[IVB]

I was under the impression that MC9 was just an audio jukebox. I just saw that it's got DVD catalog capabilities. If so, what's the difference between it and myHTPC [other than the ability to add random program links ad infinitum]?


If so or if not, I also don't get how/why MainLobby/DVDLobby would integrate with this as all that is is a menu/control program - I must be wrong somewhere, but I can't figure out where. Unless the value-add cinemar brings is in the PPC and h/w control layer, but dang that's expensive for that.


All I do via myHTPC is movies via TT, music via WMP, and SageTV. I hate that WMP - I was using AudioStation, which came with my audiotron, but I have to switch out of myHTPC and it's not playing nice.


If there's an integrated sol'n for DVD, Music, and TV that looks this pretty for this little $$ [$40], I'm sold.

 

[mdryja]

My understanding is that MC9 integrates quite well with myHTPC -- there's a plug in for it, in fact. Basically, myHTPC is the front end, using the MC9 program to actually play the media.

 

[Tracie]

IVB,

I don't know that it would really "compete" with myHTPC, just because the gui on products like myHTPC & Xlobby is so much better (WAF factor is higher). They have a 30 free trial so you can give it a test ride. FWIW, I didn't care at all for the gui, so I just use it as a ripping tool - it's got an excellent music ripper that gives EAC a run for its money & is much easier to use. It would be nice to have a really good all-in-one solution, but I don't think it exists.

 

[orbitzboy]

J River MC9 + Cinemar's Musiclobby front end have to be the best GUI ever built for accessing music. Second best is the dedicated Esicent fireball units which cost about 100x the price....

http://www.cinemaronline.com/musiclobby.html

 

[jriver]

J. River Media Center 10 is in beta. A free trial version is available here:

http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?board=3


The Hairstyle interface (for TV control) has some improvements.


Thanks for the nice comments.

 

[IVB]

so can I pull up a DVD in MC and have it call TT for playback? The big issue I have with myHTPC is that when you go "back" in the Music module, it goes back to the beginning of the list. As we have >300 CDs, probably ~140 artists, that's a royal PITA. I don't need a really good all-in-one, just something a wee bit better than what I got.


I'd love to go with the Cinemar suite, but just don't have the budget approval. Doubt I will until we figure out how to pay for preschool. [That's almost $9K/year, which may sound expensive until you realize that K-5 is $12K, 6-8 is $16K, and 9-12 is $20K+ in oakland. Can you say "move to the suburbs"?]

 

[NickB]

$250,000.00 to send your kid to private school, and that's not including college tuition, sheesh! No wonder you're in the poor house.

 

[Jeffrey]

Quote:

Originally posted by IVB so can I pull up a DVD in MC and have it call TT for playback?

I don't think so. As far as I know, you are limited to DVD playback from within MC.


I use MC9 for my music collection, by the way. It is great.

 

[salsbst]

But I want to move to the Bay Area. Don't tell me these things!


I use myHTPC for menuing, MediaCenter to play/manage the audio, SageTV for TV viewing and PVR, and Zoomplayer for DVD. This is all coordinated by Girder.


They fit pretty well together, although some of the apps require some relatively ugly Girder tricks to get them to behave. Girder is the saviour, not the problem, mind you. myHTPC is probably the worst behaved in the bunch because it requires the focus to target a button. I'm itching for a replacement to myHTPC. myHTPCv2 might do the trick but that that version is so far behind schedule that I have stopped thinking about it.

 

[IVB]

Ok, thanks.


BTW salsbst - i moved here from DC in '96. I lived there from '90->10/31/96. The SF area is infinitely more fun and exciting than DC, and well worth anything else you give up. Imagine nothing more than a long sleeve shirt & jeans year-round; no more August mugginess.

 

[rick e]

Quote:

Originally posted by IVB Doubt I will until we figure out how to pay for preschool. [That's almost $9K/year, which may sound expensive until you realize that K-5 is $12K, 6-8 is $16K, and 9-12 is $20K+ in oakland. Can you say "move to the suburbs"?]

Hang in there IVB.

My son just graduated from Stanford, around $33,00/year, and just got accepted to Santa Clara Law School. I feel your pain!

I'm just a regular mid level manager guy but I refuse to move past the Caldecott!


Good Luck

Rick