Re: The _REAL_ media center

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From: Peter Near [MCE MVP] (peter_at_thenears.com)
Date: 09/09/04 

Date: Thu, 09 Sep 2004 13:27:55 -0400

>It runs on Windows & uses the Hauppauge MediaMVP as a client device.

There is a key difference between Media Center Extenders and "digital
media players", which is where I would classify the MediaMVP.

According to the MS press release
(http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/devices/default.mspx),
the Media Center Extender will allow you to watch Live TV and Record
television programs. This implies access to the guide, access to change
channels on the PC, stream the video, etc.

A digital media player cannot do these things. Instead a digital media
player can access your PC and search for media on the PC. It uses its
own interface and is generally only used to play back files on the PC.
Microsoft is looking to help provide a common backend interface for
these devices using the "Windows Media Connect" platform. (More info
http://channel9.msdn.com/ShowPost.aspx?PostID=13002). This will be a
hot market, and I'll probably get one of those devices myself. But it
is not in the same class as the media center extender.

Now I may be wrong, but I don't believe that anything I've read about
GBPVR or MediaMVP would imply that the two applications are integrated.
    It allows you to "consume" media but not "interact" with media.

Personally, I'm excited to play with both of these devices once they're
released so that I can examine the differences for myself.

Pete

Nigel Barker wrote:

> On Thu, 09 Sep 2004 10:28:47 -0400, "Peter Near [MCE MVP]" <peter@thenears.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>>Penang:
>>
>>I have no doubt that some of the Linux PVRs are indeed useful. My
>>experience with alot of the Open Source stuff is that it is generally:
>>- difficult to install
>>- difficult for novices to get help
>>- sometimes frustrating to deal with constant code change
>>
>>That said, the fact that you're asking and crossposting to the linux
>>advocacy group would cause me to infer that you are okay with the above
>>limitations of the OSS stuff.
>>
>>If you're into playing around and figuring things out, then you're best
>>off trying out the Open Source alternatives first. No harm and maybe
>>(probably) they will meet your needs.
>>
>>If you're more of a "typical consumer" and would prefer not to deal with
>>the source code, builds, and the like, I would recommend MCE.
>>
>>Here's the differentiating factor, in my opinion: Media Center
>>Extenders will allow you to use MCE as the backend media "server", and
>>run terminal sessions for multiple different TV sets. It gets the HTPC
>>experience away from the PC, and that is in my opinion unique to XP
>>Media Center Edition. I don't truly believe that the mass-consumer
>>audience wants a PC sitting in their stereo rack, but they are okay with
>>a thin device that elegantly interacts with the PC.
>>
>>If I had a crystal ball that I could look into, I would predict that all
>>Windows PCs will be MCE PCs in the future. If someone wants to
>>experience their media on the TV (which is where it seems to belong),
>>they will buy a Media Center Extender and plug it into their home
>>theater system.
>>
>>Unfortunately due to the crosspost, I know that I'm signing myself up
>>for a week of defending my opinion. Sigh... That's okay. I'd be happy
>>to discuss why I believe that MCX is going to be different than PrismIQ
>>and other devices that are trying to do what sounds like the same thing
>>as MCX (but they're not).
>>
>>Pete
>
>
>
> MCE functionality plus Extenders is already available with the rather cool
> looking GBPVR http://www.gbpvr.com/ It runs on Windows & uses the Hauppauge
> MediaMVP as a client device.
>
> --
> Nigel Barker
> Live from the sunny Cote d'Azur

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