I started a project several months ago to build my own Media Center PC, I had a new 915 board and 3.4GHz processor from Intel and I build PCs as a hobby. I started with a black Cooler Master ATX-620C which is a reasonably priced ($75) case and put in a 200 GB drive and 512M of memory. I used onboard graphics, added a USB 2.0/ 1394 card, and a twin tuner NVIDIA card. The product was imaged, with Microsoft’s help, with the Media Center Edition of Windows XP and I picked up the Media Center Edition Remote control to finish the project.

During this time I received the Kloss KL-1915A Media PC and I’ve been a long term Tivo user with 2 Tivo 2s centrally wired into my home’s centralized TV network.

I fired up both the Kloss and the Media Center box and captured my impressions (the Tivos are always on). The Kloss is dead quiet, the Media Center Box sounded like a jet engine warming up for take off, and the Tivos have a low hum that does get a little annoying after awhile. Initially I thought the problem was with the case, but it turned out to be the Processor Fan. I changed that out and the noise dropped a little but even a low noise fan when running flat out can make a racket. Fortunately I had a second Media Center in house; this one used a Shuttle Case and an AMD processor. It too ramped the fan all the way up and the noise was unacceptable.

Lesson one, if you decide to build your own Media Center buy either a liquid cooling kit (my personal favorite is the Zalman), or a large case very large heat sink for the processor like the Arctic-Cooling Freezer (which wouldn’t fit in the Cooler Master case). Another alternative is a BTX case and processor. This is what Gateway uses in their Media Center design and now I can see why.

From the standpoint of integration and the 10 foot experience the Media Center was best. I could move between music, DVD movies, and recorded TV very easily and the experience was arguably the richest. The Tivo is best for TV, directory is better, navigation is better, and it does predictive programming. The Kloss only did music used as an enhanced stereo it works extremely well but it isn’t as appliance like as the other two. Both the Tivo and my home made Media Center looked right at home with my other stereo gear the Kloss looks like it belongs with a couple of matched speakers on a credenza and has a very good looking front bezel.

In the end I would pick each product for different reasons. If I wanted something to time shift video I’d pick the Tivo hands down. If I wanted something to integrate my TV/DVD/Music experience in the living room or home theater I’d go with the Media Center (but with a different case and better cooling). And if I wanted something for my office or bedroom that would play music and allow me to watch DVDs I’d go with the Kloss.

Often people get locked up in which product is best without thinking through “best for what”. We aren’t all the same and our needs differ depending on specific use. Each of these products have advantages that allow them to excel under particular conditions, if you remember that while you make your own choice you’ll undoubtedly like the result better.