Sean Alexander – Falling back in love with Vista Media Center

Sean used to be the Group Product Manager for Media Center back in 2005 but since has moved on to different teams and moved away for using Media Center. He has a nice post up today on how he has switched back to Media Center with CableCard.

At first I was apprehensive. I knew how complicated Cablecard setup could be and didn’t look forward to training Comcast’s CSRs as I had to with TiVo.  I installed the new PC, plugged in the Drobo, the ATI HD Cablecard tuners and set up the cablecards.  I had one defective card which I returned and after a quick call to Comcast, both were up and running.  Next I paired my two Xbox 360′s and curiously, everything worked. I was tuning channels, recording two stations without issue.  Now keep in mind I have a wired ethernet network in my house, which certainly helps things.  I had forgotten just how polished the experience is on the Media Center

When I see posts like that it reminds me how important CableCard support is to Media Center as it looks like it was the driving factor in bringing Sean back to Media Center, then of course he can take advantage of all the great 3rd party application out there which I feel really makes Windows Media Center standout for other DVR solutions

It also makes me wish for a Sky deal in the UK so Sky customer can use Media Center as their DVR, but somehow I can’t see that coming any time soon

Falling back in love with Vista Media Center