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Domain: ucentric.com

Stories and comments across the archive that link to ucentric.com.

Comments · 7

  1. DirecTV about to release a media server by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on TiVo vs Microsoft vs HDTV Cable
    DirecTV is getting ready to do a major upgrade in order to accomodate MPEG-4 compression and increases in high-definition content. From the discussions at AVS Forum and DBS Talk it appears that DirecTV will be replacing hardware (including combination DirecTV / TiVo units, both standard and high definition varities) with a client/server based wireless Home Media Center system which DirecTV announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. Preliminary specifications say the server will contain 4 DirecTV tuners and 2 over-the-air digital tuners. It will be able to record 4 programs simultaneously. Wireless client systems at remote TVs in the house will be able to set up recordings and pull live and recorded programming from the server. The company providing the hardware looks to be Ucentric Systems which was recently acquired by Motorola. According to the information from DirecTV, the rollout is slated to begin in the second half of 2005. Interesting times ahead for owners of DirecTV / TiVo units.

    I wonder how hackable these units will be and if DirecTV will look the other way like TiVo has. Somehow I doubt it.

  2. DirecTV about to release a media server by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0 · on TiVo vs Microsoft vs HDTV Cable
    DirecTV is getting ready to do a major upgrade in order to accomodate MPEG-4 compression and increases in high-definition content. From the discussions at AVS Forum and DBS Talk it appears that DirecTV will be replacing hardware (including combination DirecTV / TiVo units, both standard and high definition varities) with a client/server based wireless Home Media Center system which DirecTV announced at the Consumer Electronics Show. Preliminary specifications say the server will contain 4 DirecTV tuners and 2 over-the-air digital tuners. It will be able to record 4 programs simultaneously. Wireless client systems at remote TVs in the house will be able to set up recordings and pull live and recorded programming from the server. The company providing the hardware looks to be Ucentric Systems which was recently acquired by Motorola. According to the information from DirecTV, the rollout is slated to begin in the second half of 2005. Interesting times ahead for owners of DirecTV / TiVo units.

    I wonder how hackable these units will be and if DirecTV will look the other way like TiVo has. Somehow I doubt it.

  3. This Company Exists: uCentric by Herschel+Krustofsky · · Score: 1 · on Students Use 802.11g To Save Cable Industry

    uCentric has built their business doing this. They've already tested 802.11g over cable & recently launched a trial with Comcast, both of which are

  4. Basing it on Ucentric tech by rho · · Score: 2 · on Linux-based Convergence Boxes From Rogers Cable

    Which, unfortunately, consists mostly of pictures of multi-cultural kids at an iMac having a good time.

    I mean, there's not even a picture of a product! I take it, then, the product is nothing more than software solution with a hardware reference platform. Bleh...

  5. www.ucentric.com by -dsr- · · Score: 1 · on Linux-based Convergence Boxes From Rogers Cable
    I'm surprised no one's pointed out the interesting side of this equation: Ucentric's hardware and software combo.

    Basically, it's YALinux-based settop box: integrated DSL modem, ethernet, a little expansion capability for 802.11b and USB; the usual suite of firewall/NAT/NFS/Samba, and some nifty front end software, including TV/web integration.

    Nothing revolutionary; all evolutionary.

  6. A similar product is available today by BrK · · Score: 3 · on Linux Based MP3 Stereo
    Ucentric has a home networking server platform that is available now. Initial availability is limited to trials customers/ beta users, but they are signing up OEM's and a retail implementation of the Ucentric software should be available from Netgear by the end of the year. It can play MP3's to your current stereo system, via a built-in FM modulator/broadcaster, and could also stream Internet audio content on the same FM channel. Obviously you would use your FM tuner to get all the other stations, but a tuner could be built in to the box if you wanted to digitally record the FM broadcasts for later listening.

    The Ucentric box goes further by allowing you to control the music and other features from a TV UI, or any browser interface. So, you don't need to overhaul the technology that is currently in your home in order to take advantage of New Things. The screen shots on info on Ucentric's homepage isn't very end-user friendly, but if you poke around enough there are some screen shots and additional informations.

    There is also DHCP/firewall/router/etc functions built into the box, and the ability to interact with a video feed, plus a handful of other applications built-in.

    And, of course, the Ucentric box is based on linux :)

    I guess some of it comes down to a mindset of the end-user. Personally, I've got a few nice stereo's or boom boxes in my house, I'd hate to have to buy a new compoent (Hi-Muse, Kerbango, whatever) for *each* one, the Hi-Muse seems like a set-top box for your stereo. Not for me, but maybe others will go for it.

  7. Tech will only briefly illuminate the PowersThatBe by jctribble · · Score: 1 · on Making Technology Democratic

    The Conventions used to be a place of real debate. Then, once massive press coverage started the real decisions and king-making moved to "Smoke filled Rooms."

    Today we have "Shadow Conventions." But even they have too much spotlight to have any real debate.

    I've proposed to my techie friends that the entire legislative process could be utterly transparent in real time using web technology. They thought it was a good idea but would only force law-making even further into back rooms than it is now.

    It's like what a Teamster once said, "You don't want to elect the leaders ot the Teamsters Union-- You wouldn't know who was running the place!"

    tribs
    Your home internet gateway appliance