Re: An open source HTPC for the general public

On Tue, May 3, 2011 at 10:44 PM, Evan Hisey <[email protected]> wrote:

> 2011/5/3 Marc Feldman <[email protected]>:
> > I have been disappointed with the plethora of proprietary set-top boxes,
> > GoogleTV, AppleTV, Tivo, CableDVRs etc.  I think the best TV experience
> is
> > with a real PC as set-top DVR / browser.
> >
> > There was a time when desktop publishing was only for the technologically
> > adept.  Advances in hardware and software made word processing an option
> for
> > the general public.
> >
> > Could the same thing be done with DVR software?  Could a PC-DVR system be
> > reliablle enough to function as a consumer item?
> >
> > I am exploring the opportunities to choose an open source DVR software
> > platform, to add
> >
> > 1.  An installation wizard to assist with the purchase of hardware,
> > download, installation, and configuration of hardware, and set-up of
> > recordings and features.
> >
> > 2.  A cloud based infrastructure to assist with system monitoring and
> > maintenance, with email notification for faults and remote reboot, etc.
> >
> > Is this possible or am I barking up the wrong tree?
>
> 1 is possible, but really if you are going to sell hardware, just sell
> a complete solution and remove the need for hand holding, which will
> be a support nightmare, for random hardware.
>
> 2 would require a pretty serious outlay of network support and some
> some what invasive technology, which would really need corporate
> backing, much like the hardware selling.
>
> Truthfully home brew DVR needs to stay in the realm of the tech
> competent, just like desktop publishing is really only done well by
> people that do it for a living.
>
> Evan
>
>
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Evan,
Thanks for your rapid and helpful response. To clarify what I am suggesting.

I am not selling anything.  I want to develop a free and open source
software alternative to TiVo and Windows Media Center that a novice could
easily set up and use.  I would be following the established model of
promoting free open source software and eventually getting revenue from
associated management services.  I suppose the technical Harvard Business
School term is the South Park Underpants Gnome business model.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TBiSI6OdqvA

I am not doing this for profit. I want to establish a sustainable venture
that will put the control of TV entertainment into the hands of the
viewers.  For example, I may have a web page with compatible hardware that a
user could click through to purchase on Amazon.  (for example, maybe an Acer
Revo, or a more powerful Giada or Zotac machine).  I would get a referral
fee from Amazon, at no cost to the purchaser.  I don't want to get in the
business of inventory, sales, or service of hardware.  By keeping the system
software-only, and starting with a very constrained recommended hardware
list, I hope to get the benefits of ease of set-up without the complications
of selling hardware.

3.  Because the bandwidth requirement of network support is very low, I
think I can establish the system on a scalable cloud infrastructure at very
low cost also using free, open source networking software.  A large number
of HTPCs could be monitored and supported for free.

I would like this to become a commercial venture that will promote and
support an open source developer community.

-- 
Marc Allan Feldman
Director
Openivo, Inc.
Beachwood, OH
[email protected]
http://about.me/marcallanfeldman
216-312-4169 (direct)

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