I wouldn't say that, if there was "very bad news" I likely would of told people the "very bad news" months ago when I started thinking Microsoft wasn't going to magically fix what I think needs to be fixed. Remember, if Media Center fails I have no real reason to keep my NDA, and since I'm doubting they would sue me I'd likely just break it.

The bad thing here is there are a few different visions of Media Center going on right now from a few very public people. Ben has his idea of what is coming, I have mine, Ian has his, etc. The way I see things includes a lot of history watching every Media Center release and being connected to most of them. I'm not sure Ben has this insight, and he relies on various sources who believe they are connected. Maybe they are and maybe they aren't, but I can tell you either Ben or the source is reading into stuff that hasn't been said or is unknown.

Throughout the years of doing this there is one thing I've come to learn.  Don't over-hype expectations.  Hopefully I'm under-hyping them, but I think a lot of the other material out there is being over-hyped.

Chris - Moderator:

I wouldn't say that, if there was "very bad news" I likely would of told people the "very bad news" months ago when I started thinking Microsoft wasn't going to magically fix what I think needs to be fixed.  Remember, if Media Center fails I have no real reason to keep my NDA, and since I'm doubting they would sue me I'd likely just break it.

Well, IMHO, additional secure tuning devices is a must. living in the netherworld of Canada with no official HD support has grown tiresome. If by, let's say October, there is no definitely solution, it looks like I will be going with Sage on WHS. Grab a couple HD PVR's and be done with it.

Chris- You seem depressed... I respect you highly, but lately I wonder why you bother to keep on as a moderator here.  You don't seem to have any love or respect for Microsoft and the future of Media Center.. Maybe it's time to move on to a new hobby? 

As underwhelmed as I've been with some of the MS choices, (ie. Directv fiasco, Extenders, etc)  I finally went the cablecard route and couldn't be happier.  If nothing were to change with Media Center from now forward, I still think it's better than any DVR out there.

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).

let's put it like this, if you had a friend who was interested in a Win7 CableCard system... and extenders for his house, would you tell him to keep his money in his pocket?  or go for it?

Is it dead or what?  I bought the Win7 upgrade, maybe I should just have saved my money and stayed with Vista until my machine dies?

I said a few months ago that I wouldn't suggest anyone purchase into the Extender platform at this point.  Microsoft seems to have issues keeping OEMs interested, and considering Media Center still basically relies on OEMs (CableCARD, Extenders, Dish, DIRECTV, etc), I wouldn't personally invest anymore in the platform until Microsoft can provide a clear direction for the product.

jeonunh:

Chris- You seem depressed... I respect you highly, but lately I wonder why you bother to keep on as a moderator here.  You don't seem to have any love or respect for Microsoft and the future of Media Center.. Maybe it's time to move on to a new hobby? 

Sometimes I think that too, but it is hard to give up on something I've watched grow and still want to be a part of my home (sounds like I'm trying to break up with someone, doesn't it). 

bjdraw:

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?

Wow what enthusiam. I still see a platform liking a true "integration" and whole home solution. DRM!!!

I would like to see Draco become available.  Is that enough to pull me over from cable?   With the new ATI microcode to relieve some DRM  restricitons years overdue and no solution for SDV, Draco (if it does what has been described) might be sufficient to do it. 

I agree with Chris that Media Center is superior to any other solution.  Having had many years of personal experience with M$ though, I don't have a lot of hope for sanity.

PLUCKYHD:

Wow what enthusiam. I still see a platform liking a true "integration" and whole home solution. DRM!!!

I know it bother some people, but the DRM really isn't a problem for me. Plus with PlayReady many of the things that are annoying can be solved.

Yea, I'm worried about SDV...  I have internal DCT's....  Not sure if a tuning adapter will be available for me...  If it isn't, I'd like to have another option for premium HD content, and Draco looks to be the last option that isn't an analog hole hack...

I do have to say though...  it looks like M$ is giving up on media center....  

I wouldn't worry about SDV. People who attended the Media Center University at EHX actually played with the new DCT firmware and there was a Tuning Adapter tab on the web UI of the DCT. It is in there.

I don't blame anyone for feeling this way, but I do find it odd that people want to write off Media Center right before Windows 7 is released. I don't see why people wouldn't at least wait to hear any news about Windows 7 about partners, etc. Then if things look like they do now, then we can all get together and complain.

Chris - Moderator:

jeonunh:

Chris- You seem depressed... I respect you highly, but lately I wonder why you bother to keep on as a moderator here.  You don't seem to have any love or respect for Microsoft and the future of Media Center.. Maybe it's time to move on to a new hobby? 

Sometimes I think that too, but it is hard to give up on something I've watched grow and still want to be a part of my home (sounds like I'm trying to break up with someone, doesn't it). 

"it's not you baby, it's me, forget that skanky apple tv, she meant nothing to me"

I am definitely not writing it off yet. But if Draco/BEV don't get official support, I think I will be done, the question is how long should I wait for announcement. I think October, November is reasonable. (this is for an announcement, not an actual release date).

Oh I'm definitely not complaining, just stating my gut feeling...  I think Chris makes a lot of valid points about the lack of revenue related to media center...   It just doesn't make M$ that much money...  and when it does, its hard for them to tell if its just another PC purchase or it was a PC purchased with the intent of it being a DVR...

I guess they can look at all the registered copies of cableCard versions of Vista, and see those numbers....  but that only gives you the cablecard PC's.

I wonder if they have a way of tracking how many xbox 360's connect or are registered with a WMC pc?  I doubt they have a way of querying the 360's out there... and I doubt the 360 tells XBL that it has been used as an extender in the past for M$'s own statistical uses

Plus, you have all the DIY'ers out there...  Who knows how to track how many of those there are, but you're not going to make much money off of them either, other than the initial cost of the OS purchase.

Makes me think about that MC as its own OS idea more...  or a WHS/MC OS.... I both of those have been suggested a zillion times, but it would definitely give a way for the media center team to get the revenue they deserve from their efforts, and give M$ an idea as to who's buying into that platform, and how much revenue its generating....