Now that Windows 7 is done and the the current version of Windows Media Center is signed off and about to hit RTM where does Windows Media Center go next? The dream of the Extenders looks like its going away and other solutions are coming forward like DLNA, so where does this leave Windows Media Center? Microsoft seem to positioning Media Center as “TV on the PC” which to me contradicts the idea of the 10 foot UI. The idea of Windows Media Center is to have all your digital content in one place including TV but Microsoft seem to placing there effort in to Xbox and Zune market place and forgetting Media Center, then there are the connected TVs that are starting to show up with Ethernet ports for DLNA and internet content. I joked this week on Twitter that now that Google is launching there own OS should I launch a Google Chrome OS Media Center Show, while is not going to happen I could see in the future a cloud based system with all your content on it.
I still have my dream of all my content distributed around the network and be able to watch and listen to anything I want on any device, Windows Media Center still does that and I am committed to the platform but I fear others may not be any more
So what do Microsoft need to do to keep Windows Media Center relevant? Will we see it be left to die or will Microsoft take it to the next level with internet content and new TV formats like the new Freeview HD hitting the UK later this year?
Ian Dixon
Founder of The Digital Lifestyle.com and host of The Digital Lifestyle Show. Started podcasting in 2005, Windows Entertainment and Connected Home MVP. Lover of gadgets from the Raspberry Pi to the iPad, Android to Windows Media Center.
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I don’t understand why the entire community seems to be so down on Media Center. Is it simply because 3rd party extenders died off without the announcement of the next generation? It isn’t like MS hasn’t done this before. I mean how long was it between v1 and v2 extenders?
The fact is that we know MS is holding back on information so Windows 7 can be launched with a bang. So lets wait until after 7 is announced before we start wondering if MS is going to kill Media Center.
“Microsoft seem to positioning Media Center as “TV on the PC” which to me contradicts the idea of the 10 foot UI.”
TV on the PC? I agree, nothing new here. This has been available for years, and you certainly don’t need Media Center and its 10′ UI, remote control, etc. for that. The idea of “TV on the PC” and “Media Center” are complete opposites.
Media Center and Cloud Computing? Are you kidding? I don’t know what kind of Internet connection you have, but my lowly 12Mbps Time Warner cable connection is NO way going to support accessing Media Center content in a Cloud. Media Center and Cloud Computing will only be possible when 100+Mbps Internet connections are cheap, reliable, and ubiquitous (and NOT capped).
I laughed when I read an article the other day that in the next few years everyone would be storing their home media “in the Cloud”. Ok… My photo collection alone is 40,000+ photos (120+GB), not to mention the TBs of home video I have (all stored on a WHS). Moving this content around on my Gbps home network is not bad, but I couldn’t imagine trying it over today’s Internet speeds.
Anyway, back to Media Center. I can only hope that Microsoft has some grand plan for Media Center betond Windows 7 that involves extenders, hopefully besides XBox360 (unless they come up with a fanless version of XBox whose focus is extender type functionality).
I still share your dream Ian!
I’m with Ian here. It is very easy to get depressed with Media Center.
Netflix has no HD since the XBOX has it.
I invested in CableCards. The way to share it was via Extenders. Extenders are dead and DLNA has no way to stream DRM.
That’s a punch to the stomach for trying to adopt an early technology on computers.
There is still hope, DRM can be implemented in DLNA and as Ben says extenders are not dead yet the 360 is fantastic.
I am asking what Microsoft need to do to keep Media Center at the center of your home
The immediate thing to do is build more quality professional streaming capabilities – like the Netflix. Over the top video needs to become more professional. The DVR capabiltiies of Media Center will diminish in importance in the next few years relative to its streaming capabilities. Unless MSFT leads this, the connected PC will be supplanted by Roku boxes, Ethernet TV’s, and whatever Apple brings to the table to replace/upgrade its AppleTV (you KNOW they have something killer in the wings).
Second is to find a suitable replacement for extenders. Is this a Netbook with a decent video card? Is this a Zune with HDMI? Either of these are fine with me, as long as they are simple, quiet (sorry xbox), and reasonalby prices <= $200.
Third, is maybe work on bringing social networking to Media Center in a 10ft interaface and easily interactive way.
Cloud computing, meh. That is too far out right now.
My biggest gripe with Media Center in Vista, XP was it was not truly digital TV ready (channel listings were not there). Therefore, I could not whole heartedly, recommend it as a solution to friends looking around for a change during the digitial transition. If I become convinced that an intermediate online user can plug in a tuner and go in 15 minutes, then I would be a much bigger evangelist.