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Intel to Market PCs as Home Entertainment Hubs

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the questionable-choices dept.

wantobe writes "Yahoo! News is reporting that Intel is developing their own "new technology" to convert home computers into entertainment hubs. Does anyone even really want this?" From the article: "Analysts say the chip bundle and software will transform the PC into an all-purpose multimedia device designed to function as a CD and DVD player, digital video recorder, game console, as well as a machine for traditional data processing and Internet."

33 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Following Centrino by fembots · · Score: 2, Funny

    Maybe Intel thinks that if their all-in-one Centrino can be successful, they might want to give it another go?

    --
    Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
  2. Use? by TekMonkey · · Score: 3, Insightful

    My computer can already do all of this, without some fancy package from Intel. I'll be interested to see how this goes...

    1. Re:Use? by biryokumaru · · Score: 2, Insightful

      my computer is my only home entertainment system... its got movies and tv shows, and no commercials... intel is full of shit.

      --
      When you're afraid to download music illegally in your own home, then the terrorists have won!
    2. Re:Use? by cnettel · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Agreed/me too. OTOH, this tells us that the original poster doesn't have to look far for people interested in "convergence".

      Dual-core would naturally make it easier to get real-time performance/harder for sloppy coding to show up as hickups in playing, for example. Except for that, I don't think much is needed on the PC side. What's needed is cheaper/smarter peripherals that handle 1394/USB2 and 802.11*, preferably with open interfaces.

      I have four devices capable of playing music and video in one form or another that I use regularly. Main PC, laptop, palm-size device and phone. All of them are capable of running code I've written myself, with the exception that the Sony phone could preferably support more access through its Java API.

      If I can't code for it, it has to be really neat or at least accept data in a somewhat manageable form from a PC.

    3. Re:Use? by Ohreally_factor · · Score: 2, Insightful

      My computer can already do all of this, without some fancy package from Intel. I'll be interested to see how this goes...

      You pretty much nailed it. This is about packaging and marketing. Now what would be nice would be if they packaged some nice open source software, polished it up, and gave it back to the community. More likely they'll go with Redmond, though.

      --
      It's not offtopic, dumbass. It's orthogonal.
    4. Re:Use? by zakezuke · · Score: 3, Informative

      My computer can already do all of this, without some fancy package from Intel.

      Is your computer as easy to operate as a TV or VCR/DVD? What is the bootup time of your media center? Keep in mind the average user gets confused setting up a VCR.

      Gateway circa 1997 or so released their own media center Destination series in the $5000 price bracket. It included a huge VGA TV 27 to 35 inch and Harmon Karmon sound system. The TV wasn't worth writing home about as its dotpitch was too low for 640*480, even models sold later didn't include and the system was too slow to record video in real time. But the major complaint was the fact that people had to wait for windows to bootup to watch TV (no one could figure out you could jack the cable directly into the TV). Channel surfing was slowed down made the whole experence of watching TV more complex requring a huge keyboard sized remote.

      --
      There is no sanctuary. There is no sanctuary. SHUT UP! There is no shut up. There is no shut up.
    5. Re:Use? by Peter+Greenwood · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I recognize it's not for general public yet.
      Just tried it. Got a DVD from the shelf, put it in the drive. Started xine. Clicked "DVD"; it started playing, but no sound. Configured xine to use alsa, through its GUI, and restarted it as instructed. Voila, home entertainment PC (except no video recording, since I didn't buy the DVD recorder or TV tuner, both of which are available).
      This shows 2 things.
      1. one can do this already, even with non mainstream kit
      2. I at least have never felt the need to do it before

      Maybe Intel are going to tweak Fedora to autostart xine on detecting a video dvd, and make xine autodetect the sound system? Somehow I doubt it.
      Conclusions:
      1. No new technology worth discussing
      2. No use
      3. As others have pointed out, will sell like hot cakes to the technological illiterates.
      --
      freedom, n. Allowing people you don't like to do things you disapprove of.
  3. Yes, people wants that by redhog · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I do have several (non comp.nerd) friends who allready uses thir PC:s (or rather a special-purpose PC) as "media-centers"...

    --
    --The knowledge that you are an idiot, is what distinguishes you from one.
    1. Re:Yes, people wants that by The+Bubble · · Score: 2, Insightful

      I've heard of something like that... I think it's called an 'X-Box.'

      It probably won't catch on, though. Surely not.

  4. Wow! by bogie · · Score: 5, Funny

    " Analysts say the chip bundle and software will transform the PC into an all-purpose multimedia device designed to function as a CD and DVD player, digital video recorder, game console, as well as a machine for traditional data processing and Internet"

    Wish my computer could play cd/dvd's, record video, play games, do word processing and access the Internet! Man the future is gonna be cool!

    --
    If you wanna get rich, you know that payback is a bitch
  5. MythTV by Zardus · · Score: 2, Informative

    I dunno where Intel is going with this, but I don't think that specialized technology is needed for it. MythTV or other offerings (for all sorts of platforms) are all that's really required.

    --
    You can mod your friends, you can mod your nose, but you can't mod your friend's nose.
    1. Re:MythTV by NtroP · · Score: 5, Insightful
      I dunno where Intel is going with this, but I don't think that specialized technology is needed for it. MythTV or other offerings (for all sorts of platforms) are all that's really required.
      Yes, but if it's all "integrated" by Intel, DRM works a lot better.
      --
      "terrorism" and "pedophilia" are the root passwords to the Constitution
  6. And if Intel by ScrewMaster · · Score: 2, Insightful

    can resist the temptation (and pressure) to embed strict DRM into the thing, I might be interested in giving it a try. Intel does have some experience with digital video, you know. But I'm sure it will be just as DRM-encumbered as anything comparable coming out of Redmond, so I don't really see the point. I'll stick with MythTV or something similar.

    --
    The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
  7. I wonder.. by modifried · · Score: 4, Interesting

    .. if this could in any way be related with InterVideo's InstantON technology? It allows you to watch DVDs and listen to music without booting into the actual OS.

  8. eShmoo by Doc+Ruby · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Everyone wants this: a consumer-easy, completely configurable single device for multimedia handling that integrates CDs, DVDs, local storage (HDs), and the Internet for playing (and even recording), sharing and moving around our multimedia, regardless of format or form factor. If that's what Intel is selling. Otherwise, they're just competing with Dell and others for that market with another inferior attempt, because those retailers are increasingly turning to AMD and others for chips.

    --

    --
    make install -not war

    1. Re:eShmoo by bwy · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Everyone wants this: a consumer-easy, completely configurable single device for multimedia handling that integrates CDs, DVDs, local storage (HDs), and the Internet for playing (and even recording), sharing and moving around our multimedia, regardless of format or form factor.

      I agree. And, all the technology already exists today but I guess a little something has always been missing. Perhaps, the way you bundle it and package it and leverage existing technology without requiring a consumer to have an entire PC setup in their living room. The Mac mini form factor has potential, but they've obviously not intended the thing to be a home entertainment centerpeice (no optical out, yada, yada)

  9. Why not? by Photar · · Score: 2, Funny

    It worked for Apple :)

    --
    He who knows not and knows he knows not is a wise man. He who knows not and knows not he knows not is a fool.
  10. The PSX does most of by antifoidulus · · Score: 5, Insightful

    being a CD and DVD player, digital video recorder, game console, as well as a machine for traditional data processing and Internet.except for the last part. And unless you are single, that is a good thing. Why? Because if you have a family, different members of the household want to be doing different things at the same time. If you have everything rolled up into 1 box, you are going to have some real fights over who gets to use said box...
    I'll just take everything seperate thank you very much

    --
    Monstar L
    1. Re:The PSX does most of by ScrewMaster · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Yes, and not to mention that if one of those separate devices goes south, you don't lose ALL of those devices. Kind of like those combo printer/copier/fax units that HP has been pushing. No thanks. I'll stick with my component system, thank you very much.

      --
      The higher the technology, the sharper that two-edged sword.
    2. Re:The PSX does most of by cnettel · · Score: 2, Insightful
      But it never happens that different people want to do the same thing, if "same" is still the same if one family member wants to watch his disk recorded favorite show, while another wants to watch hers? And they're on the same disk?

      That's why several interconnected devices of more or less similar types (some will have large screens, some will have small ones, some would have none at all, some systems will be portable), possibly based on different "use niches" that are already existing (from this point of view, a walkman and an Ipod are basically equal), would actually add something. IMHO, to just connect all kinds of stuff together without at least some degree of central storage and coordination is a quite hard engineering problem. It's also easier for non-geeky users to know that all their "stuff" is on one device, so they for example know what will break if they take something with them on a holiday or throw it out the window.

      So, tell me, why do you prefer separate devices that you can't interface to each other, can't customize over just as many real possible simultaneous users, with higher flexibility? The number of devices would be lower, no need for a DVD and a VCR to each display/TV if you have many, as they all serve the same purpose and the data would probably be centrally stored anyway.

  11. We already have this by JPM+NICK · · Score: 4, Insightful

    As a fellow computer literate person who reads this site, I know many of us will post "I can already do this." For you, rolling your own TiVi like box is not only possible, but fun. For most people it is a burden, along with maintaining it. I am sure Intel will come up with a nice chipset to make a lot of this easier to integrate into an already exisiting home. This is the same cycle the car industry goes through. 5 years ago kids all over the country were putting small TV's into their car for a high cost. Just like a computer guy might build his own home entertainment computer. Now adays, a Honda Oddesy comes with a DVD player and a TV. We can not snap judge technology we already have avail. to us as a group of computer savvy people, because 90% of the people out there do not know about it or do not know how to use it.

    1. Re:We already have this by Cyno · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Intel doesn't have to redesign the P4M. They already have motherboards and chips up to 1.7 Ghz that would do everything we're talking about in the space and heat requirements of a home entertainment device.

      This is more a packaging problem than a hardware problem at this stage. We just need a company like Apple to make a nice looking box, that's all.

  12. Title Correction by kenji_watanabe · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Intel does whatever they can to generate hype and recapture their image as a fast growth company in attempt to reinflate market cap
  13. Xbox Media Centre by Space_Soldier · · Score: 3, Informative

    XBMC (Xbox Media Centre) already does this. Tom's Hardware reviewed it a while ago. The CVS version has a lot more functionality now. I use it. Whatever Intel will come up with, I guarantee you that it will be in the hundreds of dollars. XBMC is here now, and the XBOX is cheap. Also, if it does not have the functionality that you want, you can contribute. If the XBOX does not have the hardware that you want, you can add it.

  14. hd makes it possible. by mobiux · · Score: 4, Insightful

    I tried making my own entertainment system a while ago, the problem i had was the resolution of my 27" tv.

    I could barely read webpages at 800x600.
    With HD tv's coming more popular, i think the idea is going to catch on more.

  15. Is it me? by jav1231 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Is me or are PC technology companies getting ever more divergent from media companies? The Entertainment media companies don't even have a handle on how they are going to deal with the "digital age" and computer related media software and hardware is hungering for this more and more.
    More on topic, I don't know how many people really want a PC for this, though. I know that I abandoned my PC-based router because I could go buy a Linksys for $59 and had no moving parts to deal with. I think people are more into buying a TiVo or DVD player than setting up a PC next to their TV. Couple that with all the DRM and software and licenses they may have to deal with to do it and it may become another headache for users and PC makers alike.

  16. Re:Old Marketing by bonch · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Anything to appear relevant after all the IBM Cell buzz, I guess.

  17. Here's my setup... by turnstyle · · Score: 2, Interesting
    I keep an old PC (in fact, an old laptop) sitting on top of my stereo, patched into Aux.

    I leave the screen down, and use other PCs to remote control it (you can use XP's Remote Desktop, VNC, PC Anywhere, etc.).

    That way, when I click play in the remote window, it plays out the stereo.

    I use it with Andromeda (PHP/ASP software I coded) as well as Internet radio and Rhapsody (the music service).

    --
    Here's what I do: Bitty Browser & Andromeda
  18. Noise Factor by daniel23 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Computers can do all this for some time now, nothing new to expect here.

    But how much noise does that box make? When you go shopping for silent components, the price moves up rapidly. Or you have to compromise on performance like with Via C3.

    Still, nothing new here. Where is the news?

    Mini-mac, I say. Apple threatens to offer a viable solution to the above dilemma and intel blows some marketing dust in the public eyes to the tune of "me too!".

    --
    605413? Yes, it's a prime.
  19. Hello? MacMini is the iPod for the livingroom... by ScuxxletButt · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Most of the people I know buying the MacMini are using for this purpose. $500 is pretty cheap for soemthing like this.

  20. If they run it on Windows, by Stephen+Samuel · · Score: 2, Funny
    It could give blue movie an entirely new meaning.

    More seriously, there are a lot of people who are putting together media control systems, and -- for the most part -- it's not eating most of the CPU power of your average 2Gz CPU, so why not set up people to dual-use their home PC? It's just another way for them to maintain their hold on their market share.

    --
    Free Software: Like love, it grows best when given away.
  21. It all depends on how they implement it... by masterOfTheObivous · · Score: 2, Insightful
    As another poster mentioned, the Centrino/Pentium M setup worked marvelously for Intel- and now with the release of Sonoma they might have antoher hit.

    But the point is, while one can put together a very nice HTPC setup using a Mini-ATX (think: Shuttle) using MythTV or Sage, one still has to battle with the enclosed space, which could lead to cooling problems. The VIA C3 is very popular because it's based on the small Mini-ITX formn factor and it's nice and cool. But it still isn't very powerful.

    If Intel could make a specialized chip that was optimized for video and audio processing and was capable of high speeds while remaining cool, they might very well have a hit on their hands. Combine this with some sort of media center software similar to MythTV that took advantage of these features (I'm thinking similar to AMD's Cool'n'Quiet or Intel's SpeedStep) and Intel might have another hit on their hands. It'd be just the thing they need right now, since AMD seems to be stealing the limelight.

    Of course, it could also turn out to be a big flop. have you seen Sony's miserable media endeavours, such as their media software on the Vaio? Talk about bloat!

    In any case, only if Intel manages to provide some tangible benefit such as a cooler processor or media optimization would the tech community or manufacturers embrace it.

  22. Centrino was just the start. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Interesting

    You should do some reading on Intel's "Platform Strategy."

    For example:

    http://www.nwfusion.com/news/2005/0117updat-int. ht ml
    http://www.intel.com/employee/retiree/circuit/ plat formreorg.htm
    http://msnbc.msn.com/id/6835731/

    You can find some other stuff on www.intel.com or www.google.com by searching for "platform strategy."

    LEGAL DISCLAIMER:
    I am an employee of Intel but am speaking as myself, not speaking for the corporation, not speaking for any executives, and not revealing any classified information.