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Average user rating:
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Full user review
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1 out of 1 people found this review helpful
4.0 stars
"New Product and takes time to install correctly, but is worth all the work"
Pros: This is a all in one box, that works, will do it all, for the home user. The support from HP was very good and took the time to do it right
Cons: There is a lot of problems with the Software setup Manuals, it is new. Make sure you install using the manual selection, and not the defaults.
Summary: This is a good system, but took three calls to the support staff and 4 days. This is a very new collection of Software and Hardware in one box. There is still bugs in the MS MEC software. When installing first do all the MS\HP up-dates. then fine tune the MEC software. Always use the manual user selections, never use the auto or default. There is a problem with MS-MEC software solecting the TWO tuners. The software will always select TWO tuners, it see two cards and think you are using both. The Hardware installation is well written and is in color, that helps a lot.
A must have, is the 300G personal media drive, this is very good idea to split the computer system and the MEC storage. Allowing for ease of backup and swaping of drives.
One MUST read all the three thicks manuals, and make sure you have good venting, it get very hot, tracking it now at 95drgs, following the requirments.
The MS-MEC software is the BEAR, getting the monitor\TV to look correct, will take some doing, do not give-up. The Software manuals are very poor and need to be updated.
One big problem is the remote of the reciver box. The software may not see the old remote. If you have that problem, select NO REMOTE. That selection will make the unit use and see the HP remote.
Another problem is the programing the REMOTE. We are using the Logitech 880, and works easy with the other equipment, but need to be fine tune to see the HP-DEC unit.
The remote needs to place the HP-DEC into standby and not power down. The other equipment need to power down, DVD, VCR, reciver-box.
The HP-DEC unit is a wonder and makes the WAF(Wife Acceptance Factor) a big yes. It works very well, is a little pricy and will need the extra 1G memory. Once fine tuned it work like a charm and is very easy for all the family to use\operate. Screens and menus are easy to read and understand. The DVD playing and recording is easy.Updated
Still making the personal touch to the system
there is a lot of infor that is not covered by the manuals. Last two projects is to have all the Photo and records stored and saved on the PMD disk( 300G disk). Then to get the Logitch remote fine tooning to see and use all the required devices.
Support is still good and eager to help.
Where to buy
HP z558 Entertainment Center (Pentium 4 640 3.2GHz, 1GB RAM, 300GB HDD, XP Media Center 2005):
$804.99
| store | price | in stock? | rating |
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eCOST.com
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$804.99 |
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