Viiv entertainment PC platform scheduled for launch next month
Intel warms up for entertainment assault
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14 Dec 2005, Tom Sanders in San Francisco , V3
Intel plans to launch its new Viiv entertainment PC platform at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month, according to sources close to the company.
Initial devices are scheduled to start shipping in the first quarter of next year in nine as yet unnamed countries. Additional regions will be added at a later stage.
The devices will be launched with a set of services including video on demand, online music stores and online games.
Intel unveiled the Viiv platform at the Intel Developer Forum in San Francisco in August. The brand aims to attract consumers to entertainment PCs built for media-centric tasks such as displaying videos on a living room PC or streaming music around the home.
To qualify for the Viiv logo PC manufacturers need to meet certain configuration requirements. Systems need to use an Intel dual-core processor and 845 chipset, and must support surround sound as well as several Intel software features.
Intel expects that the initiative will kickstart demand for digital entertainment PCs by creating a market for downloadable and pay-per-view movies.
The platform is also expected to enable new form factors that are more suitable for a place in the living room, such as small devices or appliances that are shaped like a DVD player rather than the traditional computer tower.
Digital entertainment networks have been a major theme in the technology industry in recent years. Consumer electronics companies including Philips and Sony have launched devices that are able to share media with each other, as have networking firms including Netgear and Linksys.
Microsoft unveiled Windows XP Media Centre Edition in October 2004, a special version of its operating system designed to serve as a hub in a home entertainment network.
Although computers with the Viiv logo will be running Windows Media Centre Edition, Intel has expressed reservations about its performance.
"Media Centre Edition hasn't really taken off until now. It did not meet the threshold of providing a compelling user experience and ease of use," Intel's chief marketing officer Eric Kim said at a meeting with reporters in San Francisco.
Kim blamed the disappointing performance of Media Centre systems on a lack of content, underperforming hardware configurations and doubts with computer manufacturers over the viability of the platform.
Intel also plans to unveil an additional set of technologies in the second half of 2006 that aims to increase the ease of use of media PCs.
The firm said that its forthcoming Intel Hub Connection will take the pain out of setting up secure home networks with supported equipment.
"All consumers want to do is to consume the content that they have, anywhere in their home," said Merlin Kister, technology programme manager for Viiv.
"If you're buying these things brand new, we can provide a benefit with the set-up. But if you've already got [a home network], don't throw it out. We just won't help you with the setup process."
Although Intel appears to making progress in lining up content and manufacturing partners, the overall proposition is still too complex, according to Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group.
"The demands from consumers are very appliance-like," he told vnunet.com. "Media Centre Edition has not been that great partly because it is too complex to use."
And while Intel unveiled deals in November with 40 providers that will be offering their content on the Viiv platform, Enderle warned that there is no high definition content available.
Viiv and high definition TV are more expensive premium offerings and the two technologies could join forces in enticing consumers to upgrade.
In the standard definition Viiv systems are mostly a more expensive alternative to media adapters and other appliances.
"Without high definition content, I am not convinced that Viiv is going to make it," said Enderle.
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