RE: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 - UK Launch

["JT @ Home" <Jonathan@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I've been looking at the array of HTPC's that are out there at the
moment (mce, mythtv and that other one that used to be called myhtpc or
something.)

My thoughts are that; people (general public) want the technology, they
want flat screen tv's - even though they are unaware of any improvement
it may offer over there current set, they want dvd players and are happy
that the 29.99 el-cheapo-no-brand dvd player will serve the same purpose
as a 300quid dvd player (just to play films)

I think it's the same for home theatre pc's, they might not offer
super-duper progressive scan output, but they will play films that they
have downloaded from the internet (which imho most people who now have
broadband know how to do) it will play mp3's which they've downloaded
and also be another gadget

For us, the way it works may not be acceptable; as i/you/we are aware of
how to put a system together to perform the tasks we need in a different
way (look at the xbox media centre, main lobby etc)

But for the mass market, I do believe that this will be a quality
product. I think it will sell - of course, so long as people aren't
charging 2k for them (caugh caugh, entertainmentpc.co.uk)

Your thoughts gentlemen?
Jonathan

-----Original Message-----
From: Kenneth Watt [mailto:kwatt@xxxxxxx]
Sent: 28 October 2004 00:12
To: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 - UK Launch

> Good thread, keep it up!

Just don't moderate my ass! :D

> Ah, there we go.  I rest my case :)

An still not a TV or pure "display" device in sight. ;)

> MCE is a different animal though.  It's not for playing MP3s in the
> Kitchen
> or Bedroom.  It's meant to be the focus of entertainment in the living
> room.
> You sit down to watch it.

True, but then why watch that when there are easier things to use and
setup?

> Mass market maybe, but people in that mass market that are
"into" AV
and
> Tech, even though they may not be the most technically minded.

Which is where I can see it failing as when you go into people's homes
as I
do on occasion outwith the people I know, you find a lot of people that
still have only a TV and a VCR, they may even have a DVD player.

> Outputting a TV image ;)   I honestly can't fault the output of the
xbox.

I didn't say it was bad, just that it's not the best IMO.

> I can't remember the last time I used mine to watch a DVD.  Those
little
> disks are so 90s ;)  Streaming is the future.

Maybe, eventually. But in reality how many people are actually doing
this in
the countless millions of homes in the UK.

We often forget on here that we are the cutting edge and a vocal but
small
group when taken as representative of the population as a whole and most
people couldn't be bothered with that nonsense.

> Yes, so lets not start calling it "flakey" without any
personal
experience
> of it ;)

It's a PC, its MS... really. ;)

> It's not like I don't get enough hassle lready from the MS hater on
the
> #UKHA IRC channel!

Which one, there's loads to choose form there? ;)

K.