digitalfreak:

I'd be surprised if anything more was said until right around the Windows 7 launch in late October.

Given the platform that is Media Center, I'd be surprised if Dish or anyone else still had the least bit of interest in shipping a tuner.

Jeez, what a downer. As an oft-frustrated Media center fanboy, I jump all over MS for alot, but I am holding out hope for this one.

I'm not always on their side either, but I'd would be very, very shocked if there wasn't a HD Dish tuner released by the end of the year.

Furthermore I think it'll support VOD, but everything will be DRM'd including broadcast channels.

Ben, we both know such a tuner exists, but my question to you is how does a release of the tuner benefit Dish?

It helps Dish sell its service. More specifically it helps Dish sell its service to the very high end custom integrator market. I also think it helps their PR and overall appearance of being a technologically advanced service provider.

Dish currently has relatively robust STBs

How many "very high end custom integrators" do you think are installing Media Center?  Lets say there are 100 (2 per state) actively installing Media Center.  "Very high end custom integrators" do very few jobs per year.  Let's say each of those 100 integrators does 3 jobs/month (meaning a bit over a week per install).  That means if 100% of their jobs included Media Center w/ Dish that is only 3600 installs for Dish.  Sure, those jobs are going to include more than one tuner, but chances are they are making pennies (if that) on such a hardware product.

3600 is nothing for Dish, and doesn't cover their investment in support, etc. 3 jobs a month is very much pushing it for any higher end integrators (in some cases they do 3 jobs/year).

I don't see any benefit to Dish, and I don't see 100 integrators actively installing Media Center either.

I believe that Dish buys into the future potential of the platform. You're probably right about sales this year and maybe next, but in the long run, I think MS has sold them on the future success of the platform.

Also, even though it isn't many customers, those customers are of the most value since they will probably have much higher bills than the average customer.

The cutting edge is the bleeding edge. Success in this area would prompt me to become a subscriber, as a DIY Media Center guy. Even if it costs $500 for 2 tuners, I'd bite.

bjdraw:

I believe that Dish buys into the future potential of the platform. You're probably right about sales this year and maybe next, but in the long run, I think MS has sold them on the future success of the platform.

I guess the difference is that we both see something very different for the future of Media Center. 

Chris - Moderator:

bjdraw:

I believe that Dish buys into the future potential of the platform. You're probably right about sales this year and maybe next, but in the long run, I think MS has sold them on the future success of the platform.

I guess the difference is that we both see something very different for the future of Media Center. 

No offence guy, but it looks like you see the death of Media Center. If 7 can't drag along more providers (including International ones), other than crap cablecard, it is done as a platform.

And what is that Chris?

Chris - Moderator:

I guess the difference is that we both see something very different for the future of Media Center. 

I see over 10 years of work finally coming together to provide the best whole home entertainment system available. What do you see?

I think he sees "EPIC FAIL"....  Just kidding...  I would love to hear what Chris sees for the future....  What is it?  WHS/MC?

Hopefully its not MC = dead

bjdraw:

What do you see?

Reality.  Everyone can take that for what they wish, because right now I think I just need to leave it at that.  As I posted last month on my blog, I don't see Microsoft magically getting things right anytime soon.

(Of course this is just my personal opinion).

Chris - Moderator:

bjdraw:

What do you see?

Reality.  Everyone can take that for what they wish, because right now I think I just need to leave it at that.  As I posted last month on my blog, I don't see Microsoft magically getting things right anytime soon.

(Of course this is just my personal opinion).

Dammit! I know exactly what this means, your NDA is preventing you from breaking some very bad news.