The home theater PC is dead, long live Windows Media Center - Engadget

By Ben Drawbaugh posted Jan 14th 2011 2:31PM There has been a lot of discussion in the Windows Media Center community about the product's death. The theory is that Microsoft is throwing in the towel, focusing on the Xbox 360 and intends to let the best DVR software available become stale -- or worse, eliminate it from future versions of Windows altogether. After watching the Ballmer keynote at CES last week, it was hard not to get on this train as we all watched the 360, Windows Phone 7, and Windows highlighted on stage. But then something happened when the show floor opened: Windows embedded products were highlighted in private meetings and elsewhere. There was a buzz around Media Center embedded and even a price and ship date; meanwhile, home theater PCs got no love. So after years of trying, it appears that all hopes that HTPCs will ever emerge from their niche status are gone, but the same can not be said for Windows Media Center.
We've had a fascination with home theater PCs since the first time we saw video running on a PC -- remember Intel MMX? There's something empowering about seeing video run on a PC, and there's been a PC connected to our TV ever since. In fact, we use an HTPC now and have enjoyed its benefits for what feels like forever. But all that being said, we wouldn't offer to set one up for a friend, and we wouldn't give our mother one, ever. The problem is that while a computer geek can make an HTPC do just about anything, a typical user has a hard enough time using a PC to surf the web. There are just too many things that can go wrong, and with the exception of some very high-end models, commercial HTPCs are non-existent. HP stopped making 'em four years ago. Dell never even bothered. Nope, no matter how hard PC manufactures and Microsoft try, HTPCs simply will never go mainstream.

Microsoft has tried as hard as anyone to make this geek dream come true, with multiple versions of Media Center and money dumped into R&D trying to entice programming providers in the US and the rest of the world to bring their programming to Windows. We'd bet that if stock holders had any idea how much money was spent compared to the return, someone would surely get fired. Right about now, there are some people screaming at their computer, complaining that Microsoft never marketed Media Center. Seriously? A company as successful as Microsoft knows a thing or two more than most about marking a product. No, the problem is there's no mainstream market for an HTPC, so realistically-speaking, another few billion dumped into marketing wouldn't have changed a thing (c.f. Kin). Consumer electronics have to be like an appliance, they just need to work. Even some top brass at Microsoft use a TiVo as a DVR instead of a HTPC because they just work. This all makes it easy to understand why Microsoft has re-purposed its software and lined up new partners for an embedded version of Windows 7 Media Center.

The one thing that every single mainstream DVR and smartphone have in common is that they are all embedded. It's a match between hardware and software that is designed to do a few specific things and do them very well. Microsoft has been making embedded software for a long time, and odds are you've used it at an ATM or stood right in front of someone who used a Windows embedded machine to ring you up at a department store. What's new is that Microsoft ported its Media Center software to the latest embedded version of Windows and is giving hardware partners the chance to build a DVR without spending all the big bucks on developing software. This means that some entrepreneurial electronics manufacturer can grab off the shelf parts, add in a little of Redmond's software and deliver a dependable DVR to mainstream America -- in theory. And a number of companies have already stepped forward with plans. We've been seeing demos at trade shows, and at CES one company even announced it'd ship a product in the 1st quarter for $499. Still a little steep for the mainstream, but far less than the thousands that off the shelf HTPCs cost today. And besides, the first products to market typical cost more.
The bad news is that embedded also means restrictions, and while some are sure to hack their way to more functionality, it won't be as easy. For those not willing to meddle and risk their investment, there'll likely be sacrifices that will have to be accepted. It is impossible to know what exactly until the products hit the market, but the inability to install your favorite codec isn't out of the realm of possibilities, and installing software to automatically skip commercials is almost certainly a no go.

There is some more good news though. Embedded devices make more than just mainstream consumers happy, they also appeal to content owners. Netflix, VUDU, Blockbuster, cable video-on-demand have all been available to embedded devices for some time. Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verzion and DirecTV weren't showing their programming on a HTPC at CES this year, but they were showing 'em on a variety of other embedded devices. Of course, the PC is completely capable of delivering all this content and more, but media giants aren't going to spend their time and money developing software for a niche whose only measurable result would be to open up a new attack vector to circumvent DRM. So embedded doesn't just mean stability and affordability, it can also mean content.

Now, this is where things get interesting. Microsoft tried a few times to proxy the PC into the living room via Extenders and suffice to say the attempts all failed pretty miserably -- same goes for embedded devices, by the way. Maybe the hardware wasn't ready, who knows, but what we do know is that two Media Center PCs don't play well together with DRM'd content and if more than one Media Center in the house has a tuner, things can messy real quick. There have been a few recent changes in the content world that could really impact success here though. The first is the recent change to the CableCARD specification that allows a tuner to be shared over a network. Basically, this means that you can install six CableCARD tuners into a Media Center in the house and watch live TV on any other Media Center (set-top box or PC) in the house that's connected to the same network. That opens up some options, but there are still the DRM problem. Currently, shows recorded from cable marked as Copy Once by the provider are locked to the device they're recorded on, which frankly sucks. But connecting a few dots paints a rosier future.
InfiniTV 6 CableCARD tuner
What does Microsoft, Comcast, Timer Warner Cable, CableLabs, and just about every major movie studio have in common? They are all a member of the Digital Entertainment Content Ecosystem and have vowed their support to UltraViolet. We know that joining a group and actually participating are two different things, but it isn't out of the question that UltraViolet's new DRM could be added to the CableLabs spec. This would mean that "each household will be able to create an account for up to six members who can access the household's UltraViolet Movies, TV... Consumers will also be able to register up to 12 devices." This new tech won't be ready until later this year, but it does offer hope that DRM might not always be this bad, some day. It's going to take more than Reycom, Acer / Gateway, and Haier to make this thing take off, but it isn't hard to let your imagination wonder on where this all could go. It would also be hard to argue that this isn't Microsoft's strongest position in the DVR market yet, and while anything could happen, we say long live Media Center with confidence. Who knows, if things go well, all the other previous promising developments for Media Center that never were, might find their way to market too. Then again, we've been wrong before.

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'TRON: Classic' Coming Soon to a Home Theater Near You? - Stitch Kingdom (blog)

Initially anticipated to have been released in 2010, prior to the theatrical release of TRON: Legacy, the blu-ray edition of the 1982 original film, TRON, failed to materialize. Rumors abounded as to why the BD was never released, but most ended in the assumption that Walt Disney Studios intentionally had something to hide, although personal reasons as to why that would be varied.

Recently the HD Room offered up this artwork of what’s being sub-titled as ‘the original classic.’ Although no release has been confirmed by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment as of yet and HDR advises this may not be the final artwork, they seem pretty confident that the BD edition will not only see the light of day but that it will contain some pretty special bonus features that may very well make the wait worth it.

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Panasonic Tenders Three New Blu-ray 3D Home Theater Systems - Bigpicturebigsound.com

First, you help introduce the world to the hot new "It" standard for home theater. Then, you make it convenient, maybe even ubiquitous. How?

Panasonic has announced three new Full HD 3D home theater in a box (HTiB) systems, the SC-BTT770, SC-BTT370 and SC-BTT270. They handily play back the latest Blu-ray 3D discs of course, but they further allow the viewer to customize the picture as desired with the 3D Effect Controller. This tweak adjusts the amount of the depth effect for more expansive images, enabling us to enjoy 3D movies with our preferred level of depth. Panasonic's proprietary Cinema Surround Plus technology, meanwhile, compensates for the lack of a surround effect in some soundtracks to provide smooth, natural faux surround, rendering an enhanced effect from above and around the listener.

The slim multifunction main component common to the collection is just one-and-a-half inches high, with a sleek look that pairs well with modern flat-screen TVs. They're also simple to install, with optional rear wireless speakers that don't demand cables running across the living room.

The two top-of-the-line models--SC-BTT770 and SC-BTT370--offer VIERA CAST with Skype, a new function which allows users to make a live high definition video connection with friends and family around the world on any compatible TV or any other video-capable device running Skype. (Skype video calling requires access to a broadband Internet connection as well as a Skype-compatible camera.) And when we're not home, a convenient Auto Answering Video Message even answers incoming calls and records video voicemail messages! These two also come with a downward-firing subwoofer, efficiently using the floor reflectivity to its bass advantage.

The SC-BTT770 offers a host of new features to go with those tall-boy mains and downward-firing subwoofer.

Each of the systems provide one HDMI output and two HDMI inputs with Standby Pass Through for HD and 3D gaming and set-top box connections, which means that signals from the connected devices can pass through the unit even when the home theater system is turned off.

All of these new home theater systems also feature Audio Return Channel (ARC), which makes it possible to receive audio signals from the TV over the same HDMI cable that is sending audio/video signals to the TV. ARC greatly simplifies connection by eliminating the need for an audio cable between the TV audio output and the receiver's audio input. They also feature a Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone which utilizes a digital connection to maximize sound quality.

The more affordable SC-BTT370 offers most of the same features as the '770, with a different speaker configuration.

One welcome new improvement is the internal wireless LAN system that makes Web content such as VIERA CAST and BD-Live easier and more elegant to access, without a wired Ethernet connection. VIERA CAST has also been enhanced with CinemaNow and Vudu movie streaming. As before, users can access weather, finance and other information directly from the VIERA Cast screen, for free. (Premium services such as Netflix carry their own fees.)

Where to Buy:

www.soundsystemsstore.com

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2011 home theater wrap-up - CNET

CES: 2011 home theater wrap-up - CES 2011 CNET Blogs home reviews news downloads video log in join CNET welcome, my profile log out Tweet E-mail latest News Car tech Cell phones and smartphones Computers and hardware Digital photo and video Gadgets Gaming Green tech Home theater Software and apps Tablets and e-books readers Televisions The Next Big Thing Awards Best of CES People's voice Photos Videos Motorola Xoom wins Best of Show. Here's why. Sexy sells at CES 2011 (photos) See the People's Voice Award winner See CNET's Best of CES winners CES: Where you can smash an Acer laptop with a hammer Sennheiser shows off 2011 headphone lineup Hands-on photos: HTC Thunderbolt Citi swiping Dymamics' 'smart' credit cards Dell debuts Streak 7 tablet Scenes from CES 2011: Day two (photos) CES 2011: Must see products Samsung debuts Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Tab LG shows off smart appliances at CES 2011 (photos) Behind the scenes at CES 2011 Windows 8 to support x86, ARM 'system on a chip' Rounding up Lenovo's new laptops Samsung trots out gaggle of gadgets (photos) CNET's Next Big Thing: After the Computer Samsung adds Wi-Fi-only Galaxy Tab, drops TV bezel LG Optimus 2X is centerpiece of Nvidia CES talk Scooba and Roomba Intel demos 2nd-gen Sandy Bridge CPUs at CES Lenovo IdeaPad laptops of CES 2011 CES: AT&T announces Motorola Atrix 4G with dual-core processor Liquid Image Goggles January 9, 2011 9:48 PM PST CES: 2011 home theater wrap-up by Matthew Moskovciak Font size Print E-mail Share 2 comments Tweet The Samsung BD-D7000 was our pick for Best of CES in the home theater category.

(Credit:Samsung)

From 3D to online streaming video, home theater has been a hot category at the last fewCES shows, but this year there wasn't much new technology, with design innovations taking center stage. A few major trends stuck out to us over the course of the show.

Design innovations, especially from Samsung
The most impressive part of CES on the home theater side was Samsung's striking new form factors. The ultracompact Samsung BD-D7000 won the Best of CES award in the home theater category for shrinking down a Blu-ray player to the size of an external DVD drive. Samsung also got a home theater Best of CES nomination for the slick HW-D7000 AV receiver/Blu-ray player and Best of CES design nomination for the HT-D7100 cubelike HTIB. Aside from some high-end speakers from LG, we just didn't see the same kind of design innovations from other manufacturers.

Almost everyone has an app store
Samsung and Vizio were ahead of the game with their app stores last year, and now competitors such as LG and Panasonic have rolled out their own. Panasonic couldn't confirm if its new Viera Connect app store will come to its Blu-ray players this year, but we expect most major manufacturers will get onboard sooner or later.

2D-to-3D conversion is new for Blu-ray players
Another new feature we saw rolling out across most manufacturers' lines was 2D-to-3D conversion, which means the players can take standard 2D movies and automatically convert them to 3D. We haven't been fans of "converted" 3D in general and most3D TVs already have this feature, so we're not that excited about this upgrade. Maybe we'll change our minds when we actually try the products.

B&W Zeppelin Air

(Credit:B&W)

AirPlay-compatible products are coming
Apple's new streaming audio platform was launched late in 2010, but we already saw a couple of compatible products at CES, including B&W's Zeppelin Air. We expect to see a lot more AirPlay-compatible products in 2011.

More portable Blu-ray players
Panasonic had been the only company making portable Blu-ray players for two years running, but now it has competition from Sony and LG. We still think this will be a relatively niche product category, but it will be more mainstream as prices fall and more people get onboard with Blu-ray.

Google TV?
Aside from some unannounced Samsung products (that had no real product information), there was essentially no Google TV news at the show, as some suspected. We expect to see more Google TV products and software updates throughout 2011, but there wasn't anything at CES.

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Covering home audio and video, Matthew Moskovciak helps CNET readers find the best sights and sounds for their home theaters. E-mail Matthew or follow him on Twitter @cnetmoskovciak.

Topics: CES - Home theater Tags: CES 2011, home theater Share: Digg Del.icio.us Reddit Facebook Twitter Post a comment Add a Comment (Log in or register) by disneybob January 10, 2011 7:40 AM PST "We expect to see a lot more AirPlay-compatible products in 2010."

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Gadgets for the geek who has everything - Vancouver Sun

IPAD CHAIR, ELITE HOME THEATRE SEATING

For the geek who has everything, the ergonomically designed iPad chair. By Vancouver company Elite Home Theatre Seating, this is the height of iPad luxury, with a iPad holder that can swivel and pivot 360 degrees or position your iPad in any way that seems handy. Once ensconced in your iPad chair, you can run your home entertainment system using apps like the Crestron Mobile Pro G app that lets you select movies, adjust the volume, check your security cameras, adjust the lights and room temperature. This could seriously upgrade your couch potato status. Elite custom builds its furniture, so check the company's website at www.elitehometheaterseating.comto configure your new iPad chair.

IA100ZE IPAD/ IPOD/IPHONE DOCK, IHOME, $200 US

An iPad compatible MP3 player and clock radio, this new docking station from iHome also works with iPhones and the iPod touch. It has an integrated iHome+Sleep app that lets you customize your alarm, sleep stats, weather and other features. And it has an FM radio with 10 presets. It's also Bluetooth-enabled so if you don't want to have your iPad or iPhone docked, you can still listen to music. www.ihomeintl.com

TRANSCEND GOGGLES, RECON INSTRUMENTS, FROM $400 US

A Vancouver company has taken skiing and snowboarding to new techno heights with the world's first GPSenabled goggles with a head-mounted display. The goggles, first announced earlier this year and just released this month, give skiers and boarders instant feedback to a tiny LCD screen. The new Transcend Goggles deliver real-time measurements on everything from speed, to vertical distance travelled. The goggles come in two models: The Transcend SPPX with SPPX polarized and photochromic lens at $500 US and Transcend SPX with SPX polarized lens at US$400. The goggles connect to your computer via USB to transfer data and for charging. For the skier or snowboarder, the micro LCD display appears to be about six feet away and Recon promises the navigation buttons are "glove-friendly" for operation on those freezing slopes. www.reconinstruments.com

EDITION 10 HEADPHONES, ULTRASONE AG, $2,749 US

For the audiophile who has everything, special edition headphones have a price to match. A list of features that put those little white earbuds to shame: Zebrano wood ear cup inlays -- coated with eight layers of clear lacquer, Ethiopian sheepskin leather ear cup pads, titanium-plated drivers and Kevlar-coated cables. Don't dawdle, only 2010 pairs of these special-edition headphones will be sold. www.edition-10.com.

gshaw@vancouversun.com

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

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Sony Launches HomeShare Devices For Wireless Music Streaming - Hot Hardware

Apple's AirPlay is definitely taking off in a big way. The concept of streaming music and media over the air from device to device is very appealing, and while the concept isn't new, Apple has once again taken an older concept and delivered it to the mainstream, but that also gives opportunity to rival companies to once again push their competing formats. Sony is no stranger to streaming media, but the company's HomeShare wireless protocol hasn't seen a huge influx of products in recent months. That's changing at the start of 2011.
Sony has just released a new wireless HomeShare audio system that enables users to listen to music from any DLNA-certified player, as well a Sony Blu-ray player. The streaming takes place over 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, with the new products including two wireless network speakers (SA-N300 and SA-N400) and two Wi-Fi network iPhone docks (NAS-SV20i and NAC-SV10i). The company also introduced a new Wi-Fi universal remote (RMN-U1) that works with the system as well.

This new gear is perfect for those with DLNA/Sony components that want to stream music to speakers without any wires, but like AirPlay, you're locking yourself into an ecosystem of sorts. The system uses an existing Wi-Fi home network with broadband Internet connection to stream music from a PC or from integrated BRAVIA Internet music services such as Slacker Internet Radio and vTuner, to each speaker via a compatible Sony Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc home theater system or one of the new HomeShare docking devices.

The speakers can playback different music or can all be synced to one source with Sony's unique PartyStreaming feature. Also, users can control the system via a PC, Sony's new Wi-Fi universal remote, or an iPhone, iPod touch, using a free application that can be downloaded from the app stores. Pricing details are posted below, but they definitely aren't cheap; bargain hunters should resort to wired options, for sure.

SONY SHARES THE MUSIC WITH NEW WIRELESS AUDIO SYSTEM
    
New HomeShare Devices Use Wi-Fi for Easy Playback of Audio Throughout the Home

LAS VEGAS (CES Booth #14200), Jan. 5, 2011 – Sony today announced the new wireless HomeShare audio system that allow users to listen to music from their Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA®) certified PC and Sony Blu-ray Disc™ devices throughout the home over Wi-Fi® (802.11b/g).

            The new HomeShare products include two wireless network speakers (SA-N300 and SA-N400) and two Wi-Fi network iPhone docks (NAS-SV20i and NAC-SV10i).  The company also introduced a new Wi-Fi universal remote (RMN-U1) that works with the system as well.

            “You can now access music from your PC or Internet music service from a number of Sony home theater devices already on the market in any room wirelessly without complicated set up or being tied to an expensive system,” said Brian Siegel, vice president of Sony Electronics’ home audio and video business.   “With a compatibility base of millions of devices already on the market and more coming soon, HomeShare is one of the most flexible wireless music systems on the market.”

            The HomeShare system frees user’s music from being tied down to a specific device.  The system uses an existing Wi-Fi home network with broadband Internet connection to stream music from a PC or from integrated BRAVIA Internet music services such as Slacker Internet Radio and vTuner, to each speaker via a compatible Sony Blu-ray Disc player, Blu-ray Disc home theater system or one of the new HomeShare docking devices.

The speakers can playback different music or can all be synced to one source with Sony’s unique PartyStreaming feature.  Also, users can control the system via a PC, Sony’s new Wi-Fi universal remote, or an iPhone®, iPod touch®, using a free application that can be downloaded from the app stores.

The products are aesthetically pleasing making them appropriate for any décor, and they deliver the superb audio quality consumers expect from Sony devices.

HomeShare Wi-Fi Network Speakers

Sony’s new HomeShare Wi-Fi network speakers include the SA-NS400 and SA-NS300.  The models feature a compact, 360 degree directional speaker design that delivers room-filling, clear audio without limiting the listening position. With integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), the models wirelessly stream digital music from DLNA enabled PCs or BRAVIA Internet music services from new Sony Blu-ray Disc devices.

The SA-NS400 wireless network speaker will be available this spring for about $300 and the SA-NS300, also available in March, will be about $200.

HomeShare Wi-Fi Network iPhone Dock

Sony’s HomeShare NAS-SV20i speaker dock allows users to play back music directly from BRAVIA Internet music services or from an iPhone/iPod Touch mobile device.  Users can also stream music from the docks to other Sony Wi-Fi network speakers throughout the home.

The NAC-SV10i dock connects to your existing home theater system and playbacks music from the mobile device or streams it to other HomeShare speakers throughout the home.

Both models feature integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g) and offer PartyStreaming functionality.   They also feature BAVIA Internet Video music services built-in, which can be shared with the SA-NS400 and SA-NS300 network speakers.

 The NAS-SV20i and NAC-SV10i will both be available in March for about $300 and $230, respectively.

HomeShare Wi-Fi Universal Remote Control

            Also compatible with the network audio system is Sony’s HomeShare RMN-U1 Wi-Fi universal remote control.  Featuring integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b/g), the touch-screen model controls the network audio products and certain new Sony connected BRAVIA televisions and Blu-ray Disc devices via DLNA and other home theater components via infrared.

The HomeShare universal remote provides simple activity-based control of home theater product and the ability to send music through your home network to HomeShare speakers in any room. Users can easily navigate music with jacket art and send songs to specific HomeShare speakers in any room.

Simple guided set-up makes activity creation and independent and grouped control of HomeShare Speakers easy with no PC programming required.

            The HomeShare RMN-UT Wi-Fi universal remote is available in March for about $300.

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Samsung Debuts Slim, Connected Home Theater Products at CES - PC Magazine

Samsung's CES announcements spanned a huge number of product categories, but one of the company's points of focus is always home theater products, and CES 2011 was no exception. Samsung's new products for 2011 include a number of Blu-ray players, HDTVs of all shapes and sizes, and home theater kits.

Samsung made several upgrades and changes to its home theater line. First, the company focused on design and picture quality for its TVs, launching a number of LCD, LED and Plasma TVs with thinner bezels (as small as 0.2 inches on the flagship models), thinner bodies (as little as one inch deep), and sizes up to 65 inches. 3D-capability is available across more models, with full 1080p support and 240Hz technology.

Samsung's TVs are also increasingly built for Internet connectivity, to take advantage of Samsung's Smart TV applications, which includes everything from basic Web browsing the apps like Netflix, AllShare, and Skype. TVs like those in Samsung's flagship Plasma series, the D8000 series, feature a full Web browser, and even the remote for some of Samsung's new TVs are Internet-connected: the new Touch Control TV remote has a built-in 3" TV screen, and an Internet connection.

In addition to the TV upgrades, Samsung announced a number of new Blu-ray players into its home theater line. Some, like the BD-7500 (which at 0.9 inches is the thinnest Blu-ray player available), are connected to the Samsung Apps ecosystem, and have 2D-to-3D conversion capabilities as well. Connectivity is available across the lineup, with even the entry-level BD-6500 having built-in Wi-Fi. Speed is also a premium for Samsung, and improved booting and loading time are among the selling points for the Blu-ray players.

Most of Samsung's new home theater products, from the HDTVs to the kits, will be available in the first half of 2011. Pricing was not announced for the majority of the offerings.

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