Hi there. I'd like to comment a bit. I'm an htpc user and it is, with my current setup (an analog-chassis Sony 1031QM), a great combination. However, I do not praise "htpc-for-anyone".
Set apart the price issue, the htpc vs other solutions should not be a debate, but a personal choice. The 2 worlds are quite different as you and Mark said. If htpc makes you sick, whatever the performance, you have to find another solution.
After this introduction, allow me to comment on this previous post
Quote:
Originally posted by oferlaor
Basically the Rock+ standalone DVD:
1. Better deinterlacing, not just on the DVD itself.
2. More video related options and controls.
3. More expensive.
[...]
Wheras the HTPC:
[..]
4. Not easy to use (very difficult, unless you pay for an "easy to use" shell that hides windows itself from the user).
[...]
6. If you invest in a good HTPC, it'll come close to Rock price, BUT will already include a DVD drive... |
Regarding Rock/1, you're quite right. I'm quite involved in the DScaler issue, and while you can reach great levels of feature and quality, you're
sure to reach those levels with the Rock.
However, one has to consider what are the sources used on his display device and more specifically, how much dvd do you do ? If it's 95%, you have to really think hard about dvd-only scaling options ; htpc of course, but also Cinematrix-modded player.
Rock/2 .. I don't understand. While I agree that the number of tweaks possible on an htpc can be huge and difficult to understand, I'm suprised that you say "more video options" on the Rock. Can you detail this point please ?
Rock/3 and Htpc/6 I agree with point 3, not with 6. Just back from the online store and a Rock+ is 5000$ !! No, I don't agree. An (high end) htpc from DigitalConnection is 2300$ and they've got other models starting at 1500$. Don't try to wipe away one of the keypoint of the htpc solution ; its price
Last note about htpc/4. Yes, it's quite totally wife-unfriendly solution but making it otherwise is (impossible ? :]) not really a question of money but of time. Reaching the level of ergonomics of a simple external dvd player is a
huge amount of time, not of money.
That was my 2 cents, hope you enjoyed it
