Covergence all around us: Multimedia Powered Devices

A few years ago, the term "Convergence" was used to describe what was at the time, the invevidable merging of the personal computer with entertainment electronics. Gateway sold the Destination 2000 system, which was an attempt to capture that vision into a product.

However, it didn't catch on. It was big, heavy and expensive. It was complicated to use, Windows was not the right interface to interact with from 8 feet away, via a remote control.

Still, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs have touted different visions ot how this convergence may happen. Bill Gates sees a world where your PC acts as a chameleon-like device that can, through interaction with other PC based products, offer access to media content whereever and whenever. Steve Jobs is touting the digital hub scenario, where all devices are designed to be true to their given task, but are able to interact with the PC via clever software the streamlines complex tasks.

This talk is designed to look at what unexpected things happen when you combine the functionality of media devices that we are familiar with (VCR's and TV sets) with computer based products; Peanut Butter and Chocolate together make something that is not quite either -- the Reese's Peanut Butter cup. Finding the right balance of complementary technologies can be hard. Witness the device at the top of this page.

We are on the verge of a time where we may have more choices than ever before as to when and where we can view content, including video. In a few more years the idea of a television channel may be as anachronistic as the turning knob on a television set itself.

Generic Media sells software which allows you to repurpose your video to devices such as a Palm Pilot.

SnapStream is a company that sells software, which combined with a TV tuner card in your PC, can time shift programming, like a VCR. However, since it is on a PC, you can then watch that programming from whereever you have a network connection, including on your PocketPC handheld, and soon, your cellphone. This is different from the Tivo, which conspicously leaves out a networking port.

Terapin sells a Video Disk Recorder. It is essentially a VCR, but records on commonly available CD recordable disks. This allows you to play back movies on your computer or laptop, or on a device that looks like a CD Walkman.