ReplayTVBlog

What the heck is Intel Viiv Technology? This is a question that everybody seems to be asking, but nobody seems to have a definitive answer. While it seems like it is some great new multimedia convergence technology for computers, I just don’t think that’s the case.

Browsing Intel’s website and reading what they say Viiv is (they should know — it’s their technology, after all), at first you get the impression that this is some new technology involving the new Pentium D (Dual Core) processors that will allow you to download and watch movies, music, and TV shows on your PC and share them throughout your house. It gives the impression that you won’t be able to do these things without Viiv and that you will have to go out and buy a new computer with Viiv to get these capabilities. But I can do these things on my computer now and I don’t have Viiv!

In reality, Viiv appears to be nothing more than a specification from Intel for a “Media Center PC”. From Intel’s website:

Your Intel® Viiv™ technology-based PC:

Processor
Dual-core processing power means smooth performance and complete control of your digital media.

Chipset
Advanced technology works in harmony with Intel® drivers for vivid graphics, smooth video playback and supports up to 7.1 channel surround sound.

Operating system
Windows XP Media Center Edition makes it easy to control and enjoy your digital media.

Your TV
Enjoy the benefits of dual-core power from the comfort of the couch. Access verified entertainment services that are optimized to fit your TV for an outstanding experience.

Viiv is nothing more than a fast computer running Windows XP Media Center Edition that may or may not contain a TV Tuner and remote control. But by marketing this as an “Intel Technology”, people are going to believe that they need to have an Intel Dual Core Processor and an Intel Chipset and Motherboard, when really any computer with the right hardware will work.

Viiv is marketing hard at work for Intel. And now that ReplayTV is no longer making hardware but only selling their software for computers, they are going to have a hard time competing with the Intel / Microsoft marketing juggernaut. If computers are being sold with Windows XP Media Center Edition pre installed, why would anyone buy a copy of the ReplayTV software? They already have everything they need to watch, download, and record TV and, according to Intel, they need XP Media Center Edition and Viiv to do these things.

It’s definitely going to be an uphill battle for ReplayTV. The only way they will be able to compete with Intel and Microsoft is to somehow make users see the value in their more powerful and mature solution, which is not going to be easy. Right now, most people don’t even know what ReplayTV is!

Technorati Tags: ReplayTV, Viiv, Intel, Microsoft, Windows XP Media Center Edition

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