Comments on: Microsoft to tune up Media Center PC

The next-generation OS will allow consumers to watch one channel while recording another, CNET News.com has learned.

[Earl Benser]

Adios, TiVo....

.... That sound you hear is a large share of the TiVo going down
the M$ drain......

But, it was bound to happen.

[unother]

So?

How many people will just wait for Longhorn instead?

The vast majority IMHO...

[thomashawk]

Media Center 2005... Underwhelmed

My full review is over at:

http://thomashawk.com/2004/10/microsoft-media-center-2005.html

[sunergeos]

Or use a $29 VCR

So let me get this straight - buy software for hundreds of dollars, put it on a machine that will also cost hundreds of dollars, take the time to learn the software and work around its bugs, and this is better than having a VCR? I can already watch one channel and record another, and have been doing it for decades.

And this is the innovation that millions of dollars worth of R&D gets Microsoft? Wow, those PhDs must really be proud of themselves.

[David Arbogast]

Living in the 80s

A VCR? You still use a VCR to record and watch television programming? I retired my VCR two years ago and have been happier ever since. Here's a thought... before you try comparing MediaCenter to a VCR, why don't you actually try using MediaCenter. Perhaps you will realize just how archaic your VCR.... and your opinion really is.

MediaCenter is a fabulous product that takes the cake in the PVR market as far as I'm concerned. I've used TiVo, RePlay, and MediaCenter... and although MediaCenter could use a few *more* features, its feature set, ease of use, stability, and ability to integrate with other computing devices puts it in a class far above any of the competitors. I will upgrade my MediaCenter when updates are available, and I will continue to evaluate competing products... but believe me... the VCR is history.

[dirk128]

Mediacenter PC? Who would be Stupid enough?

Sounds like MS plans to make the mediacnter PC a little more
than useless and unstable.

Imagine, a virus infexting your entertainment center, now
everyone line-up in an orderly fashion, there are enough MS
MediaCentres to screw up everyone's home entertainment centre
with their proprietary codec's and their susceptibility to
thousands of virii.

Only the fools will buy.

[marlow714]

Media Centers are great

Only Apple cult members will comment like that. They just love to read any story about MS and try to hammer it. You have no views, just pre-packaged anti-Microsoft sensationalist babble. You have no facts, just slander because you obviosly hate capitalism and Microsoft is the embodiment of that. So get a life.

Mediacenter computers are sweet. Now we can get them portable. I love the CHOICE (something apple users dont have) of sending any recorded show to any TV in my house. Recording based on many varibles and surfing on the TV. When I have people over it's great to click a single button and watch a slideshow of video and photos.

[sunergeos]

Since you put it that way...

I couldn't help but "overhear" you bashing someone for having a different opinion than you, but since you made it a public statement you should be let in on the secret.

It isn't MS-bashing, it's the expression of years of frustration of watching a company yield a state-sponsered monopoly and then say it is anything but. All of Microsoft's products - that is ALL OF THEM, are nothing more than "me-too" products. Their products appear to have "broader appeal" because they have a broader distibution channel. They simply bolt everything onto the monopoly and it rides along with Windows. For example, why would the EU be busting their chops over their Media Player. Well, because they bolt it onto Windows and want to make the argument that "everyone is using it." That's tired.

The facts have been stated for years on these discussion boards and, frankly, that's why you will not get the response that you would have two years ago. That's the secret - we all know it by now. You're allowed to keep forking over your hard earned money to a company that thinks stealing ideas and litigating it is innovation. No need to actually create something when it is more cost effective to settle the case out of court than to pay people for their intellectual property and hard work.

It's really more of an ethical question that one of capitalism. Wouldn't you agree?

[marlow714]

perfect examples

Like I said...they cult members come out of the woodwork.

[marlow714]

Dan Johnson

"I was a software architect working on a Macintosh" - haha - are we supposed to be impressed? LOL

"You must submit to the sovereignty that gives you the freedom to prosper. If you don't, you won't prosper. That's that." Apple needs to learn from that. - read some headlines.

Overall I can see your comments took some thought. I'm glad I can pull you away from the small little world you live in and open your eyes to what is really happening.

Wait a second...we are talking about the Media Center. Oh ya, Apple doesn't have one. Hmmm.

[marlow714]

Adam Mcaskill

"That last comment totaly anhilated James Hills foolish opinion" - that statement in itself if quite idiotic. First of all, learn how to spell. Maybe use WORD to check what you type.

"As for capitalism apple is the embodyment of capitalism a corporation built by young aspiring people with dreams for the future taking on the big boys of of the mid '80s in an attempt to
change the world they lived in" - You sould like a beatles fan. Get a life.

[marlow714]

Bring on the onslaught

Hurry up an respond mac users. I can?t wait.

Actually, I should rephrase in a language you will understand better.

iHurry iup ian irespond imac iusers. iI ican?t iwait.

[wrwjpn]

Reply to the question?

So what I want to know is your reply to the question.

What wonderful innovations has MS given the world?

No retoric, no slandering, no name calling, or whining.

Just put up or shut up.

Bill
A person who uses most platforms and evaluates according to
the users needs.

[marlow714]

What was the topic of this thread?

Funny how this topic started out touting MS?s Media Center OS ? which IS an innovation (If you disagree, check out the demo links here -http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/tours/default.mspx )
to what this conversation is now, nothing more than a few idiots trying to justify their investments.


Comparing a DVR or TIVO system to the Media Canter OS is like comparing the bank accounts of Bill Gates and steve jobs or comparing the user base of Windows and the macos. No contest.

I have to agree with James Hill

I work in half and half Windows and Mac environment in a graphic design department. I must say that most of what James has said is true. It seems like the Mac is playing catch-up most of the time. When OSX came out - don?t get me wrong it's a sweet OS - but most of what makes it good came from Windows. Give MS some credit. Plenty of little things in the OS are a direct rips from WindowsXP. The problem I see in our office is most of the Mac users don't want to hear about anything Windows - so when they get a new feature in their OS they think it was invented by Apple - and apple doesn't help that too much.

As far as the Microsoft Media Center OS it looks promising. I checked out the demos and it does look very cool. I may just look into getting one so the whole family can use it.

Media Center OS demos look sweet

I would also have to agree. You mac users need to take a reality pill and read this! http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2004/commentary04100703.htm?source=mptoppromo

The only problem I see with the Media Center is you cannot build your own exactly. You have to purchase a premade machine (like macs). This has it's advantages but is also very limiting. I'll buy the OS in a heart beat if I could build it myself. So Microsoft, don't do an Apple, make Media Center OS avaiable to purchase to anyone - not just manufacturers.

Actually you can.

My Media Center came with the OS disk. I was able to install, with a little tweeking, and get it fully working on a differnet machine. Some of the same hardware but nevertheless, it works. I agree, why isnt MS selling the Media Center OS as a standalone? Not a good move if you ask me.

Great story on the fool.com - Mac users need to read that.

[djugan]

WOW.....

what a concept!

Chock another one up for *innovation* at Microsoft.

Chairman Bill didn't have far to go to beg, borrow or steal this latest technological breakthrough.

The village idiot was happy to capitulate.