So I saw this headline today talking about Google TV pushing Apple TV beyond a "Hobby".  So I'm wondering, what if any impact Google TV will have on Media Center?

For starters that article was badly written and only concentrated on Google and AppleTV. I don't think it will have much of an impact early on. Microsoft has a big ego and will not consider Google TV to be a problem until its too late. Also, Microsoft doesn't care much for their eHome division to innovate the Media Center product. I welcome Google into the marketplace, hopefully it will light a fire under Microsoft, but doubtful since they don't get any extra revenue from Media Center, its a feature of Windows. There is already SageTV, MediaCenter, AppleTV, MediaPortal, MythTV and others. The problem is that there are too many roadblocks and issues that make it fundamentally viable for the average consumer. Now with Google coming out (Kings of simplicity) it may get more attention. Either way, competition is good for consumers.

First and foremost, there aren't any real details as to what google's TV box will and won't do. The talking heads seem to think that they are shooting to be a web streaming content-to-the-tv box (like Boxee or Roku). No mention has been made about any kind of tuner support and if I had to guess, judging by how google sees the world it won't have tuner support. If google manages to crank some miracle deal to get CBS to stream all of their shows to a google box then this can be a reasonable strategy (CBS being the one major network that doesn't participate in hulu and only has some of their shows for streaming). No streaming CBS, you need a tuner. Likewise, there is still a content gap on what is available for streaming around some of the basic cable stuff that some people will find unacceptable (I personally find it fine and am quite happy). Google might be planning on being the first "cable" company to offer the full menu of cable content over the internet (To be clear, this is pure speculation). I wouldn't put it past them. If they do offer the full content of cable over the internet streamed in Hulu quality, they could deliver a hardware box for around $100 (Roku is even priced less and lacks google's leverage) since it won't need a hard drive, tuner, etc. I believe that if microsoft was to put the effort into it, they could very easily become the first "internet cable company". They have all the chess pieces already on the board (WMC, XBOX, ETC) they just have to do it. They really need to string their pieces together.

FYI pertaining to Media Center.

 http://www.itworldcanada.com/blogs/cdn/2010/03/19/google-tv-and-how-it-impacts-microsoft/53012/

Google might have more than search result domination on their minds.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/29/youtube-courting-hollywood-for-pay-per-view-movie-service-by-end/

Newest details of Google TV on engadget.com show that this is intended to be a do-it-all box.  MS where are you?  Please don't tell me that the XBOX is your only competition for Google TV.  The only way you are going to compete with this Cable DVR/cloud combination is to create your own do-it-all boxes with your hardware partners.  You have to provide the DVR part of it, you can't just come out with your own Google TV rip-off.  Q.

Microsoft seems more checked out right now with Media Center than ever before...  How long has it been since you've seen a post on here from them touting something new they're bringing to Media Center?  The last thing I can recall is Netflix...  You gotta move quicker than that to stay ahead of Google....  Microsoft has a nice lead right now, but they need to capitalize on it, which they won't.

Reading Google's announcement today, I find the concept of optimizing websites interesting. 

From the site:

"Over the next few weeks, you can expect to hear from more sites that are enhancing their web content for the television."

This could have a positive impact on all devices delivering content from the web.  If some standardized way of controlling media is established it would make things much easier.  Zinc does a good job, but some site are horrible at doing things like going to fullscreen automatically, and ultimately a mouse is needed.

Did anyone else catch the DishNetwork DVR and TV integration into the Google TV system?  And how long have we been asking for this same integration?

cearly

Did anyone else catch the DishNetwork DVR and TV integration into the Google TV system?  And how long have we been asking for this same integration?

Oh wow, nope... haven't seen it...  But wouldn't be surprised at all if Dish teams up with Google.  If this does come to fruition it will most likely be because Dish realizes that Google actually has a plan for their product...

http://www.google.com/tv/features.html

It's listed under the features and DishNet.

I need to do more research, but I'm curious as to how this will work.  GoogleTV is an applicance/device right?  I'm guessing it uses IR Repeaters and the analog hole, or maybe even HDMI to record everything on the google appliance?

 

FSUGrad1999

I need to do more research, but I'm curious as to how this will work.  GoogleTV is an applicance/device right?  I'm guessing it uses IR Repeaters and the analog hole, or maybe even HDMI to record everything on the google appliance?

I would call it a "pass-through" device that adds apps and internet access to someones existing set-top box/DVR.  I have no use for it based on what I have setup here but it sure looks a lot more interesting as of today.  This device runs apps and brings the internet to the tv.  It apparently can talk to the DVR and set-top.  So if you are watching ESPN live, Google knows this and can take you to sports stuff via the internet in an instant.  You can use it to set your DVR to record something and Google keeps track of that info as well.  So if you record the third season of a TV show, Google TV can take you to info about that show(gobs of it) as well as the first two seasons if they are available online.  I keep saying that MS could implement all of these features(should have last year!) and offer people the DVR.  So MS could have and STILL SHOULD up Googs on this and offer the complete package!  MS can offer the Zune content, music and video as well.  They also have the NETWORK sharing angle, but who would know that at this point? Why they aren't jumping all over this chance is beyond me right now.  A lot has changed since they brought Netflix to Media Center.  I don't know why they like this "implementation" strategy when they could just knock the ball completely out of the park!!!  Q.

Ok, so it sounds like the GoogleTV appliance doesn't actually do the recording, it just adds an additional overlay to your current DVR, etc and adds more relevant content based on what you're viewing. In addition, it allows for web browsing and seamless browsing of web delivered content meant for bigger screens....

Yea, all of this stuff Microsoft could have been doing with Media Center in Vista, but that would've required a real strategy and a real budget....  I'm convinced they no longer have either of these for eHome.

 

That's why I think MS still has a chance in this business.  They can offer DVR capabilities of many different variations.  They also can offer digital PURCHASE options.  Google TV can access Amazon VOD based on the new video I just watched.  MS can offer music purchase and video purchase through Zune.  Plus, only MS(and Apple) can offer access to content on a person's laptop, network storage or cell phone.  Google and the cable companies can't offer that option.  Only MS can offer someone the ability to get ALL digital content and digital information with the ability to record TV in one box.  They are working with Acer/Asus on small boxes that run Media Center.  Media Center is going to have to do more to make those boxes worth ANYTHING to the consumers now.  Those boxes can EXTEND to their precious 360 but the 360 isn't going to compete with this Google thing.  The 360 is a great living room device but it isn't for everyone and less than reliable for what is developing in this space.  They need to realize this YESTERDAY!!!  They have converted everyone they are going to convert to the gaming box.  Time to revolutionize the small, low-powered and quiet box market.  Q.