Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Coming This Fall: Goodbye Pika, Hello MCX
Posted by Jeremy Charette in "HARDWARE" @ 02:00 PM
"It looks like we may finally be getting some answers to where those missing Pika devices are. For those you who aren't familar with the term, Pika is the v2 of Microsoft's Media Center Extenders, which they played up big at WinHEC 2006. The devices, which are standardized on Sigma's 8622 part, look like they're finally getting close to the market. I have heard that there are three partners in the "network/IT" space that will be coming out with gen-2 Media Center Extenders this fall, and beyond that we will likely see some bigger consumer electronics brands in spring of 2008."
I'll be very curious to see what the pricing is on these MCX devices. The Xbox 360 is (soon to be) starting at $279.99, and is the only high-definition Media Center Extender device available. If the standalone MCXs aren't priced cheaper than the 360 (and I don't think they will be), I don't see the point. Now...if they could come up with an MCX with a built-in HD DVD player at $300, I'd snap one up in a heartbeat!
I'll be very curious to see what the pricing is on these MCX devices. The Xbox 360 is (soon to be) starting at $279.99, and is the only high-definition Media Center Extender device available. If the standalone MCXs aren't priced cheaper than the 360 (and I don't think they will be), I don't see the point. Now...if they could come up with an MCX with a built-in HD DVD player at $300, I'd snap one up in a heartbeat!
