Our Time Warner still supports many analog channels, and we are doing fine with those on our Replay (no IR-blaster). We do have a separate digital box that I haven’t bothered to IR-connect to the Replay (might actually be a good weekend project, now that I think about it…). We did have a TWC DVR box, but found the user interface clunky, and downgraded. But, if I'm going to invest the time and $, I think it should suport HDTV.

At some point in time, If I don’t find another good, alternate solution, we may just take the plunge and go with multiple TWC DVRs. Suportable, can share shows between rooms, HDTV, etc. I just shudder at the thought of opening the monthly cable bill if we go that route.

And I have to mention Tivo. As a long-time Reply customer, I feel almost dirty mentioning the word in this forum. But, I know some of us have done it. is it a viable "upgrade" path?

At one point or another, I know many of us are thinking these same thoughts. If you’ve found a solution that works for you (and better yet, would work for me ), please reply.

Thanks!
-Steve

Thanks everyone. All great advice.
I have to admit that I had kinda written-off the WMC option. I had heard (through the Centon Q discussions) about how Microsoft was discontinuing support, and I have a mental bias about what I thought it would take to maintain a dedicated PC (I feel that 50% of my time with my PC laptop is just dealing with updates, virus software scans, and backups, the other 50% is doing actual things of value- usually just e-mail). But, adam1991's posts at least got me to research enough that I see that Microsoft is continuing WMC into Windows 8.

I did link my cable box to the Replay (via IR blaster), so I can start seeing how much value we'd get from all those other channels beyond "basic"/clear cable.

From a basic functionality and supportability standpoint, I think the cable company's DVRs may be a resonable short-term solution. If I have a major Replay malfunction, I know I could always call up Time Warner and have multiple DVRs in the house in a matter of days. I could also return them a few months later if/when something better comes out. So, I'm thinking this is my short-term Plan-B if/when needed.

Long term, I'm going to keep an eye on Ceton, both for the Q, and for the 6-tuner card. I'll also keep tabs on WMC with Windows 8 and Synology's development of their "Video Station". I like the idea of having the Synology NAS being the central hub for ALL storage in the house, including the DVR. But I don't currently know how I'd stream the content to each TV (maybe I need to research DLNA TVs...). I could also see myself buying a Q, and multiple Echos for each TV. Or if the Q never comes, maybe going the WMC route.

Like ClearToLand said, there's lots to research...