CONVERGENCE
The first few months of 2002 saw a slew of machines that promise to become the center of your digital entertainment world. Can any of them do it all? Don't count on it. Here's a rundown of the contenders - and their fatal flaws.
Moxi Media Center
$25-$70/month
Impressive. Expandable DVR holds 60 hours of video. Cable or satellite receiver. Built-in DVD.
Music
Music Jukebox lets you build playlists for CDs and external MP3 players. Has RealOne player for streaming Net audio.
Internet And Games
Designed to work as a cable modem or DSL gateway. Handles Web browsing, email, and instant messages.
Connections
Like wires? It has Ethernet, firewire, and USB. Dislike wires? It's got 802.11a with Media Center Extension.
Verdict
Shades of @Home: Moxi relies on satellite and cable providers to sell and support its complex box. No games. Not available until late 2002.
800-mhz iMac
$1,799
No built-in TV tuner. DVD-R lets you play and record DVDs.
Music
Rip CDs. Play MP3s.
Internet And Games
Broadband-ready. Plenty of Mac games available.
Connections
Two firewire ports, five USB ports, Ethernet.
Verdict
Apple calls this sleek machine the "digital hub." Close, but no DVR.
Xbox
$299
No TV tuner. Plays DVD movies with optional $30 kit.
Music
Rip songs off CDs and store them on the Xbox hard drive.
Internet And Games
Kickass games. Microsoft's Xbox online gaming service is due by midyear.
Connections
Connects to cable modems and DSL through Ethernet.
Verdict
Someday the Xbox will expand into a box that does everything. For now, it's just a game machine that plays music and DVD movies.
Freestyle Equipped PC
$1,000-$1,500
Microsoft's hardware-software package turns your PC into a DVR, complete with clicker.
Music
Rip CDs. Play MP3s.
Internet And Games
Natch.
Connections
Depends on the PC you buy.
Verdict
Classic vaporware? It won't arrive until early 2003 at the soonest. Open question: Will its DVR hold up against TiVo?
Tivo Series2
$399, $10/month
Big-time. DVR with 60 hours of video.
Music
RealOne player will be a software update by the end of the year. Will build song playlists for MP3s and CDs, and play streaming music from the Net.
Internet And Games
Teaming with AOL to offer an upgrade that will allow Web browsing, email, et cetera. TiVo says watch for "video party games" in 2003. Do we have to?
Connections
Two USB ports. An upgrade that will let you share video with other home units is in the works.
Verdict
Not ready for prime time. Waiting on music, games, and Internet access.
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