asm495I'm not getting over-excited by this either. Not convinced that MS really sees potential in the Extender model.
I'm not getting over-excited by this either. Not convinced that MS really sees potential in the Extender model.
All this means is that Microsoft sees an advantage of the Xbox being an entertainment console and not just a gaming console. It also means Media Center is unlikely to move past it's current TV on your PC usage path.
Chris - Moderator All this means is that Microsoft's see an advantage of the Xbox being an entertainment console and not just a gaming console. It also means Media Center is unlikely to move past it's current TV on your PC usage path.
All this means is that Microsoft's see an advantage of the Xbox being an entertainment console and not just a gaming console. It also means Media Center is unlikely to move past it's current TV on your PC usage path.
I am afraid I am with Chris on this one. It seems like they are continuing down the road of "TV on the PC". I seriously doubt they would sell an Xbox that didnt have the DVD drive. That would cause confusion among less informed mass consumers who still want their children to be able to play games on what is percieved as a 'newer is better' device. I believe it will be an Xbox slim to give it a slightly updated look/feel. It will probably include a die shrink, which would go leaps towards making it a better extender. However, I have a feeling that is as far as it will go. They will continue to push the Xbox live environment for people looking to consume media on their TV or a netflix app with HD streaming....
Here is a novel idea.
How about MS releases an Extender without any of that crap.
Plain and simple.
DLNA and Extender Technology.
I can't tell you how much I *HATE* my xbox 360, I really do mean *HATE*...
That fan assembly shouldn't have even gotten past QC
I'm hoping for a silent extender + Zune Metro UX + LAN enabled cablecard tuner.
When I can add a scheduled recording, browse photos, browse recorded shows, videos, music from my windows mobile, then I am happy :) I have windows home server at home, I have media center htpc at home, but where are the interfaces that tie it all together??
Pls MS, you have always been good at connectivity!!!
/Henrik
ade333Don't think it's going to be a media center or xbox battle for the screen... the two will become one. (At least I hope) Look for it to all come together around the time the 7 series phone is released. There is a reason it's been "delayed" so long....
Don't think it's going to be a media center or xbox battle for the screen... the two will become one. (At least I hope)
Look for it to all come together around the time the 7 series phone is released. There is a reason it's been "delayed" so long....
Why would you hope that? 3rd party applications are the whole reason I use MC (well 90%). If MC converged and ran on a XBox instead of a PC, the ability to install and use 3rd party apps goes away. I'd go back to using a cable DVR and sell my XBoxes.
I would personally welcome a new form factor but noise and power consumption should also be major factors.
I was noticing last night when I had my xbox on pause in Media center, it really sounded like a jet waiting to take off in my bedroom.
I think it more likely that they are considering a version of the Xbox that runs as a Media Center server without the overheads of Windows sitting beneath it. This would network with other Xboxes that could act as extenders, or co-operative servers.
I wouldn't be surprised if they don't open up a third-party app-store for the Xbox in a similar way to the Apple Store, and that could support add-ons to the Media Center as well.
I get the impression that they don't want Media Center to remain on the PC platform long-term, and it probably makes sense to combine all of the functionaility within an Xbox environment, albeit a somewhat quieter one.
iankbI get the impression that they don't want Media Center to remain on the PC platform long-term, and it probably makes sense to combine all of the functionaility within an Xbox environment, albeit a somewhat quieter one.
I really hope that you are completely off base on this, but given the persistent failure of the Microsoft Home Entertainment division to actually deliver solutions that people want to use, you could be on to something.
I really don't want an extender that draws 100 watts, just to watch TV. I might possibly have been tempted to use an XBox as an extender for the Netflix viewer, but you have to pay for a subscription to XBox Gold to get access to your Netflix account on your XBox. Screw that!
The people who are buying XBoxes aren't using them as Extenders. The people who want Extenders (or who would want them if they ever saw one in action) aren't buying XBoxes.
Have you even walked in to a big box store that sells TVs and seen a display that was hooked up to an extender connected to a Windows 7 laptop that was stocked with some nice photos, some recorded TV clips, and a USB TV tuner? Do you think it would turn some heads? I do.
mid-June can't come soon enough!! I want hope again that a new extender version that can support more features is coming!!
Oh wait.. holy crap! I'll have a kid by then! He or she will be able to watch their very first e3!
Monday is Microsoft's Press Conference for E3!
Unfortunately, the source of the rumor from the engadget link I listed above proved to be a dud. But that doesn't mean we won't get an XBOX Slim at E3! Crossing my fingers....