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HP Unveils Its Digital Media Receiver

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the room-for-one-more dept.

strictnein writes "Looks like HP is getting into the media box market. Today they introduced their new HP Digital Media Receiver 5000 series. Some of the key specs are: Wireless networking support (on the ew5000 model), S-Video and composite video output, and MP3 and WMA support. The OS support is limited to Windows ME or XP. This is an interesting addition to their Windows Media Center based 863N, 873N, and 883N desktop models."

146 comments

  1. We have to ask... by lostchicken · · Score: 5, Funny

    Will it support ogg?
    *ducks*

    --
    -twb
    1. Re:We have to ask... by hlovy · · Score: 1

      MacSense and GLOOLABS already beat HP to the punch. Check out this story about the Homepod.

  2. images! by bdigit · · Score: 0

    can it load the images on slashdot?

  3. Wireless Networking by 56 · · Score: 2, Insightful

    The wireless networking on this has interesting potential.

    1. Re:Wireless Networking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      how do you get a 5 for that stupid remark?

    2. Re:Wireless Networking by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yup, now we can all wardance...

    3. Re:Wireless Networking by 56 · · Score: 1

      You do realize that I only got a 2, right?

  4. Who cares? Why is this on slash dot by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Heck unless it has 802.11g/a its not even state of the art. It wont work as a media center with smart screens. THis is just another box.

  5. ...so slow...never the innovator, HP by djupedal · · Score: 2

    "wireless networking....802.11b"

    Nice to know HP managed to announce it just in time for the leap to 802.11g :)

    1. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by djupedal · · Score: 2

      Ok, what I meant was... HP sucks.

    2. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by ottawanker · · Score: 3, Funny

      .. but the 10 baseT ethernet connection sure does seem state-of-the-art!

      If I were to get one, I would need a set-top-box that has at least 100 baseT ethernet, the ability to play MPEG, AVI, DiVX, etc.., and the ability to surf the web and send and receive e-mail.. I guess that's why I have a computer in my living room. All these other boxed just don't have enough functionality for me.

    3. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 2

      I think you're confused, friend. You seem to think that this is a computer. It's not. It's stereo equipment.

      "If I were to get one, I would need a set-top box that has at least 30 cubic feet of storage space, an icemaker, one of those little thingies to dispense cold water from the front, and a vegetable crisper. All these other boxes just aren't enough refrigerator for me."

      See what I mean?

      --

      I write in my journal
    4. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by dcaulton · · Score: 1

      ...but then again, why pay for super high bandwidth on a Digital Audio Reciever? 802.11b delivers 4-8 mbps throughput, more than enough for super high bitrate digital audio (320kbps mp3 or 160kbps wma), even enough for uncompressed CD wavs at 1400kbps.

    5. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by josh+crawley · · Score: 1

      HP-sUX is the name of their OS.

    6. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by ottawanker · · Score: 1

      .. stereo equipment that can display pictures on the television...

      I don't see why they would bother with the video output, only to have it display pictures (and I assume some on-screen information). How much use am I going to get out of the 'look at my pictures on the television' feature? Just like the Kodak PhotoCD - How much use did their hardware (to view photos on a TV) get?

      This piece of 'stereo' equipment already has quite a bit of computer equipment in it (to play music and look at pictures), so why not just go all the way and add the movie functionality to it? And since you've already got the ethernet port, and the computer, why not just add the browser and e-mail components? See what I mean, why don't they just make a computer and put it in a fancy box?

    7. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by Alex+Belits · · Score: 3, Funny

      HP-UX is its name. HP-SUX is what its quality indicates ;-)

      --
      Contrary to the popular belief, there indeed is no God.
    8. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by rikkards · · Score: 2

      I would suspect that the SVideo out is possibly so you can browse a list of MP3s or something like that.

      I wouldn't mind this as I don't want a computer sitting in my living room as it will raise the ambient noise level (which is bad enough right now with my humidifier and aircleaner) and don't really have the need for Avi functionality nor DivX. If I really wanted to see something off my computer and on my tv with the home theater system, I would probably just burn it as SVCD, but that is such a rarity that I wouldn't go looking for the functionality to be built into any media center. Even the picture feature I would probably not use.

    9. Re:...so slow...never the innovator, HP by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 2

      I don't see why they would bother with the video output

      For the user interface. And once they had video output for the UI, adding the picture functionality was practically free, but for a little bit of software development. Adding other stuff-- like Internet access or god forbid movie playback-- would definitely not come for free.

      See what I mean, why don't they just make a computer and put it in a fancy box?

      Because people can already buy computers for their living rooms, and generally they're staying away in droves. People generally don't want computers in their living rooms. They don't want to be able to read email on their televisions. (Remember the stunning success of WebTV?) They want to be able to play MP3's on their stereos.

      Or, to answer your question in another way, "This piece of 'stereo' equipment already has quite a bit of cooling equipment in it (to keep the CPU and the hard drive from overheating), so why not just go all the way and add an icebox to it? And since you've already got the electrical plug, and the fans, why not just add a tap water inlet and one of those cold-water dispenser things on the front? See what I mean, why don't they just make a refrigerator and put it in a fancy box?"

      See my point? HP is not setting out to make a fridge. And they're not setting out to make a web-browsing, email-sending, movie-playing general purpose computer. They're setting out to sell a piece of stereo equipment for $300. Get it?

      --

      I write in my journal
  6. Summary Of All Comments To Follow... by Cyno01 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    "My Radeon AIW can do that, w/o windows!"

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
  7. Pretty it ain't... by MSBob · · Score: 2

    Besides not finding such a device particularly useful I also coulnd't help but notice the particularly hideous 70's design of the box itself. Carly is not only a bad manager, she also lacks any sense of aesthetics whatsoever...

    --
    Your pizza just the way you ought to have it.
    1. Re:Pretty it ain't... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'm sure she was down in the trenches hand-shaping this beast too...

      That's usually what managers do.
      Of course, ours just take big bonuses, lend money to criminals, and screw their minions.... but that's a different story.

    2. Re:Pretty it ain't... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Don't worry, Carly is quite good at screwing her minions as well. Oh, and thought of Carly doing real work (read: while not scheming to get richer while screwing her minions) makes me laugh.

      To keep this on topic, this device is interesting if you forget about Carly and I'll bet a good geek could have some fun with it.

    3. Re:Pretty it ain't... by nomel · · Score: 1

      Hahah...I doubt the CEO of major corporations like this actually look at the products. I highly doubt she had anything to do with it's design...usually CEO's don't do this kind of stuff either...

      That makes me realise...what do CEOs actually do?

  8. Wow by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

    A mention of an MS OS and no childish, snide remark thrown in at the end. CowboyNeal, you da man.

  9. The All-Important Business Question by Amsterdam+Vallon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    ... Is there a market for this kind of thing?

    I'm a hardcore geek and have expert certification on everything from Windows 2000 to A+ certs to Novell Network certs to CISCO certs to _____ . You name it, I've done it.

    But I personally could probably just barely piece one of these "home media units" together. Furthermore, I wouldn't even know what to use it for.

    Some of us, like myself, still buy CDs from BMG and Columbia House. Yes, you read that correctly -- some of us still buy CDs.

    So, we have more need for 6 disc changes than we do for 10 GB discs of hard drives on which to store mostly-illegally-obtained mp3s.

    Sorry to rant, but:

    1) HP clearly is out of their league and doesn't know their market,
    and,
    2) No one aside from the most hardcore Slashdotter would even know what to do with one of these

    --

    Reply or e-mail; don't vaguely moderate. Ex-O'Reilly/MIT employee, now a full-time Google employee.
    1. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      > I'm a hardcore geek and have expert certification on everything from Windows 2000 to [...]

      Hardcore geeks don't have certifications, esp. not on Windows... hardcore geeks don't have high school-diplomas, we were kicked out for turning harmless items around the school into anything we could think of that would either blow up, exit smoke or insult someone... hopefully insult someone while blowing up and covering the whole school with smoke... smoke which would be used for playing lasertag...

      > But I personally could probably just barely piece one of these "home media units" together. Furthermore, I wouldn't even know what to use it for.

      You, sir, are an insult to all the geeks all over the world; you are at most a wannabegeek... real geeks don't just put it together and use these things what they were meant to do... we rebuild and use them for a lot more than they were ever meant to do; and if we're lucky that'll mean that they eject smoke and insult someone, and blow up the PC for the guy nextdoor; his fault for running windows anyways.

      > Some of us, like myself, still buy CDs from BMG and Columbia House. Yes, you read that correctly -- some of us still buy CDs.

      Reread that... Now... think about it... no no no... really think about it... ok... Do you still insist on calling yourself a geek?

      > So, we have more need for 6 disc changes than we do for 10 GB discs of hard drives on which to store mostly-illegally-obtained mp3s.

      A geek using CDs... hey man, you like living in the 80's or something?

      > No one aside from the most hardcore Slashdotter would even know what to do with one of these

      Can't argue with that one.

      =)

    2. Re:The All-Important Business Question by ramzak2k · · Score: 1

      I collect CDs too, but do think that portable media type is the future. A simple instance where your CDs may prove to be too archaic would be when you would want to carry them around during travel and at the same time share it with folks staying back at home. Audio tapes replaced records for the same reason.

      We have already reached a threshold where such technology can match CD quality but it hasnt really taken off as a distribution medium (over the internet) thanks to a few people who think MP3s = PIRACY and few others who would love to see you shell out extra cash for another CD.

      --

      Siggy Say, Siggy Do
    3. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Jordy · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I'll tell you the market. The market is people who want to eliminate needless hardware and centralize the interface for various components in a multi-room (or single) environment.

      If you can stick a high enough end digital output device on a PC (because no one trusts DAC's in an electromagnetically noisy PC) and make it realiable enough to store my DVD collection, my CD collection and integrate into my TV to give me PVR-like functionality while at the same time delivering content that is on-par with my originals (ie., no MP3, but AAC is ok), then I'd be the happiest person in the world.

      The problem a lot of people have is multi-room installations aren't particularly transparent. I want to be upstairs watching TV in my bedroom and pull up a TV program I recorded yesterday using the interface in my living room. Only, I don't want to know where it is stored. Hell, I don't care. The same goes for my DVD collection, my CD collection, my, uh, "picture" collection.

      Then there is all the other functionality I would like. Pulling down movies from the Internet (legally available of course), audio books and what not. Hooking into my security system to record what is on my security camera and letting me access it. Controlling lights, drapes, etc. to save electricity.

      The thing is, you can do a lot of this stuff right now. It just is all done by these little independent pieces of hardware that don't talk to eachother nicely and are rather expensive independently.

      Of course that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.

      --
      The world is neither black nor white nor good nor evil, only many shades of CowboyNeal.
    4. Re:The All-Important Business Question by SuperDuG · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I'm a hardcore geek and have expert certification on everything from Windows 2000 to A+ certs to Novell Network certs to CISCO certs to _____ . You name it, I've done it.

      Obviously with that standard A+ and level one CNE along with MCSE ... you sir are a computer genuis.

      But I personally could probably just barely piece one of these "home media units" together. Furthermore, I wouldn't even know what to use it for.

      Right, see this is a set-top box that happens to have a computer inside of it that runs and OS that most all of us are used to. That doesn't mean I want a computer sitting on top of my TV that has been rigged to use my TV-Out on the old video card. This is meant to be like a TiVO (read: Also a computer) where you don't ever have to do anything except use the remote to make it work, but it can interact with your home computer without wires (read: magic).

      Some of us, like myself, still buy CDs from BMG and Columbia House. Yes, you read that correctly -- some of us still buy CDs.

      Obviously here on slashdot all we do is STEAL them from the poor artists, hence why we hate the RIAA they just want to stop us all from breaking the law.

      So, we have more need for 6 disc changes than we do for 10 GB discs of hard drives on which to store mostly-illegally-obtained mp3s.

      Perhaps they didn't cover this in your "A+" training, but it is possible to take a CD that you own and rip it into an mp3/ogg/whatever and listen to it. But catch this, you need some type of media to store it on, usually a ... catch this ... a harddrive. 6 Audio CD's will easily fit on an CD with the songs compressed as MP3's making that 6 disc changer, non-essential, amazing isn't it?

      Catch this, you can even rip a CD ... while you listen to it, making it non-essential to rip the CD at a later time, you can even setup a cd/mp3 software "program" to do this ... automatically (read: requires magic).

      Sorry to rant, but:

      Ahh, if you apologize first that makes it impossible for jerks like me to pick apart your stupid posts ...

      1) HP clearly is out of their league and doesn't know their market, and,

      Whoa did I see a degree in economics somewhere in that mess of worthless credentials at the top of this post?? Nope, obviously you don't have any clue what the intended market is for this product as it hasn't even been sold yet and you've declared it "out of their league". When obviously there is so many greater rivals out there doing the same thing, wait a minute, no their aren't.

      2) No one aside from the most hardcore Slashdotter would even know what to do with one of these

      Well I'm guessing they'd probably be used for ... viewing media ... hence the clever name of Digital Media Receiver.

      Ya know, I remember when the TiVO came out and everyone said the EXACT same thing. That microsoft would come out with a better product to pound TiVO into the ground and that no one excecpt the uber geek would ever want to have one. Yet low-and-behold, even my grandma has a TiVO now because she doesn't like how hard it is to program her VCR. HP isn't stupid, they make computers really easy to use and asthetically appealing to the eye, look at Mac's popularity.

      I think you need to realize that you aren't as smart as HP, seeing as they're a huge company and you're a moron with a win2000 cert ... hehehehe ... you want some advice, don't ever advertise you have an MCSE on slashdot. That's like saying you love to watch linux suck.

      --
      Ignore the "p2p is theft" trolls, they're just uninformed
    5. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Artifex · · Score: 5, Funny
      Some of us, like myself, still buy CDs from BMG and Columbia House


      No offense, but that line just took away a lot of your credibility with most of us. Besides the fact that these vendors make money off people forgetting to return stupid cards every 4 weeks and the stupid shipping fees, why don't you buy from online sources, like this one, which has cheap prices and free standard shipping on any size order? ("And no more you have to buy, ever!")

      Wanna know something? I have probably over a thousand legitimately-purchased CDs of music (not bragging, it's a small collection compared to many people I know, and I think it's way too many to be practical at all). For me, a 6-disc changer won't cut it. A 400-disc changer won't cut it, either. No, I want to be able to rip stuff to a good quality format and fill up a couple huge hard drives, just so I can page through a screen from my couch instead of having to dig through my crates of CDs or a binder full of listings of what's in a changer.

      I'm a hardcore geek and have expert certification on everything from Windows 2000 to A+ certs to Novell Network certs to CISCO certs to _____ . You name it, I've done it.


      Telling us your certs doesn't tell us a thing about what you've done. Certs are just tests of minimum proficiency; they're not basis for judging your real-world experience. You want to impress us, tell us about the software projects you code for, or the networks you've designed, or the RFCs you authored, or... even that you don't do any of these, but your company depends on you to support their internal LAN and install software for secretaries, and we'll give you respect.

      Sorry to rant, but:


      Sorry to rant, but: there is a CCNA for Dummies book, an MCSE book, and an A+ book, as well. (I haven't located a "Novell for Dummies," but it's probably implicitly assumed by anyone writing for that audience, anyway.) There is no corresponding book that matches being out in the field with production servers, having to teach (over the phone) your customer's consultant enough BGP so that you can explain to him why his multi-hop config is entirely bogus, while at the same time paging through a zonefile in vi and trying to make sense of cryptic emails from someone who doesn't really share any languages in common with you, whom you can't call even if she did share a common language because of an 11-hour time difference, asking you to "please to have maked the mail fast to the new server 192.168.0.3 verry improtance!" and wanting it done before her office opens in the morning so she can get her mail (oh, did I mention that you can't send her return mail, because she's already moved her mail server to that black-hole IP?) Meanwhile a customer has just walked through your office, past the empty secretary's desk (secretary having been laid off because of budget cuts), and wandered to your cubicle, asking you to escort him to his colo a few blocks away so he can collect his gear "for testing," even though you know he's on the list of deadbeats who haven't paid in months and his account manager is permanently out to lunch and you personally shut his interface down last night... and it's not even 9:25 yet? And you're "the new guy," so you have the lightest load on your team?

      Yes, some people might want to lie down on the couch and use something like this device, instead of messing with a changer or thinking about what CDs might be in the cartridge, or anything else beyond some brief pattern-recognition. Please maked it also to be bringing the soda and too the ibuprofen, verry improtance? Yes?
      --
      Get off my launchpad!
    6. Re:The All-Important Business Question by g4dget · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I'm a hardcore geek and have expert certification on everything from Windows 2000 to A+ certs to Novell Network certs to CISCO certs to _____ . You name it, I've done it. But I personally could probably just barely piece one of these "home media units" together. Furthermore, I wouldn't even know what to use it for.

      I don't have any of those certifications (thank God!), but I have had no trouble pulling together a "home media unit" from scratch.

      A standard Linux install pretty much has all you need, and you have lots of choices for how to set it up--all of them pretty simple. You can set up the box as a streaming media server, or you can make it part of your own in-home P2P network, or you can handle all the music through web interfaces. You can push audio to a Linux box or have it pull it from other systems with standard commands.

      Another very simple approach is to get a Macintosh--iTunes pretty much does everything you need for that out of the box.

      So, we have more need for 6 disc changes than we do for 10 GB discs of hard drives on which to store mostly-illegally-obtained mp3s.

      I own all the CDs for the MP3s that I have. Why store them on-line? Because a computer is much, much more convenient than two 300 CD jukeboxes or, worse, lots of jewel cases and strange looking pieces of furniture.

      No one aside from the most hardcore Slashdotter would even know what to do with one of these

      My parents seem to have no trouble understanding the convenience of just selecting a CD from an on-screen list, as opposed to dealing with hundreds of jewel boxes.

      Of course, little of this applies to this HP device, which does sound much more complex, less functional, and proprietary than just getting a Mini-ITX system.

    7. Re:The All-Important Business Question by jshare · · Score: 2

      OMG

      I heartily support your thoughts, sir.

      If you hadn't posted anon, i would befriend you. (then i would see more of your posts)

      Surely, you aren't replying anon to your own (trollish) post. That would be sick. ;)

      Jordan

    8. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I almost got kicked out in high school for spending too much time with computers and didn't let my school get in the way of my education? (But in the end I sprinted for the gold and got my diploma. hahaha.)

    9. Re:The All-Important Business Question by trans_err · · Score: 1
      I think Apple had a name for this- oh yeah! thats right, The Digital Hub. Why do these ideas seem so revolutionary, Apple has been working on this ideal for 2 years at least.

      oh and i'm not trying to be an Apple zealot- havn't touched one in a year.

      --

      transmission_err

    10. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2

      So, we have more need for 6 disc changes than we do for 10 GB discs of hard drives on which to store mostly-illegally-obtained mp3s.

      Even CD changers are starting to support MP3s written to CDRs. Just about any credible DVD player does now. Using that information, so I guess that gets me to ask, why this? If you have MP3s, burn them to disc and use them on such a deck.

    11. Re:The All-Important Business Question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0
      OMG
      I should have known someone would recognize me. ;-)
      I heartily support your thoughts, sir. If you hadn't posted anon, i would befriend you. (then i would see more of your posts)

      Thank you for the kind words, but I love insulting people way too much to not post anonymously. =)

      Besides, real geeks are always anonymous. ;-)

      http://www.svanstrom.org/
    12. Re:The All-Important Business Question by myov · · Score: 2

      At the same time, make it simple! My home entertainment system now has 6 remotes (TV, VCR, DVD, Digital Cable, CD, Receiver). TV power and volume is one remote. Changing other channels is another. Except if it's a digital channel, when volume is on the receiver instead. Or the receiver remote which will turn on the dvd player and tv, set the receiver to dvd, but won't adjust the tv's input. Adding a universal remote has helped a bit, but it is still clumsy.

      Why can't I just stick a DVD in to the player, hit one button and everything will automatically turn on and switch to the right mode (TV to Video 2, mute, Receiver to Digital In 1, Surround mode on). Yes, I know about macros on the remote, the problem is that I can't guarantee what device is in what mode. And sometimes it's just the TV speakers, not the entire surround system.

      Technology should not need to be this complicated. Either we need one device that does everything well (allowing for things like digital cable tuners), or some way for devices to talk to each other.

      --
      I use Macs to up my productivity, so up yours Microsoft!
  10. Bah... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative
    SliMP3 has
    • a high-end fluorescent display
    • very nice software that runs on all platforms
    • killer web interface
    • support for unlimited music
    • open-source development community
    • hot chick on their web site.

    HP got crap reviews for their first overpriced stripped-down media PCs. I'll stick with my Slimpy, thanks.
    1. Re:Bah... by kindbud · · Score: 2
      Disadvantages:

      • Kludgey custom server software
      • Who cares if kludgey software is OSS?
      • Why not SMB?
      • No optical output
      • No audio specs published. S/N? THD?
      • Open code and firmware, yet still no OGG support.
      • Why go open if you don't support open codecs?
      • Future OGG support will transcode to MPEG. Boo! Hiss!
      • No PCM support. Can't use it with losslessly-encoded tracks.

      --
      Edith Keeler Must Die
    2. Re:Bah... by jshare · · Score: 2

      Kludgey custom server software
      Who cares if kludgey software is OSS?

      People who want to "un-kluge" it, can. Surely you understand the most basic concept of open source?

      Why not SMB?

      What if you have all your tracks on your Mac, or on your linux box, and you don't want to set up windows sharing (with its own headaches), and instead just want to install an app, that will then "just work".

      No optical output
      No audio specs published. S/N? THD?
      No PCM support. Can't use it with losslessly-encoded tracks.

      The last one of these is the only point that seems at all valid to me, and explains the other two. If you are starting at MP3, then an optical output is not going to make that big of a difference.

      Open code and firmware, yet still no OGG support.
      Future OGG support will transcode to MPEG. Boo! Hiss!
      Why go open if you don't support open codecs?

      See my first statement, above.

      Granted, the physical construction of the device precludes anything but mpeg being played. You have to transcode anything that isn't mp3 to mp3.

      Disclaimer: I am a (very) satisfied user of a SLIMP3.

  11. Oh Great by FS1 · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Something that i understand, that i don't need. That will probally change my life forever.

    --
    A Fatal OE Exception has occurred, Sig will now reboot.
  12. $300?! by barfarf · · Score: 2, Interesting

    For $300, this thing is going to give the audiotron a serious run for the money. Wasn't their first iteration of this about $1000 a couple of years ago?

    1. Re:$300?! by dcaulton · · Score: 1

      Yes, but the $1000 box was a much sillier concept - full linux box running HD, no networking, RealAudio, etc. This is a Digital Audio Reciever. Much better. I'm glad to see increasing competition in this space.

    2. Re:$300?! by bridgecreek · · Score: 1
      Correction!

      What? No networking? It had oodles of networking.

      More than in your little finger.. It had analog, and ethernet and lots of nice audio plugs and all sorts of stuff. You could go surf your samba-compatable share if you wished: read: you can access windows! ACK! you don't say!

      But the reason why it failed was price.. No one wanted to spend 1k on the thing. It did a lot but was way too expensive.

      People didn't realize it was no-strings-attached though. There was no content deal, tricky fine print that bound you to some contract. It was a TV/Stereo ready appliance that did one thing well: Store and manage and play MP3 and RA if you had them.

      What you say? Mp3? Oh yea.. RA/RV was just a feature after all, RealNetworks made it, so what did you expect WMA? Oh geez wait, ther's HELIX now so what does that mean. Wake UP! OGG? Jump in!


      Digital Music

      The move to the living room isn't Nobel application material. It's just that the paradigm shift of DIGITAL music to the living room is quite amazing force to reckon with. Yea it is.

      Ok lets review:

      • idec was a good product, just way too expensive and limited to just MP3 and RealMedia. fine.
      • but it could be networked like a banshee and had all the guts of a fine PC for that money..
      • Oh did I mention you could hack it to smithereens: hack your idec
      That's the power of cheese.
    3. Re:$300?! by dcaulton · · Score: 1

      Ok, you're right...forgot the networking. I think the main point is the one we agree on...that it was a full pc disguised as a stereo component and thus cost waaaay too much. I think we'd disagree on the value of Ogg to saving the device - ogg hadn't shipped yet. And it's not clear to me what value it would add in *practical* terms. In religious terms, I understand.

  13. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by $$$$$exyGal · · Score: 3, Interesting
    Will it support ogg?

    Who wants to bet that Apple will be making Digital Media Receiver's by next year? At the least, Apple will partner with HP (or somebody else besides Microsoft) to get it working. Regardless, there will be a big glowing apple on the side of some receivers by sometime next year. And I'll bet they support Ogg (they already do on the IPod).

    --naked

    --
    Very popular slashdot journal for adul
  14. Found the link after all... by barfarf · · Score: 1

    Here was the first version of this from HP. It was called the de100c, and was $1000. It's come a long way from 2001, baby...

    http://www.zdnet.com/products/stories/reviews/0, 41 61,2822499,00.html
    http://www.techtv.com/products /consumerelectronics /story/0,23008,3362580,00.html
    http://www.pcmag.c om/article2/0,4149,24885,00.asp

    1. Re:Found the link after all... by Wesley+Felter · · Score: 2

      To be fair, the de100c was a completely self-contained MP3 jukebox. It's still more expensive than the ZapStation, though.

  15. Just windows? by mindKMST · · Score: 0

    You may not be able to get control software for other OSeseses but it has to be relatively easy to access the files from another OS.

  16. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Penguin+Follower · · Score: 1

    Personally, I'd like to see Apple do just that. (Go Apple!)

  17. And since you own one.. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    You already know how much the audio output of it sucks.

    You do own one, don't you?

  18. Let's see how easy it is. by attemptedgoalie · · Score: 1

    If we leave out the folks that read Slashdot, we may see that there are a BUNCH of people that are just now buying PCs and playing around with this sort of thing. Add that to all the people that have bought Wireless Access Points, (no security enabled of course)... And now you have a bunch of people that may see this on the shelf, and say "That's for me!" Never underestimate the power of the impulse buyer! :-) And, keep in mind that this could certainly be a first generation device for this product line. Who's to say that future models won't come out that don't need the PC. HP used to sell PC-less music systems (they even ran Linux). Look at the printers, no computer needed for some models. Just plug in flash memory, and away you go. This Mediabox could be the first step in that direction. Just some random thoughts...

    --
    My mom says I'm cool.
  19. what about playing video? by SobiOne · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I wouldn't even think about purchasing one of these unless it did the following:

    1. Play my videos (.mpg, .avi, etc...)
    2. Displayed winamp plugins on the TV while playing music files.

    1. Re:what about playing video? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hell yeah.... why did they not chuck in a dvd drive or at least the ability to play movies....
      With out it it's a hunk of crap

  20. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by ChadN · · Score: 2, Interesting

    wait, wait, wait... Are you saying that the iPod plays Ogg Vorbis files? (I don't mean iMusic. I mean iPod.) A google search seems to indicate "no".

    --
    "It's overkill, of course. But you can never have too much overkill." - Anonymous Slashdot Coward
  21. discount pricing this week... by djupedal · · Score: 2

    ...check their site.....in conjunction w/MacWorld. $239.00/free shipping I believe...too bad it's not wireless tho. HP must be wishing they were back in the small gadget business.

  22. Re:Audio quality still doesn't suck. by blackketter · · Score: 1

    The audio quality of the SLIMP3 is actually quite clean, certainly better than the vast majority of sound cards out there. Can't vouch for the quality of the sound on the HP unit, but if my TV has to be on for me to listen to music, I can tell you that the noise from the high voltage transformer will be a deal breaker.

    Disclaimer: I work for Slim Devices.

  23. pfft by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 4, Funny

    Video Output: NTSC, 30 FPS, 60 Hz

    NTSC? That is so 20th century. Where the hell is the high-definition version with DVI and component analog outputs? I'm not greedy; even 720p will do!

    Hell, if the XBOX can do 1080i and 720p output, this piece of junk-- er, extremely worth market entrant ought to be able to.

    I mean it's not like the thing is recording or playing back video, for crying out loud; it just does still photos. Given that most digital cameras are recording pictures in 1600 x 1200 or bigger, even a 1280x720 output would be nice, nice. But no, we're stuck with lame-ass interlaced NTSC. Pfft. I'd rather describe my vacation snaps to my friends than show them in crappy NTSC.

    --

    I write in my journal
    1. Re:pfft by ramzak2k · · Score: 1

      your xbox is not wireless-doesnt have bandwidth issues, case closed.

      --

      Siggy Say, Siggy Do
    2. Re:pfft by Student_Tech · · Score: 1

      What about a normal RGB plug for a monitor. That way you set the computer to always put out a 1280x720 (at something like 60hz I think) signal (in HDTV a 720p, found here) and build an RGB to component converter (basic one).
      That way if you get a big screen that can handle a computer or component in you can just plug the RGB cable in, or if it just HDTV component only you plug that in. Although a DVI would be nice as it can offer both analog and digital signals on the same cable and you can disect for the necessar signals as needed. (Ok, just buy a DVI plug to 15-pin dsub plug thing and work from there).

    3. Re:pfft by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 2

      Here's why: converting from RGB to YUV is harder than it sounds. If you don't do it just right, you'll end up with severely distorted color. Since one of the purposes of this device is to display photos on your TV, you need a really good color-space converter. Building one from scratch, or buying a cheap one at radio shack, isn't going to cut it. Unless you like your yellows looking green and your reds purple, that is.

      --

      I write in my journal
  24. "interesting potential"!?` by SHEENmaster · · Score: 2

    Yes, very interesting.

    In addition to the six access points at my high school and the individual ones at CVS, Food City, Dollar Den, my church, and various houses I will have even more houses to connect to?

    I doubt that I could fit much media onto my zaurus's combined 384mb of storage (128mb cf + 256mb sd). Will a full noteboot computer be required for warwalking/driving in the near future? Is there a cf scsi/ide adaptor that I could get?

    Does anyone know if this has any kind of security when it comes to the wireless connection?

    --
    You can't judge a book by the way it wears its hair.
    1. Re:"interesting potential"!?` by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Doesnt the AP at your Church interfere with transmissions from The God?

  25. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Twirlip+of+the+Mists · · Score: 3, Interesting

    And I'll bet they support Ogg (they already do on the IPod).

    Wrong, wrong. You can't play anything but MP3 on your iPod... today. I'll bet you a nickel you'll have AAC support real soon, but never Ogg.

    There's a good argument to be made that AAC is better than either MP3 or Ogg at the same bit rate. The fact that it's part of the MPEG-4 specification is so much the better.

    --

    I write in my journal
  26. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Penguin+Follower · · Score: 1

    I agree... all I found on google were links to sites complaining about the lack of Ogg Vorbis on the iPod

  27. a picture is worth ... by ramzak2k · · Score: 4, Informative

    check out the picture . Looks very cool.

    If their target market is someone with a "home network", they better tend to needs of uber geeks and release a linux version of their software.

    --

    Siggy Say, Siggy Do
    1. Re:a picture is worth ... by Bilestoad · · Score: 1

      I know you mean well, but this HP you're talking about - a bunch of clowns that recently merged with another bunch of clowns and now they have a really big circus and plan a glorious future of producing expensive PCs to be sold in wal-mart - apparently that channel is where the profit is at! Consumer, consumer, consumer, geeks ask too many difficult questions! All that complicated stuff like test and measurement and calculators, well nobody was left at the company who understood what it all did. Carly's personal hair stylist had the best idea about it but was too busy with the hair to help out, so they gave all that away and will now concentrate on making shiny things, while attempting to "offshore" as many jobs as possible.

      Sadly this isn't your father's HP. They just don't give a shit about [geeks | employees | engineers | innovation] any more.

    2. Re:a picture is worth ... by samael · · Score: 3, Informative

      I know this is /. and all, but I have 4 friends with home networks and not one of them runs Linux in any form.

      --
      My Journal
  28. sounds like junk by Stanley+Feinbaum · · Score: 3, Insightful

    No OGG support

    No divx support

    The only thing it was going for it is it runs windowsXP

    --

    Stanley Feinbaum, professional journalist and master debater! God bless the USA!

    1. Re:sounds like junk by Koos+Baster · · Score: 1

      .. And on top of that, it's probably the first major product with "hardware DRM". Can anyone tell me why I would want to spend several k$ on a machine that doesn't even run Linux (yet)?

      Well. This may be junk, but at least it's very expensive junk.

      --
      The good thing about standards is that there are so many to choose from -- Andrew S. Tanenbaum

    2. Re:sounds like junk by Junky191 · · Score: 2

      "Can anyone tell me why I would want to spend several k$ on a machine that doesn't even run Linux (yet)?"

      This is probably the most clear cut example of blind stupidity I've ever seen on slashdot. Everything is summed up in this quote.

    3. Re:sounds like junk by Russellkhan · · Score: 2

      "The only thing it was going for it is it runs windowsXP"

      Don't you think that comes pretty close? (I do)

      --
      Information doesn't want to be anthropomorphized anymore.
  29. Build it yourself. by PyroX_Pro · · Score: 4, Insightful

    For $300 I can build one myself, stuff it into an old vcr box, and play anything I want on it, including but not limited to:

    1) Music ( All formats )
    2) Video ( All formats, inc. dvd )
    3) PVR
    4) MAME, SNES, NES, ect ect ect
    5) Digi Cam Pict Viewer Gallery Thingy
    6) Internet


    Of course, I would run a cable to mine, the budget is not there to go out and buy wireless just for this. ( Plus the speed of the connection is a factor )

    You can do this too, just go out to ebay or pricewatch and do some research with google.


    Just me 2 cents worth.

  30. Hot chick? by The+Tyro · · Score: 2

    Sure... if 13yo premenarchal teens are your thing.

    Wait! Stop! Don't reply, I don't want to know...

    --
    Even if a man chops off your hand with a sword, you still have two nice, sharp bones to stick in his eyes.
    1. Re:Hot chick? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Relax - he's probably 13 himself...

  31. Re:(sore:-1, grammar nazi) by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    you be spell bad.

  32. they will sell by zogger · · Score: 2

    they will sell these things, got all the latest buzzwords. People will be standing in the aisle at bestbuy wherever, see it, read the little shiny cardboard signs, "plays and shows all your stuff from anyplace through your giant tv and stereo with remote control and walks the dog and washes your car and no wirez". they will sell a few of them.

  33. This is a growing arena. . . by stevarooski · · Score: 2

    HP may be one of the first, but many of the big electronic brands are developing home av components around wireless networking. I'm surprised its taking them this long to make good on the possibilities of this!

    Actually, I just recieved some spam-like email this morning inviting me to sign up to betatest philips new 'Streamium' wireless network boombox. The betatest signups are open for a bit longer and can be reached here if you'd also like to sign up. The whole idea of wireless networked multimedia appliances sounds interesting, and I wouldn't mind being able to try one out. (No, I don't work for these guys, yadda yadda. . .just commenting. :)

    --

    - - - - - - - -
    Don't worry, being eaten by a crocodile is just like going to sleep in a giant blender.
  34. thats only half the job by Java+no+not+that+jav · · Score: 1

    Untill they get something together that can play all my divx movies along with that music its just not worth it. That and it neads to cost around 200-300 max or I wont tuch it.

  35. For more info about this market by joeflies · · Score: 5, Informative
    Pick up this month's Computer Power User (January 2003). There is a lot of info on PC-based PVR's, including

    a) Ananad Shimpai talks high level about Microsoft Media Center Edition, the HP unit, and the hardware requirements issues (i.e. need for an MPEG encoder, high CPU power requirements so that it will keep running)

    b) PC Challenge is for a PC-based unit for Home Theater. The challenger built a butt ugly slime green unit, but the editor used a shuttle

    c) The Linux TV-out issue with Macrovision. This covered issues that I didn't know about, namely card manufacturers and home brew Gatos project are faced with either licensing Macrovision and going closed source, or don't built it at all if there is a chance it will play material which should be macrovision encoded.

    d) Alex St John talks about HP's 873n and Media Center

    and most importantly e) Malda talking about typing his column on his girlfriend's macintosh

    I think the pc-based PVR market is enormously interesting, because it serves both DIY and pre-built units in distinct markets. It brings new easy to use software to the TV, where entertainment is. And it creates a new market for selling pc's (both in lieu and in addition to a home pc)

    1. Re:For more info about this market by Zhe+Mappel · · Score: 1
      There are three problems I see with this publishing venture.

      First, anything in the mag is already common knowledge by the time it lags onto the newstand.

      Second, Anand's a good judge of tech but gives away his mercilessly long reviews online for free, meaning there is no Anand deficit in anybody's life. And let's remember what subject we're talking about. In the age of the Net, paying for consumer tech market info is like being charged by your own harem.

      Third, "Computer Power User"? Er, why not just call it "No Sex Ever" and get it over with?

  36. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Pathwalker · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Personally, I would be happy with just support from Apple for the Vorbis audio codec in a Quicktime wrapper.

    It would be difficult for me to find a way to care less than I do about the OGG wrapper format, but Vorbis seems to actually be a rather good audio codec. In OGG, it is decent, but in QuickTime, it could be outstanding!

    As one example, the ability for a Vorbis stream to be stripped to a lower bitrate on the fly seems to be a perfect match with the QuickTIme Packetizer API to create a Packetizer/Reassembler combo which can compensate for lost packets by replacing them with packets at a lower bit rate, keeping the total stream bandwidth below the specified limit!

    Plus, you wouldn't have to decode all of the headers in the stream (to read the granule positions, to determine at what time each frame starts) before being able to seek around in it, as in Quicktime the Sample Table Atom holds everything you need in one place.

  37. At least it's not made by Sony by Jason1729 · · Score: 1

    If it were it would have a CD drive, and you'd have to put the CD it's ripped from in the drive to play the MP3. It would also be limited to 32kbps, cost 6 times the price, and self-destruct if you put in a copy-protected Sony disc.

    I'll take HP's cluelessness over Sony's active evil any day

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

  38. Video output only; No video input by slyfox · · Score: 2

    Based on the specs, this device only sends video from a computer (via a network) to the TV, but not from the TV to the computer. You'd think that if they were going to make a computer to TV/stereo interface that they would make it bidirectional to allow for TiVo-like functionality.

    Oh, yea, how long until Apple comes out with one of these devices specially tailored for use with iLife (the iTunes/iPhoto/iMovie bundle). That would be killer.

    1. Re:Video output only; No video input by TimmyJoeB · · Score: 1

      Why have video in on this device? I would think that your PC would serve as a video input/editting device so that this device would output the video/music to the TV/Stereo.

      Therefore it does not need video in.

  39. User Interface by Jason1729 · · Score: 1

    If you build your own, what do you have for a UI. I sit in front of my computer for too many hours a day; I don't want my entertainment center to have a mouse/keyboard driven desktop application as its interface.

    I use my old AIW as a PVR, and it's pretty awful for that very reason. The only reason I don't go out and buy a TiVo or ReplayTV is because I want a product, not a service. As soon as a PVR comes out that does everything my VCR does plus the TV-on-Demand type features, I'll be first in line to buy it...even though it will not have any more functionality than the AIW. The UI makes all the difference in the world.

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

    1. Re:User Interface by uradu · · Score: 2

      You use MythTV or Freevo and an IR remote. Gives you the same Tivo appliance experience.

    2. Re:User Interface by telstar · · Score: 1

      Do you have any screenshots of Freevo? I'm interested...

    3. Re:User Interface by uradu · · Score: 2

      Just search SourceForge, it's all there (http://freevo.sourceforge.net/screenshots.html).

  40. RIP HP - inventor of RPN by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Bring back RPN calculators, Carly!

  41. Somebody mod this up! by Russellkhan · · Score: 2

    I spent my last mod point just before reading this post and immediately regretted it. This is an insightful post, NOT A TROLL. By posting here, I'm undoing one of my own mods, but I think this post is worth it (and someone else has since modded up the other post I modded in this article's discussion, so I know that it won't go back to being an unseen AC post).

    Remember mods: Just because you disagree or a post is worded harshly doesn't mean it's a troll.

    --
    Information doesn't want to be anthropomorphized anymore.
    1. Re:Somebody mod this up! by Russellkhan · · Score: 2

      Just in case it was unclear, my previous post was a request to mod its parent, not my own post. I jsut re-read it and realized that there was room for confusion there.

      --
      Information doesn't want to be anthropomorphized anymore.
    2. Re:Somebody mod this up! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are a tool

  42. TiVo one better.. by lindner · · Score: 1

    At CES TiVo announced their Media Center option. For the same price as the HP box you can get a TiVo that does pretty much the same stuff. You just have to wait until April. Here's the breakdown on costs:

    $149 TiVo 40hr or 60hr refurb.
    $ 25 USB Ethernet adapter
    $ 99 TiVo home networking option

    Some very nice features are in this new software, including integration with Apple's Rendezvous protocol (aka Zeroconf) to find all your iTunes mp3s.

  43. Re:TiVo one better *NOT* by Jason1729 · · Score: 2

    So I'll wait an extra 4 months to get a piece of crap that's totally useless unless the company is there to give it permission to work?

    If someone goes with the TiVo option, they're investing in the company; when the company goes bankrupt, their player is useless.

    To add insult to injury, you also have to pay a monthly fee to use their product, even just the Media Center option.

    Not to mention you're comparing the price of a refubished TiVo to a new HP box

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

  44. an often overlooked problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    I guess it will be long before I can use anything but my computer for my MP3/OGG music. I have a lot of music in Russian, with Russian filenames and ID tags. Displaying them during playback can be problematic even on the computer, but at least I know I _can_ russify most computer music players if I try hard enough. With all these closed and sealed portable/network/wireless gadgets, I don't want to even try.

  45. Printing is HP's most lucrative division. by stephanruby · · Score: 3, Interesting

    HP makes money by selling underpriced printers that can only recognize and only work with their own overpriced proprietary ink cartridges. I wonder if they will use the same successful business model for their Media box.

  46. Only if HP doesn't bin it by Inflatable+Hippo · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Without wishing to diss HP (I worked for them for several years and sadly I'm still a shareholder) I wouldn't be quite so confident.

    HP has a long an illustrious history of doing the following:

    a) Developing genuinely great technology.
    b) Sitting on it for too long because the division heads don't believe in it.
    c) Inventing a way to derive a revenue stream from the product that makes it look bad in the market place.
    d) Finally releasing it in a butt ugly box.
    e) Canning it after 6 months cos it didn't make a billion.

    An interesting contrast to the way Sony does things I think, look at the sustained commitment they have to their technologies!

    For the sake of my shares I hope I'm wrong this time.

  47. One more question by GnuPengwyn · · Score: 1

    Will the screen go blank when I key up my CB Radio ;o)

    --
    Love Music? Got a Band? Are you a Label? http://garageradio.com
  48. What? No tubes? by B3Geek · · Score: 1

    I'm not putting this next to my Audio Research SP6 until I see the glow. Okay, so maybe I will - there are those that won't though.

    The presence of tubes and audio freek specifications will be an indication that these things have truly arrived.

  49. Where's SP/DIF ? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Insightful

    If you saw the DIY Ethernet Audio Receiver project, where's the SP/DIF output on this HP receiver ?

    It's nice to have SP/DIF out, as having to use the built-in DAC's is typically a compromise when you have a 6000$ digital pre-amp/processor which handles jitter correction and upsampling.

    Using both techniques, MP3 can certainly sound superior to the typical output of a soundblaster card following the AC97 spec, which resamples 44.1 to 48 Khz in a bad manner.

    MP3 can really sound high-end using the winamp3 resampler plugin and a good digital pre-amp.

  50. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by class_A · · Score: 3, Informative

    Ooops, wrong again! iPod also supports WAV and AIFF.

    Also: "Upgradable firmware enables support for future audio formats"

  51. We need a "Truth-in-DRM" law... by dpbsmith · · Score: 2

    As usual, the product spec sheet says nothing about what kinds of digital restrictions management are presently in the product, or might be enabled by future firmware "upgrades."

    We really need to lobby our congressional representatives for a law that would require simple, plain-language disclosure of any restrictions that consumers ought to know about. And assurances that the functionality we get when we buy the product will be maintained for the period of time we own the product (and will not vanish in stealth firmware upgrades).

    This is at LEAST as important as knowing the true size of a "17 inch" screen.

    Whether you favor or oppose DRM, there is no reason in the world why we shouldn't know what we're buying. In fact, the marketplace can't operate properly if we don't.

    --

    "How to Do Nothing," kids activities, back in print!

  52. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Jeff+DeMaagd · · Score: 2

    Maybe you should read the +5 comments on stories before you take the description for gospel.

    iPod doesn't support ogg.

    iTunes does unofficially - but only because somebody made a module or something that adds ogg support to QuickTime - iTunes uses QuickTime as their back end.

  53. I just want a nice looking case for my A/V rack... by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

    Dear World,

    I just want a nice case for my A/V rack so that I can build my own PC. Over the years I have acquired 300 or so CDs and would like to listen to them in a more convenient way.

    The only thing really holding me back is the case. The inexpensive CPU/mobo combos(VIA Eden) are available. Even though I may write my own interface, the underlying playback software and functionality is available. I'd be doing this more so that my wife will find it easier to use since it would look similar to my cable box guide.

    So world, do any of you all know where I can find computer cases that look sharp like the various DVD players available today and this new product from HP?

    Oh yeah, Artifex needs some time off to relax. So if his boss is reading, give him a few weeks of paid, and don't make it a severance. He's been holding all of that frustration back for to long!

    Later,
    -Slashdot Junky

    --
    .
    Landfill Mining Co.
    Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
  54. Prices are finally coming down by uradu · · Score: 2

    This is a far cry from their first attempt. But I'd probably still wait for Apex and the other Taiwanese cheapos to enter the market. While their devices will no doubt heat up and be ugh-lee, at least they will be even cheaper and won't tie you into some backend infrastructure or software like the big players currently are trying to (Sony requires a Vaio at the backend, HP probably requires a proprietary streaming server, Philips does the same). What you really want is something like the Audiotron that just scans network shares, but also plays video and costs $100. Considering the high integration of new chipsets and the lack of storage in these devices, I think that's a realistic price point. I'd say we'll see that within the next couple of years. Until then I'll make do with my MythTV setup.

  55. Congrats: You've been trolled. by sheldon · · Score: 2

    I can't believe you wasted your time putting together a response. :)

  56. Ill stick with harmon kardon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    If I want boom box quality, ill buy one for cheap.

    1. Re:Ill stick with harmon kardon by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      let the harmon kardon do the decoding then, digital coax out for the audio streams, and the hk's can decode mp3's.

  57. Re:TiVo one better *NOT* by spankles · · Score: 0

    a) if the company goes bankrupt (which i highly doubt in the near future), the tivo can still be used to pause live TV and record programs. you just don't get the handy-dandy updated TV guide...

    b) you don't necessarily have to pay a monthly fee. you can pay a one time charge up front. and the media center option is a one time charge, not a monthly reocurrance.

    and

    c) the HP 5000 is NOT a PVR. it only allows you to access music and pictures from your PC. i would rather spend some extra $$ and get a new tivo with their media center package and be able to do it all in one convienient little box with a perfect user interface

    next time, research all the facts before you spew...

  58. Requires XP or Windows ME..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Hasn't HP learned anything. I think the compaq merger is starting to take a toll.

  59. Check out the Homepod by p0o9 · · Score: 3, Informative

    Macsense introduced a Home Network Audio Player at Macworld this week. It uses technology from a company called Gloolabs (www.gloolabs.com). They claim to have an "open system" approach and are looking for developers to write applications for the box. Sounds interesting...

  60. Re:TiVo one better *NOT* by RedX · · Score: 2
    If someone goes with the TiVo option, they're investing in the company; when the company goes bankrupt, their player is useless

    Well I've been hearing this same argument for 2 years now, during which time my lifetime service has more than paid for itself.

    Not to mention you're comparing the price of a refubished TiVo to a new HP box

    Fair enough, and it could be considered an apples to oranges comparison, but I'm sure you realize that the TiVo's main feature is video recording. If you can add the features of the HP box to the best PVR on the market at a similar cost, it's a no-brainer to me.

  61. Re:TiVo one better *NOT* by Jason1729 · · Score: 1

    a) With the company alienating 95% of the market for exactly the reason I said, it is just a matter of time until they go bankrupt. They have a cult following among their users and most people hate them. Smells like Amiga, and it will have the same result. We've even had a discussion here about that.

    From TiVo's own website:
    A TiVo DVR is intended for use only with a paid subscription to the TiVo service. Without the TiVo service, a TiVo DVR has extremely limited functionality. No functionality is represented or should be expected
    If there's no TiVo company, your TiVo box has as much functionality as a door-stop.

    b) The one time up front charge is a bigger rip-off. It's the same price as 2 years of service, and it's glued to your TiVo box. If you want to upgrade, you have to pay again. If your TiVO breaks and you replace it, you have to play again. 2 years is an eternity in the tech industry.
    This has the same problem that when (not if) TiVo goes bankrupt, it's still a door-stop, but one you paid $250 more for. Why in the world is their a service fee at to use it as a media center? It is supposed to be a piece of hardware, not a service.

    c) We were discussing the parent wanting to wait until TiVo comes out with the HP 5000 type features when the HP 5000 does a much better job of it already.
    You're probably just one of the suckers who bought a TiVo and you hate having it rubbed in your face how stupid you were

    d) Oooh, my first freak, and you do such a great job of proving how aptly named it is. I have all the facts because I want a PVR, not a TiVo POS. You're the one who's spewing.

    Jason
    ProfQuotes

  62. Re:I just want a nice looking case for my A/V rack by StCredZero · · Score: 2

    Take a look at the "Mediabox".

    I also remember a German company coming out with a fanless case of the same form factor. It was fanless because it used heat-pipes to cool the CPU that exported heat to huge heat-sinks on the sides. Does anyone know where to find this?

  63. What about IR blasters? by telstar · · Score: 2

    I found the Freevo screenshots but one thing that home-grown media players that act as PVRs lack is a way to interract with cable-boxes. If you live in a region that scrambles the signal, and requires that the cable-box channel be changed to feed an unscrambled signal to the TiVo/Freevo/ReplayTV, you'll need a way for that box to send an IR signal to the cable-box. I'm unaware of any home-grown solutions that do this or even have it on their radar.

    1. Re:What about IR blasters? by uradu · · Score: 2

      Don't know about software capabilities in MythTV etc. for cable box control since I have no need for that, but there are hardware projects for IR blasters as well as off-the-shelf products.

  64. sound effect by Pepsi-addicted · · Score: 1

    I have been looking around for a product that will submit not only music file, but game sound effects wireless or usb. Most product are limited to tranmission of music file. uhh. other competitor... home pc to audio link - dal 150 http://www.harmankardon.com/category.asp?cat=CAL jensen matrix http://www.jensen.com/wireless/jw901_matrix.asp

  65. wrong on all counts by sirshannon · · Score: 1

    I am a bit of a geek and I could make this in my sleep.

    I still buy CDs, however, they are all safe up on a shelf in a room with no CD player. I bring them home, put them in my PC and make a copy to the hard drive. You can keep your 6 disk changer, I can right-click a folder --> "play in winamp" and have a shuffled playlist of all my CDs with no space between songs.

    I don't have one of these (yet), but I do have 2 friends that do. Not this exact model but something darn close. NIETHER of them are geeks. They are just music lovers with computers.

    --
    The truth doesn't care what I think.
  66. sorry man by sirshannon · · Score: 1

    I replied to you instead of the parent...

    --
    The truth doesn't care what I think.
  67. Umm, this *isn't* a PVR by Stace · · Score: 1

    This has to be the lamest thing, but unless I'm missing something obvious, this *isn't* a PVR. It's a big box that lets you use your computer's data through your TV and stereo.

    But I see nothing that indicates it's a PVR.

  68. ps2 does it for less by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Interesting

    Just converted my Ps2 to something that networks into my computer through a wireless network and plays my mp3's.

    I had to buy two expansions for the ps2, remote control and ethernet. I had to buy a wirless bridge for the ps2. Then the ps2 software, I am using the Qcast tuner, runs the server on linux

    http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/ps2/ps2soft /

    So, whole thing cost me about $150, works great, less filling...

    1. Re:ps2 does it for less by southk · · Score: 1

      $150 huh?

      remote - 10
      network adapter - 40
      wireless bridge(wet11) - 100
      software (qcast) - 50
      ================
      total ~= $200 (give or take tax and/or shipping)

      nice rounding.

  69. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by $$$$$exyGal · · Score: 1
    You are all right, guys. Sorry about that. The IPod does not support Ogg yet. Info is here. Details:
    • Audio formats supported: MP3 (up to 320 Kbps), MP3 Variable Bit Rate (VBR), WAV, AIFF, Audible (for Mac only)
    • Upgradable firmware enables support for future audio formats

    Thanks for the education (more polite from some, than others ;-)), I was misinformed.

    --gal

    --
    Very popular slashdot journal for adul
  70. Re:I just want a nice looking case for my A/V rack by poster2 · · Score: 1

    Check out the Coolermaster ATC-610 (micro-ATX form factor only).

  71. Re:I just want a nice looking case for my A/V rack by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

    StCredZero,

    Thanks for the link to the case!

    -Slashdot Junky

    --
    .
    Landfill Mining Co.
    Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
  72. Re:I just want a nice looking case for my A/V rack by Slashdot+Junky · · Score: 1

    Poster2,

    Thanks for the info about the case!

    -Slashdot Junky

    --
    .
    Landfill Mining Co.
    Managing the (Un)natural Resources of Tomorrow
  73. Re:We have to ask... (apple?) by Stigmata669 · · Score: 2

    oops... and audible(tm)format

    --
    Yawn.
  74. no interference by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    God's signal is perfectly modulated (of course) and neither causes nor recieves interference from anything. Furthurmore he is already a part of the AP and needs to transmissions to communicate with other parts of himself.

  75. Don't forget XBMP by sharone · · Score: 1

    We just went through the whole research thing looking for a networked Home Media Centre. In the end we found that the best thing we could do for extending our dollars and flexibility (in Australia at least) was to buy an XBox and utilise the brilliant GPL software available, namely XBox Media Player and Relax X Streamer. We have only just started setting up and playing, but so far it is excellent and best of all we are in control. As the budget permits, wireless can be added and many other features. Certainly worth a look for others

  76. The GoVideo D2730 will do most of what you want by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    This will do low-bandwidth streaming video, has a DVD player and looks like it's nearer the mark in my view.

    Take a look at http://www.sonicblue.com/company/press.asp?ID=580

  77. Video Output ? by NomNet · · Score: 1
    S-Video and composite video output

    No RGB or Component ? How is anyone supposed to get a decent picture out of it ? Composite is a joke, and SVideo isn't exactly good !

  78. Squeezes out Linux-based de100c by MMHere · · Score: 1
    The Linux-based Digtal Entertainment Center (HP de100c, see this group) was discontinued very recently -- just about the time the XP Media Center PCs showed up from HP. The de100c cost about $1000, and had plenty of local storage. It can store/play music, stream internet radio, and display pix (if you enable a hidden UI feature). It can "record" CDs to internal MP3 files, and write CDs (audio, or CD-ROM with MP3 file) using its built-in CD-RW drive.

    The new PCs, with Windows XP Media Center Edition (see AnandTech review here of XP Media Center), run about $1500.

    HP's new 'Digital Media Receiver' is very similar to the Rio 'Audio Receiver' -- all the way down to the required Windows/PC hosted custom server/streamer program. These receivers are $200-300 depending on configuration.

    So HP altered their product line to include only high-end (MediaPC) and low-end (Media Receiver) devices. Personally, I think there is still room in the middle of this product line for the now discontinued, Linux-based de100c. Perhaps Microsoft did not agree? Now, the only devices you can buy from HP to stream audio (or show pix) require Windows: Windows is either resident on the high-end $1500 Media PC itself, or running on a nearby Windows/PC so that the low-end $200-300 Digital Media Receiver can get its stream. Either way, the $100 MS tax is paid.

    Note that the Rio (and Dell version) of the Audio Receiver quickly gained a Linux-hosted server: http://www.mock.com/receiver/server/. Perhaps the HP device will gain such support as well?

    If you want a media receiver that only streams and has no local storage, I think the AudioTron is a more flexible solution. It can use any SMB (windows-style) share on the network, and does not require a proprietary windows-hosted server application.

    For the slightly more DIY-minded crowd, there is also the SliMP3...

    1. Re:Squeezes out Linux-based de100c by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "If you want a media receiver that only streams and has no local storage, I think the AudioTron is a more flexible solution"

      Oh, so you HAVE a unit, and after extensive use, you recommend the AudioTron? Pretty impressive, since the HP solution isn't on the market yet.

      I am *SO* sick of slashdotters stating opinions on products based on a picture and a press release!

      The AudioTron is a hunk of crap. I say this since I used one. It is so incredibly unusable, I cannot imagine people paying money for it. Will HP's be better? I don't know. It certainly looks better, and I certainly trust HP more than a dinky little audio device company.

      All I know is that I will definitely buy one (it's so cheap, why not?) before I make a call myself.