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The Media Center PC, with strong backing from software giant Microsoft and computermakers such as Gateway, HP and Dell, will be heavily hyped for the holidays.
The powerful PCs are the latest attempt by the industry to move the home computer from a back room into the living room as the center for home entertainment and information.
The machines, which use a special version of Microsoft Windows, turn computers into home theaters, TVs, digital video recorders and multimedia centers for games, photos and music.
The built-in tuner allows you to connect your cable or satellite dish to your computer and watch TV on the monitor. And a special Windows interface makes icons big enough to operate the PC with a remote control from an easy chair 10 feet away.
In addition, the Media Center PCs may appeal to the growing number of people interested in digital video editing and music, both of which require a lot of horsepower.
Obviously, all of that power comes at a price. The best configurations run about $1,500 and up.
Stephen Baker, an analyst with the NPD Group, thinks it will be another year or two before those really catch on.
"One of the ideas of the Media Center PC and the whole issue of home networking is how do we get all these products to work together?" Baker said. "Home networking, audio, DVD, all tend to be at different stages in that march toward convergence. . . . It's tough when all the pieces of the puzzle are not in the same box."
- For Personal Tech's review of the Media Center PC, check www.sptimes.com/Technology.shtml Click on Archives and go to June 23.