Channel backs Intel's Viiv

Channel players are throwing their weight behind Intel's Viiv (rhymes with jive) platform, claiming that it has the potential to give the industry a much-needed shot in the arm.

Antony Sheen, managing director at distributor Altech, told CRN that Viiv "represented a big opportunity for many people and could [provide] another kick for the computer industry".

Launched recently, Viiv is a set of components that includes Windows XP Media Centre Edition and media software to allow consumers to watch movies, play games and download music through one system.

The technology platform also includes dual core processors with the Intel Pentium D, Pentium Processor Extreme Edition and Intel Core Duo processor.

Other distributors agree that Viiv could provide the goods.

Victor Aghtan, managing director at Westan, said as long as IT vendors provide the right components to run the platform, the so-called convergence of IT and electronics would become a reality.

The channel should see the platform as an additional device with whatever else needs to be bought for home entertainment, Aghtan said.

Several suppliers including Acer, Alloys Australia, Altech, Claritas Technology, Computer Alliance, Dell, HP, MiTAC, NEC, Optima and Pioneer Computers are supporting the platform.

However, for Altech's national sales manager, Kevin Hartin, the problem is for Viiv to work well it required a 100 percent 'Viiv-environment' - a Viiv-enabled router, Media Centre and DMA device.

Altech claimed to be the first company worldwide to have a Viiv-certified Media Centre. Hartin added that at present, the company can sell Viiv version 1.09, which "doesn't do much except allow you to access exclusive online content".

But version 1.5, due in June, would change that and "put a shell across the whole digital home setup," he said.

IDC analyst Michael Sager, said it was the first time anyone had brought together compatible devices that could be deemed as digital home devices.

"AMD has something similar called Live but it's not as stable as Viiv. It has a potential to be quite interesting and make a sizable impact - it's the first time one IT vendor has linked so many vendors and technology together on a single platform. Fundamentally everything about the technology is in order, he said.

An distribution industry source, who did not wish to be named, claimed there are those on the inside that believe AMD's focus on bringing the dual-core products early to the marketplace has helped it to take a lot of Intel's market share.

However, the major consensus from IT experts has been that Viiv is more hype than a technology - for Intel to demonstrate it is also in the dual-core technology field, the source claimed.

Ming Wah, manager at online reseller PC Market, said the general public would have problems understanding Viiv and Intel would have to do more work on the Media Centre.

"A lot of people don't want Media Centres and aren't using [them] as a home entertainment centre. It was supposed to be the buzz word last year and this year but it hasn't taken off."

antony sheen hardware victor aghtan viiv