|
|
|
| |
|
Technology Events
|
Technology in Broadband Entertainment Broadband Entertainment explores the future of home entertainment when you can have libraries of audio, video and gaming accessible throughout your home. Entertainment technology is continually evolving and is merging with generic PC technology to give home entertainment enthusiasts affordable improvements. From WiFi to 320 GB disk drives, the technology that is improving your home entertainment is discussed in this book. One of the main concepts of the book is the entertainment server (ES) that combines the functionality of a set-top box, personal video recorder, gaming console, DTV tuner, stereo, WiFi router, FM transmitter and DVD player. The entertainment server uses the latest computer technology to make your entertainment options better. Basic ESs are already available from Microsoft partners and companies like Interact TV. Interact TV makes a slick Linux based box that I'll review in January 04. These are already selling for less than $1,000 and prices will continue to fall. You get a variety of options for these, but you should at least get PVRs for standard television, Dolby Digital, and optical disc players. DTV tuners should become common in these by 2005. Top-shelf ESs will support HDTV, DVD-Audio, Super Audio CDs and 802.11g WiFi. I haven't found any that support my full dreams yet, but they're sure to come. I expect prototypes in 2004, and they should sell for about $1,000 in 2006. Examples of other technologies discussed in Broadband entertainment are:
Buy signed copies here.
|