After trying all the PVR apps...

[archcommus]

After trying all the PVR apps out there (ATI Catalyst Media Center, SageTV, BeyondTV, Windows MCE, whatever else you can think of), I actually like the simple, no frills apps that most people on here say suck more than any of them.

For example, I'm using Winfast PVR 3.1.1.2 with my father's Leadtek Winfast TV2000 XP Deluxe, and it's great - opens immediately, I can drag the window around without any lag or delay in the picture, I can double-click the screen to maximize it and yet again, no lag or delay. All the features work as advertised and it only takes about 30 MB of HDD space. Really the only thing it lacks is an integrated EPG.

This user experience, likewise with the simplicity I get using MPC as my tuner software, is much better than what I've had with Sage and Beyond. Both of them take a lot of time to install and setup, add loads of services and items to my startup (Beyond is worse with this), have confusing UIs that take longer to get to what I want versus Winfast, and neither of them respond as well to moving the picture and maximizing the picture as Winfast and MPC do.

Now yes, I realize that Sage and Beyond are always recording in real-time, AND have integrated EPGs. All I'm saying is, I really like the simpler apps better and I wish I could be as happy with Sage and Beyond as I am with Winfast. I guess I just have to hope Vista Ultimate offers me a really good TV viewing experience so I don't have to mess with this anymore.

 

[Looney]

The 'only thing' lacking is an integrated EPG? I would think that would be a pretty important function.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: Looney
The 'only thing' lacking is an integrated EPG? I would think that would be a pretty important function.

It is, but I've gone without one my whole life with a regular TV, and I usually watch the same shows at the same times anyway. But I'm not saying I'd want to give up an EPG with my own software. Just saying the experience is so much better with apps like Winfast, and there aren't lots of other features it is lacking.

 

[cw42]

I've been using same Leadtek card for the past three years, and its been good enough for me. I have a bug with the TV app because the channel/volume don't show up on the on-screen display, but they show up on the toolbar thing. Also my scheduled recording dosnt work anymore, it used to with older versions. Other than that, the software isn't that bad.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: cw42
I've been using same Leadtek card for the past three years, and its been good enough for me. I have a bug with the TV app because the channel/volume don't show up on the on-screen display, but they show up on the toolbar thing. Also my scheduled recording dosnt work anymore, it used to with older versions. Other than that, the software isn't that bad.

What version are you using? The latest is 3.1.1.2, give it a shot if you don't have it. I just got it and am happy to see it is now multi-monitor aware (was using 2.816 before).