Chris Lanier

Going Beyond The Enthusiast Market

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.

Microsoft Focuses Media Center Marketing, Platform to Follow

The first sign of a business in trouble is when you must reinvent yourself to stay alive.  Microsoft might not actually be reinventing Media Center, mostly becasue you can't reinvent something that you never actually defined a market for in the first place, but they are finally attempting to delineate where they see Media Center competing in such a growing marketplace (and that’s not a good thing for most reading this).

Media Center started as a method to watch TV on the PC.  Essentially it was marketed to college students to cut down the number of devices in their dorm.  Then it grew up and Microsoft focused on getting Media Center off the PC and onto the big screen.  Media Center 2004-2005 and Extenders helped drive this concept.  Media Center was the star of CES keynotes of the past focusing on the next-generation home.  Much of this is outlined in the Evolution of Windows Media Center that Microsoft just finished.

The video might have a few hidden messages that are hard to catch, but I think they define Media Center’s future and show that Microsoft has finally attempted to focus on a specific market.

 “TV on your PC” is Microsoft’s new marketing talk for what Media Center is and does (hear it from Media Center marketing PM Ben Reed here ~30 seconds in) .  Not whole home connected entertainment, not Media Center in your living room, not Extenders, not high-end theaters, but “TV on your PC.”  In other words, the days of Media Center being billed as the do-it-all center of your home are over (except for the custom market).

For the first time, Media Center officially has a market, and while that is good news that Microsoft has finally defined who they are developing for, it is bad news for most reading this post as you can now be sure Media Center will never be the platform you have dreamed of.

Thinking about it, the signs have been developing over the past months.  The lack of Media Center at CES keynote makes perfect sense if it is being billed as just a way to watch TV on your PC.  No need to make a big deal about that.  Microsoft touting touch screen support in Windows 7 half has to do with them putting way to much emphasis on touch in Windows 7 in general, but also helps them show off using a kitchen PC for watching TV on.  Why exactly do I need this in a product that is meant to be controlled with a remote?  This was recently questioned on The Green Button and Engadget HD’s most recent podcast.  Mouse clickable seekbar in Windows 7, yet again a sign of Media Center moving onto the desktop and away from the TV.

I think Microsoft will continue to focus on the CEDIA channel as well, which most likely means my fears of Microsoft developing new cool features that are only available to OEMs is going to come true.  Niveus Media and Exceptional Innovation (Life|ware) will likely see the majority of the attention.  Smaller Media Center OEMs will start to fade away after being ignored by Microsoft who hasn’t grasped the concept that all of the smaller OEMs serve the exact same high-end customers as Niveus and Life|ware (examples include support for 10 Extenders, 8 CableCARD tuners for only Niveus/Life|ware).  I think we will see Microsoft heavily market an appliances-like device to these OEMs (unclear if the functionality will be avaiable to the masses, but I don’t see it marketed to them).

If there is a plus side (hard to think of it as that) to this it would be in the form of much lower expectations.   Hopefully I’m wrong, but this change could end Media Center as we know (or think we know) it today.

Vista SP2 Doesn’t Support Blu-ray Playback

Due to a poorly worded article over at CNET I’ve seen a few dozen people getting excited about Vista SP2 bringing “support for Blu-ray drives,” but everyone should take a quick step back and realize Vista SP2 will add “support for burning Blu-ray data discs” but nothing involving Blu-ray Disc movie playback.

So far Vista SP2 is basically a collection of previously planned “Feature Packs” including the Storage Feature Pack (where Blu-ray burning comes from), and the Wireless Feature Pack.  My guess is that Microsoft is worried the press behind Windows 7 is going to kick Vista sales to the curb so they want to make sure they are keeping it current.

TV Pack Questions Answered by Charlie Owen

Charlie Owen will be answering questions about the Media Center TV Pack (Fiji) as soon as Microsoft makes the official announcements, so if you have any questions about things that may have been rumored now would be the time to submit them.

I will also finally be able to talk in depth about stuff including what is in/out of Fiji, the possibility of a second Media Center release, and Windows 7 around this timeframe.  If you have questions or comments for me to get a non-Microsoft response let me know.

Microsoft Quietly Plans “Windows Media Center TV Pack”

Microsoft made plans public on Friday in Japan (late Thursday in US) for the release of a product called “Windows Media Center TV Pack” as a part of their increased TV signal support in the country.

What is the Windows Media Center TV Pack?  Well, that’s up to the translated press release to tell us (Original press release).

• Google Translation: TV Pack….“Provide PC manufacturers, PC manufacturers from terrestrial digital broadcasting is PC compatible with Windows Vista(1)”

    (1) Note: and provide the package, Windows Update, and by extension will not only provide.

• Yahoo Babelfish Translation: TV Pack…“PC manufacturer, from the PC manufacturer Windows Vista loading PC which corresponds to terrestrial digital broadcast, it is the schedule which in the future is shipped(1)”

    (1) Note: offer in package edition and offer etc only of the extended function with Windows Update there is no.

Any Japanese speaking readers who can translate would be much appreciated (especially the text in the image).  Seeing as Fiji would be the next logical release for Media Center the question is how does this “TV Pack” relate to Fiji?  Does it apply only to Japan?  Does it provide support for other TV signals?

Introducing Media Center Week!

I’m proud to introduce this week as my randomly designated Media Center Week!  Get those F5 keys ready, because I’ve complied story after story, post after post and you’re not going to want to close your web browser for this one.

Already today we have news that Dish Network might be on its way to Media Center, and coming up tonight you might just learn that Media Center is about to increase it’s TV signal presence outside the US (no, really!)

If you have any specific questions that you would like answered as a part of Media Center Week, please reply to this thread and I’ll pick a few to cover.

Fiji Media Center Beta Inches Closer

We have been waiting for Microsoft to open the beta for Fiji, the suspected codename for the next version of Media Center for well over a year now.  I first posted about it in March of last year, with invites first opening just a month after that, and now it appears we may finally have taken a step forward.

Users (who shall remain nameless, because I edited them out) at The Green Button are reporting that they have received e-mails from Microsoft Connect.  If true, this would be the first step to finally getting something in our hands to play with (under NDA of course).

This release will bring DIRECTV support among other unannounced features.  I had expected it to include HD DVD support, but I wouldn’t count on that any more.  Other features have been kept under tight wraps, though I’ve got a few in mind that I’m rather sure will be there.

As the beta has still not officially started, anyone have predictions for what features will be added?

Update: Engadget HD points to a user who leaked their invite for the DIRECTV beta (bad move, considering Engadget published their first name!).

Microsoft Introduces $10,000 Digital Home Makeover Contest

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

HomeSeer Gets Vista Sidebar Gadget

tenWare Software has developed a HomeSeer Sidebar Gadget to display information about Devices that also allows running of Events (macros) from a HomeSeer server.  For those who don’t know, HomeSeer is PC-based home automation software that also has a Media Center plug-in available.

While the UI leaves a bit to be desired, the basic functionality is there.  If you are running Vista on multiple machines in your home, this Gadget will give you control over your home without opening Media Center or a web-based UI.

Short Bits: Advertising, MAINGEAR, Ultimate PC

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.

Short Bits: Plug-ins, Media Center Show, Prices

Plug-in News/Reviews

• DVRMSToolbox For Vista 1.2.1.1 - Public Release (R4)
• MyNetflix v2.1 Beta
• NetflixMC beta posted
• Life With a Plugin, Episode 7: Remote Scheduling

Ian Dixon will have Ed Bott on The Media Center Show today live at 12pm PST.  Click here for the live link.

Speaking of The Media Center Show, Pasquale DeMaio & Terry Walsh are on this week (pre-recorded) show.

Microsoft cut prices on some Vista SKUs which translates into no one is buying Vista at retail.  More here.

Short Bits: HD/BD, Inteset, More

I’ve been busy as of late, but have some really interesting articles lined up as soon as I can finish them up.

If you didn’t hear, Vista SP1 is officially coming in March.

Derek Flickinger has a great article up on CE Pro about those pesky interactivity layers in HD DVD and Blu-ray.  Much like some of my thoughts, Derek goes though why Blu-ray might not be supported by Microsoft in the future (Derek also sent me bits of his article a few weeks ago).

High end Media Center PC maker Inteset has a video up on Microsoft’s On10 (Via Ian Dixon).

Missing Remote also has an article on playing back High Definition DVDs on your PC.

Short Bits: mControl Extension, Inteset Monitoring, More

Trying to catch up on some interesting stuff that I have missed over the past week.

Vidabox created an extension for mControl that allows you to control other Media Center PC’s via mControl.  It uses MCE Controller to do the work on the backend, and I’m waiting to find time to try it out myself.

Inteset is now offering a 24hr/7day/365yr server monitoring service called “Inteset Heartbeat Monitoring Service” that can remotely monitor all hardware and software of their media servers/extenders.  Very neat for the high end install.

Missing Remote has a review of MCE Weather and the news of ATI/AMDs new video cards, the HD 3400 and HD 3600 series.

More information on Windows 7 seems to keep creeping out, along the same lines some are putting Vista SP1 for release mid next month.

CES Keynote Roundup

• Media Center was basically a no show, not too much of a shock for me.  The only real Media Center is that Samsung will be supporting Extender’s in the future.
• Other than that, Microsoft re-announced that HP will be shipping their MediaSmart HDTVs with Extender’s built-in.
• Microsoft’s IPTV software (Mediaroom) is now on over 1 million STBs.  Again, AT&T U-Verse is the only option in the US.
• The Xbox 360 IPTV got more information.  BT in the UK will be the first allowing you to buy an Xbox 360 from them to use as both a gaming console and IPTV STB use an Xbox 360 as an STB.  Said use includes "The service will be available to existing and future Xbox 360 console owners," but it is not clear for what cost/fee it will be enabled.
• Mediaroom will also be getting some interactive TV bits from TNT and CNN.
• Mediaroom (IPTV) still doesn’t work with Media Center on the PC
• Mediaroom will now let you share content to other Mediaroom STBs
• Over 100 million Windows Vista licenses sold to date.
• Zune will be available in Canada in spring 2008.
• Xbox 360 has now sold 17.7 million units
• Disney/ABC and MGM are bring content to Xbox Live.  Still not in Media Center.

Bill Gates Looks Ahead at “Next Digital Decade”

Microsoft announces new entertainment partnerships with Disney-ABC Television Group, MGM and NBC Universal.

LAS VEGAS — Jan. 6, 2008 — At the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), Microsoft Corp. Chairman Bill Gates and Microsoft President of the Entertainment & Devices Division Robbie Bach today unveiled several new entertainment services and partnerships, including new deals with Disney-ABC Television Group, NBC Universal and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM), that demonstrate how software is improving people’s ability to connect with their favorite content and communities through new and expanded forms of entertainment experiences.

In his 11th CES opening keynote address, Gates looked at the sweeping changes since 2001 that have created the first true Digital Decade, including the continued expansion of the popularity of Windows-based PCs, the growing prevalence of broadband networks, the spread of mobile phones and the advent of portable digital media devices.

“Since I first started talking about the Digital Decade in 2001, the speed with which digital technology has become central to the way we work, learn and play has been amazing,” Gates said. “But in many ways, we are at the very beginning of the transformation that software will enable. During the next Digital Decade, technology will make our lives richer, more connected, more productive and more fulfilling in profound and exciting ways.”

Gates went on to outline his vision for the next Digital Decade — an era in which dramatic advances in hardware and software will make the power of computing a ubiquitous part of day-to-day life. Gates referenced how natural user interfaces will more closely reflect the way people interact with each other. High-definition experiences will be nearly everywhere. Services-connected devices running on the Web and huge amounts of storage accessible via the Internet will mean that information and capabilities people want will be available instantly and seamlessly, no matter where they are.

Read Full Press Release

Media Center Update (Fiji) Finally in 2008?

Mary Jo posted today with her predictions for Microsoft in ’08 and what do you know on the top of the list is Fiji.  I’ve talked about Fiji several times in the past, and ’08 should be the year it finally surfaces.  According to Mary Jo, it most likely has already received a new codename (she suggests Windows 6.5, or something stupid like it) and it looks like it will ship as part of a big Vista upgrade.

I would guess this will resemble the so-called “XP Reloaded” push from a few years back when Microsoft shipped Windows XP Service Pack 2 along with several other updates (Media Player 10, Portable Media Centers, Media Center Extenders, Photo Story, Remote Record, etc).  If this is true, I think the push could help pull Windows Vista off life support (still getting hammered in the press). "Vista+1" is what Microsoft hasused in several internal documents to describe this update.

Mark Jo is expecting the final release around late summer, which I believe is about what I suggested six months ago.  This release has to be big for Media Center.  We all know it and Microsoft does as well.  I’m expecting new and exciting things, but I really don’t want to build up hype so much that it all comes crashing down when something isn’t a part of the release.  I expect Microsoft to hit on some of the major problems, and still ignore others.  It will be an exciting 2008, and you know I’ll be covering it from end-to-end.

Cumulative Update (October 2007) for Vista Media Center Released

The KB Article is not live yet (as of me posting), but Microsoft has released an update for Vista Media Center today.  This update addresses issues with Media Center for Microsoft Vista, which ones do we think that might be?

More later today, until then the downloads are below or check Windows Update.

Update: KB Article is now up... 

Microsoft has released the October 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista. This update rollup is intended for computers that are running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate.

Issues that are resolved by this update

In addition to the fixes that are contained in the updates that are listed in the "Hotfix replacement information" section, the October 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista resolves the following issues:

• Several issues that are related to the Media Center Extensibility Platform
• An issue that affects digital cable card components when you use Scientific Atlanta cable cards
• Interaction issues that occur between Media Center PC and Microsoft Xbox 360 when Xbox 360 is used as a Media Center Extender.
• Autolaunch issues that occur with video CD (VCD) media 

Information for Windows Media Center Extenders
Windows Media Center Extenders, such as the Xbox 360, use network ports to communicate over the network with computers that are running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate. This update rollup contains updates to Media Center programs that may have been previously configured as "approved" or as "allowed" by a third-party firewall. If you use a third-party firewall, you may have to manually update your firewall to let the new versions of these programs access the ports. If you do not perform these firewall updates, you may experience failures when you try to connect the Windows Media Center Extender to the Media Center computer.

October 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista (KB941229) | October 2007 Cumulative Update for Media Center for Windows Vista for x64-based Systems (KB941229)

In addition to the Microsoft released update, ATI/AMD has also released the 1.16 OCUR firmware to the public.

ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner Firmware Update Download (32-bit OS)

ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner Firmware Update Download (64-bit OS)

Random Vista Thoughts: Part 1

I’ve been using Vista for the past month, my first attempt to move away from Windows XP.  I’ve noted a lot of things about Vista in this time, some that I like and some that I don’t.  Just some random thoughts...

• MCML applications make it worth the upgrade to Vista.  Period.
• For all Microsoft’s time spent on UI design, why the hell is the volume and network icon in the System Tray 2d crap?
• Same topic, why is there a gap in between the volume/network/etc icon and the first program running on the System Tray?
• Flip3D is neat, I don’t see any point of using it though.
• Same applies to the live window previews, my mouse is already down there and I end up clicking it anywhere.
• Aero is interesting, looks more professional than Luna did on Windows XP.  Classic sucks now though, especially the Start Menu.  I’m a fan of Classic so that sucks.
• I think I’ve used the new and improved search features twice.  Nice, but I generally know where my stuff is or browse to find it.  Need to learn to search first.
• I noticed when you delete from removable media the files go into the Recycle Bin.  Finally, I’ve been so many people lose documents because of that.
• Yet to open Windows Contacts, Windows Calendar, Windows DVD Maker, Windows Meeting Spaces, etc.  Nice additions, they should have been there since Windows 2000 though.
• Turned off Windows Defender, but I’m badass that way.  I don’t run virus or spyware junk of any of my PCs, now the families and girlfriends are a different story.
• I hate that I can’t double click on the clock in the System Tray and get the calendar.  Single clicks drive me nuts.
• Time synchronization still seems to not work.  Hardly ever worked in Windows XP too.
• I wouldn’t run a Media Center machine off of anything less than a Pentium D with 1GB of RAM.  P4 and below are just horrible.
• Sidebar is nice, but I need to upgrade my monitor to a widescreen for it to seem more useful.
• I like that Windows Update is more integrated to the OS. 
• The Control Panel sucks.  It (Classic View) loads slow and I click too fast for that, so I end up selecting the wrong icons because they seem to load from the middle out (huh?)
• Shadow Copies is a nice feature, love it in Server but I don’t know when the last time was I needed to use it.
• Not sure there are any video/audio drivers that don’t suck on Vista.
• There is no easy link to the “Network and Sharing Center” from the “Network” located in the Start Menu.  Have to right click that and go to Properties or go through the Control Panel.  Why?
• Office 2007 is great, expect when I’m going to have to teach the parents everything over again because it has been redesigned to put things were you think they should be. Tech support nightmare.
• I’ve just added a Skype phone, and now it says I need to redo my Experience Index.   So many things wrong with that.
• Games folder and integration is nice, but I’m not a gamer.
• Home Premium should be what Ultimate is.  Too many editions.  Lets restrict good backup from home users.  Sounds like a plan to me.
• My Thinkpad keeps dropping the wireless connection while connected via RDP.  Then it locks me out saying something about a network connection that does not exist.  Worse part, it does the same when I try and log in locally!
• Sports Lounge is sweet!
• Too bad Internet Explorer didn’t get any better with the upgrade.
• That’s all for now.

Microsoft Rejuvenates Media Center at CEDIA

It is no secret that I don’t agree with all the choices Microsoft makes with regards to Media Center, however I still believe that it is a fantastic product.  Microsoft doesn’t seem to see the potential that it has though.  Despite this and with a few exceptions, CEDIA has shown me that Microsoft still has a great interest in Media Center.  The products and announcements that have come out in last week finally have Media Center heading back in the right direction (well, unless you don’t live in the US).

Just one side note, CEDIA is an expo for custom installers, products, and services.  Therefore the prices of many of the new products represent that market and not the perspective of the average consumer.

Starting off with Media Center Extenders, Microsoft announced with their partners that they will indeed support DivX and Xvid (MPEG-4 ASP, H.264 should also be supported).  I have noted that they should be able to for over a year now, and I’m very glad that it both came to life and that Microsoft to clearly pushing the fact that they do support third party codecs.  The only problem I have with the announcement was nothing was said about DVD streaming, so right now it appears that didn’t make the cut.  This is really the last piece of the puzzle for the Media Center ecosystem, but all in all I’m excited about the new offerings from Linksys, D-Link, and Niveus Media.  DVD streaming would be a key feature to put Media Center over the top of any other solution out there.  It still needs to happen, and at the least we need a public statement from Microsoft on why it hasn’t yet.  I will continue to blog about and push for the addition of DVD streaming, which always could happen via a software update. 

CableCARD was the next big topic at CEDIA, with Microsoft announcing support for up to four CableCARD tuners in Vista Media Center.  I criticized Microsoft for only launching this for the custom installer market, mainly because it is another slap in the face to everyone who has been supporting Media Center for the last five years.  So many non-supported upgrades and products as time has passed, this one really pissed me off.  I’ve been trying to justify the reasoning in my mind, and I can understand why Microsoft started here, but it’s just unfortunate that they have failed at so many other Media Center related upgrades this is just icing on the cake.  The only good part about this is that it can be changed in the future, and maybe when it is the cost of four tuners will not be ~$1,200 as it is today.  Once again, bad decision on Microsoft part but I’ll give them a year to fix it as prices drop on Digital Cable Tuners.  Now, I don’t own a CableCARD PC so I understand that those who do might have different feelings.  Let me know what you think.  If you could get them added to your machine, would you right now with the cost of tuners so high?  At $1,200 for the tuners alone I can understand why they wanted to start with the custom installer market.  Most important out of this whole situation, Microsoft officially supports four tuners within Media Center after five years.  Just them finally deciding it was needed was a relief.  For Media Center to be considered a whole home solution (in other words, for people to feel like they should spend money for Extenders), it needs to support these four tuners.

There were plenty of hardware announcements at CEDIA too, led by Niveus Media and Exceptional Innovation.  Both of these companies are really showing the power of the Media Center platform with custom hardware and software solutions.  Russound, Crestron, Alienware, and ACE Computers also announced new Media Center products geared toward custom installers.

Lastly, Microsoft is making an effort to provide additional content and value to enhance Media Center.  Among the top pickups is WebGuide, which Microsoft will now be providing for free.  It will be interested now that Doug works for Microsoft what becomes of WebGuide.  Will Microsoft kill it off, or is there something else in the picture?

Internet TV is also coming to Media Center with an upcoming plug-in that Microsoft will launch this month at DigitalLife in New York.  A very interesting idea that, I assume, will include ad supported content from major providers (in the US).  I personally like this concept more than a paid service, most of which have failed at this point.  Stay tuned for more around September 27.

The new features and hardware upgrades where not actually why I feel that this year’s CEDIA has revived Media Center.  The reason is because of the press.  I have never seen more coverage of Media Center, ever.  CE Pro covered CEDIA fantastically, the large blogs had multiple posts about the related announcements with people actually commenting and providing feedback.  The Extender announcement made it on to the frontpage of Digg and got great feedback there to.  Microsoft has failed to advertise Media Center, but getting people excited on the web is very important.  Millions learned about Media Center and Extenders through this coverage and getting positive feedback both excites and encourages people to research the product and give it a chance.  Microsoft still has some work to do, but I think CEDIA is the best showing that Microsoft has ever been able to pull off.

Do you think that the events this past week at CEDIA have rejuvenated Media Center?  Please vote in the poll and leave a comment if you have something to say.

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First v2 Media Center Extender (Pika) Details!

I’ve been talking about them forever, and here they are!

When: Holiday Season 2007

Who: Linksys, D-Link, Niveus Media

What: v2 Extenders (Pika), variety of form factors (Standalone, DVD players, Televisions) and price points, support for Wireless N, Quiet, DivX and Xvid (features can vary by manufacturer)

Note: It wasn't in the press release, but the Sigma Designs reference board also support H.264 as I have said in the past.