ATI's Multimedia Center 8.8 - The Home Multimedia Server

Conclusion

Of all the networks on which we tested, we only found one network configuration that is in direct conflict with EazyShare. If the EazyShare server is also set up as the Windows ICS server, EazyShare will crash on both the server and client when the server connects to the shared internet connection. If the shared internet connection already exists when EazyShare is started, the clients won't be able to connect to an EazyShare server. This is because the EazyShare server is trying to broadcast over the shared internet connection. ATI tells us that ICS is not a standard configuration, nor a common one at that, but nevertheless, we would like to see this problem resolved.

Using past Catalyst drivers with MMC 8.8 led to some compatibility issues with EazyShare. We expect to see this with the web release of MMC 8.8, but hopefully things will improve over time. Other home multimedia server solutions, like SnapStream, are quickly becoming popular, and ATI has a while before they can catch up with something with which the masses will be completely satisfied. EazyShare is a step in the right direction, as it provides the core ability to share TV content. Now, some of the finer workings of EazyShare need to be honed, such as extending the ability to share all multimedia content. Basically, the EazyShare Library needs to be able to share more than just VCR files.

As far as recording goes, conflict management still needs to be addressed because this is an issue that, no doubt, will arise whenever clients are granted access to control recordings. Currently, EazyShare only provides clients the ability to record in ATI's VCR format. Clients, though, need the ability to record in more than just ATI's VCR format. (Granted, this brings issues with TV-On-Demand, since it shares resources that one touch recording uses.) Even though VCR files can be exported to MPEG-2 or MPEG-4, it takes time to export, so it isn't the same as real-time recording.

EazyShare is a solid attempt at sharing TV content and behind it is definitely a lot of work. It is fashioned very well for “live” TV content, and we have high hopes for EazyShare in the future. However, we will have to wait and see if much of what we would like to see and what we are suppose to see pans out.

EazyShare aside, Multimedia Center and the hardware behind All-in-Wonder cards still place ATI clearly ahead of any all-in-one multimedia solution providers. We have been seeing the interest into home servers for multimedia use growing quickly, particularly as some have even gone to chronicle their success and failures. Stay tuned — we have upcoming articles that will revisit the software and hardware sides, and will provide a little bit of everything for any home theater nut.