anybody have an opinion on Windows Media Center (MCE) as a Tivo killer?
Sure. It's nowhere close to being a Tivo killer. It's no contest, really.
From the very website you linked to:
And yet. Through three generations of XP MCE, one thing has never changed. As excellent as the interface is, as amazing as the experiences can be, there's just something unusual about sticking a tower PC in your living room. It's a little loud with fans and whirring hard drives. It's got all kinds of blinking lights. And every once in a while, the XP interface--which requires a mouse and keyboard--gets in the way, poking out from behind the wonderful Media Center sheen, and requiring someone to get up and hunt around the back of the TV for the mouse so they can dismiss a dialog or answer a query.
a) most people don't have the basic skills required to set up a media center PC in their den. Cablecos get simple set-tops working by sending a tech. Is Microsoft going to send installers across the country?
b) College kids might want this, but few grown adults want a noisy, blinking, demanding PC in their relaxing space. Much less having to use a mouse and keyboard while trying to kick back and enjoy a beer.
c) It costs many times what a Tivo costs.
Bottom line is that very few beyond bleeding edgers would want or put up with this. And from what I have read, most bleeding edgers have and prefer Tivos for PVR functionality anyway.
in two or three years, i don't see why MCE couldn't be quite popular and kill Tivo.
I do. See above. Honestly, I think the only market for MCE is masochistic Microsoft aficionados.
Andre |
