Instead of using time of this microsoft should use some of their time to fix all them tons of bugs that appears in their software. I will praise the day when a piece of bugfree microsoft software reach the market, so far they havent delivered one single piece of software without bugs. I must say if a bricklayer delivers such s***pieces of work as microsoft usually do, there wouldn't be one single building still standing in the whole wide world. Now guys, hope you get my point here
Uncleburt Von Himpfendinxx

"Now guys, hope you get my point here"

Yeah, apparently your point is that you don't want to use NAY software....ever.

You say "so far they havent delivered one single piece of software without bugs" about Microsoft. Since that is also true of EVERY piece of modern software/OS shipped by EVERY company out there, I guess you just aren't going to use software or opertaing systems anymore....right?

So tell us........

Has ANY company EVER released a 100% bug free piece of software?

We'll be waiting for your answer.......

When I beta tested Windows XP I had to pay (I think it was) $35. That was for 2 CDs (Beta 2 and RC1). I don't thank they will just give out free systems. If microsoft dose give it out for free, I want my mony back.

Compctech... you weren't really a beta tester for that test. You were simply alowed, for a small price, to use the software. I wouldn't consider you a beta tester for Windows XP.

Yeah really. It was more like the "Consumer Preview Program" that he was in..........

I think it is a good idea, but the basic funtionality of this unit is already available ..to some extent...all you need is a video card with a tv out (most video cards have them), your sound card connected to some sort of speakers or receiever, a wireless mouse and keyboard (not to expensive these days) and a 60 inch tv so you can see stuff from far away :-) ....all you really get out of this is a bigger interface so you can see stuff better...no big deal really...digital media is going to take off (even more then it already has) and therefore, eventually everyone is going to have their computer connected to their tv, the thing is, this is not news...

you're missing the point in quite a big way. sure all the separate things are available already. what microsoft is doing is making it all integrated from a common interface which is all controllable by a simple remote control (as apposed to a relatively slow and cumberson mouse + keyboard). microsoft is taking a PC and turning it into a home appliance that looks and feels like an appliance instead of a PC.

I want something like that. but I dont want to have to buy a complete new PC to do that!

I totally agree Freddy.

Email microsoft and tell them to make this available to everyone.

I believe there was talk about offering a "freestyle upgrade kit" for existing PCs. I don't know if it will actually happen, but I read about the idea somewhere...

Im begining to think even microsoft dont really know what they are going to do with the freestyle code once its complete. The freestyle pages on microsoft.com are at best confusing. On the front page of the ehome pages it says "Enjoy enhanced digital media experiences, TV, and a complete PC through the power of Windows XP." which makes it sound like it will just be an add on to XP. Yet half the media reports I have read have said that it will only be available as part of appliance like devices and it will use freestyle as the shell - which kinda limits what that PC can do.

This whole idea sounds incrediably stupid to me. Anything in it you can bet will be spyware on top of it.

Yeah, Just ask yourself - Can I see a 17" monitor from across the room? If you have to go back to the monitor to select what you want to do what is the point? Now give me a 17" MICRO WIRELESS LCD and were in business.

It is made to be used with your televisions set, not your PC monitor.

That's not what the article says.

You can use both.

This is so annoying! I'd love to build a freestyle based PC, but I really dont see why we should be forced into buying an off the shelf PC to get it. The only unusual hardware requirement I would guess would be the remote control stuff - surely they could release this separately. grr!

Oh, and why does it require a 1024x768 monitor? I thought freestyle was designed for TV output?

yeh I thought the same - doing a little research seems you would be looking at some sort of PCI card to go to the TV ? With what connector a Playstation2 setup thing I guess.

Looking into snapstream etc - all need some sort of PCI TVCard. Although none seem to support UK TV digital inputs yet .... :-(

If the connector is a scart (Europe) that’s going to be one hell of a long cable. Like the idea - just cannot see how its going to work ? Maybe a wireless connector ?

Having the ability to browse images, play music (MP3) and check email while sitting on the sofa is cool. Also linking this up to a good sound separates and you have a pretty cool home entertainment setup!

Daboss

FunkyFreddy3k I agree... I already have a system intergrated into my home theater, that I built. It ticks me off that I can't simply expand this to include Freestyle.

EricJilot

Are you sure they aren't going to release an add on pack for people with computers? Like the software and the remote. You have to buy the tv tuner and everything else???

If someone is on the beta you should raise hell if they aren't planning on selling this as an add on.

I dont know if snapstream supports them, but there are some wintv products that support uk digital tv (the nova range supports terrestrial - I think there is a satelite product as well?).

Iv been using snapstream with sky for the last 6 months just using svideo in on my tv card and using the sky personal planner to do the channel changing. It works, but its not integrated and smooth like it all should be - which is why I got my hopes up when I heard microsoft was entering this market.

oh and regarding snapstream, its almost certainly going to be the snapstream code that microsoft uses in freestyle I think ;)

I don't know about you, but I'm jealous.

jealous? i was asked to be a part of this beta and they asked if we would be willing to spend $800 on equipment. i said hell no and that's most likely why I wasn't accepted into this. i wonder if they actually made their testers pay...bas****s.

I think you're confusing Freestyle with Mira. Microsoft asked if Mira testers would be willing to pay for the hardware, not Freestyle testers. Maybe that's why you weren't accepted ;)

This hardware is just on loan during the Freestyle beta and must eventually be sent back to Microsoft.

Nate: Do you happen to be a beta tester for this?

Unfortunately not!

ok, so you expect them to spend $800 per tester without even knowing if that tester is going to be any good?

Yeah, that's real stupid.

Testers do not have to pay a thing.

Well back to the point of using it across the room on a monitor it makes no since, considering regular computer users probably don't even know what the use of the product would be for..most likely used for big wig company supervisors who believe they should use it.

Freestyle is an interface for "Home Theatre PCs" - ideally something with a stereo component form factor that's connected to your receiver and TV.

You could also use it on a dual function PC, used for normal computer activities *and* connected to your home theatre components. I'd love to try that. Unfortunately, it's not clear how we'd get our hands on the software.

Nate's right. People that were invited to take a survey for the Mira beta were asked if they would be willing to pay $800 for hardware. AFAIK, if you said no, you weren't accepted. However, I'm not sure if they selected everyone that said yes (I had to answer no, as I didn't have the money).

I believe that all the Freestyle testers were selected from current Microsoft beta testers. Yes, Microsoft is shipping Freestyle testers a PC for free. However, at the end of the test we are required to send them back to Microsoft.