More Viiv, less choice

Admittedly we have seen a recent trend from motherboard manufacturers to comply with Intel's wishes and create such a PC platform with many barebones PC's, Multimedia PC's and motherboards, all sporting the new Viiv logo.

Naturally it can only contain Intel components and these components are naturally very specific in nature. Intel is an incredible marketing machine and all PC's brandishing the Viiv logo will contain all the ingredients necessary to make your Digital Home experience better than ever - at least that's the word from the folks at Intel.

Taking things further, Viiv is more than just a set of components on a motherboard. It is a whole software suite which can be downloaded once you have your PC running.

This software suite can give the user customizable content and access to vast arrays of digitally streamed content. Thus enabling the user to record and customize any form of digital media that is streamed through their PC from DVD's to internet media broadcasts.

Again quoting Intel, they state "Intel® Viiv™ technology is Intel's brand for in-home entertainment PCs designed to transform how consumers manage, share, and enjoy a broad and growing assortment of movies, programs, music, games, and photos. Intel Viiv technology is a combination of hardware and software technologies that helps enable a great entertainment experience. The Intel® Viiv™ brand makes it easier for consumers to identify PCs designed for the digital home, plus on-line services, applications and peripherals that have been designed and verified for digital entertainment."