http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10435795-1.html
and my thoughts:
I think it's a bit pathetic on Dell's part to be clearly marketing this thing as an HD HTPC with a standard graphics chip that can't even handle Hulu, which is arguable the biggest reason to get a HTPC. Granted, if you go through Dell's purchase customization process they recommend adding the discrete graphics card (kudos). However, they don't give the reason for that recommendation (or for any of there other recommendations for that matter).
And this OTA tuner Dell's selling alongside it? Check out reviews at amazon.com, etc. on it. Sounds like the worst.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
The frustrating thing as a consumer who would very much like to add a device that picks up where my PS3 leaves off is how no one -- not Apple, not MSFT, not Sony, Panny or Nintendo, and not even Asus or Acer nettops -- has designed a simple, no exhaustive research required, idiot proof all-in-one designed to be a HTPC that does the following:
-Internet TV (i.e., Boxee, Hulu)
-DVR (that works)
-OTA digital TV tuner
-Proper ports (HDMI being the obvious #1 requirement)
I think if Apple could just spruce up their Apple TV with a better processor, more open platform (e.g., allow apps like a DVR app) they'd have this category nailed. The HTPC space is crying out for an "Apple style" solution. But I suspect Apple's crippled the Apple TV due to being locked in with big media. Boxee seems to have the panache and mojo to swing for the fences, but the Boxee box doesn't do OTA or DVR. If they can get enough partnerships lined up with sports and other must-see live type TV, then perhaps not having OTA is forgivable and the Boxee Box will be the answer. But, for example, while Boxee's partnership with MLB.com allow you have DVR like capabilities (pause, start) it costs nearly $100 a year. This is where having the OTA option still helps.
The PS3 is so close, it could really own this space. There are OTA/DVR add-ons for it even in other countries. If Sony would make these add-ons available here, and allow more of the processing power to be made available for Linux, then you could run Hulu, abc.com, etc. with Firefox from Linux no problemo. Instead your left with the PS3 browser, which is subpar and even blocked outright by Hulu.
Sigh...will anyone out there here my cries for a solution? Is there one that I've somehow missed?
and my thoughts:
I think it's a bit pathetic on Dell's part to be clearly marketing this thing as an HD HTPC with a standard graphics chip that can't even handle Hulu, which is arguable the biggest reason to get a HTPC. Granted, if you go through Dell's purchase customization process they recommend adding the discrete graphics card (kudos). However, they don't give the reason for that recommendation (or for any of there other recommendations for that matter).
And this OTA tuner Dell's selling alongside it? Check out reviews at amazon.com, etc. on it. Sounds like the worst.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=470938631&pf_rd_i=507846
The frustrating thing as a consumer who would very much like to add a device that picks up where my PS3 leaves off is how no one -- not Apple, not MSFT, not Sony, Panny or Nintendo, and not even Asus or Acer nettops -- has designed a simple, no exhaustive research required, idiot proof all-in-one designed to be a HTPC that does the following:
-Internet TV (i.e., Boxee, Hulu)
-DVR (that works)
-OTA digital TV tuner
-Proper ports (HDMI being the obvious #1 requirement)
I think if Apple could just spruce up their Apple TV with a better processor, more open platform (e.g., allow apps like a DVR app) they'd have this category nailed. The HTPC space is crying out for an "Apple style" solution. But I suspect Apple's crippled the Apple TV due to being locked in with big media. Boxee seems to have the panache and mojo to swing for the fences, but the Boxee box doesn't do OTA or DVR. If they can get enough partnerships lined up with sports and other must-see live type TV, then perhaps not having OTA is forgivable and the Boxee Box will be the answer. But, for example, while Boxee's partnership with MLB.com allow you have DVR like capabilities (pause, start) it costs nearly $100 a year. This is where having the OTA option still helps.
The PS3 is so close, it could really own this space. There are OTA/DVR add-ons for it even in other countries. If Sony would make these add-ons available here, and allow more of the processing power to be made available for Linux, then you could run Hulu, abc.com, etc. with Firefox from Linux no problemo. Instead your left with the PS3 browser, which is subpar and even blocked outright by Hulu.
Sigh...will anyone out there here my cries for a solution? Is there one that I've somehow missed?
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