Compare the original Wellton Way Multimedia Center (MMC)
with Microsoft MCE and other clones

Wellton Way MMC version 2005-10-01 From this version, MMC version 2005-10-01, Wellton Way will present a new MMC-version every quarter. All users will of course be upgraded free-of-charge over the net. Symbols: = YES = NO MMC has many truly unique functions that are missing in for instance Microsoft MCE Pay TV channels Microsoft Media Center Edition doesn’t work with TV paychannels. This is a fundamental shortage – a Media Center that cannot show regular TV-channels can hardly be called a Media Center. Easiness to use MMC is today the only user interface that all people manage to use, even without prior computer experience and particular instructions, a precondition when the whole family, including grandmother, is to use a computer based interface in their living room. Example: Microsoft has installed their MCE in 20 of the hotel rooms of Stockholm’s downtown hotel “Lydmar”. The leading Swedish newspaper made an interview ”Svenska Dagbladet” 2005-01-11 with the system responsible of the hotel and got the answer: ”The only problems we have is that the customers do not understand how to use the system” Flexibility MMC has generally speaking greater flexibility and possibilities for extensions than all other ”Media Center” software products on the market all together. With MMC it is easy to add ”buttons” that activates for instance an Internet website or IP-telephony software like “Skype”. Keyboard and remote control Remote control MMC’s remote control also has an integrated computer mouse function that enables control and navigation of Internet web pages and all other types of software that the customer might use. Keyboard MMC has an optional wireless keyboard for Windows and for living room use. The MMC keyboard has a unique integration and also mouse function with the same control system as the remote control and its infrared IR-receiver. Also a traditional wired keyboard and mouse can be connected to the IR-receiver. User interface MMC has a unique user friendly ”numerical” user interface immediately understood when seen. Start and navigation in menus and programs is easily done with the numerical, media buttons or the remote control mouse function. External software MMC can also control other external software like web-browsers via the remote control. The flexibility of the user interface Different levels of user skills MMC’s main functions are reached in 2 alternative user settings for different levels of user skills. “Button mode” for users with little or low computer skills and “Media setting” for more advanced users. Create your own buttons The users can create their own buttons to start their own programs and Internet links. Currently, all in all 80 buttons are configurable for the user. Personalize the menu system The users can personalize the “look and feel” of MMC’s menu system according to their own preferences. The users can also create their own ”skin” and visual design of MMC’s menu system. Online help and update MMC has a unique help and information system with online update. Screen saver function MMC has an integrated ”SceenSaverArt” screen saver function to prevent ”in-burns” on plasma screens and at the same time provide the possibility to display favorite photos during the use of music and radio programs. Magnifying glass MMC has an electronic ”magnifying glass” for increased readability on web sites. The web browser Deepnet Explorer can magnify entire web pages with text and pictures. The functions are easily controlled via the remote control. Future proof MMC is future proof as of a unique system update function that facilitates software updates of all functions in the MMC system including new functions. Updates and extensions are regularly provided via the net and are free-of-charge to the user. Choose system language The user can individually choose system language after installation, which is an advantage when systems are sold and exported to other countries and in case the user moves abroad and takes the system with him. Integrated WebRadio MMC has a unique integrated WebRadio function with a ”One Click Start” feature. TV functions WebTVGuide MMC has a WebTVGuide that enables scheduling of TV-recordings via the Web and the mobile phone. TVGuide system MMCs has a channel search- and TVGuide system that works in all analoge cable- and terrestrial broadcast nets. The MMC-system is in this sense not dependent on a centralized database for TV-channel tableaux. Subtitling in DigitalTV MMC TV is the only solution in the world that supports the function of subtitling in DigitalTV. DivX-films and MPEG2-films MMC also supports subtitles for recorded material like DivX-films and MPEG2-films. Encrypted Digital TV-channels MMC TV is the only solution in the world that is compatible with encrypted digital TV-channels. Text-TV MMC supports text-TV in both analog and digitalTV. TV MMC supports analog dual-tuner cards and digitalTV cards with encryption function. Dual analog and digitalTV cards with encryption MMC supports analog dual-tuner cards and digitalTV cards with encryption function. Fast channel-shifts MMC TV has Live TV function for analog TV that provides very fast channel-shifts. Timeshift MMC has unlimited “timeshift” time period and also includes the possibility to transfer timeshift to a recording Selectable ”aspect ratios” MMC has selectable ”aspect ratios” width/height ratio so that a TV program or movie gets presented with correct ratio regardless the broadcast mode or display size aspect ratio, 4:3, 9:16 and others. Miscellaneous Integrated with telephones MMC is integrated with telephones, cellular phones and IP-phones via the unique and patent protected user interface: 0-9 # * (Telephone interface). Integration between the home’s multimedia center, cellular- and IP-phone is of course one of the most important functions for full flexibility. Other software MMC does not only support Microsoft’s software but of course also automatically other common programs and formats on Internet like for instance Real Player, DivX, Quicktime and others, which is essential in the living room. MMC has a built-in checklist function that identifies if the system is lacking some particular software. Installation and updates are handled with one single click of a button 3 months free trial All interested clients can free-of-charge try out MMC for a period of 3 months, to get acquainted, compare and come to their own conclusion that MMC is the only user interface that anyone in the family can manage to use, even grandmother when she comes for a visit. At the moment a Swedish version, during October/November also available in an English version. Regular updates MMC is updated regularly with improvements and new functions. Until the end of year 2006 hundreds of updates and new functions are planned. These are delivered automatically via the net and free-of-charge. This means that the user probably never needs to buy new electronic appliances. Though, exceptions can occur when for instance Wellton Way delivers a function that Wellton Way pays a license fee for, to re-distribute. In such cases of course the user decides whether he/she wants to purchase or rent the function. A future function, Split Screen An example of upcoming functions that will be launched is Wellton Way’s patent pending and interactive “Split Screen”. Wellton Way Split Screen means that the user for instance can watch a football game and at the same time access a transparent web page in the lower part of the screen. The particular web page can be an online betting provider’s homepage on which the user can see for instance the odds for a particular football team’s next goal. The user can then place a bet with the remote control. Wellton Way user tests and Wellton Way’s own point-o-view and comments about these: Wellton Way has during its development phase first and foremost tested and refined MMC to enable also “low-skilled” users without computer experience to manage MMC. That is why we for instance have developed two different menu settings, one easy-to-use mode and another for advanced users. Our comparison contains several examples of the unique MMC-functionality. These types of user-systems are very comprehensive and complex. Microsoft and other clones demonstrate so many shortcomings that they become difficult and often impossible to use by everyone, the whole family in the living room. Wellton Way has not developed a system for the computer skilled, but a system for the whole family. Our own tests show that most all people can manage to use Wellton Way MMC, after a very short instruction. Wellton Way’s own tests, though not scientifically made, show that more than half of the tested people do not manage to use Microsoft MCE. Running investigations made in Sweden. See also the example from Lydmar Hotel. When one enters over the living room door step one leaves the computer environment behind and enters the family’s entertainment center. Even a skilled computer user normally takes distance away from Microsoft MCE in the living room, after having seen and tried Wellton Way MMC. The user does not want to deal with a computer interface but have immediate access to the content desired by pressing a button. The user also wants to access the personal content by quickly pressing a button. Please note: As the MMC user interface contains so many functions also being updated on a running basis by Wellton Way there could be minor errors in the comparative table between Wellton Way MMC and Microsoft MCE. Wellton Way is of course grateful if someone would find and point out such and error in our comparison so that we get a chance to correct it: info@welltonway.com