The Issue: The notion of selling a PC attached to the TV in the living room was stillborn in the market some time ago. Intel has just now announced its passing, little surprise to anyone familiar with how most consumers really use these products. Given Intel’s announcement, is it now safe for the cautious reporter to write about what was an inevitable demise?
Solutions: No sense throwing the baby out with the bath water. Enthusiasm for Internet-based video viewable on TVs throughout the home remains undiminished, regardless of whether Intel puts a halt to promoting the living room PC. The only way forward is in combining what is best about the PC with what is best about the TV: The PC should serve as the software work horse engine for the TV, as required, while the TV benefits from remote access to Web 2.0 technologies & features without having to manage any of the complexity or grapple with unforeseen future technical obsolescence.
Behind the scene: With delusions of grandeur, PC-industry executives' ambition lay somewhere between unreasonably optimism and wanton incompetence in believing that a PC running a Windows operating system could bring a cost-effective and stable ‘experience’ when integrated into the TV. Their failed efforts, moreover, set back needlessly the adoption of thin-client technology and opportunities to bring to the living room the immersive software and web experience of the PC which is still found lacking on the TV.
PC companies like Intel, Microsoft and AMD have for several years now sought to promote sales of PCs connected to the TV in the living room. Brands such as Intel Viiv, Windows Media Center Edition (MCE) and AMD LIVE! remain associated with these efforts. Despite the look of a sleek DVD player, or the feel of a high-end home theater console, these PCs never met much consumer enthusiasm. Facing the inevitable, news reports indicate that Intel has now decided to, “Scale Back on Viiv Digital Living Room Branding”.
Central to this failed endeavor was the notion that placing a PC in the “critical path” of the content flow [i.e. routing the TV signal first through the PC] would somehow be mutually beneficial to both PC vendor and ‘content’ owner alike; whereas in reality it simply increased the risks without bringing much benefit. First, Intel was forced to “work with content companies to certify that movies and other video fare delivered over the Internet worked well with a remote control and looked good on a TV screen,” an endless and needless effort. Second, contrary to conventional, if flawed, reasoning [and as I have been pointing out for several years now], a PC is not really required to access video over the Internet. There are other options, all of them less expensive, and all of them producing less heat, noise, or maintenance issues associated with using a Windows operating system. These facts did not stop management, however, from supporting overly ambitions objectives regardless of the evidence to the contrary.
Also of note, the brands listed above where not only primarily focused on PCs attached to the TV but also confusingly associated with extended-PC plans -- but without explaining how these two approaches were separate. In the case of Intel, the extended-PC approach required use of a Viiv client or an MCE Extender box at the TV location, rather than a Viiv PC connected to the TV.
Apple did not make this mistake with the Apple-TV, which is a client of an Extended-PC or Extended-MAC. Apple has clearly indicated that the Apple-TV is the device to connect to the living room TV.
No doubt the decision to promote the PC-in-living-room by PC industry players was the result of both little experience in marketing consumer appliances and a failure to produce client devices that function well. Those sold to date were Digital Media Adapters (DMA), a device category not readily understood by consumers. Their associated marketing campaigns are now severally criticized by the press and analysts. And yet, Microsoft, undaunted, is about to launch its second generation of Extenders, with a price tag of nearly $350 each, which likely makes these offerings dead on arrival (DoA).
The strategies employed by Intel and AMD, including “Viiv client” and “AMD LIVE! Ready” branding campaigns, have never gotten off the ground, since having failed to recruit to the cause significant numbers of established consumer appliance manufacturers (largely due to onerous branding requirements and meaningless technical specifications), and having championed broadcast reception in the PC (required to keep the PC in the critical path of content flow), these branding programs have inevitably come afoul of consumers. These consumers have no appetite for the cost, attendant technical issues, and networking complexities. As a consequence, broadcast reception technology was never integrated with thin-client technology; and so we find ourselves with DMA client boxes rather than TVs integrated with network and thin-client support.
Compounding these problems, the PC industry has tied Internet video support to premium PC operating systems, in insisting that Windows Media Center rather than basic Windows XP (with its massive installed base) be the requirement to run a Media Center Extender device.
Since progress is never linear when it comes to technology adoption, at this stage in the Internet video development game, there is a market for low-cost DMAs such as the D-Link DSM-520. It is used by early adopters and supports existing TVs which naturally do not have integrated network support. Of course, the DMS-520 works with all widely used PC platforms. Early adopters can use them today to watch lots of varied Internet-delivered video, currently without much advertising support or any expense for content access (no cable TV bill). With this increasingly compelling experience, greater numbers of consumers are eventually going to realize what they are missing. . .
To this end, the alternative active-TV technology approach relies on an Extended-PC only to assist the networked TV or networked STB, when it is needed. Whenever the TV or STB encounter software complexity or require other support (i.e. access to home photos or video stored on the PC, video reformatting, complex UI features and the like), it can call on the PC. Most importantly, the PC is not in the critical path of content flow: A TV or STB client performs traditional TV tasks entirely alone, without PC assistance; in other words regardless of whether or not the PC is turned on or off.
The “complex software” which even the next generation of TV chips cannot support includes advanced UI features and Web 2.0 technology (e.g. mash-ups, widgets, RSS feeds, etc.) – which continues to advance in ways unforeseen, and for which the PC is supremely able to keep in stride. How to help the TV in the living room gain access to ‘the Web 2.0 experience’ remains the central question and has always been the only real task for the PC. In short, it is accomplished via the home network and without a PC connected directly to the TV. It follows that active-TV technology was developed precisely to accomplish this task, and this is why it has gained acceptance among the more traditional TV developers.
While moving away from the living-room-PC, the rumor mill reports that Intel is working on an x86- based TV chip, codenamed Kenmore, of which we are likely to hear more about at CES 2008 (January). Prior attempts to integrate x86 technology into a TV system-on-chip (SOC) have not been successful – but, to be sure, the attempts have been many. Intel nevertheless has made acquisitions to gain access to the necessary technology. It is not clear if the ‘first generation’ will be a multi-chip module. The chip is unlikely to be used with Windows, but will better enable Intel customers to offer standalone support for Web 2.0 technology in a TV. It might even be used in a future Apple TV. Suppliers of non x86-based TV SOCs can still offer complete support for Web 2.0 via active-TV technology integrated directly with their displays and in combination with assistance from a networked PC or laptop.
In conclusion, to some the unassisted “TV goes it alone” approach may appear to have advantages over the “TV with remote PC assistance” one. However, looked at more closely the differences in network support are likely irrelevant as all of these systems are going to be networked regardless of where they are located in the home. Any user of these systems almost certainly already maintains a PC and keeps the web access technology or applications up-to-date (i.e. Flash updates, Java plug-ins, browser add-ons, virus scans, etc.). Relying on PC assistance, therefore, removes the added burden of keeping not just the PC but also the TV software up-to-date. The PC, with its much shorter refresh cycle (2 - 3 years vs. 6 - 10 years for the TV) can always be upgraded in the future and consequently it (or the TVs it supports) will not likely run out of processing power. Lastly, there are likely cost and TV-technology advantages to a TV supplier by continuing to use low-cost and established TV chip suppliers.
Feedback, corrections and comments welcome. Contact me for more information or support with active-TV technology development.
Daniel Mann
Navigate YouTube available at iTunes App Sore
An easy to use iPhone and iPod touch App that enables both new and advanced YouTube users to get the best from YouTube.
Browse video Standard Feeds, Categories, Channels and Playlists. Then organize new videos into your own favorites and playlists. Make playlists private or public. Subscribe to other user's playlists and video collections for future viewing. Subscribe to videos matching search-words.
Look at publicly viewable favorite videos, playlists and subscriptions based on your YouTube friends, family and contacts. Send and receive video links with YouTube contacts via YouTube video messages.
Search for new videos tagged for your language or geographical region, using local keyboard. Explore for new videos via easy switching of user ID to the owner of interesting videos - then explore their world.
All actions are kept in sync with PC, Mac or Apple-TV access to YouTube. Available at Apple App Store.
Browse video Standard Feeds, Categories, Channels and Playlists. Then organize new videos into your own favorites and playlists. Make playlists private or public. Subscribe to other user's playlists and video collections for future viewing. Subscribe to videos matching search-words.
Search for new videos tagged for your language or geographical region, using local keyboard. Explore for new videos via easy switching of user ID to the owner of interesting videos - then explore their world.
All actions are kept in sync with PC, Mac or Apple-TV access to YouTube. Available at Apple App Store.
active-TV technology for PC
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
75 comments:
I'm a beta tester of Hulu and I must say it is pretty cool. If I could use active-TV to get to Hulu via my DSM-520, it would be a beautiful thing. It would give me a great 10-foot experience instead of watching on the PC and shows would just be there, no trying to remember to recored them, etc.
Gostei muito desse post e seu blog é muito interessante, vou passar por aqui sempre =) Depois dá uma passada lá no meu site, que é sobre o CresceNet, espero que goste. O endereço dele é http://www.provedorcrescenet.com . Um abraço.
I went on to my at&t account about a few weeks ago and it said that i could get and 8gb iphone 3g but i went back on today and it only showed the 16gb iphone 3gs and iphone 3gs. Why is that?
[url=http://forexrobot-review.info]best forex software[/url] [url=http://vivacy.it/vbull/showthread.php?p=11738#post11738]unlock iphone[/url]
Hi I'd like to thank you for such a terrific quality site!
Was thinking this would be a nice way to introduce myself!
Sincerely,
Robin Toby
if you're ever bored check out my site!
[url=http://www.partyopedia.com/articles/ladybug-party-supplies.html]ladybug Party Supplies[/url].
Genial post and this fill someone in on helped me alot in my college assignement. Say thank you you on your information.
There are other options, all of them less expensive, and all of them producing less heat, noise, or maintenance issues associated with using a Windows operating system. These facts did not stop management, however, from supporting overly ambitions objectives regardless of the evidence to the contrary.
Hello friend amazing and very interesting blog about Navigate YouTube I really enjoyed reading this blog and I would like to have any update about it, thanks for sharing!!
Hi
Very nice and intrestingss story.
Mansour Engineering always considers adding high performance features in large capital projects that maximize operational energy saving.
I suggest this site to my friends so it could be useful & informative for them also. Great effort.
It would give me a great 10-foot experience instead of watching on the PC and shows would just be there, no trying to remember to recored them, etc.
Being a Beginner, I'm at all times looking for blog posts which will help me .. Thank you so much
channels
Servicing your air conditioner repeatedly will keep your energy expenses down. The superior your air conditioning unit is running, the less resources it will use, thus, saving you moeny on vitality bills. It really is also wise to preserve your unit repeatedly as opposed to pay large repair expenses when it finally breaks down. A service call is much cheaper than a replace the unit call. [url=http://www.acrepairexpert.com] air conditioner repair phoenix[/url]
Our business creates a occupation funny man destined on the footing of unexcelled and radiant projects.
These projects are carried out by the cards the best mace of explicit artists and designers in
the buy who are experts in every sense of the word. They are also altogether lithe, so you can
carry out completely interesting trade card designs, depending on the separate needs of each client.
We do not own a whiz printing machines undertake the highest blue blood of each lone card.
Extensive batch of paper allows you to bump into rendezvous with the expectations of notwithstanding the most tough customers
from every conceivable industry. We warranty the print and appointment of huge quantities of vocation
cards in the shortest conceivable time. In our case, the highest attribute is the satisfaction of the proposed
penalty and safe checking from people receiving and carrying not at home an order notwithstanding corporation cards.
With access to the services offered past our website, you can with dispatch and without undue
formalities stick an degree as a remedy for goods, review the concoct and approved it and ordered some job
cards. On our theatre troupe as a sympathetic business membership card is again a oath for success.
Greet
Merio [url=http://www.kalendarze.dogory.pl]Kalendarze[/url]
t's such a great site. fanciful, acutely fascinating!!!
-------
[url=http://oponymozgowe.pl]Opony[/url]
[url=http://pozycjonowanie.lagata.pl]Pozycjonowanie[/url]
[url=http://bynio.pl/zdrowie,i,uroda/opony,s,8382/]opony[/url]
http://insuranceinstates.com/california/Huntington%20Beach/Carl%20Ferraro%20State%20Farm/92647/
Thanks for sharing us informative ideas.
I think we also deserve this . good point! school grants
financial help
Perhaps you're artist who is exhausted by wack producers drawing near people by their wack betters. Could be may possibly by now dabbled during do better than preparing and yet you have been looking to brush up and also find out more about typically the build. Or perhaps that you're a usual songs aficionado who wants to take the interest intended for tracks one stage further that will create your special. Holiday break, you get to the absolute right place.
[url=http://mkmusiconline.com/] make your own music[/url]
Hey nice blog.It is very interesting article.I like your way of writing and explaining the topics.
kamagra
I am Glad i ran across this website.Added active-tv.blogspot.com to my bookmark!
Cool Post Thanks a lot for this awesome post keep working and posting the articles like this .....
Smith Alan
Thank you so much for this one!Best info about:mastercard prepaid debit card,transfer money abroad,green car insurance.
This is perfect! Glad I read this!Check this site out.It's all about affiliate marketing.When we buy gold , it is considered as investment.
I think you have summed it up pretty well :-) It makes me want to get a Bowflex PR3000 and Bowflex PR1000 as soon as possible.
you comments make so much sense to me and make me feel positive about so many things, Think i am going to try jack3d reviews as it looks like a great product.
Thank You a ton for writing such a wonderful piece of information. Keep sharing such ideas in the future as well. This was actually what I was looking for, and I am glad to came here! Thanks for sharing the such information with us.
Wow, I didn't know this was happening to PC's. It makes me want to read an insanity workout review,.
PC's are out - Macs are in :D
idol white
"If I could use active-TV to get to Hulu via my DSM-520, it would be a beautiful thing."
I think you can do that now Scott, but I could be wrong :S
p90x review and spraywhite 90
nice article, think im going to research jacked 3d further.
I waited for such an article and got some useful information on this site. Thank you for sharing this information.
Personal Injury Lawyer
The PC is out, the mac is in :-)
Debbie
insanity asylum and slim in 6 reviews.
This is Ohio Life Insurance something! I love it that I have read this. Thank you term life insurance with high blood pressure so much! Keep it up!
Whew!!! I cheap term life insurance was looking all over the internet for this one! Glad that I wedding insurance reviews have finally saw it!
The article was very interesting and informative for me.
If I have said it before, then I will say it again, I want to read african mango reviews and african mango diet. This is the truth!
Think low cost term life insurance you can write another blog like this? I don't think so. I think this is your best work and nothing can top this. just saying, by term life insurance age 44 the way.:)
Hulu is pretty cool, but to be honest I think things like YouTube are the future.
Andy
decatrim reviews, hydroxycut reviews, food lovers fat loss system and deer antler plus
great app. I would definitely want to DL this.
Medisoft billing software the most widely used practice management software today
[url=http://louboutinshop.co.uk]christian louboutin uk[/url] Asia may produce up to half of the world's annual supply of white goose down, but certainly not all of it.. [url=http://dkgoose.com]Canada Goose jakke[/url] Xlrrilcmx [url=http://canadagoosesweden.com]Canada goose outlet [/url]
tcmihx 103038 [url=http://www.canadagoosestorontofactory.ca]canada goose interesting facts[/url] 399537 http://www.officialcanadagooseparkas.ca
top [url=http://www.c-online-casino.co.uk/]free casino games[/url] hinder the latest [url=http://www.casinolasvegass.com/]free casino games[/url] manumitted no set aside bonus at the foremost [url=http://www.baywatchcasino.com/]bay anticipate casino
[/url].
Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.
Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.
Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.
Hello. And Bye. Thank you very much.
We [url=http://www.onlineslots.gd]blackjack online[/url] have a ample library of totally unsolicited casino games for you to sport privilege here in your browser. Whether you want to unaccustomed a provisions round strategy or even-handed sample manifest a few late slots in the presence of playing in the direction of genuine in dough, we be undergoing you covered. These are the claim still and all games that you can play at true online casinos and you can part of them all quest of free.
buy valium valium cost - valium generic pill
Need Help on your resume templates Visit my Site
If you desire to grow your knowledge only keep visiting this web site and
be updated with the most up-to-date gossip posted
here.
Also visit my site michael kors chain tote
Hi there to all, how is eνerything, I think every one is
getting moгe from this sitе, аnd youг views are fаstiԁiоus in support
of neω vіewеrs.
Feel free to surf tο mу webpage :: payday
immarfquoro xaikalitag Viabasymnamma [url=http://uillumaror.com]iziananatt[/url] Keergyrom http://gusannghor.com biffglultelia
Greetings from Florida! I'm bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I love the info you provide here and can't wait to take a look when I get home.
I'm surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my cell phone .. I'm not even
using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, good blog!
Here is my blog post :: プラダ バッグ
If you desire to obtain a great deal from this article then you have to apply such techniques to your won weblog.
My blog post - ロレックスコピー時計
Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave
it to my 4 year old daughter and said "You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear." She put the shell to her ear and screamed.
There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
LoL I know this is entirely off topic but I had to tell someone!
Visit my website: cheap nike free run 5.0
in compliance with all applicable laws. generic cialis generic cialis,cialis pills cialis price, generic viagra cialis price,buy viagra cialis price
http://genericcialispricegnf.com#cialis http://cialisonlinepillsgkd.com#cialis http://genericviagraonlinejvrg.com#viagra http://buyviagraonlinertvr.com#viagra online
“With this case, the federal government is sending a message to drug makers that any wrongdoing will be dealt with swiftly and harshly,” says attorney Brian Albert of legal information websiteTHELAW.TV. cialis generic cialis,cialis generic cialis, generic viagra cialis price,buy viagra cialis
http://genericcialispricegnf.com#cialis online http://cialisonlinepillsgkd.com#cialis http://genericviagraonlinejvrg.com#viagra http://buyviagraonlinertvr.com#buy viagra
Υes! Finally somethіng about keyword.
Also visіt my web pagе ... payday loans
My web site :: site
Also visit my weblog - web site
Εxcellent blog here! Alsо youг web site lоads up νery fast!
What web host аre you using? Can I get your affiliate link to yоur hοst?
I wiѕh my web site loаded up as fast as yours lol
Hеrе іs my blog payday loans
Look into my website - website
May I simply say what a comfort to uncover a person that really understands
what they are discussing on the net. You certainly know how to bring an issue to light and make it important.
A lot more people have to read this and understand this
side of the story. I was surprised that you're not more popular given that you definitely possess the gift.
My website: ray ban sunglasses outlet
Mary-Kate OlsenThe person who buys a pair of shoes from TOMS gets the opportunity to help needy children as one pair of shoes is rewarded to that child by the company on each purchase made.It is like an hon our for those who contribute in this noble cause.[url=http://www.cheaptomsbuy.com]Cheap Toms[/url] Will TOMS Shoes Stretch?Presently, admirable designs are accessible in toms shoes and those of you who are not abundant anxious about the amount tags can opt for customized added shoes. Some Toms shoes apply awful shock absorptive abstracts central the shoe so as to facilitate affluence of walking. Also, assertive models accept added toe boxes so that there is even added toe allowance for those who charge it. You can acquisition shoes with lycra and such stretchable abstracts as their top accoutrement which will acquiesce your anxiety to move about comfortably. There are abounding options accessible in the added class of shoes which are ablaze weight, adjustable and durable. [url=http://www.onlinetomsoutlet.com]Toms Outlet[/url] Mila Kunis Varied Style Of Cheap Toms Shoes [url=http://www.tomsfans.com]Cheap Toms Sale[/url] Just recently this company has also started to sell glasses. The same principle is applied with the sale of these. For every pair sold a pair of glasses is given away and sight restored in the poorer countries of the world. So far this year, forty thousand people have been helped this way. TOMS shoes are often linked to nobility Their unique designs and catchy colors make them a perfect choice for women who love to stand out of the crowd. The shoes from TOMS are more suitable for teenagers and youngsters because of their particular shape and looks. Let me explain you that why should you avail the offer of Cheap Toms Shoes .
Relate Post
[url=http://vitaminas.ru/profile.php?mode=viewprofile&u=1223]cheap toms high quality for you discount sale [/url]
[url=http://www.ymessengerblog.com/blog/2012/01/23/join-the-discussions-in-the-messenger-help-community-beta/comment-page-6/#comment-633975]toms outlet high quality for you discount sale [/url]
http://www.achildsplace.org/banners/tramadolonline/#7911 buy tramadol 100mg - buy tramadolultram
I don't know whether it's just me or if perhaps everyone else experiencing issues with your site.
It looks like some of the text on your posts are running off the screen.
Can somebody else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them as
well? This might be a issue with my browser because I've had this happen previously. Thank you
My blog post ... polo ralph lauren outlet
In fact when someone doesn't be aware of afterward its up to other visitors that they will assist, so here it occurs.
Feel free to surf to my homepage ... como aumentar meu penis
With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright infringement?
My website has a lot of unique content I've either written myself or outsourced but it seems a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization. Do you know any ways to help stop content from being ripped off? I'd
certainly appreciate it.
Here is my web-site: tem como aumentar o tamanho do penis
Sweet blog! I found it while browsing on Yahoo News.
Do you have any suggestions on how to get listed in Yahoo News?
I've been trying for a while but I never seem to get there! Cheers
Here is my blog :: agrandar el pene
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There's no doubt that that you ought to publish more on this issue, it might not be a taboo matter but typically folks don't speak about these issues.
To the next! All the best!!
my webpage; http://penis-grande.com/
Visit my web-site - web site
Investment-related responsibilitiesAdministrative responsibilitiesThe above responsibilities result in increased costs for
the Internet Marketing Attorney since there will be others like it will be up 6%, the most of this year's election.
Here is my web page - attorney lead generation
Citi Bank are operating in 100 countries, serving as extended as you are is by and large even when cannot take care of they funds properly through the months Anthony Richard Clarke The most difficult portion of giving a present for a armed forces promotion is actually deciding just what gift the particular recipient will relish the most
Great web site. A lot of helpful information here. I'm sending it to several pals ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks to your effort!
my web site ... übersetzung disturbed meaning of life
I visit everyday some blogs and sites to read articles, except this webpage presents feature
based posts.
Look into my website: schwimmbrille mit stärke
Post a Comment