[citation][nom]niz[/nom]Very naive of you to not consider Linux. For example, Mythbox is free to download and has way more features than Windows MediaCenter (such as being able to record HDTV) and is also DRM-free. Because its linux it is way more robust and can be used as a decent media server too.It is a pain to get configured but you only need to do that once. I suggest downloaing a myth-based distro such as MythBuntu rather than going totally DIY, as a lot is already done for you.[/citation]
I have run both mythTV and Windows MCE and I can say without a doubt that MCE is the better choice (at least for me and most other people). Plus, this article is for people that don't even know how to build a pc, let alone install and configure Linux (no mater how easy you may think it is to install).