Chris Lanier's Blog

News, Analysis, and Opinion on Microsoft Digital Media Technologies (and TGB News!)

HP Cutting MediaSmart TV Lineup; Exits LCD TV Business

CED is reporting that HP is ending their run in the LCD TV business and killing off their MediaSmart HDTV lineup.  I can’t confirm the report myself, but if true this puts another dent in Microsoft’s vision to have Extender technology built into HDTVs.  Their focus is now said to be their MediaSmart Receiver which I reviewed earlier this year.    Watch for deals, word is the current displays will be getting a price cut at Costco stores.

In related news, Samsung has shipped their MediaLive Extender which only works with Samsung Series 4 and up displays and you can still get Linksys Extenders for cheap at Newegg and Amazon (thanks Harry!).

Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/

Comments

 

JackLuminous said:

This makes me think a little that mcx is gonna end up like v1. MS should un-f--- the codec support in the platform to give Oems room to add real value.  Even dvdnavigator is blocked by the PC side from being remoted. MS' implementation of their MCX platform isn't very different from cable lab's tru2way fiasco.
October 27, 2008 8:15 PM
 

JackLuminous said:

After reading Charlie's post I would now like to eat my share of crow regarding the codec support. Just a pinch of basil, please!
October 28, 2008 7:15 PM
 

Free Man said:

Too bad, I wonder what kind of "extra" focus HP will not put on it's HP x280n extender?  Boy wouldn't it be nice to see some new codec support, like how about flash support...ala Hulu and YouTube playing abilities.
October 29, 2008 3:00 PM
 

JackLuminous said:

What would be nice is if they got rid of the lame pocket drive and just add a dvd player like the link 2200
October 29, 2008 3:21 PM
 

Free Man said:

The problem with that is that most people a.) have a DVD drive already and b.) is even the DVD on the Linksys is not Blu-Ray so it seems like a lame duck to start with.  

On the other hand, if HP added some support for Hulu or YouTube they would be light years ahead of Linksys and the others...Not trying to keep up with the Jones'.  My two cents.
October 29, 2008 6:55 PM
 

JackLuminous said:

I think it would still have value because that's once less bit of hardware needed under the tv. There are still alot of folks (me included) who would like to be able to play a netflix dvd w/o needing a second DVD player....
October 30, 2008 12:49 PM


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