Hewlett-Packard To Offer Linux-based Media Hub 184
Sammy at Palm Addict writes "According to the New York Times, Hewlett-Packard is to offer a new digital media hub based on Linux," excerpting "Hewlett-Packard will introduce a new device this fall meant to record and play back television as well as organize digital media, including photos, music and video, the company said yesterday. Hewlett already offers similar devices based on Microsoft's Windows Media Center Edition. The device, called the HP Media Hub, will be based on the Linux operating system." Since HP also sells self-branded iPods, it would be great if they'd make such a box iPod friendly.
Late to the party... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Late to the party... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Late to the party... (Score:2, Insightful)
but yes, kudos to hp for doing something linux.
New Rule (Score:3, Informative)
OK, everybody. Time for a new rule: You cannot name your product after the generic name for your product's function!
Got that? No HP Media Hub, no IBM Personal Computer, no MS DOS!
Re:New Rule (Score:2)
What about generic names for product functions that come after the product name? like Xerox.
Nah. They don't even want their names to be generic. (Use xerox or kleenex casually in a publication and you'll get a polite letter from their lawyers. If it happens too much, they lose the trademark.)
My beef is with companies who take seek to position themselves as the ur-version of a product through sleight of nomenclature. It's lazy, disingenuous, and sows confusion (the last being part of the intent, of course
Re:New Rule (Score:3, Funny)
Note: I'm not bashing the band.
Re:New Rule (Score:2)
You should!
Re:New Rule (Score:2)
Pretty sparse article (Score:4, Interesting)
Of course, this is the new, evil, HP, so I guess I shouldn't get my hopes up.
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:5, Funny)
Pretty sparse article-A Black and White World. (Score:2, Funny)
Simple really.
Good==do whatever slashdotters agree is good.
Evil==slashdotters don't like whatever your doing.
Now I better get a patent on it, while I can.
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:2)
It is a different HP, the old godly HP is a brown spicey sauce that British members of parliament enjoy in their bacon and egg sarnies.
Yes... it might be delicious, but can it compute the value of pi?
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:5, Interesting)
HP like IBM was a different company in the past. They were once known for their engineering, ingenuity, innovativeness, and big R&D.
Today they are becoming the walmart of the pc industry while still charging high prices. Also they made some questionable business decisions in terms of their superior products. For example killing the alpha processor because they already invested billions in the sinking Itanium to killing off the clustering in the superior Digital Unix and using a vendor to write a lower quality clustering solution for HP-UX, etc.
Also do not get me started on the calculators. They are practically non existent anymore as HP killed them off.
HP has turned into a short sighted company who makes substandard products and does not look at the long term effects.
I for one would never trust an HP printer or server made after 2001 as a result. They are just not good anymore and frankly are still expensive.
Many slashdotters who have a grudge agaisnt HP were probably former HP customers and loyalists.
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:4, Insightful)
Or they were once employed by HP or Compaq before the dark times... before Carly.
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:3, Funny)
B-B-But they hire lots of MBAs these days! (Score:5, Funny)
They are way improved over just five years ago. What used to be a company dominated by silly, market-ignorant, idealistic engineers and the HP way has now become the market driven, best practices, outsourcing MBA laden HP we know and the markets love [yahoo.com]
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:2)
Are you saying HP has effectively destroyed all competition in the calculator market? I have seen very few HP calculators in my life, most of the calculators were in fact Texas Instruments.
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:5, Informative)
OpenCable DRM? Check. It's built in to the standard.
DRM is not such a bad issue if you consider this (Score:4, Informative)
Even after June, it will still be legal to use such devices, if they were purchased before the deadline.
Can you put two and two together now?
Re:DRM is not such a bad issue if you consider thi (Score:2)
If it's only new ones, I think someone should buy a lot of those devices just before that date, just to resell later on...
Re:DRM is not such a bad issue if you consider thi (Score:3, Informative)
Re:Pretty sparse article (Score:2)
No indication in that lame NYT peice, but C|NET [com.com] is quite clear that HP is will be producing DRM crippled crap:
HP readies TVs, media hub products
Hewlett-Packard plans to announce by next week a set of home entertainment products, including large-screen TVs and a digital storage console, embedded with copy protection technology.
Yet another product that I absolutely positively will NEVER spend a single cent on, except perhaps specifically to help fix (aka cra
QNX (Score:3, Interesting)
They could have also used QNX for stability and it's sutability for real-time (of which media is).
Re:QNX (Score:3, Interesting)
My Tivo has never crashed and it runs Linux. QNX also costs money to license eh? Linux doesn't. Personally, my media just isn't THAT important that I'd be willing to plop down even more money on a set-top-box just so that it was "more stable" than my Tivo.
Re:QNX (Score:3, Insightful)
This isn't about hacking your digital hub, this is about the economics of operating systems. Basically HP is telling Microsoft that they like the Windows Media idea, but that HP doesn't like the idea of paying Microsoft to implement it. HP has finally realized that the average Joe isn't interested in running MS Word on their television, and so there isn't really any reason to pay Microsoft for the privilege of using Windows. This isn't an issue of Free Software, but of commodity software. That's why HP
Re:QNX (Score:3, Funny)
That just goes to show that for all her faults Carly has a pretty good grasp of marketing.
Wont work (Score:5, Informative)
Re:Wont work (Score:2)
Then MythTV came by.
Then I heard Comcast would be doing something.
Then I heard SBC would offer something.
But M$ media center has been around.
But it's technically no different with regular XP and snapstream Media.
Then this HP wannabe device is coming out.
Did I miss anything?
Re:Wont work (Score:2)
awesome (Score:2)
Now i understand those raving lunatics called TiVo nazis.
Re:Wont work (Score:3, Interesting)
Once you get it running.
Re:Wont work (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Wont work (Score:3, Insightful)
But its no fun if you don't get your hands a little dirty.
Re:Wont work (Score:5, Interesting)
-Hauppauge PVR-250 hardware mpeg-encoding TV cards (though newer models are coming out to replace these, but driver support probably isn't as good yet). Note that cards without mpeg-encoding in hardware demand a far faster system: and I tried those first, then bought 2 PVR-250s. -various remotes, including Hauppauge black (crappy) and gray (good) -nvidia card with SVideo out -external firewire DVD burner to archive shows
-a couple 120GB Seagate HDs set in LVM as storage Since the PVR-250 is an MPEG2 encoder, it's not too much trouble to export them to DVD. Editing/exporting the streams to remove commericials can be a bit annoying, though I think nuvexport [forevermore.net] can help with this.
Note this setup is more expensive (in the short run) than just going with a prefab DVR solution with monthly fees associated with it, but you do have a great deal more control over your recorded content. It will probably take a lot for me to be parted with my setup.
Re:Wont work (Score:2)
However, there are many things I can't do with the pvr-350, no mythgames, no mythmusic visualizations, no playing divx or mpeg-4 content. This is fine for me, it just serves as a tivo for me, and the occasional (s)vcd I throw at it. Obviously, it is not fine for others.
What some folks do is get a VGA->s-video cable that seems to work pretty well. I s
Re:Wont work (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Wont work (Score:3, Interesting)
In addition, if you are going to be doing software encoding, MythTV has terribly lowsy quality at even very high bitrates, and yet eats up tons of CPU power to do it. It's been
Re:Wont work (Score:3, Informative)
Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:4, Insightful)
Microsoft is counting on Windows Media Center being the "next big thing" to give it the growth that it needs to justify its price/earnings ratio. A Linux-based contender in the same market developed by one of Microsoft's biggest allies is almost certainly going to be a major setback for Microsoft's plans.
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:5, Insightful)
Dell announces AMD based systems to get a better deal from Intel
HP announces Linux based Media Center PC to get a better deal from Microsoft.
Happens every so often...
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:2, Insightful)
What's so big about a 'media center'? All it is is tv/stereo in a different package. Being able to watch moving pictures was once big, now it's not. Being able to listen to sound over long distances w/o paying the telco was once big, now it's not. Being able to watch TV was once big, not it's not. Being able to own your own computer was once big, now it's commonplace, as is being able to time shift media broadcasts. How is a 'media ce
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:5, Interesting)
It's not that Media Centers are revolutionary that makes them interesting to Microsoft. It's the fact that there is the potential to sell millions more copies of Windows. Right now almost no one has a computer hooked up to their TV, and those few folks that do have computers hooked up to their TVs aren't generally using any Microsoft software. Instead they are using something like Tivo.
Microsoft sees the Media Center as a potential market nearly as big as the DVD player market, and Microsoft's marketshare in this potentially huge new market is miniscule. Microsoft is desperate for growth opportunities that would justify its price/earnings ratio of over 30, and Windows Media Center is one of the few Microsoft products currently available that has the potential to build new revenue streams.
Personally, I think that the Media Center idea is several years away from being ubiquitous, but then again I don't have cable television either. I know lots of folks that would give up their firstborn son before they gave up their Tivo. It is entirely possible that eventually the home entertainment computer could even be a bigger market than the normal personal computer that we all know and love.
More importantly, the home entertainment computer is very likely to become a very strategic piece of the overall media puzzle. For example, Microsoft is betting that if it can score big with its Media Center that it could sell the ability to do workable DRM to Hollywood. Microsoft understands the power of controlling the platform, and it knows that they could make billions if they could put Microsoft in a position to become the DRM gateway for all of Hollywood.
Not to mention the fact that Linux-based computers hooked up to the television could easily morph into game consoles. All the pieces are there already.
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:5, Interesting)
I think the problem is that in their desperation to duplicate their success with Windows they are forced to make moves riskier than they would really like (Xbox) or safe/easy where the return on investment is zero to low (Slate). I think the media center falls into that latter category. People aren't going to pay a $300 premium just to know that the thing is running Windows. The imagined "ease of use" issue that are applied to Windows don't apply to a device with a remote control. Especially when there isn't a sugar daddy (like IBM) who has already established a market for the hardware and done all the hard design work (not to mention a host of software companies that have all but solved those problems as well).
I'll buy a Linux based solution because I know I am less likely to be locked into a no-choice-but-to-upgrade future. Microsoft can only succeed at this if they convince almost everyone to go along and nominate them as the gatekeeper of everyone else's profitability. I can't see Hollywood or the RIAA going for that. On the other hand, worse things could happen than to see MS beat the crap out of the movie and music industry, they do, in some ways deserve it.
Meanwhile, I expect Linux, which has no market share, share price, or bottom line to protect to continue to nip at the heals of these media bastards, all of them. In the end if it takes, HP, IBM, or mainland China to be the champion of freedom for certain types of intellectual property (IE that not owned by a mega corporation) then so be it.
I'll be in line to buy one of these (although I haven't watched TV in 3 years and still listen to my own MP3s made from my own CDs and records made prior to 1990.)
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:2)
Very well said. Thanks.
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:2)
E
The China fallacy (Score:2)
Microsoft was the first foreign company to gain admission to the China Software Industry Association. Microsoft Joins in China Software Industry Association [china.org.cn] (2002)
China's Intellectual Property Law has been brought into synch with the WTO and it's major trading partners. The Ministry of Science and Technology: Laws and Regul [most.gov.cn]
Re:The China fallacy (Score:2)
But I'm pretty sure Linux was well on its way in China before 2002. They have their own distro in fact.
As for films and music, I didn't mean to imply that China would lead the way in piracy. But as their market grows (ditto India, Brazil, others) the Hollywood, RIAA gang shrinks in importance. At some point, the folly of fighting piracy, combined with a shrinking world market share, might actually shake some sense into them.
The costs of producing music, and mov
Re:Microsoft's probably thrilled (Score:2, Insightful)
Linux doesn't matter (Score:5, Insightful)
And it looks like this device might break a record for the number of different kinds of DRM in one system...
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
who cares? (Score:2)
Re:who cares? (Score:3, Funny)
Re:who cares? (Score:2)
haha, i wish i had moderator points (+1 Funny)
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
Disabling DRM would be quite nice and so would something similiar to TIVO to go and perhaps a built in mp3 player would be cool.
If I could install applications somehow it would be cool as I could turn it into a media hub to do anything.
This is something MS wants to do badly and become the gatekeeper for any file stores whether its on the net, pc, or a tv show.
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
Then what you probably want is MythTV [mythtv.org] running on a no-name beige PC running Linux.
Ok, maybe not beige, since there are quite a few cute mini-ATX cases that actually look better than most VCRs.
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
Most Linux users use Linux to browse the internet and send email. Not hack.
But that small minority that is able to, and does hack Linux is very important.
Matters to HP (Score:4, Interesting)
But from HP's angle, I can't believe they're only doing this now. If Linux is good for anything, it's for optimized, customized systems. With Linux, HP can build in exactly the functionality they need -- nothing more. Plus it's free.
Right (Score:2)
HP sold a Linux-based Digital Entertainment Center about 5 years ago, but it was too expensive for basically an audio jukebox.
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2, Insightful)
So, it does matter somewhat.
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:5, Insightful)
Linux as the operating system that powers their media devices, remote controls, cars, video game consoles etc, etc will mean a lot more. This may be one of the key ways that linux gains mainstream consumer acceptance.
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
I'd take the odds that:
Embedded Linux has zero visibility to consumers, and at retail Linux based devices are not significantly cheaper or feature-rich when compared to their Microsoft branded equivalents.
Re:New for Nerds not Linux Advocacy only (Score:2)
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
Yeah.
Years of crashing computers have prepared customers for televisions that crash in the midd
So Says Cosmo (Score:3, Funny)
Re:So Says Cosmo (Score:2)
Now, on "Jimmy Neutron", defenstration is actually one of the perennial spelling words listed on the blackboard. Subtle, but interesting to think about.
Re:So Says Cosmo (Score:2)
Re:So Says Cosmo (Score:2)
Hey the kids, ummm, they force me to watch, yeah, thats it!
Re:Linux doesn't matter (Score:2)
i can make one myself (Score:3, Insightful)
http://www.mythtv.org/ [mythtv.org]
DRM (Score:3, Informative)
http://www.pchdtv.com/ [pchdtv.com]
It totally ignores the broadcast flag.
BTW, it will be illegal to sell it in the US after June 2005 (or something like that), so plan accordingly.
It will always be legal to use it, if purchased before the deadline, because all such devices will be grandfathered into the new regulations automatically.
Re:DRM (Score:2)
I've considered buying one before the deadline, but I've spent way too much on high-tech toys that have turned out useless to purchase this without much thought.
You see, I'm sure I'm like a lot of people, in that I'm out-of-range of HD broadcasts. I suppose somebody might setup an HDTV re-transmitter around here, but even that will give me less than a handful of HDTV channels.
With Satellite and Digital Cable, the HDTV broadcasts are tune
Re:i can make one myself (Score:2)
Hopefully as equipment gets cheaper and video capture and playback becomes more common of a feature, there won't be such a cost difference in the future.
Oh, and it should be pointed out the TiVO runs Linux as well... :-)
---
I talk about this stuff here [blogspot.com] too. Go figure..
Nope (Score:2, Interesting)
(Damn it, I had to)
Re:Nope (Score:2)
(read the first bullet)
iPod compatibility...? (Score:2, Troll)
Yep... just another blind, knee-jerk iPod reference.
Re:iPod compatibility...? (Score:2)
So.. yeah, what would be the point of an iPod doc?
Re:iPod compatibility...? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:iPod compatibility...? (Score:2)
Sounds like a good idea to me. But there's no need for hacks; HP has a partnership with Apple, so they can just license FairPlay.
shouldn't he be asking Apple to make the iPod more Linux-friendly?
What's wrong with it? Linux can mount an iPod already. The index file format is not publicly documented, but
Hope its not restricted (Score:3, Insightful)
how about a media center without DRM? (Score:2)
But a MythTV [mythtv.org] box with a pcHDTV [pchdtv.com] card pays no attention to DRM.
How long (Score:4, Insightful)
hah! my Sony Grand Wega runs Linux, too! (Score:3, Interesting)
- Sony must have cleaned up on the Wegas in the last quarter: LCD projection TV w/built-in HDTV tuner, etc. for $2 (the bulb is replaceable)...
- Linux apparently hosts the TV's menu system, built-in slide show app (w/a built-in sound track), and memory stick support...
- the TV also plays
Really? (Score:3, Informative)
I thought they sold Apple branded iPods. It's through HP's channel. I guess it is listed on PCConnection as the "HP iPod", but it's still got a big apple sandblasted onto the back. They never made that HP-blue iPod all the rumor sites were blathering about.
Re:Really? (Score:3, Informative)
Perhaps they did some research into the marketability of an "HP blue" iPod and decided to call that off... after all, you can always buy the iPod Tattoo kit [hp.com] and print up your own blue umm... those are stickers, right? Yea, that's what I want to do, cover my iPod with stickers...
HP in the living room (Score:4, Informative)
Re:HP in the living room (Score:2)
Yes but what happens in 7995 years? (Score:3, Funny)
The New HP Linux Media Center Logo (Score:2)
Re:The New HP Linux Media Center Logo (Score:3, Interesting)
It runs on Linux (Score:2)
Personally, I can't stand devices that are based on Linux yet don't support a Linux desktop client.
Re:It runs on Linux (Score:2)
Re:It runs on Linux (Score:2)
interesting (Score:2)
Re:what's up with all this (Score:2, Insightful)
The slashdot community is a large proponent of open source, of which Linux is a shining example. A new 'gadget' means another inroad. It means another corporate giant values our dollars and is willing to move away from closed source options to get our patronage.
We don't care that another gadget uses Linux. We care that another corporation is willing to use an open source solution to get our dollars.
Re:HP15C (Score:2, Funny)
Re:HP = BAD? (Score:5, Funny)
Don't we hate HP? I thought that we did...
But not if that Media Hub is designed around Carly Fiorina's head on a stick!
You just tweak her nose to adjust the volume.
Re:Please stop putting registration required links (Score:2)
You have every right not to read the article, not to buy the New York Times, and not to read Slashdot. However, the powers that be have decided that the amount of information in the New York Times that is "news for nerds" is sufficient to warrant the exception to the general rule.
Re:Please stop putting registration required links (Score:2)
Re:Please stop putting registration required links (Score:2)