Weasel

Member since: May 15th, 2006

Weasel's Latest Comments

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Download Squad	2 Comments

Recent Comments:

CNet rates the anti-virus apps (Download Squad)

May 29th 2006 8:11PM I have a serious problem with this review. I was a bit surprised that AVG brought up the rear, with an extremely low rating. It seem that it was punished for lacking "firewall or antispyware tools." Yet, it says that they are rating "anti-virus apps."

These are two different kettles of fish. Most of the programs are suites, encompassing more than anti-virus, but when it comes to anti-virus AVG does as good a job as any (if not better). And, it's free to boot! It doesn't have the frills that others do: it focuses on anti-virus, and I don't need anything more than that. I don't need anti-spyware, I use Firefox. I don't need a firewall, I use a router.

If they feel AVG is a crappy program, tell us why. But if you are rating "Anti-Virus Apps", say so. Don't be rating Security Suites, and calling it anti-virus program ratings.

SnapStream Beyond TV 4.0 Review (Download Squad)

May 15th 2006 5:39PM The Firefly is reportedly an excellent remote. My friend has one and loves it, I just use my Hauppauge one.

One thing I do want to mention however, is the free and open source alternatives. These have been mentioned on Download Squad before, but I think it's important for anyone sitting there thinking "Wow!" but who also likes free stuff and open source stuff to know.

There's the popular linux one called MythTV, and the simplest way of installing it is KnoppMyth (http://www.mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html). I don't have any experience with it, but you can check out a review and a how to by Kevin Rose on Systm (I am limited to 3 links, but if you search "mythtv systm" on Google you'll find it).

I own a Windows based PVR, and I personally use GBPVR (http://www.gbpvr.com). It has great hardware support, great community wiki and forums, and I think it competes very well with the commercial offerings if you don't mind getting your hands a bit dirty. It has a web interface, skinning, and extensions so for those who like to customize, I think it can provide much more than the commercial products. It also has low system requirements, so you can run it on that P3 600mhz you have lying around in your basement.

Finally, there is MediaPortal (http://www.team-mediaportal.com/), another piece of software for Windows. I have no experience with it, but it looks very nice and I would check it out if I had more time and didn't love GBPVR as I do. Their site has alot of information and screenshots.

That's probably the longest comment I've ever written, but I hope it can be helpful to anyone aspiring to build a PVR.