RE: Re: Anyone got a MCE2004 box?

["Paul Gale" <groups@xxxxxxx>]

Gyration are about to release their Gyro Mouse with MCE buttons - don't
kno=
w how long it'll take to get to the UK though?

www.gyration.com

Paul.


-----Original Message-----
From: keyvan2r [mailto:keyvan@xxxxxxx]=20
Sent: 09 October 2003 15:33
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: [ukha_d] Re: Anyone got a MCE2004 box?

--- In ukha_d@xxxxxxx, "Adam Stevens" <adam@z...> wrote:
> > > Not really what i'm looking for.  I would want the
facilities=20
of Sky+
> but
> > with the advantages of WMCE (as i need to replace my aging pc
at=20
some
> time)
> >=20
> > In my experience a "proper" PVR (like TiVo or Sky+)
is=20
infinately better
> > than a PC based system.  MCE2004 does seem to have made=20
significant
> > improvements over the first version though from what I have
read=20
(I have
> no
> > actual experience of it yet).
> >=20
> > If you want a PVR and the ability to play movies/audio/video=20
over the LAN
> > then TiVo (or Sky+) and an xbox will leave a lot of change out=20
of the
> =A31,000
> > odd a MCE system will cost.
>=20
> AOL.=20=20
>=20
> Much I've enjoy playing around with MCE, it's going to be a long=20
time before
> it replaces my Tivo.  MCE is nice, but it doesn't give all that=20
much extra,
> and certainly not for the money.  For me, it's main advantage is=20
it's
> novelty/gadget value at the moment :-)   (Oh yes, and it means I=20
can escape
> into my Home Office and watch TV while the misses thinks I'm=20
working...
> That's always a nice feature).
>=20
> A.

I would agree with the above. I can not see how Windows MCE would=20
represent an advance on most of the things that fairly advanced=20
users (or at least most on this forum) could not achieve with 3rd=20
party products. With the added advantage of flexibility and more=20
customised functionality.
There is also the whole DRM (digital rights management) thing with=20
MS and content providers. With HD's becoming cheaper, the idea of=20
ripping DVD's to HD and viewing them from multiple clients is more=20
practical. However, the DRM schemes from MS and content providers=20
makes this more & more difficult. I can see myself using a MCE pc as=20
a client on my HA LAN but I doubt if I would make it the hub of my=20
pc based Home Entertainment and management system. Here are some=20
features for WMCE 2004 which I found looking around the net:
Here are a few of the improvements:=20


"Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 refreshes its namesake, which=20
was released from Redmond's secretive eHome division in October=20
2002, adding new features and a flood of on-demand Web services.=20


Microsoft has teamed up with CinemaNow, Movielink and Napster to=20
offer customers a means to order right-protected streaming media=20
such as music and movies over the Internet. Web pages on these sites=20
are designed for being viewed across a room, and can be navigated=20
via remote control.=20

These services are categorized in the pages of "Online
Spotlight," a=20
new online guide created specifically for Media Center Edition PC=20
customers. Online Spotlight will branch out to include other forms=20
of entertainment, including games and radio programming. If the=20
array of featured content and entertainment is not up a customer's=20
alley, there is an alternative.=20

New for 2004, customers can archive their home videos or record TV=20
shows onto DVDs using PrimeTime Deluxe, a bundled application=20
provided by Sonic Solutions.=20

Other enhancements found in the new release include: optimized code=20
for faster performance, better slide-show viewing, the inclusion of=20
FM radio that can rewind and advance, the ability to copy music from=20
a CD while it is still playing, as well as automated CD ripping.=20

Although Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004 is primarily an=20
evolutionary update with few major changes, Microsoft is billing=20
Media Center as a hot item out in time to meet the holiday rush head=20
on."

Keyvan



UKHA 2004: 15th and 16th May 2004

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