here

Never mind, looks like it doesn't specify which type of mp4, might not be divx/xvid compatible (which will be a dumb mistake if true.)

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

"Where's the real video content?"

It plays mp4 and h.264. The real video content is on the torrentz.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

The microsoft guy at Digital Life told me flat out, several time, "this is an xbox, literally, an xbox", and confirmed that there will be no divx/xvid support with this device.

Seeing as how their setup was a little hard to demo, I had to take his word for it.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

Is anyone else reminded of the Simpsons episode where Homer designs a car?

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

Ben, you're half right with the a la carte pricing on cable channels, some people will pay less. But you're also half wrong, because some people will actually pay more.

What's that you say?? Take me for example. My monthly cable bill is: $0. If I paid the $50/month my cable company wants, I'd be paying $4 an episode for the shows I want to watch. I'm not willing to pay that for the convenience of accessing my content through a set top box, so off to the network websites and torrents I go.

If they went to a la carte pricing, say $3 a channel, the convenience would be worth it for me. They'd get $9 a month out of me. That's $9 more than they were making last month. The people paying $50/month now would probably still pay $50 @ $3 a channel for SD, $5 for HD. How many channels do you watch, what would your bill be?

I've heard the same theorized for pricing online music. Some say 30 cents is the ideal price. At that point, people downloading from unauthorized sources would be more likely to buy from authorized sources, opting to pay for the convenience, and lawsuit free experience. At the same time, people buying now at 99 cents, would probably buy 3 times as much music, making the price drop a wash for them.

The smart economists look at "alternative" media outlets as a business model. Torrents are free. They are also inconvenient. Video and audio providers need to price their product in a way that makes their convenience attractive.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

Man, I had such high hopes for these things, but no luck. Functionally, they seem to be all there, but the price begs the question, why not the xbox 360 for the same $350? These need to be $250 and $199 at most (maybe in a year). I think this is a good summary from the engadget post comments...

Media Extender:
Small/silent
Divx/xvid?
Cons:
Price
Vista Only?

X-box 360:
Same price as D-link, $350
Plays Games
20GB HD
Downloadable HD content
Cons:
Not Silent
Does not play Divx/xvid and other advanced formats w/o transcoding?

I don't own an Xbox, is there anything on the list I'm missing?



Maybe I'll change my mind when I use it at digital life in a couple days.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

Putting the same bad music and commercials out in higher quality still doesn't make me want to listen. Sorry radio, your sun is setting.

Marshall
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The Real HT Info Podcast

Hmm...didn't like the "less than" symbol. 2nd try:

Yes, I want...nay, NEED a phone watch. Please get this stateside for less than $400.
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For all your Home Theater needs, listen to th Real HT Info Podcast.

Yes, I want...nay, NEED a phone watch. Please get this stateside for