Comparison

How a BMN Media Server Compares

	Blue Maple Networks Media Server	Media Center Computer	Dedicated Electronics
Features
System Architecture	High-grade A/V capabilities built-in, other devices connect over a network, easy to upgrade or add to system, compact design, customizable to meet your specific needs	Consumer-level A/V capabilities, only media center extender devices can network, easy to upgrade, limited choices to add to system, computer-like designs. Manufacturers make tech compromises for cost that affect speed, power, upgradability, and audio/visual quality.	All range of A/V capabilities via separate components, little or no network options, replace whole components to upgrade
Style	Custom, server, player, rack component	Computer, player, rack component	Rack component
Cost	$$$	$$$	$$$$$
Upgrades	Easy-tough, dep. on experience	Easy-tough, dep. on experience	Replace only, expensive
Customization	Easy/standards-based	Easy/standards-based	Expensive/Proprietary
Integration	Easy/standards-based, tools built-in	Easy/standards-based, depends on you	Expensive/Proprietary
Geographics	Hand-built in USA	Built who knows where	Built who knows where
Technologies
Video	Integrated HDTV, SDTV, Gaming capable, upgradable	Integrated HDTV, SDTV, medium-low quality, often analog only, upgradable	Dedicated, separate boxes for HDTV, SDTV, not upgradable
Audio	24-bit, 108dB-loss or better, upgradable	16-bit, 90dB-loss, upgradable	limited only by your pocketbook, upgrade=replace
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet, upgradable	Fast Ethernet or Wireless, upgradable	None; if so, most add a proprietary network layer that is not compatible with devices from other manufacturers
	True server-centric approach enables virtually unlimited connections to media server; it depends on the size of your network. The average home router by default allows 256 connected devices.	Connections limited to Media Center Extenders, practical limitation of around 3 or 4 devices	If any network or "zones," usually limited to anywhere between 4 and 16 zones
Storage	Huge (.4-1.6TB) and fast (SATA); RAID (can be configured for redundancy or speed), upgradable	Basic to Large (80GB-400GB), older/slower tech (IDE), RAID-ready, upgradable	Basic 120-250GB; upgrade invalidates warranty, must hire a hacker
Platform
Standards	Open, standards-based, upgradable	Open, mostly-standards based, upgradabability fixed to media center software compatibility	Proprietary, closed, partial standards-compliance, Non-upgradable
Self-Management and Efficiency	Completely self-maintained, power management, customizable, self-tuning	Self-maintained, power management, customizable	Call for service
Software
Playback/Record	In software; you choose best-in-class software for DVD, music, home movies, and photos, easy to upgrade without wiring	All-in-one, media center software chooses for you, often with lowest common denominator, locking out incompatible formats	Dedicated component for each type uses mostly non-upgradable firmware. Upgrade requires service technician
Upgradable	Easy, mostly in software	Easy, mostly in software	Easy: replace the whole component
Integration	Network-ready, millions of developers/easily customized	Network-ready, millions of developers/easily customized, limited by MCE	Requires trained specialist