Ceton today notified about 1,000 applicants of their acceptance into the beta program for the “Echo” Media Center Extender. Ceton first announced the “Echo” extender at CES in January along with a Windows Embedded-driven whole-home DVR codenamed the “Q.” Announced this Spring, the “Echo” beta is a paid beta program. Accepted candidates now have an opportunity to confirm their willingness to commit to purchasing the device at the announced suggested retail price of $179.00.
Ceton announced that beta participants will receive their units in September, and production units will be available at multiple retailers in time for the 2012 holiday season. Ceton also announced that the Companion Apps for iOS, Android, and Windows Phone will be available to the public in late August. They provided no further information about the “Q” DVR except to say that they’re working on it, and more information will be available in the September timeframe.
At $179, the “Echo” comes in just $21 under the entry level Xbox Console—a device capable of acting as a Media Center Extender and offering numerous other online video services, including Hulu Plus, HBO GO, and Amazon Instant Video. We had hoped Ceton would hit a price point in the low 100s, but $179 is certainly in line with our expectations. With thousands of beta program applicants, Ceton should have little trouble filling the program for the available units. How the device ultimately sells will depend on many factors, including street price, availability, and the demand for a controlled extender experience.
Related Links
Read Ceton’s announcement
Find out more about Ceton’s “Q” Entertainment platform
Watch our video preview of the “Q” and “Echo” from CES
One thing you forgot to mention Richard! Is the extra 60 a year to access those services on top the services you will be accessing.
Elmopio- People who are seriously interested in this product know how to go on eBay or catch a deal for a 12-month subscription for $35-40. Plus, there are frequently deals at places like Target and Walmart for $199 + $50 gift card.
That being said, I’m still waiting to see what extra features they can bring to this product. I want to know if they were able to enhance the “regular” extender experience or if all the enhancements need the Q (which looks freakin’ awesome but doesn’t have a price or release date). Also, keep in mind the way the prices dropped on the InfiniTV within about a year. There is definately an early adopter tax (a.k.a – investment in the success of the company) with this product, as was there with the infiniTV.
You make a good point on finding subscription on the bay. But some have annual renewal since the first xbox. Like myself. Even then. all these services are a VOD. Something we don’t have when using CC with MC. But personally I never used VOD anyway. Even when I rented the first boxes back in 99 from the CableCo. I recorded to vhs. That was me. I always recorded and rerecorded/deleted when I was done watching the programs.
I do not believe there will be extra features to a standard MC box. Only when it connected to a Q to take full advantage of these extra features you speak of.
Now I personally think these Echo’s will be dropped to $79.99 after a year also.
People who love WMC should read this. The xbox is the enemy of WMC. Buy an echo, suppport wmc.
http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2007/12/04/1378385.aspx
I agreed with that statement four and a half years ago, when he wrote it. It’s still probably true, but (not to sound too defeatist) we’re now two OS versions later, and Microsoft has clearly picked its horse. That doesn’t mean there can’t continue to be a thriving community of hardware and software to support Media Center, and Ceton is clearly making great strides there.
I’m in on the beta but the price i think is to high, if they want it to really catch on they need to be at the $100 price range.
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