Intel Cable TV Service and Set Top Box to be presented at CES?

[Fjodor2001]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/29/intel-set-top-box/

"Intel is preparing to launch its rumored virtual cable TV service and set top box and has a plan to overcome licensing hurdles.
[...]
After its effort to convince smart TV manufacturers to use its chips in the initial launch of Google TV failed a few years ago, it’s decided to go it alone. The source said that Intel was frustrated with “everyone doing a half-assed Google TV so it’s going to do it themselves and do it right".
[...]
A source from inside Intel tells one of our tipsters that the first version of the evolving set-top box will be revealed by Intel at its CES event on January 7th."

Any idea what kind of hardware will be used for this? Has Intel mentioned this before?

Also, is Intel really enough of a software company to pull this off? How much application software and UI experience do they really have compared to e.g. Apple, Microsoft or Google?

 

[Arachnotronic]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/12/29/intel-set-top-box/

Also, is Intel really enough of a software company to pull this off? How much application software and UI experience do they really have compared to e.g. Apple, Microsoft or Google?

Yes. A good portion of Intel's staff is actually software engineers. They also seem to be -- from the job listings -- hiring software guys quite feverishly for "user experience" type things.

 

[Fjodor2001]

Yes. A good portion of Intel's staff is actually software engineers. They also seem to be -- from the job listings -- hiring software guys quite feverishly for "user experience" type things.

Sure, but I guess most of them work with drivers, tools and similar. Possibly some UI for utilities and installers. But what major application and UI software has Intel produced? Are they really comparable to Microsoft / Apple / Google in that sense?

 

[Arachnotronic]

Sure, but I guess most of them work with drivers, tools and similar. Possibly some UI for utilities and installers. But what major application and UI software has Intel produced? Are they really comparable to Microsoft / Apple / Google in that sense?

http://www.windriver.com/solutions/consumer/

(Intel owns Wind River)

 

[ShintaiDK]

Sure, but I guess most of them work with drivers, tools and similar. Possibly some UI for utilities and installers. But what major application and UI software has Intel produced? Are they really comparable to Microsoft / Apple / Google in that sense?

Intel is deep in Tizen(former Meego) with Samsung, Android with Google etc. Intel is one of the biggest linux supporters.

 

[MisterMac]

I'm confused - they just want to create a hardware box with netflix?


Is that what's stopping people from going netflix?
(having a 2010 samsung smart TV - samsung is stopping me)

Altho i'm not convinced i'd buy a box just to escape that or normal cable.

 

[ShintaiDK]

I'm confused - they just want to create a hardware box with netflix?


Is that what's stopping people from going netflix?
(having a 2010 samsung smart TV - samsung is stopping me)

Altho i'm not convinced i'd buy a box just to escape that or normal cable.

Samsung is stopping you? We got Netflix on our Samsung 2012 Smart TV. Maybe you need to upgrade the Smartbox. Those ARM boxes dont last long

 

[blackened23]

I don't see intel making another set-top box for the mere purpose of streaming existing online content such as netflix and hulu. There are tons of products that do this well already. With products like the WD TV Live, roku and even the aTV (if you love paying for overpriced itunes stuff) already on the market -- it's hard to differentiate in this area.

What I would love to see is some type of streaming service for exclusive cable content such as HBO GO, cinemax, etc. Something that takes "streaming" television to the next level. If this device enables that type of content without paying exorbitant cable contracts, I'll be all about it.

 

[todpod]

Google or intel need to start buying content providers, like A&E Networks or other ones that would give them some leverage to get programming to their service. It seems almost all the biggies have both content and the distribution. Comcast is a good example of this.
At some point you would think you would be able to get your local channels over the internet. It ought to get interesting over the next few years.

Maybe that will be the next big thing rather then going to sell there tv shows to the networks they just stream them to your PC. If a company like netflix could produce good original programming then that maybe the game changer.

 

[IntelUser2000]

Any idea what kind of hardware will be used for this? Has Intel mentioned this before?

Hardware isn't an issue. They've announced Berryville, the next generation SoC, with the product name CE5300.

They also announced that they are licensing Comcast's cable box based on Berryville. It does seem increasingly likely that they are planning something.

 

[Fjodor2001]

“everyone doing a half-assed Google TV"

Well, at least they got that right.

I mean, how hard can it be. All I want is this:

* Full A/V format support, VLC style. Download any weird format from the Internet and it should play flawlessly.
* Should support 4k TV, 1080p60, 3D TV, etc at max bitrates.
* Should be able to store media both on a local drive and on a network drive. And play from those locations too of course.
* Upgradeable SW.
* Should support third party apps, e.g. for NetFlix and so on.
* Good looking UI. Something like WMC or XBMC, but even better if possible.
* Automatically downloaded album art, lyrics, etc.
* Fast. Everything should be smooth an instantaneous.
* Should be able to get content from all media providers. I.e cable TV style, but with multiple providers, and over the Internet.
* Physically small unit and preferably fanless, or at least virtually silent.
* Good I/Os. Optical audio, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, USB 3.0, etc.
* Good and extremely fast search functionality. Google style. Should search both local media, media on a network drive, recorded media, and media from content providers.
* Good EPG.
* Full subtitle support. Both embedded and external. Also possibly to automatically download subtitles from the Internet.
* Should be easy to control using a remote.
* Should also support keyboard and mouse control, for typing text and smoother advanced UI operations.
* Should have an optical drive for DVDs/Blu-rays, which should play perfectly with menus etc.
* Should be able to record video while watching other channels.
* No DRM crap.
* Unit optionally embedded within the TV to reduce the amount of boxes and cables.

I guess that covers the very basic requirements. Should that be so hard? Why does everyone fuck this up?

 

[IntelUser2000]

And I guess you want that all in a $99 box the size of a matchbox?

Lot of the things you claim its "easy" is not in reality. And you call it basic?

Should be able to get content from all media providers. I.e cable TV style, but with multiple providers, and over the Internet.

That's like the HARDEST requirement you have there by far. It's probably worth 10 of the features you listed alone. No sane cable provider or media guys will give that up without insane requirement of their own.

I really think you should do a bit more research before doing some of your posts(not just this one).

 

[Fjodor2001]

And I guess you want that all in a $99 box the size of a matchbox?

Lot of the things you claim its "easy" is not in reality. And you call it basic?

That's like the HARDEST requirement you have there by far. It's probably worth 10 of the features you listed alone. No sane cable provider or media guys will give that up without insane requirement of their own.

I really think you should do a bit more research before doing some of your posts(not just this one).

I admit to being a bit over optimistic. Actually, that was more or less my complete wish list.

But I'm just disappointed that nobody seem to get this right. Even Intel seem to be disappointed, so I guess I'm not alone...

 

[blackened23]

Honestly your list is insane. That stuff you mention is hardly "easy", and would definitely cost a lot more than 99$.

The biggest issue is licensing fees for premium content EG A+E, cinemax, HBO, etc. From what I can tell, nothing can be done about and it isn't due to effort - i'm sure if it were simple, every product (roku, aTV) would support premium content.

Anyway, I'm pretty certain that intel won't be making a mere "me too" streaming device like the apple TV. That would be way too easy and doesn't differentiate from existing products. How they will differentiate will be interesting to see.

 

[IntelUser2000]

I admit to being a bit over optimistic.

No.

Honestly your list is insane.

Yes. :\

 

[Fjodor2001]

Actually, most items on the list are already available. The problem is that it's spread out into different HW & SW. If you would combine the best from VLC, WMC, XBMC, MP, Stand alone Blu-ray Player, PVR, etc you'd get almost everything on the list above.

So it's definitely doable. The main problem that I see is to strike deals with the content providers. It seems like Apple and others are having problems with that too.

Also, I'm not requesting this at $99. That was IntelUser2000's ironic suggestion. If they would get close to the list above I'd be prepared to pay perhaps $500-800 or so for the unit, and $200-500 a year to the content providers depending on what content subscriptions I sign up to.

Hardware-wise, you can already now build a HTPC capable of all of the above within the budget I'm suggesting. There rest is about SW, and striking deals with content providers. So it's not totally unrealistic actually. Usually Apple is good at putting all the pieces together, creating an ecosystem, and making everything user friendly - "it's just works" as they say. Let's see if they eventually succeed this time, or if Intel or someone else does it before them. Anyway, it's about time someone makes this happen. One thing is for sure though - there's plenty of $$$ to be made for the one who succeeds.

 

[cbn]

Has Intel mentioned this before?

Officially No, but back in March some info leaked:

http://www.xbitlabs.com/news/multim...eportedly_Working_on_Internet_TV_Service.html

 

[cbn]

Nvm.

 

[Fjodor2001]

Seems like it may be delayed due to content licensing headaches:

http://www.slashgear.com/intel-web-tv-scheme-may-miss-ces-2013-after-licensing-headaches-02262769

 

[MisterMac]

As much as a juggernaut like intel has of power technologically - i often wondered even if even the mainstream hipster Apple can't get content kings to make a deal - how would Intel?

OR google for that matter.


I somehow don't imagine Intel has the same powerful corporate pull in the non tech world as Google\Apple

 

[Khato]

As much as a juggernaut like intel has of power technologically - i often wondered even if even the mainstream hipster Apple can't get content kings to make a deal - how would Intel?

There actually is a good reason for Intel having a better position - their primary interest in such a service is the hardware sales it will generate. I doubt they'd mind getting a small slice of the ad/content revenue as well, but unlike Google and Apple that would not be all that they get out of it.

That Slashgear story is certainly plausible, but seems somewhat odd for a limited deployment considering that the entire reason for such was to get the content licensing done. Which does make sense - give the new service a try in a few areas to see how it actually works before deciding whether or not to play ball. Because if the advertising works well (compared to the absolute joke which most commercials you get during current streaming offerings) then it goes back to that being the primary revenue stream for the content providers instead of subscription fees.

 

[sm625]

The only way this makes sense is if intel has some sort of breakthrough hardware compression up their sleeve. If they came out with some sort of vector multimedia compression algorithm that quadruples the quality at any given bitrate, they would really have something. Anything short of that seems like a failure and a waste of effort. I've been waiting for some company to step up and actually make a great advancement in video compression. Given an advanced enough codec, I know it is possible to deliver 1080p blu-ray quality in a 1GB file. It's been a real disappointment not seeing brainpower being put to use here. That has to change at some point though.

 

[IntelEnthusiast]

Wow this would be cool if it was true (I have heard nothing about it). I would love to get rid of the 150 package to with only about 5 channels starting with both history channels and finish the science channal.

 

[kleinkinstein]

http://gigaom.com/video/inside-intels-tv-service-no-ces-announcement-but-plenty-of-juicy-details

 

[Idontcare]

If netflix can offer as much content as they do for $7.99/month then I don't see the content providers really being all that big of an obstacle with Intel either.

Obviously there are going to be the crown jewels (premium channels) of every provider which will still carry a huge premium when offered ala cart through Intel.

The thing here is you've basically got one effective monopoly doing business with other effective monopolies (ESPN ) and both sides of the equation are going to understand each other and see eye-to-eye far and above what people are giving them credit for IMO.

Railroad barons and smoke filled rooms come to mind :hmm: