LG Attempts to Take on TiVo

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/archives/media-center-made-too-simple' target='_blank'>http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/archives/media-center-made-too-simple</a><br /><br /></div><i>"This is interesting. LG’s new LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder is “a combination digital video recorder (DVR) and DVD recorder powered by Windows® Media Center Technologies with a 160-gigabyte hard drive for unparalleled recording flexibility.” I like the idea of a dedicated Media Center box with certified hardware, drivers, and no extra software to add instability. But why charge for the service that every other Media Center owner gets for free?"</i><br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/LG_logo.jpg" /> <br /><br />Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would you go to all the hassle of using MCE if they need to charge practically the same price as TiVo does for their service? Is this a sign of things to come?

[Felix Torres]

Maybe I'm missing something here, but why would you go to all the hassle of using MCE if they need to charge practically the same price as TiVo does for their service? Is this a sign of things to come?

Uh, it doesn't use MCE at all.
(Bott misread.)

The original press release:
http://us.lge.com/AboutUs.do?myAction=detail&amp;boardType=press&amp;forwardPage=pressdetail&amp;categoryId=Corporate&amp;seq=223
makes it clear it is a Media Center Extender with built-in DVD/PVR.
It runs Window CE with the MCE look-n-feel/menu system, as announced back in January.
Big difference.
This is an appliance, not a PC. Instant-on, for one thing.
A good choice for the application.

Charging for the service?
That, I'm not sure will work out.

Essentially, this is a TiVO/Replay competitor with the same media features as the XBOX 360.

[mar2k]

The $300 subscription is a joke right? Geez, that sucks as I was really looking forward to this model when it was announced at CES.

I wonder though if that is just if you are using this as a standalone appliance. I mean, if there is a MCE PC on the network and you are using this as an extender, couldn't it just get the info from the MCE PC? I'd like some clarification on that point. Otherwise as a TiVo competitor, its a joke. TiVo's are practically being given away and then the lifetime subscription is $299 versus $599 + 300 = $899 for this machine. With the Viiv initiative, there are going to be a number of full fledged MCE PCs with similar form factors, which seems a better use of $899.

[Felix Torres]

Been thinking about this box...
...except for the program guide charges (I wonder if there is something else bundled in the service?)...

...there are some nice features here...
(dual-layer DVD-recorder, USB mass storage-based playback, windows media connect...)

And, apparemtly, a whole new way to build a home media network.

Basically, this box has the ability to record and store video content. And it has the ability to stream that content *up* to MCE PCs via WiFi a/b/g (or wired). I almost missed that feature in the press release:

"With a connection to the home network, TV shows can quickly be sent to the home office for viewing or archiving on Windows® XP or Windows XP Media Center Edition –based PCs."

But, starting next year, most versions of Windows Vista will come with the MCE communications protocols built-in, so they can act as both MCE severs *and* extenders. Which suggests one could use this LG box to wirelessly stream content to laptops and Tablet PCs or *other* devices already set-up to support the MCE communication protocols. XBOX360 comes to mind...

Which means we may be looking at an MS-sanctioned and sponsored PC-less Home Media network system...

Still not sure about those guide charges but this is not your grandpa's TiVo...