DISCover
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
[Image:DISCover.jpg|thumb|DISCover logo]]
DISCover is a technology that allows "drop and play" of PC games on a video game console/multimedia center. It attempts to bring games console user-friendliness to the PC games market. Alienware is the foremost manufacturer of DISCover-based systems. DISCover made its debut at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show.
The DISCover architecture "Drop n' Play" technology,used for PC games that are compatible with the technology, installs the game automatically, while users without the technology must manually load the game before playing. The DISCover My Games interface works with Third-party services to help facilitate online multiplayer games, and downloadable content such as free trials and rental of commercial software.
DISCover systems require an internet connection to work, as - much like the abortive DIVX DVD rental system - the software will connect automatically to central servers in order to download updates and new compatibility lists.
DISCover has been compared to Panasonic's 3DO Interactive Multiplayer system, which was able to easily run several different types of media discs, but failed due to market oversaturation and a prohibitively-high price. Like the 3DO, most DISCover-capable units retail at a high price (Alienware's DHS 2 console retails at $1,600), but this is typical of most high-end Media Center PCs.