HTPCentric

I found a great article on ars technica this morning.  While I don’t agree with the conclusion, they make some really good points and I want to add my two cents here.  The article itself is from back in July but it’s relevant today.

ars technica is claiming that the traditional HTPC is dead.  I have to argue that this is far from the truth.  While a lot of things are combining to hinder it’s mass acceptance, the industry is alive and kicking and will continue to grow as PCs become cheaper and people start to want a combination television.  Something that provides access to both broadcast and internet content.  The proof is in how many set-top boxes are coming to market providing access to both.

Yes, CableLabs and DRM have hurt the HTPC industry and you’d think by now that they’d have learned their lesson.  I myself am canceling cable due to the fact that I can’t get HD content into my Media Center without buying an OEM system. (Something that’ll never happen in my house again!)  If they want to cost themselves subscribers I guess that’s up to them.

As well, DRM is doing to the movie industry what it did to the music industry.  When it’s easier for people to just go and steal things instead of being able to use a purchased product the way they want, a lot of people are going to take the easy way.  Again, they’re shooting themselves in the foot.  So be it. 

The fact is however, that these things don’t affect most people.  “Joe Consumer” just wants to have a system which will provide broadcast content as well as access to internet services.  An OEM Media Center system can do this as well as systems like SageTV, neither of which are hard to set up.

In the end, yes, the HTPC industry has been severely hampered by content providers.  However, they’re starting to figure out what people want and provide it.  It’ll take time to get us where we want to be but it’ll happen.  The merging of the PC and TV are upon us and HTPCs will play a large role in the way people will consume their content.

It seems that the House of Representatives might have a little sense this time around.  Earlier this week they voted down the bill to delay the DTV transition until June.  This is a victory for anyone who did what they were supposed to do and upgraded their television in some way.  Whether that was to get your converter box coupons on time or to buy a new TV, you did what needed to be done in order to be prepared.  As well, it’s a victory for the broadcast stations who upgraded their equipment in a timely fashion.

Don’t get too excited yet though.  More than likely the House will vote on this measure again soon and being that it’s a Democratic majority, it’s hard to imagine that they’ll allow our new president, who’s been pushing for this, to gain a mark in the lose column so soon after taking office.

I can’t figure out how people could not be ready for this transition.  We’ve literally had years to get ready!  This was supposed to happen back in 2006 and was pushed back due to people not being able to upgrade.  Ok, maybe 2006 was too early but to bump it again?  The people who aren’t ready yet never will be.  Some people just won’t get it until their TV stops working and there isn’t a delay in the world that’ll change that.  They’re just going to have to suffer until they figure something out.

How did you prepare for the transition?  New TV?  Converter box?  Myself?  I put a digital tuner in my new HTPC so I’m all set but I’m curious as to how you got ready.  Share in the comments.

Stay tuned here to find out if the House pushes this through in the near future.