Hi BMXTRIX,
Thanks for reading the article. You have a few points that I want to address:
BMXTRIX said:
I do feel that perhaps the top reason that we don't see the takeoff of the HTPC right now is specifically because cable and satellite can't be hooked up to them. Forget OTA content! ...Vista is the obvious answer to this since cable and sat companies are in negotiations to provide CableCard/SatCard type devices for the HTPC.
Yes, this is definitely a challenging problem - HD content from set-top boxes cannot be directly streamed and viewed on HTPCs at the moment. However, a workaround is having built-in HDTV OTA tuners, which are available in systems such as the HDTV editions of the VidaBox
SLIM,
LUX,
MAX and
ZERO. By having HDTV tuners built-in, you can actually record up to 2 HD channels AND 2 analog channels - for a total of 4 channels, at the same time, which is something that no set-top box can do, and there's no need to "switch over" to a OTA tuner.
In addition, many people who currently have satellite have to pay extra for local channels, so it's nice to be able to get the channels for
free. As for channels like HBO-HD & ESPN-HD - if you wanted to record those channels, you can still do so in standard definition and not miss your show. It's also an alternative to buying a high definition recorder which doesn't let you burn CDs/DVDs of your shows, nor stream your media inexpensively to other rooms in your house.
When CableCARD finally comes out, everything above will become a non-issue. As a side note, some manufacturers may have an "upgrade program" (
such as ours) so that you can always get an upgrade and not have to make another $3000 investment in another media center.
BMXTRIX said:
In the bigger picture, as the HTPC becomes more prevalent, I think we may see it integrated into surround receivers, so that you get full 7.1 audio, amplification, cable/sat, DVD playback, online content, etc. from a true all-in-one box. Taking it further, it may be integrated into LCD and plasma displays. Hang it on the wall, run one cable to it, power, and have wi-fi in your home and you are set. These displays will have an integrated DVD (or HD disc) player built in, be able to record your shows, be networkable and be able to pull up online content, etc. yet won't require ANY additional wiring to be run to them!
It's definitely a cool idea, but I don't necessarily see the advantages to having surround sound receivers being integrated into Media Centers, because many people still want to be able connect their VCRs for their VHS tapes, turntables, gaming systems, and other auxiliary devices. If a system is properly installed, there really are no additional buttons to click, so a home theater isn't "easier to use" if a receiver was integrated into the Media Center.
Prices also run the gamut on price and features, from $100 to several thousand dollars. Multiply the number of receiver selections by the number of media center choices available, and it becomes very difficult for someone to choose a product for his/her needs. For example, everyone's requirements for a receiver are different - some want more power, and some want more inputs, etc.
Also, many people already have very expensive, good-quality receivers, such as a Denon or an Onkyo. These systems took the manufacturers years and years to design and perfect, so a receiver integrated into the media center must meet or beat the sound and video quality of the receiver. The same argument could be said for "why replace the DVD player with a media center," but as Myth #4 says, you do get superior video quality in a media center vs. a $2000 high-end DVD player, so there is a reason why upgrading to a media center & replacing your DVD player makes sense.
In the end, I think the point of integration is to make something easier to use or to provide a better functionality and/or performance. Replacing a current home theater system with a media center brings a new plethora of features and functionality that isn't available inexpensively, such as media streaming, storage protection, etc.
BMXTRIX said:
But, to think that the HTPC is 'there' is a joke right now. They are still based on fairly buggy systems....
As for bugginess, you sound very familiar with HTPC technology, so I can understand your frustrations with "buggy machines" out there. However, like many other products, prices and quality will run the gamut with Media Centers. Just for my curiosity, can you tell me what brands and systems (a model number would be great) that you've had these problems with?
BMXTRIX said:
...one of the biggest things other computer based products have going for them is that they typically exist on closed networks. That is, they can't get a virus, they aren't routinely hacked. Your HD disc players, even when tied to the Internet, can't download random content that completely destorys those players. Likewise, your cable box doesn't go out on the Internet and pick up a virus. The HTPC, to be effective, has to have that capability, which opens them up to serious vulnerabilities.
You have some excellent points about possible HTPC vulnerabilities. However, a media center install should include a hardware firewall at the incoming connection, along with a software firewall, antivirus, and antispyware defense on the system. Systems that are "routinely hacked" are vulnerable because the security wasn't there in the first place. The only time problems happen is if someone deliberately downloads something, and even then, that's where the antivirus and antispyware software kick in. Any system out there is vulnerable, but having proper security in place prevents any problems from happening.
BMXTRIX said:
Let's not even get started on what the line "Play, catalogue, and store DVD videos" really means since it is categorically illegal to rip almost ALL commercial DVDs to a hard drive since it breaks their encryption. So not one HTPC can legally do what that statement implies.
Of course, no media center / HTPC manufacturer's system can natively rip commerical DVDs to a hard drive "out-of-the-box" due to legal issues, but most customers are smart and savvy enough to "solve that problem." For example, one workaround method of "Playing & catalogging DVDs" on the VidaBox is to connect it with a DVD changer. As Clint said, "reading between the lines" will reveal other "cleaner" and "inexpensive" solutions that are available on the open, public forums.
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Keep in mind, with CableCARD is coming out, and the proper security in place, no other system at this price level can stream music, video, TV shows, store pictures, automated slideshows, create DVD/CDs, provide protection against hard drive failure, and more in a single unit controlled by one remote.
Thanks again for your feedback!
Steven Cheung
VidaBox LLC