Embedded Media Center Coming to HDTVs and Set-tops

Julie,

A few small clarifications about the W7 Embedded OS:

1.  The W7 embedded OS does not replaces the Media Center PC which may be used as a content server. Rather it replaces the Media Center Extender (Client) which was initially supported on XBOX360 and then by other 3rd parties such as Linksys and D-Link. However as we all know the Extender technology was rather limited and didn’t catch, forcing Linksys to abandon. Now, we can finally enjoy full featured affordable “extenders” instead of pricey mini pc’s.

2.  With the release of W7, MS changed the architecture of Windows Media Center based systems, and moved from Client/Server (I.e., Extenders connected to a PC) to “meshed”  network where all media center clients on a network can share and aggregate content to/from each other. This architecture is definitely more robust as it eliminates the limitation of 4 extenders per Media Center server. However, in a larger installations, a server is still required to successfully manage the off-line digital media (such as music, pictures, recorded TV, videos and movies).

3.  While, I understand the need to compare to other online services, it is important to keep in mind a few key features that differentiate Media Center from the rest of the herd:

a.  Windows Media Center is the only solution today that includes full DVR capabilities (except Tivo of course). In fact, its DVR is far superior to any other DVR’s in market today. Not many DVR’s can record 4 concurrent HD channels on 1TB hard drive.
b.  When it comes to user experience, as you lightly touched in the article, Media Center provides the users with unified experience. Regardless of what they are viewing or listening to, the user interface always looks the same, the buttons are always in the same place etc.  Other solutions provides different user interfaces (widgets), depends on the service rendered which means the user needs to learn how to use these.
c.  Watching recorded shows on Media Center, is seamless experience, whether you watch it in the living room or in the bedroom., regardless of where the show was recorded.
d.  Windows Media Center server can be expanded by adding software plug-ins that were created by third party developers. With other solutions, we are depended on the manufacturer to push firmware updates.

4.  While the W7 embedded has been long awaited wish by anyone who was touched by this technology, I think it’s important to look at Media Center as a platform. The embedded OS will definitely increase the distribution of the technology, should manufacturers embrace it. It will also make the deployment of Media Center based, much easier for CI professionals. Rather than running HDMI or baluns all over the place, the installer would only need to connect a Media Center powered TV to the home network. I think this is Nirvana 

@Eyal Kattan

Well said.  Finally looks like MS is offering us freedom from the extender limitations.

However, been burnt too many times to get excited about this.  This has potenial to be one of the best things to ever happen to Media Center, but “I’ll believe it when I see it.”  If we’re lucky, we might see real products in a few years from now.

Thank you Google, Yahoo, and Apple.  MS got their butts kicked with their phones, and the next frontier appears to be the living room.  Maybe the competition woke them up and got their attention.  I doubt they will let it happen again in the living room, especially with the huge lead MS developed and then sat on.