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Technology Events
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Entertainment Server The entertainment server (ES) is the foundation of broadband entertainment. The ES is the heart of the convergence of home electronics and combines the functionality of a cable set-top box, personal video recorder, CD/DVD player/recorder, surround sound system, DTV tuner, WiFi router, FM radio, FM transmitter, and gaming console. Multimedia PCs with television and Surround outputs are the best example of an entertainment server.
As this picture shows, the ES will take a variety of inputs from video cameras, VCRs, MP3 players, optical discs and the Internet.
The back of the ES contains many analog and digital interfaces. HDTV could come from the coaxial cables, FireWire (IEEE 1394), or component video. Analog video could go through the S-Video or RCA jacks. Analog audio would come out with up to 8 channels to support Surround EX, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CD, and Dolby Digital. Low cost ESs may have optical SPDIF outputs tht would feed an audio amplifier. The ES has multiple USB connections for gaming controllers, cameras, MP3 players and most other PC devices. The variety of connections turns the ES into the media center or digital hub for the home. Interfaces not shown are WiFi. The details of the entertainment server are covered in chapter 1-3 of the book. The entertainment server is not a dream but a reality that can be purchased from many vendors. The best example is the entertainment server from Interact TV. Microsoft's Media Center 2004 software turns multimedia PCs into and ES as well. The Broadband Entertainment revolution starts with the entertainment server that is at least a PVR. A requirements document that can be downloaded for free can be found here.
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