[Philip Colmer]

How committed are Microsoft to enhancing MCE with regard to the UK market? My (limited) understanding at the moment is that it is possible to buy MCE systems that will record digital terrestrial programmes and that it uses an EPG supplied by the BBC.

However, there isn't any support for the primary satellite supplier (Sky) who do have their own PVR so could do with the competition, nor is there any support for recordings off cable systems, where you have to resort to an analogue picture capture and infrared control of the STB.

Also, any thoughts from MS about working with hardware companies to produce a cheaper but (perhaps) more limited version of MCE? I'm thinking here that if they could build a living room device that just did MCE and didn't, for example, allow you to run Office, Premiere, etc, you might be able to get the hardware costs down to possibly competing with other devices that are out there.

--Philip

[Philip Colmer]

How committed are Microsoft to enhancing MCE with regard to the UK market? My (limited) understanding at the moment is that it is possible to buy MCE systems that will record digital terrestrial programmes and that it uses an EPG supplied by the BBC.

However, there isn't any support for the primary satellite supplier (Sky) who do have their own PVR so could do with the competition, nor is there any support for recordings off cable systems, where you have to resort to an analogue picture capture and infrared control of the STB.

Also, any thoughts from MS about working with hardware companies to produce a cheaper but (perhaps) more limited version of MCE? I'm thinking here that if they could build a living room device that just did MCE and didn't, for example, allow you to run Office, Premiere, etc, you might be able to get the hardware costs down to possibly competing with other devices that are out there.

--Philip

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

However, there isn't any support for the primary satellite supplier (Sky) who do have their own PVR so could do with the competition, nor is there any support for recordings off cable systems, where you have to resort to an analogue picture capture and infrared control of the STB.

That's not just a problem in the UK - current MCE 2005 units can't control cable boxes or satellite recievers either. My understanding is that they're working on this problem, but you have to understand that the cable companies don't really WANT you to take this content and be able to repurpose it - so Microsoft has to persuade these companies that it somehow benefits them...not a fast or easy process.

Originally Posted by Philip Colmer

Also, any thoughts from MS about working with hardware companies to produce a cheaper but (perhaps) more limited version of MCE?

That wasn't brought up when I was there, but my hunch is that, no, they don't want to see that happen - for Microsoft, MCE is a part of their platform, and a Windows-based MCE that couldn't do what a "real" Windows computer can do wouldn't be part of their drive for a unified platform. That said, you can see some interesting stuff going on with their IP-TV efforts and partnership with Comcast, so who knows what the future will hold. :-)

[wilkinsjme]

What was the response as to why they chose to use the MS-DVR format instead of using standard MPEG?

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by wilkinsjme

What was the response as to why they chose to use the MS-DVR format instead of using standard MPEG?

MS-DVR is an MPEG2 file wrapped in (I think) an ASF file that also contains metadata such as the date, time, description, and the other stuff it pulls from the electronic program guide. I told them I'd rather have the ability to edit an MS-DVR file rather than know who starred in it. ;-)

[Kris Kumar]

Jason, you should check out Logitech io2. ;-)

I recently bought one for myself, have had it for 4 days now, but my Smartphone and Pocket PC (sensing my intentions) teamed together to put a jinx on me. I have been sick for the last few days. Today is the first day I used the digital pen. And I like it. It recognizes handwriting pretty well.

My only wish: Logitech should provide some kind of support for Pocket PCs/Smartphones. It can be a great text input medium for the mobile devices.