Technology moves the mouse over to the couch

L.A. Daily News - Business: "In Los Angeles, Microsoft is expected to unveil Windows Media Center Edition 2005 for entertainment computers, as well as other software and gadgets that seek to simplify sharing video and music while enforcing copyrights.
Separately but not coincidentally, Intel Corp. will be in New York showing off prototypes for entertainment PCs.
The industry is touting such systems as the best example yet of the PC's convergence with couch-centric diversions -- a goal that has so far proven elusive despite repeated attempts.
This time, the stars may be aligning for success: Hollywood is opening its vaults of songs and movies to digital distribution. The hardware is better and cheaper. And new software makes using an entertainment PC as easy as clicking a remote control.
The high-performance computer systems being unveiled this week promise to serve music, pictures, video and live television to stereos, TV sets and other displays.
Depending on the setup, the PCs also can support high-definition digital TV, multiple analog TV streams, radio and other content.
They also will allow sharing over home networks and with portable devices."