[Duffy]

Let's be honest.

The very existence of this excellent site is proof that a MCE PC becoming a standard part of the living room is not going to happen. If IT experts have to continuely tweak the system (download new software and codecs, regedit, etc) then what chance the average person on the street.

The only people I know with MCE PCs are geeks and early adopters who just like playing around on a PC and seeing what it can do.

We all know that once Sony or Microsoft can deliver a Playstation or Xbox in a closed system that is also a PVR (with a guide), DVD player, can store ane play photos and music, connects to the internet, and can expand its capacity (add more HDDs), then the days of the MCE are numbered - it's just too complicated and time consuming.

If I were Apple, I would be very conscious of the above and be working very hard to get in first, because on the back of an all-purpose Playstation or Xbox will be an integrated portable music system that will knock iPod off its perch - nothing beats innovation better than more innovation.

The next few years will be very interesting - convergence and the digital home may finally arrive for the masses.

Further, while my MCE is working relatively well, I find my dedicated PVR has a better picture (although I'm closing the gap fast) and is far simpler to operate. Music is much easier using Media Player on a PC and not via MCE. I use MCE predominantly for home movies and photos. I noticed from another thread that some of you have all/most of your DVDs loaded onto your HDDs - while I understand the convenience factor, most people will find it easier to bypass the problem of ripping DVDs to HDDs and just have DVDs on a shelf.

Final word: walk in the shoes of the customer - EASE OF USE will determine the final winner.