If Microsoft wants to be a serious player with Xbox as a media platform, they'd better allow fantastic and open software like XBMC to inhabit the environment.
Their media interface is lagging and horrible in comparison to the very nimble, feature-rich, flexible, and OPEN media manager from XBMC.
I've owned an xbox (and the upgrades) since inception, and the device was / is great for gaming, but as a media platform - it simply sucks.
You're better off buying an HTPC, run windows or linux, then install XBMC.
...I agree that TV's will have it all on-board, but as an audiophile and someone who wants the latest / greatest features, I don't want to be locked in with on-board solutions that can't be upgraded.
I suspect the on-board solutions will be spec'd to have just enough processor power, just enough memory, etc, for the software shipped.
I also suspect the media tools and interfaces to evolve very quickly.
If Microsoft wants to be a serious player with Xbox as a media platform, they'd better allow fantastic and open software like XBMC to inhabit the environment.
Their media interface is lagging and horrible in comparison to the very nimble, feature-rich, flexible, and OPEN media manager from XBMC.
I've owned an xbox (and the upgrades) since inception, and the device was / is great for gaming, but as a media platform - it simply sucks.
You're better off buying an HTPC, run windows or linux, then install XBMC.
...this ends my geek-rant.