| 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 |
