ptorrone writes "The Portable Media Center is officially shipping today, along with announcements of more TV Tuner and recording hardware. The NYTimes covers some of this and Engadget has an in-depth review with photos, screenshots, videos and how to convert DVDs to play on these devices."
Re:Kinda small but they will sell
by
themoodykid
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Yeah, it's nice that there is a TV-Out on the thing so you could use it when traveling to watch things you've saved, say, on your hotel TV. Other than that, though, is there a real need for this? And even then, why not watch what's on the hotel TV?
I can understand portable music players. Ever since the original Walkman, portable music has been big. However, portable TVs never really caught on. Yes, this is a bit more than a portable TV, but the use is similar. You sit down and watch a video--and you can't do something else at the same time. On the other hand, listening to music, you can be doing something else, like going for a walk at the same time.
Does anybody see the appeal of these things other than the geekiness factor?
iPod functionality in a convenient laptop size
by
vijayiyer
·
· Score: 3, Insightful
Ok, maybe it is more functional than an iPod, but once it doesn't fit comfortably in my pocket, why not just use a laptop?
Re:Kinda small but they will sell
by
skiflyer
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
Long train commutes. I work in Chicago, and mercifully live blocks from the office, but many of my office mates travel an hour plus on train. If they could combine this with their Tivo's I can imagine it getting alot of play.
Also, if they can host USB on these to offload your camera pics that'd be a nice feature (like the iRiver iHP300 series audio players).
But I think the big one here is for the commuters that don't read newspapers or books.
No thanks. Give me a cheap laptop or tablet with XGA.
If Apple Did It It Might Be Worth It
by
The+Lost+Supertone
·
· Score: 4, Interesting
If Apple found a way to make a portable video iPod branded whatever... it'd probably sell but it would by far be the least profitable model. They'd have to have a huge mark up to cover the costs of just having the thing. But the only company I would ever buy one of these from is Apple.. why? Because they're not making one! Why aren't they making one? Because it's a bad idea! OK take it in the car with you, most people who want this sort of thing will have built in TVs in their cars now. The rest of us... buy a bloody laptop and a car adapter. For double the cost you can do a ton more.
If this was a portable computer and priced this way with tons of features including music, light graphic manipulation etc it'd be worth it. But a solitary device for video and music, it's a dumb idea, it's not useful enough to regularly use.
I'm sure the market for these is there, I just don't think it's big, or the people in it are all that bright.
Re:Kinda small but they will sell
by
Judg3
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
Definately! Although I'm in Minneapolis now, for over a year I lived in Kenosha, WI and took the metra into Chicago - an hour and 45 minute ride each way. This thing would have been nice to have. Then again my laptop did the job quite well to.
(I went from a 20 minute commute from the NW side of Chicago to almost 2 hours - all because I was in love hehe)
-- Looking for hardware (Currently need: Large Etch-a-Sketch) Have one? See my journal!
These have been out forever. How is this new?
by
Anonymous Coward
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
I don't understand how this is even making news.. Archos and iRiver have had their little multimedia players that work just like this, if not better for well over a year now. They've been sitting on the shelves at Best Buy and every other major store..
Come on already.. Whats next, Creative Labs will make a digital camera and it'll be big news because it'll be the first one ever?
Man double-tee-eff
by
maelstrom
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Is Microsoft paying you to whore this device? How about some stories on MythTV or something. Go back to your roots/.
This is getting tired.
-- The more you know, the less you understand.
My kind of thing. WAIT NO DivX?
by
psyburn
·
· Score: 3, Interesting
I listen to music all the time and have my own collection of movies I like to play on the go.
Sounds like a great device.
The my wallet gives a reality check. At $500, I think a cheap $800 Dell or PCClub laptop would do more for me than the PMC.
Except for the boot time and battery life, I would love to have one in a heartbeat....
-- This was brought to you buy the Department of Redundancy Department
It's useless
by
News+for+nerds
·
· Score: 3, Informative
Very limited list of supported formats : (
by
AlexMidn1ght
·
· Score: 5, Informative
From the article:
"Supported digital media file types:
Windows Media Video and Photo Story files (.wmv,.asf) at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and at a bit rate less than 800kbps
Windows Media Audio files (.wma)
MP3 audio files (.mp3)
JPEG image files (.jpg,.jpg,.jpe,.jfif)
Compatible with:
Windows Media and Photo Story files (.wmv,.asf) at a resolution higher than 320 x 240 pixels and/or at a bit rate higher than 800kbps
Microsoft Recorded TV Show file (.dvr-ms)
MPEG movie file (.mpeg,.mpg, mpe,.m1v,.mp2v,.mpeg2)
Windows Video file (.avi)
Windows Audio file (.wav)"
But seriously, what is the difference between "supported" and "compatible" in their marketing lingo?
Re:Kinda small but they will sell
by
Anonymous+Writer
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Does anybody see the appeal of these things other than the geekiness factor?
The two biggest things people download off the net are MP3s and porn. The iPod lets people bring around their MP3 colections. This thing will let them bring around their porn collections. Not out of the house, but into the bathroom or in bed:P
covert advertisizing?
by
nchip
·
· Score: 3, Informative
I agree.
Atleast they could mention that there are several NON MICROSOFT portable media players out there too:
Slashdot Mirror
Yeah, it's nice that there is a TV-Out on the thing so you could use it when traveling to watch things you've saved, say, on your hotel TV. Other than that, though, is there a real need for this? And even then, why not watch what's on the hotel TV?
I can understand portable music players. Ever since the original Walkman, portable music has been big. However, portable TVs never really caught on. Yes, this is a bit more than a portable TV, but the use is similar. You sit down and watch a video--and you can't do something else at the same time. On the other hand, listening to music, you can be doing something else, like going for a walk at the same time.
Does anybody see the appeal of these things other than the geekiness factor?
Ok, maybe it is more functional than an iPod, but once it doesn't fit comfortably in my pocket, why not just use a laptop?
Long train commutes. I work in Chicago, and mercifully live blocks from the office, but many of my office mates travel an hour plus on train. If they could combine this with their Tivo's I can imagine it getting alot of play.
Also, if they can host USB on these to offload your camera pics that'd be a nice feature (like the iRiver iHP300 series audio players).
But I think the big one here is for the commuters that don't read newspapers or books.
Screen resolution: 320x240 pixels
No thanks. Give me a cheap laptop or tablet with XGA.
If Apple found a way to make a portable video iPod branded whatever... it'd probably sell but it would by far be the least profitable model. They'd have to have a huge mark up to cover the costs of just having the thing. But the only company I would ever buy one of these from is Apple.. why? Because they're not making one! Why aren't they making one? Because it's a bad idea! OK take it in the car with you, most people who want this sort of thing will have built in TVs in their cars now. The rest of us... buy a bloody laptop and a car adapter. For double the cost you can do a ton more. If this was a portable computer and priced this way with tons of features including music, light graphic manipulation etc it'd be worth it. But a solitary device for video and music, it's a dumb idea, it's not useful enough to regularly use. I'm sure the market for these is there, I just don't think it's big, or the people in it are all that bright.
Definately!
Although I'm in Minneapolis now, for over a year I lived in Kenosha, WI and took the metra into Chicago - an hour and 45 minute ride each way. This thing would have been nice to have. Then again my laptop did the job quite well to.
(I went from a 20 minute commute from the NW side of Chicago to almost 2 hours - all because I was in love hehe)
Looking for hardware (Currently need: Large Etch-a-Sketch) Have one? See my journal!
Come on already.. Whats next, Creative Labs will make a digital camera and it'll be big news because it'll be the first one ever?
Is Microsoft paying you to whore this device? How about some stories on MythTV or something. Go back to your roots /.
This is getting tired.
The more you know, the less you understand.
I listen to music all the time and have my own collection of movies I like to play on the go. Sounds like a great device. The my wallet gives a reality check. At $500, I think a cheap $800 Dell or PCClub laptop would do more for me than the PMC. Except for the boot time and battery life, I would love to have one in a heartbeat....
This was brought to you buy the Department of Redundancy Department
if you don't have Windows XP Media Center Edition to sync.
From the article: .asf) at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels and at a bit rate less than 800kbps .jpg, .jpe, .jfif)
.asf) at a resolution higher than 320 x 240 pixels and/or at a bit rate higher than 800kbps .mpg, mpe, .m1v, .mp2v, .mpeg2)
" Supported digital media file types:
Windows Media Video and Photo Story files (.wmv,
Windows Media Audio files (.wma)
MP3 audio files (.mp3)
JPEG image files (.jpg,
Compatible with:
Windows Media and Photo Story files (.wmv,
Microsoft Recorded TV Show file (.dvr-ms)
MPEG movie file (.mpeg,
Windows Video file (.avi)
Windows Audio file (.wav)"
But seriously, what is the difference between "supported" and "compatible" in their marketing lingo?
Does anybody see the appeal of these things other than the geekiness factor?
The two biggest things people download off the net are MP3s and porn. The iPod lets people bring around their MP3 colections. This thing will let them bring around their porn collections. Not out of the house, but into the bathroom or in bed :P
I agree.
Atleast they could mention that there are several NON MICROSOFT portable media players out there too:
Iriver pmp-120
Archos gmini400
When you have several articles touting A less featured microsoft/creative model without mentioning alternatives, sounds like advertisizing indeed.
signatures pending - ansa@kos.to - (dont mail there)