I should know better by now.
Every now and then one of my colleagues or acquaintences at work will say something in regards to audio, video, or PC stuff that I just can't let lay, and I end up getting sucked in. Once again, this is how our story begins. :roll:
A couple of guys were talking in the break room on our floor- one was touting his XBox, and the other was pretty much agreeing, but also saying, "Well, why can't the build a PC that would do this? I'm sure the technology must exist- I've never seen a Dell or HP that would do anything like that. It's just another lost market opportunity"
So, naturally, I listen a little more, and ask a few questions. The bottom line was that the one guy said Xbox rules because of the Dolby digital output for games, and the HDTV adapter, and it's convenient size and shape (Form factor), though he admitted it wasn't so convenient compared with a PS2. Other guys says, why can't they build a nice looking PC that would fit on a conventional rack like a laser disk player or one of the "big" CD/DVD players (was he thinking of the Sony SACD players?), and have a tuner for regular TV and HDTV, and play back DVDs at HD like resolution on a big screen, and record TV and HDTV on the hard drive, and play games that way on the big screen, plus output the sound from all games in Dolby Digital so you could put it through your home surround system, and have a remote control at least for the major functions with the tuner and DVD playback?
Well, of course, being the dolt that I am, I said, "Of course you can do that... but you won't be able to buy it off the shelf from HP or Dell (not until Media Center XP ships, anyway), and it may be a little quirky, and certainly not especially cheap. It could be customizable, but the devil will certainly be in the details.
The Xbox fan, for reasons unknown to me, said no way- if something like this was possible, the market would be flooded with them by now, and besides, it would cut into Microsoft's Xbox franchise, and he really things that's near and dear to their hearts.
Don't ask me where people come up with these things.
Well, I told him I'd reseach a bit last night and get back to hime today with a proposal. I think I've got it all worked out in my head, but if any of you guys have your favorite peice of hardware that you think would fit into this scenario, post a few words about it.
Tonight I'll fill you in on my take for how to do it- it sounds like my other colleague may actually spring for buying and building it, if it seems convincing to him. Yeah, I know, I know, It could be a disaster in the making, as quirky as some of this hardware and software gets. But maybe with XP and the right combo of hardware, it's doable in a reliable fashion.
What do you think?
-Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
Every now and then one of my colleagues or acquaintences at work will say something in regards to audio, video, or PC stuff that I just can't let lay, and I end up getting sucked in. Once again, this is how our story begins. :roll:
A couple of guys were talking in the break room on our floor- one was touting his XBox, and the other was pretty much agreeing, but also saying, "Well, why can't the build a PC that would do this? I'm sure the technology must exist- I've never seen a Dell or HP that would do anything like that. It's just another lost market opportunity"
So, naturally, I listen a little more, and ask a few questions. The bottom line was that the one guy said Xbox rules because of the Dolby digital output for games, and the HDTV adapter, and it's convenient size and shape (Form factor), though he admitted it wasn't so convenient compared with a PS2. Other guys says, why can't they build a nice looking PC that would fit on a conventional rack like a laser disk player or one of the "big" CD/DVD players (was he thinking of the Sony SACD players?), and have a tuner for regular TV and HDTV, and play back DVDs at HD like resolution on a big screen, and record TV and HDTV on the hard drive, and play games that way on the big screen, plus output the sound from all games in Dolby Digital so you could put it through your home surround system, and have a remote control at least for the major functions with the tuner and DVD playback?
Well, of course, being the dolt that I am, I said, "Of course you can do that... but you won't be able to buy it off the shelf from HP or Dell (not until Media Center XP ships, anyway), and it may be a little quirky, and certainly not especially cheap. It could be customizable, but the devil will certainly be in the details.
The Xbox fan, for reasons unknown to me, said no way- if something like this was possible, the market would be flooded with them by now, and besides, it would cut into Microsoft's Xbox franchise, and he really things that's near and dear to their hearts.
Don't ask me where people come up with these things.
Well, I told him I'd reseach a bit last night and get back to hime today with a proposal. I think I've got it all worked out in my head, but if any of you guys have your favorite peice of hardware that you think would fit into this scenario, post a few words about it.
Tonight I'll fill you in on my take for how to do it- it sounds like my other colleague may actually spring for buying and building it, if it seems convincing to him. Yeah, I know, I know, It could be a disaster in the making, as quirky as some of this hardware and software gets. But maybe with XP and the right combo of hardware, it's doable in a reliable fashion.
What do you think?
-Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
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