MP pro and contra smartTV (2 Viewers)

[karajan]

StartTV now has many new attribures, like MP. The new version have android OS inside. Now is the question, is MP have any future? Still for MP i must buy a PC ant many works about tunnig media portal . Why is MP better?

Thanks

Mihael

 

[Vasilich]

StartTV now has many new attribures

please clarify:
topic title says "smartTV", in your post you mentioned "StartTV".
I don't know what are both of those (thouhg assuming smartTv is something from Samsung ), so some links would be helpful too.

 

[karajan]

smartTv from Samsung, LG, Philips .... my sintax error.

 

[robbo100]

I suppose if your SmartTV has got the following built into it then the HTPC is dead:

• Console Emulators
• Acceptance of all media formats including ISOs
• Built-in Blur-ray drive
• Configurability to run a massive array of open source plugins - e.g. home automation, and online media source
• Lots of different skins
• Download of fanart for stored media
• Centralised PVR server function where recordings can be set and replayed from any TV in the house.
• The list goes on....

Basically, until there is any industry standard (open) architecture for how all these bits will work together then there will always be a place for an HTPC. I doubt I will ever be able to record a show on my LG TV in my lounge and then decide to cancel that recording from my Samsung TV in the kitchen - which I can do with ease with MP.

Currently, if I buy a TV, Amp, and Blue-ray player, I end up paying for HD upscaling technology 3 times, when I can only ever use it once. If I buy a TV, Blue-ray player and PVR, I am likely to have YouTube access through each of the units. It is an utter mess and waste of consumer money.

If I am honest, I am massively annoyed that TV manufactures make TVs with tuners and "Smart" stuff" built in. I want my TV to just be a massive monitor (maybe with an option to have it with or without speakers), and then I can build the architecture around the display using and HTPC as a single-box modular and configurable set-top-box.

Just my opinion though. Many other consumers want limited choice because they don't understand the technology behind it all.

 

[hafblade]

I completely agree with robbo100.
Smart Tvs don't have the possibilities like a htpc. They are ok for consumers which don't have the technical knowledge but for people who like to have all the possibilities it is not the right solution.

Often seen bad or missing features are:
Recorded data is saved encrypted and can only be played on the one tv.
Most time only youtube is supported as online video source.
Normally the tvs are no media server so you can only receive data.
There is no customizable interface.
...

I suppose that I can use my htpc a long time until all my needs are made possible by standardized machines.