Monday, July 29, 2002
Windows XP Media Center Edition
Posted by Jason Dunn in "OFF-TOPIC" @ 07:00 AM
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ehome/default.asp
Formerly code-named "Freestyle", the Windows XP Media Center Edition is an interesting and very focused push by Microsoft into the realm of home entertainment. From what I can tell, it's a suite of software tools for Windows XP and some specific hardware components. You have to watch the video to understand where Microsoft is going with this. I like the concept a great deal, but Microsoft is making two big assumptions here: that people can afford to purchase very large monitors capable of being viewed from ten feet away on a couch (in the video it looks like an 18 to 20" LCD), and that the computer is in a room where people would congregate. My computers are in my office, not the living room. Of course, Microsoft may want us to buy computers to put in the living room.
I think this would be a far more compelling technology if there was a way to connect the "magic box" to your TV set and to your PC, and have your PC drive the content on the screen of your TV. Size matters, and I'd much rather view photos and video clips on a 51" TV vs. a 17" LCD monitor. That said, it might be interesting to build a wee Shuttle computer and put it next to my DVD player by the TV. Hmm.
Here's a blurb about the product:
"Media center PCs will be complete desktop PCs enhanced for home entertainment, and will come equipped with all the necessary hardware to deliver both powerful computing and an enjoyable home entertainment experience. Media center PCs will include mid- to high-end processors, more than enough memory for your computing and entertainment needs, high capacity hard disks, and CD-ROM/DVD drives, and will have advanced graphics and audio capabilities as well as networking connectivity. In addition, each media center PC will come with the following components for enhancing the entertainment experience:
• A Media Center compatible remote control that keeps all of the entertainment on your PC within easy reach. The Media Center compatible remote control complements the keyboard and mouse.
A remote infrared (IR) sensor that allows the remote control to communicate with the PC, and also controls your cable or satellite set-top box.
• An advanced graphics card for displaying the best TV experience on your PC monitor.
• A TV tuner that captures your TV signal from a cable, satellite, or antenna source.
• A hardware encoder that enables you to record TV shows from cable, satellite, or antenna to your computer's hard disk." Source: pt
Formerly code-named "Freestyle", the Windows XP Media Center Edition is an interesting and very focused push by Microsoft into the realm of home entertainment. From what I can tell, it's a suite of software tools for Windows XP and some specific hardware components. You have to watch the video to understand where Microsoft is going with this. I like the concept a great deal, but Microsoft is making two big assumptions here: that people can afford to purchase very large monitors capable of being viewed from ten feet away on a couch (in the video it looks like an 18 to 20" LCD), and that the computer is in a room where people would congregate. My computers are in my office, not the living room. Of course, Microsoft may want us to buy computers to put in the living room.
I think this would be a far more compelling technology if there was a way to connect the "magic box" to your TV set and to your PC, and have your PC drive the content on the screen of your TV. Size matters, and I'd much rather view photos and video clips on a 51" TV vs. a 17" LCD monitor. That said, it might be interesting to build a wee Shuttle computer and put it next to my DVD player by the TV. Hmm.
Here's a blurb about the product:
"Media center PCs will be complete desktop PCs enhanced for home entertainment, and will come equipped with all the necessary hardware to deliver both powerful computing and an enjoyable home entertainment experience. Media center PCs will include mid- to high-end processors, more than enough memory for your computing and entertainment needs, high capacity hard disks, and CD-ROM/DVD drives, and will have advanced graphics and audio capabilities as well as networking connectivity. In addition, each media center PC will come with the following components for enhancing the entertainment experience:
• A Media Center compatible remote control that keeps all of the entertainment on your PC within easy reach. The Media Center compatible remote control complements the keyboard and mouse.
A remote infrared (IR) sensor that allows the remote control to communicate with the PC, and also controls your cable or satellite set-top box.
• An advanced graphics card for displaying the best TV experience on your PC monitor.
• A TV tuner that captures your TV signal from a cable, satellite, or antenna source.
• A hardware encoder that enables you to record TV shows from cable, satellite, or antenna to your computer's hard disk." Source: pt
