Comments on: Little boxes, on the set top, little boxes full of ticky tacky! http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/ Philip Hodgetts' random thoughts and items of interest on where the industry is at, and where it might be going today and into the future. Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:06:14 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5 By: Andrew Kippen http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-24675 Andrew Kippen Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:50:36 +0000 http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-24675 Philip, we couldn't agree with you more - open standards are key and no one wants to buy another STB only to have to buy content that only works on that STB. you might be familiar with XBMC - the platform to extend the original Xbox into a media center. I'm working with a new startup called Boxee, which is based on the XBMC code, but for Mac/Linux/PC boxes. The basic idea behind Boxee is to give an easy and intuitive front-end to your local and online media while tying it all together with a social fabric. It's completely open-source and there's an Alpha starting on Monday (for Mac/Linux) which I'd love for you to check out and give us your feedback (and spread the word to your friends!) Highlights: Watch local(30+ codecs supported) and online media Enhance that media via meta-data discovery Fully customizable interface and online sources Tied in to web services and applications Downloadable & Free! Remote Control friendly and many more... Sign up for the alpha at boxee.tv! Philip, we couldn’t agree with you more - open standards are key and no one wants to buy another STB only to have to buy content that only works on that STB.

you might be familiar with XBMC - the platform to extend the original Xbox into a media center. I’m working with a new startup called Boxee, which is based on the XBMC code, but for Mac/Linux/PC boxes.

The basic idea behind Boxee is to give an easy and intuitive front-end to your local and online media while tying it all together with a social fabric. It’s completely open-source and there’s an Alpha starting on Monday (for Mac/Linux) which I’d love for you to check out and give us your feedback (and spread the word to your friends!)

Highlights:
Watch local(30+ codecs supported) and online media
Enhance that media via meta-data discovery
Fully customizable interface and online sources
Tied in to web services and applications
Downloadable & Free!
Remote Control friendly
and many more…

Sign up for the alpha at boxee.tv!

]]> By: Carey Dissmore http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-19385 Carey Dissmore Fri, 04 Jan 2008 22:00:07 +0000 http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-19385 Excellent Philip, And THANK YOU for pointing out that the AppleTV certainly hasn't been a miserable failure of any sorts. I think you've got the right idea for the long haul by needing open standards. Barring open standards, I've felt that the two most viable 'ecosystems' for setting things up were the Apple/iTunes/AppleTV/+EyeTV system or the Microsoft Windows Media Center/Home Server/Xbox 360 ecosystem. One or the other. Interestingly, in a seeming nod to the fact that many people want 'their media, their way, even if it means "grey market" downloading, Microsoft recently added Xvid and Divx playback to their systems (previously only Windows Media). All along I've watched the whole computer/internet+DVR+disc media=central media hub (where all media from all sources ultimately collects and co-mingles on a single, central hard drive (or array), and then streams or syncs to all devices in the house. I set up the Apple system with a Mac Mini+big drive+EyeTV at the core, and AppleTV extenders plus a lot of computers with iTunes sharing. Plus iPods and iPhones of course. I'm frustrated that I must pre-convert any non-iTunes-friendly media (like Xvid/Divx/mkv, etc.) to an iTunes compliant format first, but that's the curse of the early adopter. Open standards will hopefully come someday, but let's face it, the 'gatekeepers' in the industry don't want them. They like their little 'walled gardens' don't they? Excellent Philip,

And THANK YOU for pointing out that the AppleTV certainly hasn’t been a miserable failure of any sorts. I think you’ve got the right idea for the long haul by needing open standards.

Barring open standards, I’ve felt that the two most viable ‘ecosystems’ for setting things up were the Apple/iTunes/AppleTV/+EyeTV system or the Microsoft Windows Media Center/Home Server/Xbox 360 ecosystem. One or the other. Interestingly, in a seeming nod to the fact that many people want ‘their media, their way, even if it means “grey market” downloading, Microsoft recently added Xvid and Divx playback to their systems (previously only Windows Media).

All along I’ve watched the whole computer/internet+DVR+disc media=central media hub (where all media from all sources ultimately collects and co-mingles on a single, central hard drive (or array), and then streams or syncs to all devices in the house. I set up the Apple system with a Mac Mini+big drive+EyeTV at the core, and AppleTV extenders plus a lot of computers with iTunes sharing. Plus iPods and iPhones of course. I’m frustrated that I must pre-convert any non-iTunes-friendly media (like Xvid/Divx/mkv, etc.) to an iTunes compliant format first, but that’s the curse of the early adopter. Open standards will hopefully come someday, but let’s face it, the ‘gatekeepers’ in the industry don’t want them. They like their little ‘walled gardens’ don’t they?

]]> By: James Gardiner http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-19374 James Gardiner Fri, 04 Jan 2008 03:50:08 +0000 http://www.philiphodgetts.com/2008/01/03/little-boxes-on-the-set-top-little-boxes-everywhere/#comment-19374 Interesting post Philip. I have been preparing a prediction post on my blog that goes exactly along these lines. It goes along the path of AndroidTV OS (Which I have hinted in the past), have to cover issues of OpenTV MHP issues, its history and how it relates etc. And try to tie it all together. As my post on predictions at MacWorld being about Video and the web.. It appears to already be the hottest topic of this year and we are only a few days in. This WILL be an interesting year. James Interesting post Philip.
I have been preparing a prediction post on my blog that goes exactly along these lines.

It goes along the path of AndroidTV OS (Which I have hinted in the past), have to cover issues of OpenTV MHP issues, its history and how it relates etc.

And try to tie it all together.

As my post on predictions at MacWorld being about Video and the web.. It appears to already be the hottest topic of this year and we are only a few days in.

This WILL be an interesting year.
James

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