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News, Analysis, and Opinion on Microsoft Digital Media Technologies (and TGB News!)
Home Server
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Charlie Owen, a former Media Center team member wrote a post this
week about Media Center expanding its marketplace, specifically going from
the current enthusiast market to a more mainstream market. Charlie analysis comes to the pretty simple
answer of “It's
possible, but highly unlikely at this point.”
I had previously come to this conclusion, but to me
the real question is “will Microsoft attempt to develop for the
enthusiast market?” Lucky for me,
Charlie replied to my comment with exactly what I was expecting
Charlie: “No. That's because they have never done so. The enthusiast market is
always a subset of the overall market any product targets. Put another way:
Where the goal is making a profit you wouldn't sacrifice a broad market
opportunity of 100 for the narrow enthusiast market of 10. Making a
Microsoft-sized profit is different than making a profit if you were a much
smaller company.”
In other words the future for Media Center is one or two
options. Option 1: Microsoft stops
development of Media Center (very unlikely). Option 2:
Microsoft transitions Media Center to a market which has the possibility to
create a “Microsoft-sized profit.” (Hint: TV on your PC) Re-quoting
myself from early this year, the days of Media Center being billed as the
do-it-all center of your home are over.
My opinion continues to be that Microsoft will focus more
and more on the Xbox
360 as the center of the home. The
benefits of the Xbox 360 over Media Center are almost endless from a business
perspective. The massive amount of end
users (an unquestionable 30 million, with 20 million of them being Xbox Live
subscribers) means content providers are going to flock to the platform. Microsoft can sit back and rake in yearly
recurring revenue from these 20 million Xbox Live subscribers along with the
massive amounts of licensing accessories and the Xbox 360 brand. Media Center on the other hard makes
Microsoft absolutely no money as it is a part of the standard Windows SKU (eg.
No one except members of The Green Button ever purchased a Windows license just
to get Media Center).
There are still people holding out hope for Media Center to
become a platform for the home. The
recent announcement that Dish
Network will not be shipping their tuner anytime soon didn’t
surprise me one bit. Why would Dish
bother to continue with Media Center when it is pretty clear Microsoft is
moving away from the consumer they thought they were buying into? This same concept is at play with Media
Center Extender’s. There is still some
hope that Toshiba will be releasing an Extender, but I think the concept
that most people miss is that whether it gets released or not means little in
the grand scheme of things. If
Microsoft’s heart is not in providing a platform for the home, you can really
know going into your purchase that you’re going to end up disappointed at some
point.
The biggest question mark might be Windows Home Server. For years I have said the concept of
including Media Center in Windows Home Server is pointless
and does nothing to expand the current market. If HP ditched Extender’s and CableCARD due to
poor sales, why exactly would they have the least bit of interest in shipping a
Media Center+Home Server box? If OEMs
are not interested, why is Microsoft going to develop it?
Most people underestimate the OEMs when talking about Media
Center. OEMs are really responsible for
Media Center from start to finish from a customer’s perspective. HP and Dell have shown they have little
interest in Media Center by either discounting CableCARD PCs, killing off
Extender’s, and even in HPs case killing off their HT-styled z-series Media
Centers. Dish
Network and DIRECTV
are just as important and have shown that they are increasing less interested.
Microsoft’s latest attempt to make a market for Media Center
has been the custom integrator channel, and some have big
expectations for what Microsoft might have in store. Sadly most of the possibilities have already
been proven false, and based on what I’ve been told from those in the industry
interest in Media Center in the custom channel is dropping fast. I’m interest to see how much longer Microsoft
attempts to push into the market. With
their partner OEMs such as HP, Linksys, Dish Network pulling out these leaves
the custom OEMs like Niveus Media and Life|ware to pick up the slack. Unfortunately there is only such much they
can do. If Microsoft’s commitment in the
channel falls it might be the end of the custom market experiment.
So once again the question is what’s next. Recently there have been some great new
bloggers show up in the Media Center community with some great
suggestions. I’m done with
suggestions. Microsoft knows exactly
what we want, let’s not pretend they don’t.
The issue is it is no longer in their best interest to pursue most of
it. What’s next? Who knows.
All I want at this point is for Microsoft to publicly provide a roadmap
for what Media Center is to become.
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Preface: Before you read
this please try and get in the right mindset.
Microsoft doesn’t care about what anyone reading this blog wants. They don’t care what I want either. It is a hard truth to take, but that’s a
fact. They will say that they listen to
all requests, and that’s true, they do.
What they don’t do is make any sort of business decision (translation,
features) based on my ramblings, The Green Button, Engadget, or anyone else. They don’t make Media Center for “us”,
and before anyone can start to understand the points I try and make about
Windows Home Server you have to realize this.
You also have to understand that Media Center has not taken the market
by storm, and that six years into it the vision simply isn’t working to achieve
the goal Microsoft originally set out achieve (hints shift in marketing). Knowing this, please continue.
Note: I don’t work for
Microsoft, this post reflects my personal opinion.
Ben
Drawbaugh has an excellent post on what he perceives to be the future of
Windows Media Center, and that’s its integration with Windows Home
Server. Ben’s post is excellent, running
down a logical path of what Microsoft should do with the assets they currently
have. You take Windows Media Center and
integrate it with Windows Home Server, sell it for $500 and users can add
tuners later. Add in Live Mesh, Zune HD
syncing, and really connect the dots for a truly logical integrated product.
Now, maybe it is because I’ve been following Media Center a
bit longer than Ben, but why all the sudden is Microsoft going to “get it” and
integrate everything in the logical manor it should be? Why does the introduction of Windows Home
Server mean everything will “just work?”
Here’s the deal. It
is clear to me that Microsoft’s shift in customer marketing means the concept
of a whole home connected device with Media Center as its core isn’t
working. Why else would Microsoft shift
to pushing “TV
on your PC?” It just doesn’t make
sense to me that Microsoft would shift the culture and marketing of Media
Center, and then turn around and integrate everything the way it should be. You can see the shift in their marketing as well.
- 2007/early 2008: "Windows Media Center turns the home PC into the ultimate connected entertainment hub and is available in every copy of Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate."
- Today: "...builds on Microsoft’s goal to create a consistent experience on the PC for consumers to easily enjoy the entertainment of greatest interest to them."
I’ve said for years that I
don’t see the market value in Home Server mixed with Media Center. I consistently get crap for this, but that’s
because everyone reading this wants exactly what I say doesn’t make sense to
produce, or rather what will not help Media Center in the marketplace. How many
people here are not using Media Center strictly because it requires them to run
two separate PCs in their home? How many
sales are lost because of the current infrastructure? How many sales do you gain by integrating the
two? Have you opened up a significantly
new market by doing so? I can’t come up
with any answers that benefit Media Center from these questions.
If Microsoft is having trouble pushing Media Center in homes
for whole home connected entertainment, the solution is not to integrate it
with a product that even fewer people understand (a “Home Server”). The solution is actually to change paths and
try something completely different. Sometimes
redefining a product is needed to keep it alive.
So does this mean I don’t think Microsoft will integrate
Media Center with Home Server? No, I
think the opposite. Last year I got a
tip that something
is coming as a “headless” device, and I haven’t heard anything to say that
has gone away. It would be perfectly
fine to suggest anything “headless” that comes out of Microsoft would be based
on Home Server.
So I’ve established that I think a Home Server with Media
Center integration will happen, and at the same time that the product will not
have a significant amount of mass market value over that of the current model. Microsoft’s future for connected platforms
does include exactly what they say it will.
The “3 screens,” which spans the PC, the phone, and the TV. The way I see it PC = Windows 7, Phone =
Windows Phone (aka Windows Mobile), TV = Xbox 360. I don’t see any need for Media Center as a
whole home device in their grand vision, which is why I’m questioning the concept of Microsoft getting things right just by the
inclusion of Media Center into Home Server.
Maybe I’m right, maybe I’m wrong. I’m hoping I’m wrong, but given the way
things have been going, especially with Extenders (which in the case of a
headless device are key), I don’t see such a product making any impact in the
marketplace. More so, I don’t see
Microsoft investing the time to use Media Center as the core for the home. Media Center isn’t dying, it isn’t coming out
of Windows, but I continue to think the focus will shift. Microsoft will still work with partners on
Extenders (I’ve been assured of this), but they will still release products and
features that forget these Extender’s even existed. They will connect your life, but they will
not connect your life using Media Center.
What is your opinion?
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Now that we are fairly certain that DIRECTV
will not ship with Windows 7, the big question remains to be will DISH
Network? Around the time the TV Pack
started beta testing, I did
hear that some testers had been contacted about testing DISH Network Tuners,
and that talk has popped back up in the past few weeks.
Going under my theory that Microsoft has all the plumbing
in-place for DIRECTV support, there is no reason that same framework can’t work
for DISH Network. If DISH Network wants
to make a Media Center tuner, they can using this framework, and they might have already.
Looking around, their are some other hints about the possible DISH Network Tuner. Ben's photos of the eHome Lab show Windows 7
running with a branded Start Menu saying “TV with DISH Network.” In addition to that, several people, including
Dave Zatz have brought up the possibility that the unmarked white box in the photo below is a DISH Network tuner.
Of course, the tuner being in Microsoft’s Lab means nothing as Microsoft as
evidenced by the suspended DIRECTV HDPC-20 tuners also present.
 Back to the framework which I believe is complete to ship
with Windows 7, here is something Microsoft showed at WinHEC. That is premium Pay-Per-View TV being ordered via Media
Center. We know that’s not from
a CableCARD as tru2way tuners don’t have any specs from CableLabs yet. It chould be DIRECTV, but considering that Channel
510 happens to fall in the range of DISH Networks PPV and most PPV content
on DISH Network happens to be $4.99, there is a good possibility you are looking
at working PPV via a native DISH Network Tuner.
 So, should you jump and switch to DISH Network because of
this? I wouldn’t suggest it. Should you keep checking back to see when we
get more details? I'd suggest it. I’m a DIRECTV customer, so even if this DISH
Network tuner is real I likely wouldn’t be testing it. That said, I’m looking forward to see what
happen with this. Given DISH Networks TurboHD package for
$24.99 has every channel I’d ever watch, and the fact I can get ATSC HD
using an antenna in Media Center saving me from having to add HD Locals to the
package, DISH Network does look like a good deal if I could get a native Media
Center tuner.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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I’ve just gotten a tip from a very reliable source that
Microsoft is looking to take Media Center off the desktop and turn it into a CE
appliance. The only information that I
have is that it is planned to be a headless device of some sort. Other details are very scarce at this point
with no timeline to speak of, but I’ve been assured that Microsoft is actively
working on such a project.
Is
the Home Server “Media Center UI integration” that I just said wouldn’t happen
the start of this project? Does it
even have anything to do with Windows Home Server? Might Softsled
be making an appearance in this all?
Maybe that technology they
got from WebGuide? I have no idea,
because clearly such a product would go against everything I’ve ever said about
Media Center.
So, I’m a bit shocked that Microsoft is looking to do
anything like this. For years I have
been saying that such a device would fail in the market due to its un-doubtable
high cost in comparison to other CE devices like TiVo’s and the $10/month
cable/satellite DVR.
Media Center’s number one problem has been failing to define
itself in the market. Enthusiasts and
power users want features not currently provided by Media Center, most of which
Microsoft has shown little interest in actually implementing, and they want it
at the smallest price possible. The
high-end custom install channel wants the same things, but are willing to pay
as much as they need to in order to get the features. Then the rest of the world doesn’t know that
Media Center exists, and even if they did they want it at a price lower than
what enthusiasts and power users are willing to spend.
Thoughts and
opinions? I’m not going to ask what
you would pay for such a device, rather
what do you think your Mom would pay?
I’ve established in the past that enthusiasts and power users want such a
device and therefore might be willing to pay for it, but what about your Mom or
other “average” users? Keep in mind that
if this is a headless device, you have to factor in Extenders for each room you
actually want to watch content in.
Looking at this from the outside with no information on what
it planned, I still say such a product would fail to reach the mass
market. Now for the enthusiasts, power
user, and custom-install channel this could be a great move. That brings up another question, is Microsoft shifting their focus for Media
Center from developing for the “mass market” to developing for enthusiasts,
power users, and the custom install channel (Remember
their presence at CEDIA)?
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Long
Zheng spotted a good one last week, finding
a job posting that implies several things about Windows Home Server v2
including “Time Machine compete UI for backup and restore, Windows Media Center
integration UI, Live Mesh integration UI etc..”
Windows Media Center integration UI is clearly the part of
it that I’m going to focus on, however I think this might end up being the
opposite of what most people think (and want) it to be. Mainly, “Windows Media Center integration UI”
doesn’t have to mean “Windows Media Center UI integration.” The placement of UI in the sentence makes a huge
different.
For example “Windows Media Center integration UI” sounds
like a wizard from within Home Server to integrate sharing and backup of Media
Center content such as Recorded TV.
“Windows Media Center UI integration” on the other hand would imply
Media Center functionality being built into Home Server.
The wording used by Microsoft is “Windows Media Center
integration UI” leading me to believe that Microsoft’s focus is not on
integrating Media Center directly into Home Server.
I’ve (poorly) argued in the past that while an integrated
Home Server+Media Center would be the killer scenario for hardcore Media Center
users and geeks, it would
do nothing to give Media Center the push it needs in the marketplace. I also question the backup functionality of
Home Server when more and more roles keep getting delegated to it. Put Media Center functionality in and mix it
with backup and remote access and it is almost time for a Home Server to backup
my Home Server.
I’m I overanalyzing the "Windows Media Center integration UI" wording?
You still holding out for your Home Sever with Media Center/Extender
functionality?
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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From distributed
HD entertainment to automation and control, Windows Media Center is at the
center of an ever-expanding ecosystem within the custom installation channel.
DENVER — Sept. 4, 2008 — At CEDIA EXPO 2008,
Microsoft Corp. announced expansive growth of the Windows Media Center
ecosystem, the formation of an exciting new industry alliance composed of some
of the custom channel’s top brands, the winner of the 2008 Windows Media Center
Ultimate Install Contest, and numerous partner innovations supporting the
Windows Media Center in the custom installation channel. CEDIA EXPO 2008 is an
annual show for the residential electronic systems industry put on by the
Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association.
“In the wake of Microsoft’s increased engagement with the
custom installation channel, a broader ecosystem has developed based on Windows
Media Center,” said Kevin Collins, director of the Custom Installer Channel in
the Connected TV Business, Entertainment and Devices Division at Microsoft. “We
are thrilled with the level of innovation on the Windows Media Center platform
that hardware and software companies are showcasing at CEDIA EXPO.”
Hardware Expansion
The merit of Windows Media Center as a custom installation
solution is stronger than ever, as illustrated through announcements from
multiple channel partners highlighting support for up to eight CableCARD tuners
and up to 10 Extender for Windows Media Center devices. This increased capacity
allows Windows Media Center technologies to address the demands of more
sophisticated projects. With the wide range of
products and custom configurations that use standard interfaces, integrators
can delight their customers with unique installations while using familiar
components and subsystems. Adding to the growing demand for centralized home
storage, multiple OEMs are previewing new hardware based on Windows Home Server
that provides integrators with a solid whole-house solution to store and access
their clients’ music, photos and videos from either an entertainment server
running Windows Media Center or Extender for Windows Media Center devices.
“Our channel partners are driving compelling new
entertainment and control solutions to maximize the success of custom
integrators,” Collins said. “The collaboration of some of the most
forward-thinking companies in the consumer electronics category and their
implementations of media center technologies are fulfilling the long-standing vision
of the connected home.”
Among this week’s significant partner announcements are
the following:
- Autonomic Controls Inc. will introduce new control modules
enabling two-way integration of Windows Media Center and iTunes into Remote
Technologies Inc. T4 and K4 remote controls.
- Fluid
Digital will promote the integration of Microsoft’s Windows Media Center TV
Pack to enable an enhanced TV viewing experience, native support for four
digital cable tuners, an enhanced electronic program guide, and the ability to
share nonprotected digital cable content across Microsoft PlayReady
technology-enabled PCs and portable media devices.
- Exceptional
Innovation will preview its new High Density TV initiative that introduces
exciting new ways to distribute entertainment and control around the home. The
new Life|media 810 digital entertainment server features eight TV tuners and
supports 10 extenders while providing 12 terabytes of hard disk storage to
deliver consumers a robust solution for storing, managing and viewing
high-definition (HD) content throughout their home. Exceptional Innovation will
preview the new Life|ware Digital Media Manager for simple, seamless content
sharing from one media center device to another. Exceptional Innovation will
also announce support for the Windows Media Center TV Pack in several
Life|media media servers; on-board digital amplification through Advanced Micro
Devices Inc. (AMD) in the new LMS-170 series; and Blu-ray support on multiple
LMS units.
- NiveusMedia
will unveil the Niveus Storage Server – Cargo Edition. Based on the Windows
Home Server platform, it offers up to 16 terabytes of scalable storage. In
addition, Niveus will announce support for up to 10 Extender for Windows Media
Center devices and eight CableCARDs when using the most powerful Niveus media
server, the Pro Series n9. Niveus will also introduce upgrades to both the
Niveus media server line and the Niveus Movie Library movie management tool.
- S1Digital
LLC plans to launch its new P500 Media Centers, which include advanced features
such as up to four digital cable tuners (for use with CableCARD) and a QAM/ATSC
tuner to give customers the capability of watching and recording up to five
simultaneous cable TV channels including HDTV and premium content, Blu-ray
playback with Profile 2 capabilities, and up to 3 terabytes of internal
storage. All S1Digital media center solutions include the Windows Media Center
TV Pack to provide customers with an enhanced entertainment experience.
S1Digital also plans to launch the WHS500, a one-rack Windows Home Server,
designed specifically for the custom installation channel. The WHS500 is a
powerful network storage device with 4-terabyte capacity for storing movies,
music, photos, home videos and other media, providing centralized access of
content.
- Inteset
LLC will unveil its new TeraRAID XV-NAS, which will offer 15 terabytes of
enterprise-level, A/V-style storage and automatically replicate the Inteset
Media Library across multiple homes with access from the Web. Inteset will also
be demonstrating the addition of full Blu-ray to its popular, proprietary Movie
Collection, which has the ability to store, search and play back movies
seamlessly within the Windows Media Center interface. The system will scan the
inserted DVD or Blu-ray disc to identify and retrieve full profile information
from Inteset’s all-new movie database.
- Samsung
Electronics America Inc. will showcase the new Samsung MediaLive Extender for
Windows Media Center, which delivers digital entertainment including HD
content, photos, music, feature films, home movies, and live and recorded TV,
from any hardware running Windows Media Center to the big screen of a Samsung
HDTV via a wireless or wired home network. With distribution that includes the
custom installation channel, MediaLive is a powerful solution in the offerings
for Extender for Windows Media Center devices.
- Cannon PC
announced that it will begin shipping the Windows Media Center TV Pack, which
adds native support for up to four TV tuners (including digital cable tuners),
ClearQAM (unencrypted digital cable) tuners, sharing of unprotected digital
content via Microsoft PlayReady technology-enabled PCs and more, with its line
of Media Center PCs beginning in early September. Cannon PC also announced that
it will offer integrators two form factors of the popular Windows Home Server
to provide homeowners with a new solution for centralized storage, remote
access and much more.
2008 Windows
Media Center Ultimate Install Contest
Microsoft will announce the 2008 Windows Media Center
Ultimate Install Contest winner at a special event on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008,
at 5:30 p.m. MDT. This year’s contest saw a significant increase in the number
of submissions as well as the design quality and level of integration delivered
through the Windows Media Center platform. Now in its second year, the Windows
Media Center Ultimate Install Contest encourages integrators to show off their
talents by presenting their most unique and creative installations that
leverage Windows Media Center technologies. More information on the winning
install will be available at http://www.microsoft.com/ultimateinstall.
Media Center Integrator
Alliance
Announced yesterday, Microsoft has joined Intel
Corporation, HP, Life|ware, NiveusMedia, AMD and Crestron Electronics Inc. in
the foundation of the Media Center Integrator Alliance (MCIA), a nonprofit
organization dedicated to driving the adoption and awareness of the media
center ecosystem in the custom installation channel. MCIA
members will share best practices, establish standards, and develop education
and certification tools for technologies using Windows Media Center. The new alliance hopes to attract the interest,
acceptance and participation of many more companies to contribute to a
unified industry-based voice within the ecosystem.
“We’re excited to see how channel awareness has grown and
the implementation of Windows Media Center technologies in product offerings
has expanded over the past 12 months,” Collins said. “We expect the momentum to
continue to drive adoption of the ecosystem and build a network of enthused,
satisfied consumers.”
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT”) is the
worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and
businesses realize their full potential.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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After what seems like an extremely long wait Windows Home
Server Power Pack 1 has been released.
If you have automatic updates enabled on your server then Power Pack 1
will be downloaded directly, but if you can’t wait for that then
the download is up here.
Power Pack 1 includes several new features and fixes, most notable
Vista x64 support and a fix to the nasty data corruption bug. Other features include Home Server Shared
Folder backup, improved remote access, and power consumption/performance improvements.
Hot on the heels of Power Pack 1, HP has also released their
MediaSmart
Server Update which adds a few additional features.
Read more on We
Got Served and the Windows
Home Server Team Blog.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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NBC has teamed
up with TVTonic to provide online coverage of the 2008 Summer Olympics via
Media Center. Be sure to watch the ‘Explore’
section of Media Center for more, as well as TVTonic (requires install). More
information at TVTonic.
In addition the Queensberry Fight Network has launched an
online application available now in Media Center to get your fighting/boxing
fix 24/7. Considering the downfall that
has been network TV, Microsoft needs to make sure they are making every effort
to get more online content up and accessible via Media Center. I’m dying for a Hulu plug-in.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Have any questions
for me? As a part of Media Center Week I’m
trying to answer as many as I can. Post them
here. Q: I've heard
that Cox is refusing new HD channels for CableCARD users even though they are
not going to SDV until the end of the year. Do you know why and how they are
able to do such a thing?
I haven’t heard about this specifically, and I’m not sure it
would work. The channels either need to
be on their existing network, or the SDV network. If they are not on either, you’re talking On
Demand/VOD which is generally a separate subject and of course not used for
traditional channel delivery.
Semi-related, Bright House Cable pulled several HD channels from their
lineup in preparation for their move to Switched Digital Video (SDV), but they
have since caved and added them back until they rollout SDV. [Engadget
HD]
Q: Any codec
updates coming to Xbox 360 MCX?
The Xbox 360 Extender will have to support H.264 in order to
playback recordings and live content from DIRECTV HD. Given the DIRECTV tuner is a part of the next
Media Center release, I’d expect an MCX update for H.264 at the least around
the same time. As for other codecs, I’m
not sure.
Q: I need a
recommendation for a small or slim form factor VMC. I'm not messing with
CableCARD, just ATSC and analog cable DVR functionality plus random web video
(Netflix, Hulu).
I’m a fan of HPs
Pavilion Slimline series myself.
Vista Home Premium, Core 2 Duo E4600, 2GB of RAM, GeForce 8500GT, and
500GB hard drive for under $650. The
system should be just fine with ATSC and analog cable, just make sure you go
with the 8500GT option for smooth HD and you should be golden.
Q: Along the Mac Mini
line, is there a way to use the Sony Firewire DVD Jukeboxes on the Mini without
booting up windows? Also, do you know if the Hauppauge HD PVR will be supported
in OS X?
I haven’t seen any projects that tackled the DVD Changers on
platforms other than Windows, and considering they are pretty much dead now I
wouldn’t expect to see much action either.
HD-PVR on OS X is another big question mark, but Elgato
might just have it on their radar.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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To celebrate the consumer availability of new Extenders for
Windows Media Center, the Windows Media Center team is today unveiling a
Digital Home Makeover Contest. For one lucky winner, the makeover team
will transform their disconnected digital lifestyle into a home entertainment
dream with a prize package totaling up to $10,000. The Digital Home Makeover Contest is designed to address the
real challenges people face when adopting today’s digital lifestyle. Today’s
consumers have a wide variety of digital content in their homes—thousands of
digital pictures, MP3’s, TV shows and movies— and homes may have dozens of
devices which allow people to interact with and enjoy this content. But
wouldn’t it be nice if digital media could be seamlessly viewed and accessible
across all these devices?
With a prize package that will include a new PC with Windows Media Center,
Extenders for Windows Media Center, flat screen television and video-capable
wireless home networking, the winner of the Digital Home Makeover Contest will
receive what they need to take control of connecting their entertainment
options and start enjoying content from room to room, anywhere in the house.
Microsoft is accepting entries in the form of two minute videos that illustrate
a contestant’s disconnected digital lifestyle and why they need a digital home
makeover. Entries will be accepted through April 18 at http://www.windowsmediacenter.com/contest
and the winner of the Digital Home Makeover will be announced by April 30,
2008.
“Connected entertainment is all about enjoying high quality digital content
both on your PC and on TV sets around the home," said Ron Pessner, general
manager for Windows Media Center. “We are excited to bring that vision to life
today with the technology behind Windows Media Center and Media Center
Extenders.”
More information about the contest and new Extenders for
Windows Media Center is available at http://www.windowsmediacenter.com
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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Microsoft has started another round of Media Center/Extender
online advertising on sites like The Green Button, AVS Forum, and more. It is nice to see Microsoft advertising more,
but the point still stands that the people who need to know about these technologies
are not being informed. Microsoft needs
to wrap up Xbox 360, Zune, Media Center, Extenders, and Vista into a huge
advertising campaign directed at people who are not already visiting informed
web sources. I posted last night about
MAINGEAR’s new Media Center PC that uses the beautiful Omaura TF8 chassis. What is interesting about this is that it has
a very low price (~$1400) while still offering integrated features like Blu-ray. Wallace
from MAINGEAR says that CableCARD is coming, so this might be a company to
watch out for.
Microsoft launched a new website dedicated to showing off “Ultimate”
PC setups with Vista as the center. Derek Flickinger
shows off his Ultimate Home Theater Blueprints (Alt) on the new site, showcasing
everything from Extenders to a McIntosh MX119.
Cross Posted from Chris Lanier's Blog at http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/
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