Hi
I must admit that this product sounds very exciting and due to the fact that
it can identify the program which is on now and next, and all the other
things that go with that, it should be a great product. The disappointing
factor however is that this is as I understand it a sound only device, and
while I appreciate there are lots of blind people who live on their own and
this device will require no TV licence as a consequence, I (and many others
I'm sure) live with sighted people and I think this equipment will not
integrate with a TV and associated equipment.
Brian Hartgen
E-MAIL: brian@xxxxxxxxxxx
MSN: brian@xxxxxxxxxxx
SKYPE: brianhartgen
----- Original Message -----
From: "Ray's Home" <rays-home@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <access-uk@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, July 21, 2005 11:38 PM
Subject: [access-uk] Portset Media Centre
Many here will have seen Andrews posting about the Portset Media Centre included in his Sight Village report. I'll add a few impressions and thoughts here.
Portset's Media Centre is indeed what it says, including a hard drive for video recording, a DVD drive for watching videos, and that will support playing of DAISY books too. Its Portset seemed to have cracked the problem of getting at the 'text' in the Freeview equivalent of teletext, as well as the electronic programme guide. Speech is very clear, being based on human speech.
The MC as it stands in prototype looks like a bit of HI-Fi kit, or even a semi pro audio unit. Some had suggested to the designer that the keys would be better placed on top of the machine. I think it would be better to have a sloping front panel with a 15-20 degree rake. That would allow placing things on top of the unit as well as pushing it under a telly if that's what you prefer. Might be good to have the option of hiding many of the buttons under a slide down flap too. Didn't think to ask whether the MC would have a remote, but I'd guess it very likely will.
Projected launch is between October and this Christmas with cost being around £900.00. Seems to me a good price, although I hope its not higher than this. As always there will be an outcry about why it won't be priced nearer a mainstream equivalent, but, had I the money, I would cough up for an all-in-one like this. I do not feel its an unjustifiable price.
The developer seemed very open to suggestions and one of mine is that he might include internet radio in future update, if not in the original. I feel strongly that an easy-peasy bit of kit that people can learn to use easily is very much the way things should go to cheapen the cost of distributing audio books via the net, giving greater speed of up-to-date info and reading for everyone, not just computer users.
The MC does, as I've said, contain a DVD-audio player with DAISY facilities, but DON'T expect to be able to rip your DAISY CDs , you won't be getting that in this unit, for obvious reasons.
Very much a case of 'watch this space at:
http://www.portset.co.uk/pdmc.htm
Ray
Personal emails: Email me at mailto:ray-48@xxxxxxxx
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