I agree with the general intent of this thread.. I thought that MC would be the holy grail of media apps but I'm increasingly dissappointed in the results. I think development should be focusing on making a solid 10 foot interface so that it could compete with Windows MCE. Instead I see development time spent on deskbars, and document management, and a platform for subscription services. Not that any of those things aren't useful ( I would definately use a movie rental service), but there's too much core work that needs attention in order to make this product all of which it is intented to be. MC is the best media management product out there, hands down, no bout adout it..
It's sorely lacking as an app to easily access and enjoy that content though. Hairstyle is horrible, period. Creating complex playlists requires a programming degree. Some popular media formats are not supported. I've spent at least 3 years working with this product, collecting content, cataloging it in MC, testing, installing, reinstalling, and configuring the product and I'm dissappointed in the interface provided to access it (Mini me and theater view).
I'm still not able to :
a) have a solid and responsive 10 foot interface that friends can use without having a programming degree. Wizards would help. A complete redesign would be better.
b) Reliable DVD playback with 5.1 audio. (The ability to choose mpeg decoders).
c) The ability to schedule recording a TV program and leave MC running
d) A media server with a shareable multi -user library.
e) Better relationships/partnerships with hardware vendors for things like remote networked devices that can access the content in my library from other rooms, portable/mobile devices, entire systems with MC integrated into the interface/shell. Better support for high-end audio cards (M-Audio).
I simply want a HTPC for my living room that can play DVD, play and record TV, access and play my music, images, and video, and
nothing else whatsoever. And do it all from a remote control. MC is just not there. MCE is rapicly catching up to the ability to do this.
At this point I'd be happy if JRiver created an extension to Windows MCE so that I could use MC for music only.
Thanks for the great media management product but the UI for getting to that content and some of the missing functionality mentioned above should be your priority.
Bryan