You've got major telecom providers all hurtling down the path of major IPTV service offerings . . . and expanding network integration and applications rolling out on new TV's . . . so long HTPC, you museum piece you.
You know what's great? Knowing that no matter what hardware I have, no matter what version I have, no matter what brand I go with, I will always have everything, and I'll have it before everyone else.
This is probably true . . . and I forget to add, that as of right now, I am strictly Internet Content only . . . I either watch what I want to watch directly on my PC, or it has an HDMI port on it I can plug into the TV. Upgraded the Internet connection to 6 Mbps, fastest I can get on DSL here right now. Will not support Time Warner for many reasons.
Friend just bought a new Sammy 1080p LCD with a built in network connection. Sampled some IP based stuff on it the other day, excellent picture quality, but he's going to have to upgrade his connection.
I know Google is slamming in fiber all over the place and buying all kinds of bandwidth from the Telco's . . . it's going to be fascinating to see how this all plays out.