Ceton Q DVR-HTPC Info Thread - Page 6

Originally Posted by slowbiscuit

I get that it does more stuff than a DVR does, but it's not an HTPC because it can't (or won't be able to) run any of a number of other useful add-on apps that you can load and run on a PC (transcoding comes to mind, as well as commercial skip). Or be able to load third-party USB tuner drivers etc. It will be locked down because it has to be locked down for support.

It is a media server/gateway appliance with DVR functionality. It's not a PC, or even a dedicated HTPC.

Originally Posted by Diverge

If I was to give you a Porsche 911 Turbo, but program the ECU so it can't go past 55MPH; is it still a sports car?

Originally Posted by skro

It looks like ceton announced a beta program for the echo extender, and announced info about the phone apps, but I don't think there has been any updates info about the main device: the q.

Did I miss something? How are they doing extender without a well-functioning q? I suppose it should be in beta soon too?

Originally Posted by Diverge


The Echos work with any existing systems running Media Center, so I guess they take priority in releasing first. Only other extenders sold anymore are Xbox's.

Originally Posted by skro

Ahh ... Thanks. I'm just catching up on the Q, and I thought these extenders were specifically for the Q.

Originally Posted by pittsoccer33

Stability - at least, that has to be their goal.

-no installing drivers
-no 29/59 sync problems
-no codecs that break live tv
-no hdcp handshake issues
-no wol/resume from sleep problems
-no need to screw with network flow control

those seem to be the main problems people have with their computers - odd interactions between pieces of hardware and the software. creating an off the shelf unit would negate that.

Originally Posted by wolfereeno

So When When When for this thing?!!

Originally Posted by zigner

Is anyone concerned about the longer term viability of the Q and extenders in light of the recent Microsoft announcement that Windows Media Center will only be available on the Professional Version of Windows 8, and even then for a extra charge? The Q seems to be based on Windows 7 WMC. If MS drops support for WMC in Win 7 (let's say in a couple of years) and or stops updating the TV listings (which I assume are maintained or paid for by MS) those would be significant issues to the longer term use of the Q.

It is clear to me that WMC has no long term future in MS. They are killing it by charging separately for it in a version that most consumers won't be owning.

Originally Posted by slowbiscuit

Ceton may be providing guide data sooner rather than later, judging from the poor quality and unreliable delivery of it lately.

Eric from Ceton has indicated that they have a way to provide their own guide data if Microsoft eventually drops their support. So no, I don't see anything to really be worried about here.

Originally Posted by zigner

Is anyone concerned about the longer term viability of the Q and extenders in light of the recent Microsoft announcement that Windows Media Center will only be available on the Professional Version of Windows 8, and even then for a extra charge? The Q seems to be based on Windows 7 WMC. If MS drops support for WMC in Win 7 (let's say in a couple of years) and or stops updating the TV listings (which I assume are maintained or paid for by MS) those would be significant issues to the longer term use of the Q.

It is clear to me that WMC has no long term future in MS. They are killing it by charging separately for it in a version that most consumers won't be owning.

Originally Posted by Comp625

I think Microsoft is making a huge mistake by not aggressively re-marketing Windows Media Center, especially with the likes of AppleTV gaining rapid popularity.

Where Microsoft failed with WMC over the years (e.g. Windows XP Media Center Edition) was that WMC and HTPC's in itself were immature concepts that proved to be too much of a hassle for the lay user to fiddle with. Heck, aside from AVSForum visitors, many people today still find the concept to be a hassle. Example: Think of all the different codecs that are floating around, and how switching codecs may "paralyze" your Win7, forcing a reinstall.

The difference today is that access to high-end home theater equipment has become very affordable and very ubiquitous. Not to mention, the hardware has also become so technologically awestriking that many people, like myself, would rather stay home with my large screen HDTV + Surround Sound than go to the movie theater.

WMC in Win7 has become much more mature; with some time, effort & patience, WMC serves as a great companion software to accompany any HTPC build. Ceton is essentially taking that guesswork out with the "Q."

If Microsoft were to give Windows Media Center a well-deserved marketing push (a la the way it has revitalized interest in Internet Explorer and Windows Phone), it can lead the pack against AppleTV, GoogleTV, etc. Too bad Microsoft's decision-makers have gotten very tired over the years. It's no wonder that they're perceived, not as industry innovators/leaders, but rather as industry followers.

Originally Posted by Comp625

I think Microsoft is making a huge mistake by not aggressively re-marketing Windows Media Center, especially with the likes of AppleTV gaining rapid popularity.

Where Microsoft failed with WMC over the years (e.g. Windows XP Media Center Edition) was that WMC and HTPC's in itself were immature concepts that proved to be too much of a hassle for the lay user to fiddle with. Heck, aside from AVSForum visitors, many people today still find the concept to be a hassle. Example: Think of all the different codecs that are floating around, and how switching codecs may "paralyze" your Win7, forcing a reinstall.

The difference today is that access to high-end home theater equipment has become very affordable and very ubiquitous. Not to mention, the hardware has also become so technologically awestriking that many people, like myself, would rather stay home with my large screen HDTV + Surround Sound than go to the movie theater.

WMC in Win7 has become much more mature; with some time, effort & patience, WMC serves as a great companion software to accompany any HTPC build. Ceton is essentially taking that guesswork out with the "Q."

If Microsoft were to give Windows Media Center a well-deserved marketing push (a la the way it has revitalized interest in Internet Explorer and Windows Phone), it can lead the pack against AppleTV, GoogleTV, etc. Too bad Microsoft's decision-makers have gotten very tired over the years. It's no wonder that they're perceived, not as industry innovators/leaders, but rather as industry followers.

Originally Posted by drawz

I actually think MS is planning to push WMC in embedded form, using embedded versions of Windows 7/8, and hence the de-emphasis on WMC in retail/OEM PC Windows products.

Originally Posted by cnewsgrp

Does Ceton Q support XBox as an extender? I certainly don't want to upgrade to Ceton Q and Echo at the same time. Maybe the question should say "Will XBox recognize ceton Q as a Media center?"

Originally Posted by gsr

My understanding is:

1) The Q will work with any existing WMC Extenders for extender functionality as we know it today. So you would be able to use an XBOX to watch TV and do other things you can currently do when connected to a WMC box.

2) Some of the extensions that Ceton is working on may not work with extenders other than the Echo. This is where things aren't so clear as Ceton hasn't given us a ton of detail yet on exactly what they're adding and what will and won't work on existing extenders. We'll just need to stay tuned for more details.

Originally Posted by stanger89

So, since I know the Ceton folks are watching the forums, how's the Q going to work if not everything from your cable provider is digital? My provider has a bunch (~60) channels that are still analog NTSC. I was under the impression the Q would not support NTSC, any chance that impression is wrong, or that it would support a USB NTSC tuner?

Originally Posted by stanger89

Yeah this was more a "poke" for something that maybe they hadn't thought of, or hopefully have, and found a solution for. It's one thing for a add-in CableCard tuner to not support NTSC in for a PC DVR, the end user can always add an NTSC card to the system. But the Q is an "all in one" (by that I just mean self contained, everything you need for a DVR, box), so it really should handle everything the box it replaces can, and the DVRs from my provider handle digital and analog channels.