Microsoft’s been in the DVR business for eons… and in all sorts of forms, like this long-forgotten LG set-top. They’ve also excelled at ignoring and exiting the DVR business. Which is why it should come as no surprise that Windows 10 will not feature any sort of Media Center experience. In fact, I wouldn’t have even thought to ask the question. Well, amidst release of the currently limited function Xbox One TV tuner comes word that television recording may return (via a more suitable platform in my estimation).
Microsoft’s solution for this need will apparently be the Xbox One, though the console currently only provides live TV watching, but not recording. My sources tell me that will change, and most probably this year, to include TV recording.
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If the Xbox ends up being a full fledged DVR, I could see it selling to the Media Center fans. They lost those sales when they didn't include the extender functionality originally.
I could even see picking one up to play with if it worked with CableCARDs. Let companies like Hauppauge and Ceton make the network CableCARD tuners and just add support and a larger hard drive. It seems like a win/win. Xbox potentially sells more which potentially leads to more game sales. As it is right now, I can't think of a reason I would buy the XB1.
I can't imagine anyone would invest in new CableCARD integrations, given poor uptake and the whole open cable access technology being rethought under FCC scrutiny. But if you've already got a tuner, a hard drive, and a UI (as Xbox One does), why not do DVR?
i'm happy with my Xbox One//Tivo Roamio combo. Hard to beat and I have access to just about any cable/disc/internet based video content I want.